Top 5 Best SUVs of 2020

2020 is a year most of us will associate with not being too good or particularly generous. It seemed that it took more away from us than giving back. The automotive industry was one of the hardest hit sectors. Very few meaningful strides can be accomplished that most manufacturers could muster without going bankrupt in the process. It seems that it is hard to develop cars when most people aren't moving about in them at all.

SUVs and Crossovers saw a constant rise in recent years, right up until the beginning of the first quarter of 2020. According to a New York Times article, SUVs and crossovers outsold sedans two-to-one in 2019. Even after the lockdown took effect, the majority of the sales were still dominated by this segment.

Part of the reason for this sudden upsurge seems to be a change in lifestyle. If you want more practicality and technology in a family vehicle, and don't bother taking it a bit slower on the road, there is only so much a regular-sized sedan can deliver. Alongside all those advantages, SUVs have had several improvements in mitigating their drawbacks. A typical SUV of the 1990s had a large, thirsty engine that would drain the tank before you reach the next filling station, in addition to terrible handling and visibility of a Fallout bunker. Thankfully, you might not get such an idea from most modern variants.

 

While there were a lot of bold innovations this year, there were a few that stood out in their respective fields. As such, here are a few of the best SUVs and Crossovers, in no particular order, to come out in 2020.

1. Kia Telluride

The new Kia Telluride has a meaner look than its predecessor.

 

Now this one is a good example of the phrase "the customer is always right". The Telly gets what the average crossover customer wants - a lot of girth with enough comfort and convenience where it most matters. It has been a darling for review outlets around the world, and while I am quite skeptical of their professional opinion, in this case, I can't disagree. The Telluride is the largest SUV that Kia has manufactured till date, even stretching longer than the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. Once you get a peek inside the cabin, you realize it makes good use of that size. With 3-row seating, the 2020 Kia Telluride can seat a family of 8 with benching and 7 with captain's chairs. Even then, it boasts a trunk large enough to take all the passengers camping for a few days. While the base trim does just enough to get by, the top-level SX trim has Nappa leather, a Harman-Kardon audio system, and a HUD that is unbelievable for a mid-size SUV that costs just over $46,000. These are the kind of luxuries that belong more in a Merc or an Beemer.

 

On the inside, the Telluride is as spacious as it is high-tech.

That being said, there are some corners that are cut to make the Telly so cost effective. All trims come with the same naturally-aspirated V6 connected to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. While the handling is decent, it could use a bit more torque to get off the line quicker. With only 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, it feels a bit drained for a V6 in 2020. Not only that, the best that it can manage out on open tarmac is 26 mpg, which is way lower than other V6-powered SUVs in its class. Even then, considering what kind of package the Telluride delivers, a bit of stretch on your gas bill is acceptable. Not to mention the looks. All you need is some hidden gun cases in the back, and the Kia Telluride is able to give a proper Bond villain vibe. I wonder if that can be an option in the future.....

2. Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63

The new G-Wagon has a lot of performance improvements despite no cosmetic upgrades.

 

No best SUV list would be complete without the G-Wagon. Those Germans really pushed the limits to get the best performance for their latest version of the AMG G-Class, while still maintaining the car's off-road capabilities. On the outside, you will struggle to tell the difference between this and the one from 4 years ago. It is the insides, both the cabin and the hood, where the real distinction show up. Not only is the new AMG G 63 more powerful than ever, it also takes the same approach for comfort.

 

The AMG-tuned 4.0L twin-turbo V8 is the most powerful G-class engine ever.

Let's begin with the powertrain first. Pop the hood and you'll find yourself face-to-face with a pinnacle of automobile engineering. The 2020 Mercedes G-Wagon is powered by an AMG-tuned 4.0L twin-turbo V8, the same one used in the AMG GT R. It puts out 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque which is enough to make this beast rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Not bad for a car that can also wade through 700 mm of water and climb an incline of 35 degrees. All the while, the people inside can enjoy luxuries like Nappa leather upholstery and massaging seats. For more info on specific interior features, check out the official Mercedes-Benz website.

3. Land Rover Defender

The new Land Rover Defender strikes the perfect balance between retro and modern design.

This bad boy has a long legacy from the previous Land Rover Defender that stopped selling the US in the 1990s. This name was bestowed upon vehicles that could cross the toughest of terrain, from the Amazon rainforest to the Australian Outback. So, when it came to light that a new version of the Defender was in the works, people were quite skeptical to say the least. However, this 2020 version not only retained its forefather's ruggedness, but also improved upon areas that were mostly ignored.

The new Defender uses brains instead of brawn to conquer any terrain.

 

The Defender keeps the spirit of its predecessor alive in the fact that it was built to conquer almost any terrain. Unlike the old Defender, this one uses advanced technology and gizmos to an extent that you would no longer question why was there a special edition trim for the latest Bond movie. From terrain-sensing LIDAR to detachable driveshafts, the 2020 Land Rover Defender proves that it doesn't matter how much power you have as long as it is smartly utilized. For a more comprehensive list of features, you can check them out at Motortrend here. That's not all, as the insides of the Defender can be decked out with tech like a digital gauge cluster, wireless charging, and premium leather upholstery.

4. Ford Expedition 

The new Ford Expedition is a more traditional full-sized SUV.

For those more familiar with Ford's muscle car projects, it was not a shock that taking the Mustang, a classic big-block all-American monster, in a direction that smelled of fresh crossover-induced lilac was a big mistake. I thinks Matt calls it out best. Still, that can't be said for the new Expedition. This full-size SUV is just what you would expect from a full-size SUV, and then some. With independent suspension and adjustable traction control, the 2020 Ford Expedition handles much better, both on-road and off, than its most obvious competitor the Chevrolet Tahoe.

The Ford Expedition can suit anyone thanks to its variety of trims and options.

The new Expedition is powered by an Ecoboost twin-turbo V6 engine paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. It doesn't add much to the demeanor when pressing down on the pedal but it is enough to make this car tow 9300 lbs, which is more than some pickups. Speaking of pickups, just like the F-150, the Ford Expedition offers a lot of trims to choose from. The 2020 version now comes with the King Ranch trim that has creature comforts like Del Rio leather upholstery and 22-inch wheels. Safe to say, you can build your Expedition that perfectly suits your needs. What's standard across the board is the Co-Pilot 360 safety system that has features like lane-keep assist and surround-view cameras to make sure you don't accidentally bump into a Civic ricer out of your line-of-sight.

5. Acura MDX

 

The Acura MDX possesses better handling than most other SUVs.

 

It is a few years until all-electric cars are a common sight and gas pumps are replaced with recharge stations, even in the desolates of Nevada. In spite of that, Acura is not giving up on developing its electric drivetrains. We've already seen that persistence with the new NSX and RLX. It was rational that their crossover section had a similar member. While the lower trims have a gas-only option, it is the Sport Hybrid that is sure to catch your eye. Powered by a 3.0L V6 in conjunction with a set of Li-ion batteries, the Acura MDX puts out a total of 321 hp and still delivers 27 combined mpg, which are good numbers for any crossover.

 

There is ample space up front but captain's seats instead of a third row is a better option.

 

Thanks to its drivetrain, the MDX has more manners on the road than most other SUVs. It is quite responsive on the throttle and gives you the confidence to tackle tight turns at speed. While the space in the back, both for the trunk and third row passengers, may be less than ideal, there is no shortage of comfort for the rest. A bit of money can easily get you an intuitive 8-inch touchscreen, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an ELS 12-speaker surround sound audio system. For a more comprehensive list of features, you can check out the official site here.