If you’re looking for the best city SUV, we’ve got you covered. Like everybody else, city dwellers are turning to SUVs more and more.
Virtually every car maker has an SUV that fits an urban setting. Here are 10 that could be considered the best city SUV.
It might be a little bit biased because I love it, but the Range Rover Evoque gets my top honors for best city SUV. It’s just the right size for city life – the iconic cute ute crossover shape. You’ll find the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has enough jam to really be a lot of fun with 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
What sets the Evoque apart even more is the configurations available. We’re not talking just trim levels. The Evoque can be the standard 5-door, a coupe or even a convertible. There’s nothing quite like a drop-top SUV…except for the old-school Bronco.
It’s been around for what seems like forever. And what originally started out as a miniature Explorer with no emphasis on enjoyment or adventure culminates in the Ford Escape we see today. This thing is a blast. Really. There are three engine options, all fuel efficient, that range from the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 168 horsepower to the 2.0-liter Twin-Scroll EcoBoost engine with 245 horsepower.
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It’s no Range Rover, but the Escape is nicely appointed at even the base trim level. And for thousands less, you can have the same stoplight-to-stoplight fun. You can’t complain about 21 mpg in the city either.
Love it or hate it for its unusual looks, the Nissan Juke is a decent choice for city life. It’s compact and has great visibility, and surprisingly nimble on the roads. The Juke feels more like a car than an SUV, but it’s a forgivable situation because of the decent space behind the front seats.
A turbocharged 1.6-liter direct injection 4-cylinder is standard equipment, which has plenty of spunk for most metropolitan transportation. If you want to live life in the passing lane, don’t abandon the Juke just yet. The Juke Nismo RS ramps up power to 215 horses from a tuned-up 1.6-liter turbo. It’s blisteringly fast for a cute ute.
The newest Honda CR-V foregoes the bland box that it used to be. Some attitude is injected, and none too soon. A distinctively sporty visage and some awesome wheel options are just the tip of the iceberg. Honda Sensing technologies make the Honda CR-V one of the safest SUVs around, and the inside is comfortable and modern (gasp!).
You won’t find the CR-V to be your top performer. It plods along like a stalwart choice, and it’s plenty powerful enough if you’ve never experienced more. Honestly, though – you’re buying a Honda CR-V for its 26 miles per gallon in the city, aren’t you? It’s one of the most fuel efficient SUVs, and it’s definitely a contender for best city SUV.
The direct competition for the Honda CR-V is, and always has been, the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 is a good choice for city folk, and it’s probably where they hang their hat. It’s definitely not because they’re the most powerful – it’s just 176 horsepower for the gas-powered version and 194 net horsepower for the hybrid.
Again, it’s about the fuel efficiency. The RAV4 has just enough class and accessories to justify the lowered performance expectations, and the result is 34 mpg in the city for the hybrid and 23 mpg for the gas version. There are nicer options, but the RAV4 is among the most reliable.
Looking for a touch of German refinement in your commuter crossover? The Audi Q3 could be right for you. That quirky bit of VW comes through with the matte black plastic interior but there’s a “je ne sais quoi” quality to the Q3 that’s really attractive. Maybe the devil is in the details – leather seating, panoramic sunroof, parking system sensors and some upscale features in the Prestige trim.
The Audi Q3 has one engine across the board – a 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder with 200 horsepower. That’s quite sufficient, especially mated with a Quattro AWD system available on each trim level. Fuel mileage isn’t the best in class, but it’s decent at 20 mpg in the city. It’s still a solid contender for best city SUV.
It’s a stretch grouping the MINI Countryman along with other crossovers. We don’t classify these vehicles, though. The Countryman is notoriously spacious, besting the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA250 in cargo capacity, which makes its entry into cute ute territory more acceptable. AWD is available…so yeah, I guess it is a crossover.
You might question your decision to buy a base-model Countryman with just 134 horsepower, but it’s not that bad if you’re only driving in the city. If you want more, look to the Countryman Cooper S with 189 ponies or the John Cooper Works ALL4 version with 228 horsepower. You may be disappointed in the fuel efficiency with your 134-horsepower Countryman at just 25 mpg. You’d expect more from the low horsepower numbers.
Here’s another sexy little number. It’s often thought to be an underrated crossover, and I agree. The Mazda CX-5 is redesigned, looks better than ever, is roomy and comfortable, and is a phenomenally great bang for your buck. Available in FWD or AWD, the Mazda CX-5 performs really well for its 187 horsepower. It has to be on a list for best city SUV.
Because it’s a great buy, something has to give. City fuel mileage is slightly subpar at 21 miles per gallon, bit we’re lenient because it’s so great everywhere else. It should be a great diesel car, too, when it’s available later this year.
The Kia Sportage has come a long way from the earliest model. The 2017 model adds some flair to the Korean crossover, and it’s got a European flavorr. It can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on your budget and needs, with leather seats, navigation and other nuances available.
What will shock you is the powertrain. As a city SUV, the standard 181 horsepower will be plenty. Toss in a few extra ponies with a turbocharged version, adding up to 237 horsepower, and it becomes one of the more powerful crossovers here. City fuel mileage ratings are 20 to 23 miles per gallon depending on the engine you choose.
If a Jeep Grand Cherokee is overkill for your commute, look to the Cherokee. It’s a tame, city-focused cute ute that still has decent Jeep underpinnings. It’s more attuned to the pavement than sand dunes or even dirt trails, but it’s rarely going to leave the city. The badge on the front – Jeep – drives the price higher than the competition, it seems.
Regardless, you’ll be able to choose a FWD version or one of three 4WD options. Not surprisingly, the Jeep Cherokee’s fuel mileage is lower than the rest, achieving just 19 mpg in the city.
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