By now you probably know that sedans and coupes are headed for extinction. The reason why are SUVs and crossovers, which offer more space for both passengers and cargo. They also offer a higher driving position and, in some cases, the ability to go off-road. Just about every automaker today offers an SUV, even Lamborghini. Most offer several, which can make it hard to recommend just one.
Instead of recommending a handful of SUVs and crossovers, we decided to highlight a dozen that buyers need to know. These range from certified off-roaders to compact city cruisers. Continue reading to learn which SUVs we recommend for 2022.
Best SUV for Off-Roading: 2022 Jeep Wrangler
It was tempting to give this honor to the Ford Bronco. However, as MotorTrend discovered, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler is still the king of off-roading for a variety of reasons. These include the fact that the Wrangler offers better grip on steep and slippery slopes. The Wrangler also has a better front-camera. This comes in handy during more technical crawls where visibility is limited.
Then there’s the fact that the Wrangler comes with a bevy of torque-heavy engine options. These include a turbodiesel V6 with 442 lb-ft of torque, a V8 making 470 lb-ft of torque and a hybrid with 470 lb-ft of twist. All of these blow the Bronco out of the water, which only produces a maximum of 415 lb-ft of torque.
Source: JeepBest Electric SUV: 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E cannot go as far on a single charge as the Tesla Model X. It also doesn’t offer as much interior space or performance. That doesn’t matter, though, because the Ford is simply more exciting. The iconic American automaker’s first all-electric SUV has been praised by reviewers for its striking and sporty design. Its spacious and tech-heavy cabin has also been lauded. The Mustang Mach-E offers a max of 60 cubic feet of storage and its vertical touchscreen measures 15.5 inches. It is also affordable at $43,000, at least as far as EVs go.
The only real negative about the Mach-E is its max range, which comes in at 305 miles. Still, it’s worth noting that the Mach-E is an all-new model. Its range should improve as larger batteries — the biggest at the moment is a 91kWh unit — are added.
Source: FordBest Hybrid SUV: 2022 Rav4 Hybrid
The 2022 Rav4 Hybrid is quite a bargain with a base MSRP of $28,900. That money buys a five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive and a fuel economy of 41 city and 38 highway. However, what makes the Rav4 Hybrid truly stand out is its design. Unlike the CR-V Hybrid and Escape Hybrid, the Rav4 Hybrid looks tough. Its sharp lines and aggressive stance do a convincing job of making it look like an off-roader. Speaking of, it even offers an off-road driving mode!
That may sound like a silly thing to praise, but hybrids are often decried for looking boring and bland. The fact that Toyota tried to make the Rav4 Hybrid fun, all while keeping it affordable, is worthy of praise.
ShutterstockBest SUV for Holding Cargo: GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Suburban
The GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban both offer a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet of storage space. This isn’t a coincidence: The SUVs are the same, save for the badging. GM’s biggest SUVs barely edge out another GM product, the Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade offers 142.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Just how much storage space is that? Well, 55 cubic feet is about the equivalent of one small garden shed measuring 6 ft. x 4 ½ ft. So, if you have two small sheds and some soil to haul, these SUVs can easily do the business.
Source: ChevroletBest High-Performance SUV: Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT
There are actually quite a few high-performance SUVs on the market. None of them come close to matching the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, though. This coupe-inspired SUV is powered by a hulking 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 631 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0-60 mph happens in 3.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package equipped. Top speed is a blistering 186 mph.
While it does offer launch control, the Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t all about straight-line speed. In fact, Motor Authority had high praise for its handling and steering. At $180,800, the Cayenne Turbo GT isn’t close to being affordable. However, few high-performance SUVs are, and none are as capable as the Porsche.
Source: PorscheBest Full-Size (7-seat) SUV: Kia Telluride
At a starting price of $32,790, the 2022 Kia Telluride almost sounds too good to be true. The Telluride comes standard with seating for seven, navigation and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The Kia offers 21 cubic feet of cargo storage with all three rows up. Folding the back row grants 46 cubic feet of storage space. Fold both rows and you get a whopping 87 cubes.
The Telluride also offers a long list of standard safety tech. This includes: a frontal-collision warning system, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride can be optioned with AWD, Nappa leather, dual sunroofs and so much more, all for under $50,000. The Telluride can also tow up to 5,000 pounds, which should be enough for most family long weekends. Simply put: It’s hard to find a three-row SUV that offers more at this price point.
