The Ford Edge is a midsize, two-row utility vehicle, one of the earliest models in what was once a segment dominated by three-row models. The 2020 Edge is part of the second-generation line introduced for the 2015 model year. This year, dual-zone climate control is now standard. Also, the audio … Read more
The Buick brand has enjoyed huge success in the U.S. and abroad, but particularly in China where its sales are six times that of the U.S. In the domestic market, Buick sales have doubled over the past decade, benefitting from new products, including high-demand utility vehicles. On face value, the … Read more
The Jeep brand has rocketed to success over the past decade, seeing its sales triple and its availability expand to more global markets. Although the Wrangler is the spiritual successor to the original Jeep, the brand’s family of crossover models easily paces sales. As of this writing, the Jeep brand … Read more
Chevrolet’s Equinox remains a strong seller and that’s quite a feat in a segment dominated by popular compact crossover utility vehicles. Now in its third generation, the 2020 Equinox features more standard driver-assist safety tech. On the other hand, Chevrolet ended its brief experiment with an optional turbo-diesel engine, the … Read more
Big wheels and red-wrapped brake caliper covers on the Explorer ST. The Ford Explorer is one of the early names that sparked the modern sport utility vehicle revolution, a 1991 model year replacement for the Bronco II. Since its inception, it’s been a proven seller, a midsize SUV that’s now … Read more
Whether they’re big or small, we just cannot get enough of SUVs. That’s understandable as utility vehicles offer an excellent combination of passenger space and cargo room. And in most cases, they can tow too. Ford has its share of SUVs available, including the range-topping Expedition and hot-selling Escape. For … Read more
Jeep’s Cherokee straddles the small and midsize utility vehicle segments. Midsize utility vehicles are a hot commodity, with every manufacturer of note offering one. But few have the off-road chops some people desire and that’s where the Jeep Cherokee rides in. The Jeep Cherokee is one of five utility vehicles … Read more
Lincoln Aviator highlights and features. For the first time, Lincoln gains a three-row crossover with the debut of the 2020 Aviator. The Lincoln Aviator shares its platform with the Ford Explorer and is situated between the smaller Lincoln Nautilus and the full-sized Lincoln Navigator SUV. Along with the upcoming Lincoln … Read more
The Nissan Pathfinder is a midsize, three-row crossover utility vehicle with room for up to eight. Its Nissan’s largest crossover, dwarfed only by the rugged Armada SUV. Even so, the Pathfinder holds its own, as it delivers ample interior room, decent storage space, and surprisingly generous towing capacity. You’ll find … Read more
Kia Motors continues to produce hit after hit, a trend that seems to have started way back in 2008 with the then all-new and ground-breaking Kia Soul. This Korean manufacturer builds a variety of models, including the Forte sedan, Sportage crossover, and the Sedona minivan. In recent years, Kia has … Read more
Hybrid electric vehicles play an important role in delivering fuel-efficient and emissions-lowering transportation. Toyota is a leader in this field as it supplies more than a dozen such models across its Toyota and Lexus brands. But hybrids aren’t enjoying the consumer attraction needed to keep these vehicles a part of … Read more
Ever since its 1999 model year introduction, the Lexus RX has played a significant role in the luxury utility vehicle segment. In fact, it was a groundbreaking vehicle, as it brought the first luxury crossover SUV to the market. Since then, the RX has evolved significantly, as Lexus increased its … Read more
As the market shifts from sedans to crossover utility vehicles, the Chevrolet Equinox remains poised to capture the lion’s share of Chevy faithful. This SUV has always been a smart alternative to such car models like the Cruze and Malibu, and is itself a five-passenger vehicle with ample engine choices. … Read more
Mazda offers the 2019 CX-5 in five trims. This compact model sits between the smaller CX-3 and the three-row CX-9. Buyers have a choice of a naturally aspired inline-four-cylinder engine or a turbo, the latter reserved for the two top trims. Consumers remain big fans of crossover utility vehicles, including … Read more
Chevy adds another crossover model. Chevy’s Blazer makes its presence known. The Chevrolet Blazer first emerged in the late 1960s, a name affixed to a full-size sport utility vehicle. Even as the model was renamed the Tahoe in the 1990s, the Blazer appellation also found its way to … Read more
