The 5 Best SUVs of 2018
SUVs are a hot commodity on the auto market, particularly the crossover SUV segment.
In fact, all 5 of the vehicles that made it onto our 2018 list are crossovers. Automakers are responding by producing more and more with compact and even subcompact dimensions that both look great and are affordable. If you’re looking for a new SUV in 2018, these models should be at the top of your list.
1. 2018 Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 has been at the cutting edge of compact SUV design for ages, and the 2018 model looks to stay in that position. The new Q5 dropped 198 pounds while increasing its width by half an inch wider and elongating by 1.3 inches. The innovative all-wheel-drive drive system actually only runs in front-wheel-drive mode until a situation calls for greater traction by the rear wheels. This helps you save on gas used by the 354-hp 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine.
All these changes add up to a #1 overall SUV ranking from U.S. News & World Report and a #2 overall SUV ranking according to Kelly Blue Book’s customer ratings. The 2018 Audi Q5 has a starting MSRP of $41,500.
2. 2018 Honda CR-V
After a complete redesign in 2017, Honda focused on refining the perennial best-seller for 2018. Thanks to these upgrades, the 2018 Honda CR-V has been handsomely rewarded with accolades. These include Motor Trend‘s SUV of the Year honor and ranking 4th on Car and Driver‘s best SUVs list. Reviewers say that even though this vehicle is classified as a compact SUV, it still has 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The CR-V also has five comfortably sized seats with an abundance of legroom. And that’s all before mentioning heated front seats and a dual-zone climate control system.
3. 2018 Mazda CX-5
True to Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” tagline, many reviewers have said that the compact crossover CX-5 is without a doubt the most fun to drive. Thanks to it being a crossover (utilizing a car platform with the height of an SUV), the 2018 Mazda CX-5 drives more like a sports car than its more off-road-oriented utility cousins.
This vehicle starts at only $24,150, seats five passengers, and has 47.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded. The CX-5 also boasts a Bose Surround Sound System with nine speakers, so all passengers will have quality entertainment no matter where they’re seated. These features, together with its drivability, earned it first place on Car and Driver‘s ranking of all SUVs.
4. 2018 BMW X3
The BMW X3 sports an all-new design for 2018. The overall aesthetic isn’t drastically different, but sharp-eyed buyers will notice horizontal, rather than circular, foglamps that are now LED. The rear taillights are also LED and have undergone subtle stylistic tweaks. Additionally, the 2018 X3 features twin tailpipes for all engines.
Under the hood, this new generation is capable of housing plug-in hybrid engine technology. Thank Tesla for the emergence of luxury manufacturers entering this quick-growing market. The 2018 BMW X3 ranked first in Edmunds rankings of SUVs based on its handling and available options. The starting MSRP is $42,650.
5. 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Finally, Alfa Romeo is looking to enter the lucrative crossover SUV segment with the Stelvio. The Italian brand returned to North American only 10 years ago. It has taken that long for it to come up with a vehicle offering sports car performance and excitement in a family-functional body style. A twin-turbo V6 engine produces 505-hp.
Plus, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s double-wishbone front suspension and patented link axle design in the rear purport to offer the same control and power that you’d expect from the supercar manufacturer. With a starting $41,995, the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio led Kelly Blue Book’s customer review ranking of SUVs.
(Featured image via Facebook.)
