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A blue 2020 Mini Countryman SUV cruises along a wooded road

6 SUVs That Are Actually Great for Your Commute

Commuting to work or school can be hectic. Finding a vehicle that offers comfortable seats, a smooth ride, ample cargo space, and decent fuel economy can make your daily drive less stressful. SUVs are great for families, and they’re gaining popularity among commuters. Many prefer SUVs for their spaciousness, higher driving position, and safety. But …

Commuting to work or school can be hectic. Finding a vehicle that offers comfortable seats, a smooth ride, ample cargo space, and decent fuel economy can make your daily drive less stressful. SUVs are great for families, and they’re gaining popularity among commuters.

Many prefer SUVs for their spaciousness, higher driving position, and safety. But what about fuel-efficiency? U.S. News recently released a roundup of the best commuter vehicles for 2020, and six crossover SUVs made the cut. Ranging in price from $20,000 to $29,000, these vehicles offer above-average predicted reliability, sizable cargo space, and comfortable interiors. And maybe most important for daily driving: These SUVs are fuel-efficient.

GMC Terrain

The 2020 GMC Terrain starts at $25,000 and scores above average in predicted reliability, U.S. News reports. It also offers five passenger seats, and the rear seat boasts more space than most SUVs. However, cargo capacity is a bit limited. Other appealing features include smartphone app integration, a seven-inch touchscreen, proximity keyless entry, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Terrain performed well in crash tests. It offers GM’s Teen Driver Monitoring system and lots of active safety aids. And the Terrain’s turbocharged base engine gets 26 mpg in the city.

Hyundai Tucson

The base 2020 Hyundai Tucson’s MSRP is $23,550. That’s a bargain when you consider some of its standard features. This compact SUV returns 23 mpg in the city, so it’s not as fuel-efficient as some other commuter cars. And its engine options aren’t very powerful either, but most daily drivers would appreciate its acceleration.

Plus, the Tucson offers one of the best warranties in the industry and good predicted reliability. It also boasts a well-built cabin with enough space for adults in both rows. The 2020 Tucson trim levels with front-crash prevention measures and certain headlights earned this SUV a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Nissan Rogue Sport

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is ideal for daily drivers who need a reliable and small SUV with ample cargo space. The vehicle offers a smooth ride, excellent visibility, and spacious front seats.

Its fuel efficiency isn’t bad, returning 25 mpg in the city. It also comes with other desirable features, such as smartphone connectivity, a seven-inch touchscreen, hands-free text messaging, and a driver-assistance suite.

Chevrolet Equinox 

The Chevy Equinox’s base price is $23,800. This crossover offers excellent predicted reliability. And its stable handling provides a composed ride. The Equinox’s base engine returns 26 mpg in the city. However, it’s not very powerful, but it can be swapped out for a much stronger turbocharged motor.

The Equinox is a five-seater that’s spacious enough for adults in both rows. The interior is well built, with features such as a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mini Countryman

The 2020 Mini Countryman boasts a luxury-grade cabin, unique styling, hearty engines, and sporty handling. This compact SUV’s predicted reliability is good. It also provides a smooth ride. And the Countryman’s fuel economy is a decent 26 mpg. It has supportive and expansive seats in both rows as well. 

Its key features are Bluetooth, a 6.5-inch display, wireless device charging, and smartphone app integration. Safety features include a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, dynamic stability control, and rear park distance control. With a base price of $28,400, the Countryman is pricier than the other SUVs on the list.

Buick Encore


The 2020 Buick Encore has a base price of $23,200 and offers good predicted reliability. This five-person SUV is excellent for commuting. It also boasts impressive cargo capacity, spacious seats in both rows, and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Encore is reasonably fuel-efficient, getting 25 mpg in the city.

The vehicle boasts an eight-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Wi-Fi hotspot, smartphone integration, and advanced driver-assistance aids.

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