American drivers have a number of excellent options when it comes to SUV models in 2023. The style has become more refined in the decades since it first hit the market nearly 40 years ago. The safety features and comforts found in SUV design these days reflect increased expectations for what it means to get on the road. Fortunately, car makers have been up to the challenge, and they produce a broad variety of different SUV models.
Among the plethora of options, SUVs can broadly be broken down into value and premium categories. They’ll all have certain qualities in common, but within each group, these vehicles lean towards more efficiency, more safety, or a balance of the two.
Three Best Value SUVs
To be a value SUV means meeting all the requirements of the SUV category without breaking a reasonable budget. To achieve this goal, carmakers may make tradeoffs on things such as how powerful the engine is, the luxury features built into the car, and reducing cargo space. The following models are those that stand out in one way or another without dropping the ball in any essential category.
- Most Efficient: Hyundai Kona – Priced below $22k, the Kona brings a lot of value to the table. It’s one of the most efficient SUVs on the market, boasting up to 32 mpg combined for the conventional engine. There is an electric version for those who want an even more efficient vehicle, but it raises the price point by roughly $10k. Even with that change, it’s still one of the best values in electric SUVs, though it no longer qualifies as a budget model.
- Safest: Jeep Compass – Despite being a compact SUV, the Compass mirrors the Grand Cherokee’s design to achieve a remarkably safe chassis for less than $27k. It possesses many standard comfort features and provides an exceptionally smooth drive in any condition. The Compass lets drivers enjoy a sporty ride without rising to an excessive price.
- Best Overall: Kia Seltos – The Seltos combines safety with luxury to make a balanced, value-oriented ride. Coming in below $23k, it is less efficient than the Kona but almost as safe as the Compass. Its basket of features includes plenty of interior space, cargo space, and attractive trim options.
There are certainly other budget SUV options below the $30k price point, but many designs that emphasize being affordable trade too many core features to be worthwhile. These three options truly represent the SUV from an economic standpoint.
The Three Best Premium SUVs
The SUV category is so broad that carmakers have numerous options at nearly every price point. For those who want a more luxurious experience and have the budget to allow it, these models stand out from the crowd. Each of these models exceeds $80k as a starting price but ultimately justifies the price tag through their exceptional design and superlative features.
- Most Efficient: BMW X5 xDrive45e – BMW’s approach to the hybrid model bears impressive results, featuring a range that’s up to 400 miles per fill and options to switch between pure gas and pure electric sources. The X5 xDrive45e is exceptionally comfortable with stylish designs both on the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
- Safest: Volvo XC90 – Volvo brings the most advanced safety technologies to bear, starting with a robust mid-size SUV chassis and then adding layer upon layer of safety features and designs. Its semi-automated driving feature prevents instances of drifting and helps protect drivers even when they become distracted. Despite this emphasis on safety, the XC90 still embodies luxury in its sharply designed interior, spacious seating, and high-end features.
- Best Overall: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid – Although Porsche didn’t have the first luxury SUV, it designed the first best luxury SUV. As is standard for the brand, Porsche designed a uniquely smooth ride that blends tremendous engine power with a luxury interior that just feels different. Fast enough for the Autobahn, this hybrid SUV may trick its driver into thinking it’s a sports car, but the overall design embodies what it means to be an SUV with high marks for safety, spaciousness, and comfort.
Those seeking the luxury experience need to consider these three models for their next SUV. When an SUV costs more than $80k, it’s essential to carefully weigh the options and not compromise anywhere in terms of safety and smooth driving. For luxury SUVs, it’s a difference of a few percentage points in each category, and these three earn top marks across the board.