So you’re looking to buy an SUV, huh? There are so many good options. It may seem like too many options. But the good news – what makes it easier and what makes it harder – is that the options are so dynamic and different, no two products are exactly alike. Buying a car is a big, important decision because it very much affects the lifestyle of your family, and while you may be willing to lay down the top dollar for the best product, it is a large expenditure, and you want to make sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. Well, I can’t tell you what car to buy, but what I can do is compile a list; a list of ten top-notch SUVs, all of which offer different features, sizes, trims, etc. Hopefully, this list will help you to get a better understanding of what you’re looking for, what suits your needs, and what you want to ask your luxury SUV dealer when you go in for your first test drive. So, without further ado, I present to you my list of ten SUVs:
#1 – Chevy Suburban
I mean, there’s a reason that the Suburban is usually used as a pseudo-limousine. It is an extremely strong, durable SUV with a wonderfully-crafted interior. Having just gone through a makeover and now being billed as the All-New Suburban, the vehicle is better than ever. Having best-in-class maximum cargo capacity, the Suburban has ample room to suit both you and your items if you’re going on a family vacation or even if you’re just getting ready for a big day of school, sports, activities, and more. Having grown up in a large family that drove a Suburban, I can personally attest to the vehicle’s family-friendliness.
One of the best selling points for the Suburban is its safety technology. Chevy Safety Assist is one of the best safety technology packages on the market, with features that include automatic braking in a variety of potentially dangerous situations, lane change assist, and more. One top of Chevy Safety Assist, Chevy Teen Driver is a safety package that will give you peace of mind and keep the kids safe once they begin learning how to drive. The program allows you to program a specific key fob (or fobs) to be the child’s personal key that keeps track of their driving habits, allows you to set certain restrictions (speed, audio volume, acceleration, etc.), and allows you to examine a report card of their driving habits. The Suburban is an A+ SUV for families.
#2 – Chevy Tahoe
Maybe the Suburban sounds great to you, but you don’t want something quite so monstrous. Then take a look at the Chevy Tahoe. Just like the Suburban, the Tahoe is all-new, having gone through a makeover with its counterpart. The Tahoe is very similar to the Suburban; it is just a little bit smaller in stature. If you plan on driving in more urban environments where tight parking may be a regular occurrence for you, chances are the Tahoe will better suit your needs while still providing you with most of the outstanding features of the Suburban.
#3 – Subaru Ascent
The big draw of the Subaru Ascent is its compact exterior which makes way for a mysteriously large interior with three rows of seating. It is every bit a CUV on the outside but has the seating capacity of a full-size SUV. Subarus are built to last, and the Ascent offers a number of features that you and the kids will love, such as a panoramic moonroof.
#4 – Kia Soul
The Kia Soul? That’s an SUV? Technically, yes, it is classified as a compact SUV. This CUV comes from one of the finest, most efficient, and most eco-friendly brands in the automotive world. As a Kia Soul Driver, I can vouch for the vehicle’s durability, safe construction. Not that you needed me to tell you this, but the outside is also pretty stylish. The interior makes for a great ride. Some of my best memories have taken place behind the wheel of my Kia Soul. It’s not just the driver that has a good time, though. Compact as it may look, the rear passenger seating of the Kia Soul has deceptively generous legroom, making for a surprisingly spacious rear-passenger experience.
As far as practicality goes, the Soul only seats five, so it is not as spacious as a full-size SUV. But, if you’re in the market for a compact SUV, then the Soul is about as good as it gets. You’ll be getting a high-quality CUV for a surprisingly low starting price. That will pay off, seeing as the EPA-estimated fuel efficiency for the Kia Soul is 29 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. I told you Kia is an efficient brand.
#5 – Nissan Armada
The Armada is a sleek vehicle. One of the most exciting parts about looking into the Armada is the option of the Midnight Edition, which makes the vehicle even more dark and mysterious. This three-row SUV is the perfect blend when you need something that makes for effective day-to-day living with the family but also want something truly elegant and special when going out for date night. What’s more, the exterior has a more elegant look than many work-oriented SUVs, making it look and feel less dominating on the road.
#6 – Dodge Durango
The Durango has one of the most unique exteriors of any SUV on the market; while maintaining the strong appearance of an SUV, it adds a sportiness that can’t be found anywhere else. Inside, though, it offers 85.1 cubic feet of cargo space and is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing driver cockpits in the SUV market.
