10 Great SUVs That Deserve More Attention

2019 Lincoln Nautilus ・ Photo by Lincoln

Heaven knows there are a lot of SUVs on the market these days. Over the past decade, American car buyers have made it very clear that they prefer the upright stance, elevated ride height, and utter versatility of SUVs. Carmakers have responded in kind, filling the market with scores of SUVs, both traditional and crossovers.

With all of the new vehicles flooding showrooms, it is only natural that some of them would not get the attention they really deserve, which is why we put together this list. There is no doubt that tried-and-true SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Explorer deserve the attention — and the sales — that they get. But at the same time, you might find extra value in a lesser-known SUV that offers high quality, good reliability, and excellent drivability. Here are 10 great SUVs that deserve more attention.

2020 Mazda CX-30

Mazda has well-regarded SUVs in its CX-9, CX-5, and CX-3 lineup. The CX-9 is arguably the most drivable of the three-row SUVs, and the CX-5 compact SUV has become the darling of enthusiast testers worldwide.

Into this three-SUV mix, Mazda recently thrust yet another entry — the CX-30 — and it is a very likable SUV possibly because it doesn’t feel much like an SUV from behind the wheel. The CX-30 does have SUV credentials, including an all-wheel-drive option, but its overall handling is more reminiscent of a subcompact hatchback than a lumbering sport-utility. Under its well-styled hood is a 186-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the CX-30 delivers the upscale ambiance that has marked Mazda vehicles lately. With a starting price of around $23,000, the CX-30 is a worthwhile find.

Photo by Mazda

2020 Ford Escape

One thing that Ford designers grasp is that SUV buyers want space and utility, so that’s what they delivered in the new 2020 Ford Escape. The five-passenger compact crossover offers a giant cargo compartment that can hold 65.4 cubic feet of stuff with the rear seatback folded. With five passengers inside the Escape will still accommodate 37.5 cubic feet of luggage, more than many mid-size SUVs.

In most iterations of the Escape, power comes from a 181-horsepower 1.5-liter in-line three-cylinder (not a misprint) engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid and high-power turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains are also available. So are front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. At a starting price under $25,000, the Ford Escape provides a lot of versatile room for the money.

Photo by Ford

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s heritage includes world rally championships, and that is reflected in the value-oriented Mitsubishi Outlander. The vehicle delivers substantial interior room, ample cargo space, and available three-row seating that help set it apart in the crowded compact SUV segment.

The Outlander’s base engine is a 166-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, while a 224-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid version are also available. The powertrains are complemented by Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system that automatically distributes driving torque between the front and rear wheels as necessary. Drivers can select from four distinct driving modes: the standard “Normal” mode, enhanced feel in slippery conditions with the “Snow” setting, maximum control in "Lock,” and an "AWC Eco” mode that maximizes fuel efficiency. The Outlander has the chops for off-roading as well as family-car duty.

Photo by Mitsubishi

2020 Nissan Murano

One of the Nissan Murano’s key calling cards is its styling. In an ocean of lookalike SUVs, the Murano goes its own way, and that is something that excites its cadre of buyers.

The Murano is a mid-size SUV, but it doesn’t offer three rows of seating. Nissan builds the well-known Pathfinder to serve those customers. Instead, the Murano is in the portfolio to provide a choice for those who don’t need seven-passenger seating but would like the versatility of an SUV. Available in front-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, all Muranos are powered by a venerable 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine teamed with a continuously variable (CVT) transmission. The base S version is simply finished inside, but as you climb the trim levels, the interior gains a luxury-car look. The base front-drive Murano has a starting price of slightly less than $32,000.

Photo by Nissan

2020 Dodge Durango

On an island amidst a sea of front-drive crossovers, the 2020 Dodge Durango hangs its hat on its rear-drive platform and the availability of a V8, something that is very rare in its class these days. The three-row SUV combines advanced technology with serious towing ability, and its classic good looks are complemented by an upscale interior.

