Many car buyers want to buy an SUV right now, and automakers have created many options for buyers to choose from. Ultimately, the best SUV may come down to what each unique driver needs, but it can still help to look at what car reviewers think is best. Here’s a look at the best 2023 SUVs to buy, according to TrueCar.
SUVs have been gaining popularity lately
Every year, automakers continue to phase out sedans, and one of the main reasons is that SUVs are becoming more popular than sedans. There are many reasons customers choose SUVs over sedans, and many of them may have to do with the car’s spec sheet.
Since SUVs are larger than sedans, they have some inherent advantages and disadvantages. For example, SUVs will almost always have more cargo capacity than sedans, and that may be enough of a difference for some families. SUVs also tend to be safer due to their larger size, which may be a compelling reason to buy an SUV over a sedan.
Automakers also benefit greatly from this boom, as SUVs tend to have a higher profit margin than smaller cars. As such, by building the SUVs that buyers want, automakers can make more money than if they invested more in sedans.
The 2023 Kia Sportage is the best SUV to buy right now
According to TrueCar, one of the best SUVs to buy right now is the Kia Sportage. It starts at around $27,000, making it reasonably affordable for most families. On top of that, the Sportage has a solid balance of features with few flaws. However, one of the Sportage’s faults is that it has worse fuel economy than some of its peers. The standard Sportage gets around 28 mpg combined, but Kia made an essential update for the 2023 model year.
Kia now offers the Sportage as a hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid, or PHEV. Drivers who choose any of those options for their Kia will get a great SUV that is more efficient than most cars on the road. The Sportage Hybrid gets fuel economy around 43 mpg combined, while the Sportage PHEV can travel 34 miles on battery-only mode.
However, the Sportage really shines on the inside. It’s roomy and well-appointed, and while the Kia SUV isn’t a luxury car, the South Korean automaker used high-quality materials to build the Sportage’s cabin. With the rear seats folded down, it has a maximum cargo capacity of 74.1 cubic feet. The Kia SUV also has an 8-inch touchscreen and a suite of smart safety features that should keep everyone safe.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is also a good SUV to buy
The Nissan Pathfinder is another great SUV option, and it’s bigger than the Sportage, too. The Sportage competes in the compact crossover segment, while the Pathfinder is in the midsize crossover segment. Plus, Nissan recently redesigned the Pathfinder, loaded with modern features and technology. The Pathfinder starts at around $36,000 and comes standard with third-row seats.
Those seats allow the Nissan SUV to comfortably carry up to eight people. The SUV’s cabin is “sleek”, with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard. That said, the third row itself isn’t very roomy, with only 16.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. If owners fold down the second and third rows, the Pathfinder gets a maximum cargo capacity of 80.5 cubic feet.