7 Best Selling SUVs And What Makes Them Worth It According to U.S. News
Shopping for a new car with multiple rows of seats, legroom, and storage space? The SUV segment offers several worthwhile options to choose from. But which of these new SUVs are considered the best-selling SUVs in the U.S.? U.S. News & World Report listed the top seven according to sales figures from the first quarter of 2022. Here’s how they compare:
2022 Toyota RAV4 SUV
- Starting MSRP: $26,975
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 101,192
The best-selling SUV of the year so far is Toyota’s most popular crossover on the market. The RAV4 is in its fifth generation, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid models available as well. There are six trim levels for the gas-powered model: the base LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited.
U.S. News reviewers say the current RAV4 model is a family-friendly new SUV. There are plenty of features inside the cabin across all trims, including at least a six-speaker sound system, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and in-car WiFi. Each model also comes with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver aids. Â
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Starting MSRP: $38,325
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 75,117
Jeep redesigned the Grand Cherokee for 2022, and the new SUV is impressive. U.S. News calls it a family-friendly SUV that handles well on the road and off of it. There are five trim levels on offer for the Grand Cherokee: the base Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit.Â
There are also three engine options for Jeep’s best-selling SUV. The standard 3.6-liter V6 gives drivers 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Optional powertrains are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid that generates 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque for all but the Laredo trim and a 5.7-liter V8 engine that makes 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for the Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit trims.
There are a host of driver aids included in each Grand Cherokee trim. The new SUV gives all drivers adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping assist systems.
Features like heated mirrors, roof rails, and at least an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard across all trims. Top trims include packages that can upgrade the towing capacity to more than 7,000 lbs. U.S. News reviewers note the technology is easy to use, and the interior is roomy and well-equipped.Â
2022 Toyota Highlander SUV
- Starting MSRP: $35,855
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 66,026
Toyota’s best-selling SUV, the Toyota Highlander, has long been a reliable, efficient, and safe SUV. Six trims are available: the base L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. All trims are powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional for all trims.
All models come with heated mirrors, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen connected to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, an onboard WiFi hotspot, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver aids. Safety features include frontal collision mitigation, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign reading systems.
U.S. News reviewers highlight the quality materials in the cabin and the legroom for the first two rows. The infotainment system is easy to use, and reviewers say the Highlander’s a good choice for families looking for a versatile new SUV. One drawback is the third row of seats does not have a lot of room, but it’s still a good choice as TrueCar named it the fifth-best midsize SUV on the market.
2022 Honda CR-V
- Starting MSRP: $25,750
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 58,579
The Honda CR-V is one of the best value picks on U.S. News’ list. All five trims – the base LX, Special Edition, EX, EX-L, and Touring – come with the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Drivers get 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque at an efficient 30 combined mpg. All-wheel drive is optional for all trims except the Touring, which gets all-wheel drive standard.
Every CR-V model has automatic climate control, a four-speaker audio system, and the Honda Sensing Suite of driver aids. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, and lane keeping assist are all included.
The CR-V outpaces other compact SUVs with its storage space: 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. U.S. News reviewers also highlight the comfortable ride, fuel economy, and interior quality for a good price. Â
2022 Chevrolet Equinox SUV
- Starting MSRP: $25,800
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 56,036
Chevrolet’s Equinox SUV offers four trim levels: the base LS, LT, RS, and Premier. All models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. That’s the lowest horsepower figure on the list, and U.S. News reviewers note it can be tough to get up to highway speeds. But the engine does get a combined 28 mpg, and all-wheel drive is optional for all models.
Every Equinox model has at least a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system connected to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and at least a six-speaker audio system inside. Driver aids, including lane keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, and rear-seat reminders are all standard.
Though it is underpowered compared to other new SUVs on this list, reviewers say the Equinox has a quiet and comfortable cabin, impressive predicted reliability score, and easy maneuverability. All of this comes at one of the best price points on the list.
2022 Mazda CX-5
- Starting MSRP: $26,250
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 50,653
If you’re looking for a new SUV that’s fun to drive, the Mazda CX-5 is a great choice. There are eight trim levels to choose from: the base S, Select, Preferred, Carbon Edition, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo, and Turbo Signature. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque and offering a combined 26 mpg. The Turbo and Turbo Signature trims are equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque (up to 256 and 320, respectively, when using premium fuel) at 24 combined mpg. All-wheel drive is standard across all trims.
Every CX-5 comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, at least a 10.25-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Mazda’s i-Activsense safety system. That system provides adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation, and forward collision mitigation.
U.S. News reviewers note the interior feels and looks luxurious. Behind the wheel, the CX-5 is agile and responsive. The display is not as user-friendly as those in competitors. It’s not a touchscreen and is instead voice-controlled with rotary dials and controls on the sides.
2022 Jeep Wrangler
- Starting MSRP: $29,995
- 2022 First-Quarter Sales: 45,551
The Jeep Wrangler has many options to offer drivers. There are two-door models and four-door models (under the Unlimited name.) A two-door Wrangler comes in Sport and Rubicon trims, with the Willys Sport, Sport S, Willys, and Altitude trims available based off of the Sport. The four-door Wrangler Unlimited also has the Sahara, 4xe plug-in hybrid, and Rubicon 392 trims. Part-time four-wheel-drive is standard on most all trims with full-time four-wheel drive optional.
Five engine options are available for the Wrangler: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 270 and 295, a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 making 260 and 442 for the four-door Wranglers, a 6.4-liter V8 for the four-door Rubicon trim, and a plug-in hybrid engine generating 375 and 470 for the four-door Rubicon and Sahara trims only.
Reviewers note that few new SUV models can match the Wrangler off-road. But on pavement, there are competitors offering better options. U.S. News notes the ride is not comfortable due to solid-axle suspension, fuel economy and steering response is lacking, and the cabin can get noisy.Â
Which best-selling SUV is the right choice?
By sales figures, the choice is pretty clear. The Toyota RAV4 is outselling all of the other models on this list by a wide margin. Its combination of price, power, reliability, safety, and technology make it a great option for many types of drivers. Toyota’s Highlander SUV takes a lot of what makes the RAV4 a great option but adds another row (albeit small) of seats and a bigger engine.
If price is not a primary concern, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers lots for drivers to enjoy. The mix of power, comfort, off-road capability and features make it a strong choice. The Mazda CX-5 is a good combination of fun behind the wheel, luxury in the cabin, and all-wheel drive at a lower price point than many on this list.