#7 – Ford Bronco
If you’ve seen a Ford Bronco on the road, you know it. If you didn’t recognize it by the massive “Bronco” logo written in huge letters directly on the grille, you probably recognized it by its awesomely exciting athletic build. The 2021 model features all kinds of new and exciting developments, and the trim lineup features a dynamic group of vehicles, all classified by their variations in off-roading technology. But, if you’re looking to get off the road in an athletic adventure vehicle, the only way to go higher than the Bronco is to go to the original off-road adventure vehicle. You need not be a car expert to know that I am speaking of the Jeep Wrangler.
#8 – Jeep Wrangler
Yes, the Jeep Wrangler is the classic off-roading vehicle. In fact, it is just a classic vehicle. Period. It offers one of the most notable exteriors on the road, removable doors and roof, an extremely tech-savvy interior, and leading off-road technology. Like other vehicles previously mentioned, it only seats five, so if you’re looking for something to suit a rapidly growing family, then maybe now is not the time for a Wrangler. But, if you’re looking for a vehicle that puts the Sport in Sport Utility Vehicle, then it doesn’t get any better than the Wrangler. Since Jeep is a tried and true brand, though, they’ve got something to suit your needs, no matter what they may be. Let’s look at another one of the most notable Jeeps on the road.
#9 – Grand Cherokee
Yes, the Grand Cherokee is one of the most popular Jeeps. While possessing certain features of the Wrangler that give it a more adventurous look than many other SUVs, the needs the Grand Cherokee fill are more practical and suited to everyday needs. But, it is still Trail Rated, so if there’s a day when all the kids are off at soccer, and you want to take the Grand Cherokee off the road, it is just as ready as you are. Inside, you’ll find a very nice interior, including the option for Nappa leather-trimmed heated seating and a CommandView Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof. There is also the option of surround sound with the Harman Kardon Premium Audio System, which includes a 10-inch subwoofer with 19 high-performance speakers – 19 speakers all in one car. You’ll have no problem jamming in the Grand Cherokee.
There is one more vehicle on our list, and we’re saving the best for last. Not only is it the best, but it is actually the predecessor of the Grand Cherokee, which in the 2022 model year is returning to reclaim its rightful place as the leader in SUVs.
#10 – Grand Wagoneer
Ah, the Grand Wagoneer. There’s a name we haven’t heard in a while. Its time off the market was well-spent, though, because you’ve never seen a vehicle with an interior like this. Ever. The interior is designed with American walnut and authentic metal surfaces. It is so elegant in the way that it shines and invites you in; it feels like sitting in a well-designed room, not merely sitting in a car. To add to the elegance, the interior includes plenty of leather. While many vehicles now offer leather-appointed seats, the Grand Wagoneer offers leather-trimmed seats (of course), door panels, and a leather-trimmed center console (which is huge, by the way), making every inch of the interior feel inviting.
If you’re driving or riding as a front passenger, you’ll never want to enter another car again. The front seats are 24-way power-adjustable (that’s a lot of options) and include massage capabilities. Imagine getting a massage while driving. You don’t have to imagine it much longer. If this wasn’t enough to make it the ride of your life, you can personalize the interior once the sun goes down through ambient lighting and relaxation mode to really get the most out of the massage feature. Don’t get too relaxed if you’re driving, though; you still have to stay awake.
In the rear of the cabin, the Grand Wagoneer offers best-in-class second and third-row (yes, it is a three-row vehicle) legroom, so it will be a comfortable ride for everyone. To add to this comfort, the option of screens attached to the rear of the front seat headrests allows the kids to have a personalized viewing experience on long road trips. If there is one car I can encourage you to go look at today, it is the Grand Wagoneer. But, only take the kids if you’re absolutely set on buying it because they’re not going to want anything else after seeing it.
Narrowing it Down
We’ve covered a lot of options here, and you can’t have them all. But hopefully, this helps you narrow down your search. You can’t go wrong with any of these vehicles. But, if you really want to best-in-class, then the Jeeps are the way to go. Jeep is a staple brand that won’t do you wrong. The big first step is to identify what you and your family need and what you anticipate your driving habits to be. Whether you’re looking for the best interior in the Grand Wagoneer or the exciting capabilities of a Wrangler, one of these ten SUVs will have exactly what you are looking for.
