Besides the pickup truck, the crossover SUV is the most popular vehicle choice in America. They offer state-of-the-art safety and technology plus a more spacious cabin for passengers and cargo. Also, many of them come available with AWD. It’s no wonder families keep choosing the crossover for modern team toting. But there are countless options and the decision quickly becomes overwhelming. What is the best 2020 crossover SUV?

What is a crossover?

What is a crossover? Is it an SUV? The simple answer to that is no. A crossover is built on a unibody frame, while a true SUV is on a ladder frame. So, crossovers are built essentially like large cars, while SUVs are more truck-like deep down. The term crossover came about because it’s like a cross between an SUV and a car.

However, many people still call quite a few of the unibody crossovers SUVs. It’s a pretty accepted term for anything that has a particular exterior style. So, if we were to call a Kia Telluride an SUV, it’s technically wrong. But no one cares because––unibody frame or not––the Telluride looks like a capable and aggressive SUV. Therein lies the confusion.

What is the best 2020 Crossover?

The best 2020 crossover is an arguable title. It depends on who you ask. In fact, the crossover SUV has many names and classifications. There are subcompacts, and compacts, and full-sizers. The unibody frame is what they all have in common. And while it is difficult to say which one is actually the best, best, BEST, we can reasonably say that these three are way up there.

The 2020 Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is a breakthrough vehicle for Kia. Its aggressive and appealing exterior makes people everywhere say “SUV” as soon as they see it. A unibody configuration makes it a crossover SUV, but that didn’t stop it from being named World Car of the Year. It’s also MotorTrend‘s SUV of the year, among several other awards. The 2020 Telluride is packed full of value––as we expect from Kia.

It starts at $32,785 with a pretty hefty list of standard features and a fully loaded model still tops out under 50 grand. The 2020 Telluride is capable and comfy enough for any adventure. Whether that’s driving up the pass loaded down with snowboards to chase the powder or around the corner to the butcher to stock up for the weekend barbeque, the Kia Telluride gets you there in a superior fashion. It even has a third row for extra enjoyment.

The 2020 Honda CR-V

There is a Honda on just about every “best” list out there. And for good reason. While no vehicle exists entirely without fault, Hondas are reliable and they hold their value. There is just no getting around the cold hard fact that the 2020 Honda CR-V is a great crossover.

The Honda CR-V also carries with it some impressive value. This humble little crossover SUV can also come as a hybrid and starts from $25,050 – $34,750. US News and World Report named the 2020 CR-V the Best Compact SUV of the year as well as the Best Compact SUV for the Money––and Best SUV with Two Rows.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is just cute. It has a cute name, it comes in cute colors, and yeah. You get the picture. Subcompact SUVs are certainly the more limited segment of crossovers due to their size. But the Hyundai Kona is full of value. Plus, it also has an electric version. It starts at just $21,195 and both Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book named it the best subcompact crossover SUV.

Best crossovers of 2020

All three of these vehicles tout incredible absolute value. They each come available with AWD and show up on basically every best crossover list out there. They’re no minivan. But of all the great crossover SUVs on the flooded market, these are definitely among the best of 2020.