10 Best SUV Deals Right Now

It seems like everyone wants an SUV. From young singles to big families to empty-nesters, all Americans have been bitten by the SUV bug. The lure of highly useful vehicles that are easy to get in and out of and offer a commanding view of the road is proving irresistible to millions of buyers each year. So it is often not so much a question of “should I buy an SUV?” but “which SUV should I buy?”

Providing answers to questions like that is our mission in life. We continue to drive, test, and evaluate all of the SUVs available on the American market. At the same time, we keep a weather eye on their pricing and the current incentives — rebates, low-interest financing, and special lease deals — that accompany them. All that enables us to name the 10 best SUV deals right now. And here they are.

To those who say a non-luxury crossover can’t be fun to drive, we present the Mazda CX-5, which disproves that theory. The CX-5 offers handling and responsiveness alien to other vehicles in the class.

A five-passenger compact SUV, the sharp-looking CX-5 is powered by a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive is available. For those wanting more go-power, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder offers up to 250 horsepower when running in premium fuel. Versions with that engine are also offered in front- and all-wheel-drive. In addition to responsiveness that outclasses its competitors, the CX-5 also gets high marks for its interior. Even without incentives, the CX-5 would be a compelling buy, but the incentives add to its appeal. Right now, Mazda is offering 0% financing for up to 60 months plus deferred payments for 90 days.

The Ford Escape is a compact SUV that offers ample and versatile interior space and some interesting tech. The five-passenger crossover has a giant cargo compartment that can hold 65.4 cubic feet of stuff with the rear seatback folded. With all five seats in use, the Escape will hold 37.5 cubic feet of cargo.

The Escape’s base engine is a 181-horsepower 1.5-liter in-line three-cylinder engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions are available, as are hybrid and turbocharged powerplants. At a starting price under $25,000, the Ford Escape provides a lot of versatility for the money. Through the end of the month, Ford is offering 0% financing for up 72 months or a lease on an SE front-drive Escape for $259 per month for 36 months with $3,149 due at signing.

The subcompact Kia Soul entered the 2020 model year completely remade, all while retaining the sassy character that has made it a standout since it was introduced more than a decade ago.

Because it lacks an all-wheel-drive option, some might disqualify it from true SUV status, but no one can deny how versatile it is. The Soul simply has a lot of interior room for the money, enabling it to tote five adults and/or a bunch of stuff. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 147 horsepower, and it is more than up to the task at hand. Those seeking more excitement can opt for the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Kia has many incentives on the Soul that will be in effect through Labor Day. Well-qualified buyers can get 0% financing for up to 66 months or 0.9% for up to 72 months and $1,000 in bonus cash. A 2020 Soul LX is available for lease at $179 per month for 36 months with $2,199 due at signing.

The value-oriented Mitsubishi Outlander has substantial interior room, ample cargo space, and available three-row seating that set it apart from others in the compact SUV segment.

The base engine is a 166-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is certainly adequate for the task. In addition, a 224-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine and a plug-in hybrid version are available. Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is a well-regarded all-wheel-drive system that automatically distributes driving torque between the front and rear wheels as necessary. The Outlander has what it takes for off-road duty, but the available three-row configuration makes it useful for carpools and other family-car use, too. Right now, the Outlander can be financed at 0.0% APR for 60 months with a $500 customer rebate.

The Chevrolet Blazer is a high-style two-row crossover that uses exterior and interior design to make its mark in the heavily populated mid-size SUV segment. While Blazers back in the day were rugged off-roaders and heads-up competitors to the Ford Broncos of the era, the 2020 Blazer is much more an urban and suburban transport machine.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 193 horsepower. It’s coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Optional is a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 also hooked up to a 9-speed automatic. The four-cylinder is front-drive, while V6-equipped Blazers can be fitted with all-wheel-drive. The RS trim has a “black-out” sporty look, while the others up and through the Premier trim are more traditional. In its national Chevy Open Road sales event, Chevrolet is offering 12% off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price as cash back. That could have a value of more than $6,000, depending upon the trim level. Alternatively, customers can lease a front-drive Blazer LT for $269 per month for 36 months with $1,219 due at lease inception.

Like the Chevy Blazer, the Nissan Murano depends upon sharp styling to catch the eye of mid-size SUV buyers. A two-row, five-passenger vehicle, it is available in front-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, powered by a 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 move through the SV, SL, and Platinum trims the interior grows ever-more luxurious. The lowest-priced front-drive Murano starts at slightly less than $32,000. Through the Labor Day weekend, Nissan is offering 0% financing for 36 months with up to $3,500 in cash back on the Murano or $5,000 in total savings versus the suggested price. A front-drive 2020 Murano S with Tech package is available for lease at $279 per month for 36 months with an initial payment of $2,849.

The Kia Telluride mid-size SUV is the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2020, so it is getting a lot of attention. In contrast, the Kia Sorento, a smaller mid-size SUV, flies more under the radar, and that means it can be a very good deal.

The three-row Sorento receives high marks in quality, and Kia offers a lengthy warranty as well. The base engine is a 185-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 290-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 plus an eight-speed automatic is also available. Front-wheel-drive is the standard configuration, but all-wheel-drive is offered on all but the lowest trim. Through Labor Day, the Sorento carries $6,000 in cash back. Alternatively, it can be financed at 0% for up to 66 months or 0.9% for up to 72 months accompanied by $3,000 in customer cash back. A Sorento LX can be leased for $239 per month for 36 months with $2,499 due at lease inception.

The three-row Dodge Durango SUV combines easy-to-use technology with substantial towing ability to differentiate itself from most mid-size crossovers. Five-passenger seating is standard in the base SXT, while seven-passenger seating and second-row captain’s chairs are available on GT and R/T models.

The standard engine is a 293-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. At the other end of the scale, the most powerful engine is a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 standard in the high-performance SRT. Many buyers will find a sweet spot in the R/T and Citadel-level trims with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine that produces 360 horsepower. Inside, the Durango’s 7.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreen displays feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Right now, the Durango is the subject of many incentives, including 90 days of deferred payments and 0% financing for up to 72 months.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade mid-size SUV offers exceptional second- and third-row accessibility and space. The third-row seats are power-operated for convenience when loading and unloading cargo. With an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6 delivering an estimated 291 horsepower, the Palisade has an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both front-wheel-drive and Hyundai’s HTRAC four-wheel-drive are offered.

Among its new technology is the Blind View Monitor that offers side views in the dash whenever the turn signal is flicked on. Other safety features are combined in an array called Hyundai SmartSense. Through Labor Day most 2020 Hyundai Palisade models qualify for 1.9% financing for up to 60 months. In many areas of the country, you can lease a front-wheel-drive Palisade for $339 per month for 36 months with $3,499 due at lease signing.

The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that recently received stellar marks from its owners in two J.D. Power studies released this year. The Armada is powered by a 390-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission, and its truck-based chassis allows the interior good isolation from the road.

Despite its substantial size, the Armada is easy to maneuver and accelerates well. It is available in both rear-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, and most Armada versions will tow up to 8,500 pounds. Through Labor Day the Armada has several intriguing offers. Perhaps the most enticing is 0% financing for 36 months plus up to $2,000 in bonus cash. Customers in many regions can lease an Armada for $690 per month for 36 months with only $690 due at lease inception.