In a world of utility vehicles, Lexus is well represented. From the small UX to the compact NX, and from the popular RX to the big GX and LX models, Lexus has something for everyone. You’ll even find hybrid options with the first three choices, each of which delivers outstanding … Read more
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover utility vehicle with room for five. it comes with a four-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and offers all-wheel drive. A hybrid variant is marketed separately. Launched stateside in 1996, the RAV4 has gradually grown in size and importance. Indeed, it is … Read more
The Nissan Kicks is an affordable utility vehicle for first-time car buyers. It does to the utility sphere what the Nissan Versa does in the car market, by providing a cost-effective model that blends style, utility, and comfort. With a starting price of under $20,000, the Kicks may convert … Read more
The SUV craze is in full swing and it is almost hard to remember when cars were once the dominant body style. But consumers are voting with their wallets and utility vehicles as well as those that manufacturer them — they are the winners. Audi has built SUVs since 2005 … Read more
Hyundai no longer trails the competition in all things crossovers. Just a few years ago, the Korean automaker offered the compact Tucson along with two-and three-row versions of its midsize Santa Fe. This year, the automaker will double its SUV offerings when the large Palisade crossover joins the product line. … Read more
Late to the SUV game, Cadillac has been playing catch up since. Sure, its flagship Escalade was one of the first luxury utility vehicles of its kind and the SRX (now XT5) followed five years later in 2004. But it has taken until 2019 for a third utility vehicle, the … Read more
Note: Moving forward, Auto Trends will give our recommendation of the trim and packages we think you should consider when shopping for a new car. Although we don’t specifically endorse any model, the fact that a vehicle is reviewed by us means we find it acceptable for your purchase consideration. … Read more
Hyundai’s midsize SUV is all-new for 2019. The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is all-new and now represents a two-row midsize crossover utility vehicle with room for five. Whatever happened to the three-row version? It is still around, but Hyundai renamed it the Santa Fe XL for 2019. Hyundai Utility Vehicle … Read more
The C-HR brings it to the small crossover segment, but in a different way. We like crossovers and are buying them in record numbers. That said, Toyota recognizes that there is some ambivalence amongst buyers, which is why we have a model such as the Toyota C-HR, a compact … Read more
Three small crossovers give Nissan a leg up among its competitors. Small Nissan Crossovers In 2007, Nissan didn’t have a single crossover utility vehicle available that was smaller than a midsize model. That deficiency hurt this manufacturer as consumer demand for such established models as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V … Read more
Acura releases the third-generation RDX. Acura doesn’t have the model depth and breadth of Audi, BMW, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, but Honda’s luxury line does quite well with the six models it does offer. Further, while some of its competitors are losing market share, Acura is still gaining. Some of the … Read more
Taking a ride with Mazda’s largest crossover utility vehicle. Mazda threw a monkey wrench into the midsize three-row utility vehicle segment when it updated the current-generation CX-9 in 2016. This model is a cut above most competitors and is best compared with the likes of the Buick Enclave, itself a … Read more
Subaru’s Ascent is this brand’s largest SUV. The 2019 Subaru Ascent fills a hole in this automaker’s product line, by supplying a sizable three-row crossover SUV. It represents Subaru’s largest model yet, a vehicle designed to keep growing families in the brand fold. Although the Ascent is not Subaru’s first … Read more
The Rogue Sport is one of three strong Nissan small crossovers. Small crossovers are the primary mode of transportation for many families. Every manufacturer sells them and in the case of Nissan you have three models to consider: Kicks, Rogue Sport and Rogue. The Nissan Rogue Sport shares little with … Read more
The XT4 is the latest crossover for the Cadillac brand. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is a subcompact luxury crossover, the latest model for GM’s luxury marque. It has a bold style and delivers a quiet ride. However, its part-time all-wheel-drive system isn’t as user-friendly as some competing models. Cadillac’s XT4 … Read more