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Toyota usually dominates lists of the best SUVs, but it wasn’t very present on a recent list. Which Toyota landed on this list of the best SUVs of 2023? You would be right if you guessed the compact RAV4 sport utility vehicle. Don’t worry; there are plenty of good options for this year.

One of the best SUVs of 2023 is the Toyota RAV4

The best SUVs of 2023 include the Toyota RAV4
A 2023 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota

When Kelley Blue Book selected its best SUVs of 2023, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 was at the top. The RAV4 is a popular compact SUV with plenty of room in the cabin for everyone else. 2023 brought a larger infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and more standard safety features. Pricing starts at $27,575 for this year.

Every 2023 Toyota RAV4 gets the most up-to-date Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 system. That includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. On top of that, the RAV4 is equipped with lane-departure alert with steering assistance, lane-tracing assistance, and road sign recognition.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 RAV4 a five-star safety rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety already made it a Top Safety Pick Plus winner.

Price Range: $27,575 – $37,195

Kia’s Seltos made the list of best SUVs of 2023

For those looking for more bang for your buck, the 2023 Kia Seltos does it all at a reasonable price. Kelley Blue Book ranked it at the top of its best SUVs of 2023 list for a few reasons. It gets 29 mpg combined, and the 2.0L engine gets 146 hp. The Nightfall edition gets a turbo engine, bumping the horsepower up to 175 and the fuel economy down to 27 mpg.

Kia included plenty of safety systems on the 2023 Seltos, such as Lane Departure Warning System, Pedestrian Detection System, and airbags all around the cabin. The Seltos has 62.8 cubic feet of space in the cargo area to carry everyone’s belongings around town.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Kia Seltos a four-star safety rating. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a Top Safety Pick winner, that only applies to the SX Turbo trim with the LED reflector headlights.

Price Range: $23,140 – $28,640

Don’t overlook the almost-luxury 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe took home several awards from Kelley Blue Book this year, including the Two-Row Midsize SUV Best Buy for 2023. It offers plenty of value for buyers and starts at only $28,200. Buyers can opt for all-wheel drive for an additional $1,700 if it doesn’t come on your preferred trim level.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto comes on both trims, and the new Hands-free powered tailgate is a helpful feature on the SEL trim. Forward collision warning and Blind-spot monitoring help keep the driver safe on the road.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe its Top Safety Pick Plus award.

Price Range: $28,200 – $43,750

While Toyota still has plenty of good SUVs out there, the competition is heating up throughout the segment. Automakers are stepping up to add more standard safety systems and features at a lower price, which is a good thing for buyers.

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