The Chrysler marque has fallen on hard times lately, obscured under Fiat Chrysler and seemingly threatened with the emergence of Stellantis in 2021. With just two models left – the Pacifica/Voyager minivan and the aged 300 sedan – its future seemed in doubt. While Stellantis was consolidating Fiat Chrysler with … Read more
The Subaru Forester gains an off-road-worthy Wilderness edition. The Subaru Forester is a compact utility vehicle, one of four such models sold by this niche Japanese brand. Niche may not be a fair assessment, however as Subaru has a strong following in the U.S. market. The Forester was last fully … Read more
The Pathfinder is your three-row family utility vehicle. Family cars were once represented by large sedans and station wagons, with minivans flourishing in the 1980s and 1990s. However, in more recent years, the prevailing trend is crossover utility vehicles, which offer the best fusion of passenger room, cargo space, and … Read more
The Honda BR-V is one in a series of articles examining makes and/or models not sold in the U.S. market. The Honda BR-V is a sub-compact crossover introduced by the Japanese automotive brand in 2016. Honda took this route since it wanted to infiltrate the lower-end crossover market. So, they … Read more
The Jeep marque continues its ascent, as it introduces new and updated models. This Stellantis brand is finding a foothold in new markets, while solidifying its position domestically. For 2021, an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L model expands the product line, bringing a three-row version of the popular Grand Cherokee … Read more
The Hyundai Venue returns for its second year, continuing in its role as the brand’s smallest utility vehicle. It is also Hyundai’s second cheapest model, with only the Accent sedan priced lower. The Venue brings to the market several things besides its diminutive size, including value, affordability, roominess, and … Read more
There is little wonder why the Kia Telluride SX is so popular. What do the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette and Kia Telluride have in common? Yes, both are made in America, but the most surprising similarity between these otherwise polar opposite vehicles is the fact that both will require extreme patience … Read more
Ford fires the opening salvo in its Jeep utility war with the Bronco Sport crossover. There is a war going on. In the utility vehicle sphere, that is. Jeep has long dominated the segment, picking up market share even as the segment expands. That’s left a world of competitors scrambling … Read more
The most efficient compact crossover thanks to hybrid technology. Compact SUVs are the new family vehicle. With room for five, they’re ideal for small families. The Toyota RAV4 fits this category perfectly, by offering gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants of this popular model. Indeed, the RAV4 is so popular … Read more
The Venza nameplate returns. This time it’s a hybrid-only crossover. The Toyota Venza most certainly was not a popular model during its original 2009-2015 run, but it fulfilled its mission as the brand’s lone wagon-like crossover utility vehicle. Like the Chrysler Pacifica before it and the Honda Accord Crosstour that … Read more
A sub-$20,000 starting price for a new Chevrolet. Chevrolet was once a car-dominated brand, but now utility vehicles are taking over. Indeed, GM’s bow-tie marque currently boasts seven models for the choosing – five crossovers and two SUVs. The latest model is the Trailblazer, a familiar name to brand enthusiasts. … Read more
Stepping out with Toyota’s three-row crossover utility vehicle. For 2020, the Highlander is all-new, launching this midsize model’s fourth generation. This three-row crossover utility vehicle seats eight or seven and is available in gas and hybrid configurations. It’s the family vehicle of choice for anyone looking for an excellent blend … Read more
Utility vehicles are not the utilitarian conveyances they once were with nondescript front fascias, slab sides, and dreary interiors. These days, customers can find several models that incorporate car styling cues, while remaining faithful to their mission. 2020 Mazda CX-30 Review The 2020 Mazda CX-30, which is an all-new model, … Read more
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
It can be easy to overlook the Nissan Armada, especially if you’re shopping for a full-size SUV from Chevrolet, Ford or GMC. Like the Toyota Sequoia, the Nissan Armada is another choice that’s worth your consideration. The Armada and its competitors are truck-based utility vehicles, which means that payload and … 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
It’s official: Hyundai’s latest utility vehicle, the tiny Venue, starts at $18,345, which includes the destination charge. The all-new model gives Hyundai five SUVs, supplying customers with a wide choice of models to consider. We’ll see the first Venues arrive in dealer showrooms by the end of November. 2020 … Read more
Small crossovers have overtaken compact cars and are often the vehicle of choice for first-time car buyers. Nissan is well-positioned in the segment as it offers a trio of models: Kicks, Rogue Sport, and Rogue. The Nissan Rogue Sport brings value to the segment and occupies a niche sub-set as … Read more
The small utility vehicles segment is growing fast and Fiat is well represented by two models, the 500L and 500X. Yes, you can make an argument that the 500L is more wagon-like than SUV, so we won’t argue that point. What’s important is that both models are small, reasonably priced, … Read more
Updated Dec. 20., 2019, to include driving impressions and statistical corrections. The Escape was Ford’s first hybrid, introduced in 2005 and built through 2012. When the third-generation Ford Escape rolled out in 2013, no hybrid option was offered. But beginning with the release of the 2020 Escape this fall, two … Read more
It’s been a decade since Hyundai ventured beyond its mainstream status by issuing a stream of upscale and performance models. The Equus and Genesis sedans brought a Hyundai luxury level unknown to Americans, while the Genesis coupe demonstrated the brand’s performance chops. All three models are gone, with just one … 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
Historically, Buick has served as GM’s premium brand, delivering a slew of car models of distinction. Today, Buick maintains its position between Chevrolet and Cadillac, but its model line and sales are skewed heavily toward utility vehicles. The Buick marque has successfully adapted to changing consumer tastes, delivering three SUVs … Read more
The Honda Element is a vehicle that defies easy categorization. One part utility vehicle, another part car, the Element is a multipurpose vehicle prized by pet owners for its available dog-friendly components. This four-passenger model had a nine-year model run, with production ending in 2011. Honda Element Overview Two iterations … 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
The 2019 Lexus RX 350 returns mostly unchanged, except for the newly added Lexus Enform Connect smartphone app integration. The current version of this SUV rolled out in 2016, launching this model’s fourth generation. There is a reason why the RX remains a top seller in the midsize luxury SUV … 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 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 not … 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
When you offer a very successful product, how do you make improvements as you ready the next-generation model? Very carefully, that’s how. Tasked with developing the fifth-generation Forester, Subaru turned to its new global architecture to support the vehicle, the same platform underpinning all modern Subaru models. As a result, … Read more