The base SXT has standard five-passenger seating, while seven-passenger seating and second-row captain’s chairs are available on GT and R/T models. The most powerful engine is the 475-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 standard in the high-performance SRT. The R/T and Citadel-level trims can be equipped with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower, and the Durango’s standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine produces 293 horsepower. The Durango offers the easy-to-use Uconnect infotainment systems. The 7- or 8.4-inch touchscreen displays feature the functionality of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Photo by Dodge

2020 Lincoln Nautilus

The Lincoln Nautilus luxury mid-size SUV offers a winning combination of exterior style, technology, and value. The five-passenger vehicle features a bold, chrome-laden exterior, while on the inside, Lincoln designers have gone for the “sanctuary” approach. They specifically designed the interior to “cocoon you” in an atmosphere that doesn’t overwhelm you with too much information.

Lincoln Co-Pilot360 uses cameras and radar to enhance the driver’s capabilities to do things like avoiding collisions in blind spots. Its evasive-steer assist gives steering support to help avoid a slow or stationary vehicle if a potential accident can’t be mitigated by braking alone. For added tranquility, acoustic side glass reduces wind noise for rear passengers, while engineering and assembly techniques decrease road noise. To enhance its supple, quiet ride, the Nautilus is powered by a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, while the optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 offers 335 horsepower.

Photo by Lincoln

2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade mid-size SUV rides on an all-new chassis that offers exceptional second- and third-row accessibility and space. The “One-Touch” second-row seat enables even children to move the seat out of the way for entrance to the third-row, and it is equally easy to operate on the way out. The third-row seats are power-operated for convenience when loading and unloading cargo.

The Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6 that powers the Palisade delivers an estimated 291 horsepower, while the eight-speed automatic transmission with multi-plate torque converter technology can be teamed with either front-wheel-drive or Hyundai’s HTRAC four-wheel-drive. Its new technology includes a class-exclusive Blind View Monitor that offers side views in the dashboard whenever the turn signal is activated, complementing the available radar-based blind-spot monitor and an array of other safety technology called Hyundai SmartSense.

Photo by Hyundai

2020 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is a conventional full-size SUV that competes with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. It’s certainly not a leading-edge vehicle, but it is assembled very well as attested by its recent top scores in two J.D. Power studies released this year.

Based on a pickup truck chassis, the Armada is powered by a 390-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission. It is available in both rear-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations. Depending upon the trim level, interior accommodations run from nice to lavish, and we are fans of the Armada’s infotainment system. Most Armada versions will tow up to 8,500 pounds. Though large, the Armada seems reasonably light on its feet and easy to maneuver.

Photo by Ron Sessions

2020 Cadillac XT5

The mid-size Cadillac XT5 has received a cosmetic makeover for 2020, and it added a new turbocharged engine and enhanced technology. The new powerplant is a 2.0-liter 237-horsepower turbo, which is now standard in the Luxury and Premium Luxury levels.

This new turbo, like the venerable 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 that is also offered, uses direct injection, camshaft phasing, cylinder deactivation, and automatic stop/start to optimize drivability and efficiency. Both engines are teamed with a sophisticated nine-speed automatic transmission. The makeover continues in the XT5’s interior, which has been revamped with new color and trim themes. Heated front seats are now standard, and a Bose Performance Series sound system has been added to the options list. The five-passenger XT5 offers a large 63.0 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

Photo by Cadillac

2020 Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator is a three-row crossover that’s as stylish as a two-row. The designers of the Aviator were able to pull that off while maintaining the interior space necessary in a three-row vehicle, and they also separated it from the mechanically related Ford Explorer mid-size SUV, one of the most popular SUVs in the world.

The Aviator is very handsome and imposing from all angles, and it doesn’t borrow too heavily from the Explorer. The well-integrated grille and large wheels and tires give the Aviator the premium feel its Lincoln badge demands. Inside, the crossover is high-luxe without being silly about it. The Aviator boasts a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 400 horsepower, and it is backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its base price of just over $51,000 is much higher than the Explorer’s, but the value seems real.

Photo by Lincoln