Without a doubt, the SUV is the family car of choice. With the latest trends calling SUVs ¨crossovers¨ (a reference to hatch batch styled ¨sportier¨ sport utility vehicles), the traditional SUV remains defined in its own right. SUVs are synonymous with families, which is synonymous with ¨lots of mouth to feed¨ In other words, value is one of the primary considerations.
Here is a list of some highly recommended, top 5 best value SUVs.
The Honda CR-V
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The Honda CR-V starts at a bargain price of $21,000, a solid choice among SUVs given its very high residual (think 55% to 60%), reliability record, and solid fuel economy (21 city/28 highway) A well equipped EX model with leather seating and navigation will go into the $28000s, though most opt for its basic version which is just good enough. All CR-Vs come with five-speed automatics and a very aggressive 180 horsepower, 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. Its interior room is very spacious. In the looks department, the instrumental panel is a bit complex (about 30+ buttons on the dash) Still, the Honda CR-V is at the top of our list.
Hyundai Santa Fe
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The Hyundai is making waves this summer with its 2011 Sonata which has leaped to the top of the crowded midsize car segment, beating out the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Ford Fusion with its very generous standard package and industry leading fuel economy. However, the Santa Fe is quietly making noise as a solid choice. Starting at $21,000, it gets 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway and comes with a 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty which is unusually high by today´s standards. The Santa Fe comes with a 3.3 liter V6 and 5 speed automatic and has received acclaim for its smooth powertrain which is very compatible to the more pricey Acura MDX.
The Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a steal. Starting at $20,000, it achieves 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway. With a 3 year, 36000 mile warranty, it was blessed by JD Power and Associates with a #1 award in initial quality and a five star crash test score with the NHTSA. Options and accessories are plentiful, with stronger headlamps, navigation, and XM satellite radio coming with upgraded versions. Topping out at $29,000 with all upgrades, a $21,000 Rogue offers an excellent combination of fun driving and value.
The Chevy Equinox
The Chevy Equinox offers some of the best fuel economy in the business, with 24 city/32 highway. That´s nearly the same as the petit Honda Civic (35 mpg) and close to the average for mid size, four cylinder cars! Starting at $22000, its warranty is standard (3 year, 36,000 mile warranty). A plus is its movement, with the 182-horsepower driven ECOTEC 4 cylinder which really propels acceleration and power to another level. Plus, its interior has also received rave reviews. American cars have just scored a point with the Chevy Equinox.
Toyota RAV-4
The Toyota RAV-4 is one of the oldest and most respected SUVs in the market today. It is cheap (starting at $21,000), fuel efficient (22 city/28 highway), and has a better interior than in years past. If you´re looking for a neat combination of performance and value, the Toyota RAV-4 is an excellent choice.
