Finding a good deal on a new car, truck, or sport utility vehicle is nothing short of frustrating right now. However, some of the best SUVs of 2022 were options that nobody bought from popular brands like Lexus, Mini, and Toyota. Sales data shows that while these luxury SUVs have high scores from experts and safety groups, shoppers were drawn to the competition instead.

The Lexus UX is one of the best SUVs of 2022 that nobody bought

According to sales data on GoodCarBadCar, the Lexus UX wasn’t a big seller in the small luxury SUV segment. However, J.D. Power said the UX is reliable and performed well on the road test. Why didn’t this result in higher sales? This is Lexus’s entry-level SUV option for buyers, but only 17,581 units were sold in 2021. Lexus also offers the UX with a hybrid powertrain option that gets 37 mpg overall.

While it isn’t as luxurious as some more expensive options, it has plenty of active safety features. Forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot warning (BSW), and rear cross-traffic warning (RCTW) are all standard. With an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick award, it is a shame it wasn’t a bigger seller.

Price Range:  $33,450 – $40,790

The Mini Cooper Countryman is another option for the best SUVs of 2022

Even though the Mini Cooper Countryman is a fun and sport SUV, it seems to get overlooked. GoodCarBadCar categorizes the Countryman as a small sport utility vehicle, but it performed well in most of J.D. Power’s categories. The road test and predicted reliability scores were impressive, but Mini only sold 12,198 Countryman SUVs in 2021.

This Mini Cooper Countryman is fun to drive and comfortable enough, but the high price might send people to the more luxurious competition. When the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested the 2022 Countryman, it scored high in the main crashworthiness tests. The Countryman also earned high marks for the crash avoidance and mitigation tests.

Price Range:  $29,100 – $41,500

What are some sedans that buyers overlooked?

The Toyota Avalon won’t be coming back next year. However, it was one of the top large cars in J.D. Power’s rankings. The Avalon scores high in the quality and reliability segment, as well as resale and driving experience. It comes with Toyota’s legendary reliability and an insane 42 mpg combined with the hybrid option. Toyota only sold about 18,280 units in 2021, a far cry from 2013’s numbers.

This sedan earned high marks from owners for fuel economy and cargo space. It also handled well in wet road conditions. With the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Avalon’s low numbers are a mystery.

Price Range:  $36,825 – $44,150

If you find one of these vehicles for sale, perhaps its low sales numbers will help you get a better deal. As the 2023 vehicles start rolling in, dealerships will want these options out of the way. These might be the best SUVs of 2022 that nobody bought, but that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you.