This year’s leading import SUVs present an array of features to delight and dazzle car buyers throughout the U.S. From sporty urban get-arounds to more outdoor, terrain friendly models, there’s one to float your boat, or carry it to the river along with your family or friends.
Safety and comfort options have also been amped up in many models. Let’s look at the most popular.
10. Kia Sportage
This compact crossover Sportage presents a slightly sporty look, with a coupe-like roof, a tiger-nose grille, and defined wheel arches. Most models include a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. While the interior is comfortable and roomy, you won’t be able to throw a bicycle in the back. This is more of a get-around-town SUV.
Starting msrp $23,500, est. mpg 23/30, YTD sales 67,239.
9. Honda HR-V
This subcompact crossover SUV is designed for the local driver, not off-road adventure. With room for five or large cargo items, Honda highlights its versatility and convenience in getting around country and town. It gets high marks for safety in construction and features like the standard Multi-Angle Rearview Camera.
Starting msrp $19,570, est. mpg 25/33, YTD sales 86,491.
8. Kia Sorento
The Sorento goes after the minivan-averse with roomy seating, active Dynamax all-wheel drive that keeps track of road and driving conditions, and Torque Vectoring Cornering Control. It offers a low roofline and swept-back lines. Features include an automatic liftgate and selectable drive mode.
Starting msrp $25,800, est. mpg 21/28, YTD sales 91,944.
7. Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai wants you to know that its compact SUV is devoted to style and sleekness, with internal detailing, a sun roof, and brake-light spoilers. The 1.6 Turbo GDI gives you 175 horsepower while keeping up fuel efficiency. Active Cornering Control all-wheel drive takes on slippery roads with ease. Multi-link rear suspension, gas-pressurized shocks, and an independent strut design with coil springs work together to give you an incredibly smooth ride.
Starting msrp (SE model) $22,700, est. mpg 23/30, YTD sales 103,102.
6. Mazda CX-5
Mazda’s CX-5 offers a spacious interior with flexibility for cargo with fold-down back seating. It features four cameras for a 360-degree view on a touchscreen display. The CX-5 puts family safety before all else, with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot detection that sounds the alert when vehicles around you can’t be seen, and lane departure warnings.
Starting msrp (Sport model) $24,045, est. mpg 24/31, YTD sales 113,466.
5. Hyundai Santa Fe
This three-row, family-friendly SUV seats up to seven. The Santa Fe features a 3.3-liter V-6 engine and front-wheel drive. It offers options such as all-wheel drive and a forward-collision warning system. It boasts a luxurious cabin and a smooth ride that handles the bumps in the road.
Starting msrp (SE Model) $30,850, est. mpg (SE Model) 18/25, YTD sales 120,025.
4. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover that Subaru has built to endure, it claims, noting that 98% of the vehicles sold in the past decade are still rolling down the highway. It features a roomy interior with a power panoramic moonroof. Safety features include good visibility, EyeSight driver-assist technology, and pre-collision braking.
Starting msrp $22,795, est. mpg 32/26, YTD sales 160,122.
3. Subaru Outback
Subaru’s crossover features symmetrical all-wheel drive, which the company highlights as adding to stability, efficiency, and quick response to changing conditions. The Subaru Outback can handle tough terrain and steep inclines, and is designed for outdoor activity cargo carrying. You can throw on a large kayak and head to the lake.
Starting msrp $25,895, est. mpg 32/25, YTD sales 170,638.
2. Toyota Highlander
The highlander boasts classic styling and seating room for 8 in its comfortable interior. Toyota says that the available 3.5-liter V-6 direct-injection engine gives the SUV performance and efficiency. The 2016 Highlander was a Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Award finalist.
Starting msrp $31,030, est. mpg 21/27, YTD sales 194,734.
1. Toyota RAV4
This top import is set to go from city to campsite. Toyota bills the 10 models in the RAV4 lineup as perfect for weekend getaways. It combines cargo and outdoor capabilities with the company’s Safety Sense technology and a great number of comfort features.
Starting msrp $24,410, est. mpg 23/30 (city/highway), YTD US sales 375,052.
Source: goodcarbadcar.net reporting of YTD sales as of November 2017.
by Catalogs.com Info Guru Roger DeGennaro