

But it's the X3's frisky handling that endears it most to enthusiast drivers like those on our staff and, as an added bonus, its athletic road manners don't compromise its genteel nature when cruising nor its all-around SUV practicality. The X3's spacious interior is soberly styled but lined with premium materials and desirable technology. A handsome exterior design gives the X3 enough curb appeal to fit in among style mavens such as the Genesis GV70 and Volvo XC60.

Entry-level models are powered by a 248-hp turbo-four while M40i models get a boost from the company's revered 382-hp turbo six-an engine that never ceases to amaze us with its velvety muscle. As its name implies, the X3 is the crossover equivalent to the renowned 3-series sedan, and it shares its powertrains with that car.
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The 2023 X3 SUV edges in on its four-door brethren's territory with a satisfying blend of refinement and driver engagement. Traditionally, sports sedans have been the vehicles that best projected the spirit of the BMW brand. Copious amounts of interior plastic help keep the Taos's price down while making the more richly-appointed Mazda CX-30 cabin feel like a miniature luxury condo in comparison with the VW. Beating its EPA estimate by 4 mpg, an all-wheel-drive Taos SEL we tested managed an awesome 40 mpg during our 200-mile, 75-mph highway fuel-economy test loop. It's a close fight among the best in this class, so the Tiguan's low starting price and capacious cockpit make it a tempting choice among others such as the Kia Seltos and Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Taos doesn't offer a hitch to tow with, so we'd suggest moving up to the larger Tiguan SUV for that, but there's plenty of cargo space inside, even with the rear seats in use, to easily handle grocery duty. Available in front- or all-wheel drive, every Taos hums along getting exemplary real-world fuel mileage thanks to a stingy, 158-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Among 20 other competitors, the Volkswagen Taos quenches an additional, more recent consumer craving for parsimonious fuel economy. Subcompact SUVs feed a hunger for space, affordability, and a certain sense of belonging-since almost everyone drives an SUV these days. The Kona may not have as much passenger or cargo space as some of its larger rivals, but when it comes to driving satisfaction it's a bundle of spunky, funky fun-no matter whether you think it's a car or an SUV. Considering that rivals such as the Kia Seltos and the Volkswagen Taos cost thousands more to start, you may find it easy to justify splurging on a higher-trimmed Kona model even if you're on a budget.

Like other Hyundai models, the Kona comes packed with a generous list of standard features-including driver assistance and infotainment technologies-at a reasonable price. The entry-level engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes only 147 horsepower, but the optional turbocharged mill dials in some spiciness that better matches the Kona's nimble handling. Whether you call it a low-riding SUV or a tall hatchback car, the diminutive 2023 Hyundai Kona is a practical and fun-to-drive vehicle, which makes it one of our faves.

Here are the best SUVs for other model years: 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 We've driven them all to decide which ones deserve a spot on our 2023 Editor's Choice list, not to mention naming a few of the very best of these vehicles to our 10Best Trucks and SUVs of 2023. Our editors have put every SUV sold today through our comprehensive testing regimen to filter out the pretenders. We've split the more than 200 new crossovers and SUVs for sale today across 13 segments to find the ones that dare to be good. The dull crossovers and SUVs of yesterday still exist, but there are also a number of delightfully engaging alternatives, as well.įinding the best option in a field this large is a lot to chew through. As a result, the competition is forcing changes to these types of vehicles. To cover every nook and cranny of consumer interest, from small baskets to big boxes, automakers continue to diversify the range of SUVs in their lineup, offering models that cater to the frugal-minded among us, the most performance-focused buyers, and every consumer in between. And as time goes by, these machines are due to continue dominating the automotive landscape, vacuuming up customers left behind from discontinued sedans and hatchbacks. Last year SUVs commanded an overwhelming majority of new car sales. If it seems like most vehicles in traffic today look like a stick of butter, it's because … well … they sort of do.
