Chevrolet Traverse Premier (FWD) ..................................... $47,990
Ford Explorer XLT (RWD)......................................................... $47,715
Honda Pilot Black Edition AWD ..........................................$50,740
Hyundai Palisade HTRAC (Limited)....................................$48,205
Kia Telluride SX V6 AWD ........................................................$47,585
Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD.................................................$47,715
Subaru Ascent Touring ...........................................................$47,017
Toyota Highlander XLE AWD ...............................................$42,320
Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4Motion ..................................... $49,390
I grew up surrounded by minivans. Whether it was the Chrysler Voyager or the two Ford Windstars we had in Mexico City in the late ’90s or the two Honda Odysseys and the Toyota Sienna my mom drove when we moved to Texas, our family sought spacious and comfortable family haulers.
And we made good use of them. We spent countless weekends and holidays ​driving from Mexico City to Acapulco and Cuernavaca. We’d drive from Houston to Mexico City during the summers, went to New Mexico for a ski trip, and visited all of Texas’ major cities several times.
A big family like ours needed a vehicle with plenty of space for six and their gear, and back then, a minivan was the only option. Space, safety, and reliability were at the top of my parents’ list of must-have transportation features. SUVs were for off-roading, not the road trip or morning school run.
This story is from the May 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
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This story is from the May 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MOTORTREND SUV OF THE YEAR 2024 - CERTIFIED FRESH
THERE’S NO REST FOR SUV MAKERS IN THE INTENSE QUEST TO BE THE BEST
THE CHEVROLET BLAZER EV IS THE 2024 SUV OF THE YEAR
Once again, the bow-tie brand shows leadership in the electric vehicle space
AGENTS OF ZERO
WE DID IT AGAIN: RUNNING OUR VW ID4 EV OUT OF ELECTRICITY, JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS
THEY LISTENED
THE NEW TESLA MODEL 3 HIGHLAND FIXES NEARLY EVERYTHING WE HATED ABOUT THE OLD CAR
2023 Lexus RZ
Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.
2024 Land Rover Defender
The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)
2024 Kia Seltos
If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.
2023 Jeep Compass
When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.
2024 Hyundai Kona
The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?
2023 Ford Escape
The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.