SUVs have become a big seller here in the states, where soccer moms find their diversity useful and men find them a great alternative to the demasculating minivan. Here’s a quick overview of some of the more popular models available today.
Toyota
Sequoia: The Sequoia is an SUV built for the whole family. Originally based on the Tundra pickup truck, this rugged SUV can take whatever you throw at it. Designed to look like the Tundra, only in SUV form, this is not an urban vehicle. It’s for the driver that plans to take it off road. The Sequoia is available with a four wheel drive transmission, a must for those who are planning on taking this rugged SUV off road.
RAV4: The Toyota RAV4 has been a successful seller in the United States for over fourteen years. Redesigned in 2006, this family SUV is great for those who want the smoothness and drive of a car, but the reliability of a four wheel drive SUV.
Land Cruiser: The Toyota Land Cruiser has long been a staple in the American SUV automotive market. Produced by the Japanese Toyota Motor Corporation, this SUV has all the styling and features that you could ever want in a car… a very large car.
Ford
Expedition: The Expedition is Ford’s full-sized SUV for large families or those who need the versatility of both a large family vehicle, the ability to go off road, and the needed plenty of power for hauling or towing.
Escape: Ford’s smallest sport-utility vehicle, the Escape offers versatility and 4-wheel drive, but with the suspension, handling, and smoothness of a car.
Explorer: Need a little of both worlds? Explorer is a mid-size SUV that has plenty of room and power for towing, but doesn’t drive like a dedicated off-road vehicle.
You can also take a look at Lincoln for luxury equivalents of the Expedition and Explorer.
Chevrolet
Suburban: Big and powerful, you can pack up to seven people in a Suburban. Perfect for long-haul trips for the family or the soccer mom who also acts as the neighborhood taxi.
Tahoe: Midsized SUV, also available in a hybrid model. Off-road capability for the camping family, but still capable of performing in an urban environment.
Trailblazer: A mini-SUV with carlike handling and room aplenty. Low ground clearance limits your off road destinations, but improve urban handling.
Hyundai
For the value conscious, Hyundai brings three SUVs. Here are two of them.
Tucson: It’s small size gives you impressive mileage while offering you off roading capability and more cargo room than a car. The gas sipping engine won’t offer you enough power to tow very much, so keep your needs in mind when choosing if this is the right one for you.
Veracruz: Room for seven, luxury trim available, and a 260 hp V6 motor make this a great middle-of-the-road SUV. The rear seats are removable for the times that you are hauling stuff instead of people.