SUVs outsold sedans 2:1 in 2019, and their popularity continues to rise, much to the detriment of sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks – as reported in Research and Markets’ report, The Rise of the SUV – Thematic Research. SUVs are synonymous with outdoor freedom (owing to their origins in off-road vehicles). This, coupled with the variety of sizes and styles of new designs, are increasingly attractive to drivers seeking a blend of sportiness, design, and comfort. If you’re thinking of adding a new SUV to your fleet, the following three choices (in the compact, large and midsize ranges) may just strike the right chord with you.
Compact And Small SUVs – The Lincoln Corsair
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Overall fuel economy and driving range, top navigation systems, and safety systems are just a few features sought by SUV buyers, as reported by JD Power. Just a few SUVs that are well-reviewed in user and expert car forums alike include the Lincoln Corsair, BMW X4, and Cadillac XT4. These choices offer decent fuel economy, are easy to park, and hold personal items exactly where owners want them. One small SUV that is causing quite a stir in car publications and social media alike is the Lincoln Corsair, which boasts a luxurious interior that complements its turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 engine.
Top Features Of The Lincoln Corsair
Comfort is key in this vehicle, which is upholstered in soft leather and contains features such as ambient lighting, a head-up display, and 24-way power-adjustable seats. It is also compatible with an app that allows users to unlock and start their vehicles via their smartphone. The Lincoln scores high on fuel efficiency as well, with the front-wheel-drive 2-liter having obtained a 22mpg city rating from the EPA. Meanwhile, there is a plug-in hybrid model that will allow 25 miles of electric driving and better fuel economy estimates. The vehicle also has cool technologies such as a head-up display, pleasant tones (recorded by the Detroit Symphony orchestra) for warnings, and items such as a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster, Qi wireless charge, and active noise cancellation. The impressive infotainment offerings can be upgraded if desired with a 14-speaker Revel premium audio system, offering the ultimate in-car listening experience.
Midsize SUVs
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Just a few SUVs ranking highly in this category include the Lexus GX, the Lexus RX, and the Cadillac XT5, with some of the most sought-after features including headlight effectiveness, the quietness of the vehicle cabin during the driving experience, and ease in getting in and out of the seats. One vehicle garnering quite a bit of attention is the Cadillac XT6, which comes in three trim offerings – luxury, premium luxury, and sport.
The Cadillac XT6 Sport Trim
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The Cadillac XT6 Sport Trim is particularly tempting for those who want the very best the brand has to offer, with features including interior sports elements with carbon-fiber accents, 20” 12-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels, town-clutch sport control AWED with chasing damping control, and performance suspension. The styling of this baby is aggressive and includes distinctive lighting that makes a statement. The vehicle is as powerful as it is good-looking, with a 2.0L Turbo or 3.6L V6 engine boasting nine-speed automatic transmission. The Sport Trim features sport control AWD, which distributes torque to the wheels as required for optimal handling. The vehicle additionally supports a tow of up to 4,000 lbs, and a Smart Tow Trailering System that makes towing a breeze. If safety is a priority, take note. The vehicle has front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist (plus lane departure warning) systems that reduce the likelihood of crashes. It also has Night Vision (which enables drivers to display thermal heat images that alert them to the presence of people and large animals they cannot view with their headlights alone). Lane change alerts (which let drivers know when a vehicle is approaching their blind zone) and rear cross-traffic alert enable drivers to feel more secure about being on the road with other drivers.
Large SUVs
When it comes to large SUVs, features such as power, storage abilities, and overall fuel economy become key features to watch out for. Just a few vehicles doing well on the market include the Cadillac Escalade, the BMW X7, and the Land Rover Range Rover. For fuel economy, the BMW X7 rates highly in terms of overall effectiveness, while the Land Rover Range Rover has a lower rating. The Lincoln Navigator continues to be a ‘dream car’ for lovers of big statement SUVs, with this car ranking at the top (or close to the top) of luxury large SUV reviews.
The Lincoln Navigator
This is the ultimate choice for lovers of luxury and comfort, as it boasts leather upholstery in the first two rows, heated/ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats, automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay, and 14 speakers. It comes in three trims: Base, Reserve, and Black Label, with the latter, also coming in a long-wheelbase L style. All trims are big on safety, with features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and MyKey. The latter allows users to set the speed and audio volume limits for other drivers. Such is its compendium of safety features that the vehicle was given a five out of five ratings by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If power is a priority for you, you won’t be disappointed, either. The Lincoln has a 450-horsepower turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and standard 10-speed automatic transmission. With rear-wheel drive, it has a 16mpg city rating, which is pretty decent considering its size.
Choosing the right SUV for you is a difficult choice indeed, considering the wide range of models available. Just a few suggestions have been made in the small, medium-sized and large categories, though more sizes (and many more models) boast excellent ratings. Brands like Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac rarely disappoint in the luxury sector, though in the mid-range price range, you might also wish to check out the latest models by Chevrolet, Ford, GMC Yukon, and other brands boasting features such as good fuel economy, comfortable interiors, and top safety features.