Source: KiaBest SUV for Towing: Ford Expedition/Expedition Max
The 2022 Ford Expedition can tow an impressive 6,500 pounds standard. However, if you want to unlock its full capability, you’ll need to purchase the optional heavy duty trailering package. This $750 optional extra pushes the Ford Expeditions tow rating to a whopping 9,300 pounds.
This is 800 pounds more than the Expedition’s nearest competitor in this category, the Nissan Armada. The Expedition can also seat up to eight people, which effectively makes it the perfect vehicle for large family camping or lake trips. Just make sure to look away when fueling up.
Source: FordBest Budget SUV: Subaru Forester
How much SUV can $25,195 buy? If you’re talking about the 2022 Subaru Forester, the answer is “quite a lot.” The entry-level Forester comes equipped with all-wheel drive, Subaru’s “EyeSight” suite of safety tech and a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. It also offers an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a whopping 76.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
Few SUVs offer as much safety tech, storage space and all-wheel for $25,000. The Forester isn’t exactly exciting in its cheapest form, but it does offer an incredible value. For some people, that’s exciting enough.
Source: SubaruBest Luxury SUV: Genesis GV70
This is a controversial choice given the plethora of German, English, Japanese and American luxury SUVs to choose from. However, we’re not the only ones heaping praise on the 2022 Genesis GV70. It was MotorTrend’s 2022 SUV of the year. Adding to its accolades, Cars.com said it “should be on every luxury compact SUV shopper’s list.”
The Genesis GV70 gets such high praise for its striking and singular exterior design. It looks like no other luxury SUV on the road today, in a good way. That ethos carries over to the interior, which has a design that can best be described as “luxury retro minimalism.” Then there’s the fact that with an MSRP of $41,000, the GV70 is just a good deal. That money buys you a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, AWD and adaptive cruise control. Its warranty is clearly inspired by its parent brand, Hyundai, with 5 years/60,000 miles of basic coverage. Few cars, and even fewer luxury SUVs, offer such beauty and value.
Source: GenesisBest SUV for the Drag Strip: Lamborghini Urus
This may come as a surprise to some. The reason being is that the internet is filled with videos of Tesla Model Xs destroying muscle cars at drag strips. However, according to Car and Driver, the Model X only makes the run from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. The Lamborghini Urus with its 641-hp twin-turbo V8 covered the same distance in a blistering 3.1 seconds. What’s more, tuning house Karz managed to get that time down to 2.7 seconds.
It’s worth noting that the Model X tested by Car and Driver only had a 90kWh battery pack. The Model X is now available with a 100kWh pack. It sounds like the only way to settle this is to get the two together on the track.
Source: LamborghiniBest Small SUV: Kia Seltos
For the past few years, the Subaru Crosstrek was the best small SUV on the market. It offered a roomy cabin, strong safety features and standard all-wheel drive at an affordable price. Then the Kia Seltos came along.
The 2022 Seltos starts at $22,490. It offers all-wheel drive standard. Its cabin has space for up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo. Aside from the base model, all Seltos’ come standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. The list of standard safety features is long. Highlights include lane-keep assist and forward-collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection. The Seltos’ cabin is upscale. Its thirstiest trim still averages 25/30/27 mpg (city/highway/combined). Aside from ho-hum engines and driving dynamics, the Seltos is a winner in every way. Kia has raised the bar for what a small SUV should be.
Source: KiaBest SUV to Take to the Track: Jaguar F-Pace SVR
British car magazine Autocar called the Jaguar F-Pace SVR “a seriously impressive piece of kit.” That’s because the SVR offers all the practicality of an SUV while handling and performing like a sports car. The Jag’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 makes 550 horsepower and sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds. It packs a torque converter from the Project 8 sedan, the company’s fastest four-door ever made. This allows the F-Pace SVR to purposefully put down all of its 516 lb-ft of torque to all four tires.
The F-Pace SVR hustles expertly around the track thanks to “keen handling and precise steering,” as Car and Driver said. At $84,600 the F-Pace SVR isn’t cheap. However, it is basically two cars in one: a sports car and an SUV.
Source: Jaguar
