SUVs continue to grow in popularity, as
buyers love their versatility, ride height, and comfort. But once you decide that
you want an SUV, it can be difficult to select the right model. With low inventory
levels and long waits for vehicles to arrive, it can be a challenge to make a smart choice.
These are top rated SUVs by Overall score for $40,000 or less according to Consumer
Reports and are worth a test drive. Before we continue, please subscribe, and hit the bell button on for
more informative automotive videos. Hyundai Palisade
It checks all of the boxes required for three-row SUVs. It's easy to drive, spacious, comfortable,
and has all the latest technology. It also is priced lower than some rivals and comes with the
industry's most generous warranty. The Palisade is an 8-seater vehicle that comes in 5 trim levels.
The most popular style is the SEL front wheel drive, which starts at $40,000 and comes with
a 3.8-liter V6 engine and Front Wheel Drive. Lots of standard features for the price,
accommodating and luxurious interior and intuitive infotainment system some of the strong
points of this largest Hyundai passenger vehicle. The Hyundai Palisade is one of the best in its
class and this year's changes and additions should make it even more attractive. Like the closely
related Kia Telluride, the Palisade provides a wealth of interior space and is also similarly
easy to drive and gets you a lot of features for the money, while distinguishing itself
with a more luxurious style and personality. The Palisade's softer suspension tuning trades
some handling confidence for comfort when compared to the Telluride, but not to the extent that
it could be a deciding factor between the two. Toyota Highlander
It has surpassed three-row SUV competitors in sales for a reason. Reliability,
safety, tech, comfort, room, and fuel economy come together in a great-looking design that
stands the test of time. And there's always that Toyota dependability to consider. The Toyota
Highlander is an 8-seater vehicle that comes in 11 trim levels. The most popular style is the L
front wheel drive, which starts at $38,000 and comes with a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder Turbo engine.
Fuel-efficient engine with increased torque, excellent standard tech with
dash-integrated phone shelf and strong safety suite makes this
SUV one of the most desirable. The 2023 Toyota Highlander marks a turning point
for Toyota. The Highlander will be the first model in the Toyota lineup to completely discontinue
its V6 engine option, replacing it with a lower horsepower, more efficient inline four-cylinder.
Whether that will hurt future sales remains to be seen, but the Highlander is currently
the bestselling three-row SUV in its class. Kia Telluride
The popularity of the Telluride is no surprise, given the SUV's well-rounded package with handsome
styling and a bargain price. The Telluride offers a generous set of standard features throughout
its range, and its top trim delivers an elevated experience that's comparable to SUVs that cost
twice as much. A smooth-running V-6 engine, a quiet cabin, and confident handling give
the Telluride a refined feel on the road, too. A styling refresh for 2023 updates the
Telluride to make it even more attractive, including an updated grille, redesigned headlamps,
and a new front bumper. Inside, Kia has integrated a new all-digital instrument panel with dual
12.3-inch screens serving as infotainment and gauge displays. We've seen similar layouts on
luxury vehicles including the BMW iX, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class, so it
seems Kia is taking a note from the class above. The V-6 makes 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet
of torque. Its engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds the front
wheels in the standard format—all-wheel drive is also optional across the board. It is capable
in reaching 60 miles per hour in 6.8 seconds. The price starts at just around $37,000. Toyota Venza
It is a great all-rounder, offering room for five in a stylish,
comfortable, safe, and fuel-efficient package. But its relatively high starting price
means other models edge it for value. It comes in 3 trim levels. The most popular
style is the XLE All wheel drive, which starts at $39,000 and has a Hybrid 2.5-liter
four cylinder engine and All Wheel Drive. It debuted last year and Toyota resurrected
it after the prior version was discontinued in 2015. The latest Venza slots between the
three-row Highlander and the compact RAV4 in Toyota's SUV lineup. Inside the cabin, the Venza
impresses with high-quality design and materials as well as a generous level of equipment and
tech. The Venza's interior isn't as spacious as some in this class, including the Honda
Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee. In fact, the RAV4 provides about the same amount of
passenger room and even more cargo space. Considering that the RAV4 is available with
the same fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain at a notably lower starting price, the otherwise
excellent Venza loses some of its appeal. Subaru Outback
Its lifted ride height and tough-looking exterior allow the 2023 Subaru Outback to blend in
among SUVs with station wagon body practicality. Shoppers have the choice of either a nonturbo
or turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but all Outbacks come standard with all-wheel drive and
a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). However, engine drones during acceleration
as common thing for CVT transmission. A 182-horsepower 2.5-liter engine is standard, and a
260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter is optional. Subaru has made a few alterations to the 2023
Outback. Tweaked front-end styling includes a larger grille, revised headlamps, and a new front
bumper. The car's driver-assistance features are improved by cameras with a wider field of view.
Its rugged looks make it attractive to those with outdoor lifestyles and the Outback's
practicality and ride comfort make it a good choice for families, too.
The price starts at around $30,000. Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe benefits from quick acceleration, strong fuel economy, and a refined
interior that exceeds expectations for the price. Two hybrid models are available, including
a plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 31 miles on electricity alone. It is a 5-seater
vehicle in the US market that comes in 8 trim levels. The most popular style is the SEL all
wheel drive, which starts at $35,000 and comes with a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine and All
Wheel Drive. It provides a smooth ride quality and plenty of smart technology features with four
different engine choices. From the downsides the third-row seats are not available turbo engine's
transmission is prone to power delays and surges. The Santa Fe fills the narrow gap between
the smaller Hyundai Tucson and three-row Hyundai Palisade. As is the case with
any Hyundai, the Santa Fe comes with a long list of standard features backed
by a very generous warranty. This year, many features are now included on lower trim
levels, making the Santa Fe an even better buy. Thanks for the visit.
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