The Best SUVs for 2020 & 2021 — The Top-Rated Small, Midsize, Large, Luxury SUVs and Crossovers SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road today, and they come in all shapes and sizes. According to MSN.com, six of the top twenty, and three of the top ten best-selling vehicles for 2017 were crossovers. The automotive industry is all-in on the crossover, and the tire market has also responded to the CUV craze with hundreds of tire options. The best SUV models come in all manner of sizes and levels of luxury, and here at MotorTrend, we've tested and driven them all. If you're looking for the top-rated 2021 SUVs, read on for our. A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of sport utility vehicle-like vehicle built with unibody frame construction. Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car, as opposed to a platform shared with a pickup truck.
CARS.COM — Compact SUVs are flying out of dealer showrooms. These popular, car-based utility vehicles provide a great combination of efficiency, a high seating position, passenger comfort, cargo room and versatility. And unlike their truck-based predecessors, they’re not too big or unwieldy. One thing they’re not typically good at, in contrast to their larger ancestors which were, is towing. Whether it’s a trailer full of Jet Skis, a lightweight racecar or a small camper, these SUVs aren’t quite the workhorses that their forebears were.
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And why should they be? Most of these smaller SUVs are powered by small, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines and are front-wheel drive by nature (though some are all-wheel drive), and their chassis bits are better suited for shopping mall parking lots rather than mountain passes. But head to Europe and you’ll find these little trucklets towing an amazing array of things, from campers on up. During our recent $28,000 Compact SUV Challenge, we found ourselves wondering just how well these popular runabouts rate at actually towing things. Here’s our take on the 10 best compact SUVs to use for towing, in order of decreasing towing capacity.
1. 2015 Jeep Cherokee: 4,500 pounds
There are two powertrain options in the Jeep Cherokee, but the one you’d want for towing is the optional 271-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6. With a nine-speed automatic and the required tow package, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee can haul up to 4,500 pounds, which is enough to cart around a boat or camper with ease.
2. 2015 Audi Q5: 4,400 pounds
Some of the better compact SUVs for towing are luxury models, given their typically more powerful engines. The Audi Q5 is one such beast. Based on the same platform as the A4 sedan, it can tow 4,400 pounds even with its small 220-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Of course, being an Audi, it’ll cost you considerably more than a Cherokee.
3. 2015 Chevrolet Equinox/2015 GMC Terrain: 3,500 pounds
The SUV that came in second in our recent comparison challenge, despite its aging looks and interior, is quite capable when it comes to towing. Opt for the powerful 301-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and dealer-installed trailer tow package that includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist, and you’ll enjoy a towing capacity of about 3,500 pounds.
4. 2015 Ford Escape: 3,500 pounds
Some small SUVs don’t have an optional V-6 engine, but that hasn’t limited their abilities. The latest Ford Escape can be equipped with a 240-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine and a Class II Trailer Tow Package that lets it haul 3,500 pounds.
5. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK250/350: 3,500 pounds
The Mercedes-Benz GLK may be overshadowed lately by the new GLA-Class, but it has plenty of merits, including an optional diesel engine and the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds. You can do that with either the GLK250 Bluetec diesel or the conventional GLK350 and its 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6; both have the same towing capacity.
6. 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander: 3,500 pounds
It may not be one of the more popular SUVs on the market, but it is one of the more capable ones for towing. The Outlander (not the Outlander Sport, the smaller sibling which is not tow-rated) has a 3,500-pound towing capacity, but you’ll need to invest in the top-trim GT V-6 model. That truck’s 3.0-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission combine with its all-wheel-drive system to offer a reasonable towing package, with optional seven-passenger seating to boot.
7. 2015 Lincoln MKC: 3,000 pounds
Another luxury truck makes the list, but this one is tricky. The MKC is rated to tow 3,000 pounds when equipped with an optional Class II Trailer Tow Package, but only with the less powerful 240-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. If you opt for the 285-hp, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, you’re limited to a towing capacity of just 2,000 pounds. Go figure.
8. 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan: 2,200 pounds
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Volkswagen’s compact SUV is a popular towing vehicle in Europe, hauling “caravans” (small campers) across the countryside with its stout turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 200 hp. It’s rated to 2,200 pounds in the U.S., but with the diesel engine available in Europe, it can tow almost 3,200 pounds there.
9. 2015 Kia Sportage: 2,000 pounds
Many compact SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester can tow 1,000-1,500 pounds, but the Kia Sportage is able to drag 2,000 pounds behind it with its 260-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or its less powerful 182-hp, 2.4-liter engine and a proper tow package.
10. 2015 Mazda CX-5: 2,000 pounds
With the Mazda CX-5, you get the ability to haul 2,000 pounds with a fairly small, efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes just 184 hp. When you’re not towing, you’ll get to enjoy the Mazda’s sporty character and recently upgraded interior.
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…proper tires will handle 99% of the conditions that most of us encounter with confidence. If you're like me and most other SUV and CUV drivers in that the most off-road use your vehicle will see is a dirt road, then you're looking for street tires. The alternatives to the street tires are tires…
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…tire. These tires would be great for on road use in dry, wet or light snow conditions. However, they may not be the best option for heavier snow conditions especially as the tire sizes get wider. Check out some of the consumer tire survery results and tire testing results for some of these tires!
…asked about what replacement tires are best for the vehicle. Below are my top picks that work well for each generation: 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander Firestone Destination LE 2 Michelin LTX M/S2 The Michelin LTX M/S2 and Firestone Destination LE2 are the top two tires in our Highway All-Season…
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…tires, there are four popular sizes offered by Audi. Below are some of the best all-season tires available for each size, as well as options that provide the best bang for your buck. 255/55R18 The standard model Q7 comes equipped with 255/55R18 Original Equipment tires. In this size, the best…
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…in recommending this tire for luxury SUVs and CUVs. Today the tires have 6,000 miles on them. The General Grabber HTS is a symmetrical tire allowing the tires to be cross switched as well as rotated front to back. Although this is not a substiute for dedicated winter tires like the Bridgestone…
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…Assurance CS Fuel Max, which may have been why the LX20 with EcoPlus Technology's rubber compound proved more responsive in the wet. To further see how CUVs and SUVs can benefit from riding on more fuel-efficient tires, watch 'Testing Eco-Focused Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Tires.'
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Best Cuv 2019
…Technology has been one of the best crossover/SUV touring tires in recent years. Not only is it a consumer favorite, but it also was the top tire in a recent test. For more information on these tires, take a look at 'Best Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Tires.' 2001-2007 Toyota Highlander…
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…on the phone. Tire Rack groups each tire into a category of like tires. This allows us to test tires on our local roads and test on our test track at Tire Rack in South Bend, Indiana. We use the tire categories to show survey results also. Each tire category groups tires with similar attributes.…
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…/ snow tires is the best option if you experience harsh winter conditions. If you reside in an area where all-season tires are what you need, keep these three options in mind as you search for a combination of treadwear, road manners, wet grip and light snow grip. Getting the right tire will help…
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