CARS who won the race for Top 5 Best SUVs of 2022
Best SUVs of 2022 whether you refer to them as crossovers or SUVs, this body design is varied and incredibly popular, and we believe these choices are the best available.
The SUV has developed. A type of vehicles that formerly consisted of body-on-frame brutes that resembled trucks has evolved into cars with unibody structure. Owing to their commanding seating positions and enjoyable, car-like driving characteristics, customers have welcomed these car-based SUVs, also known as crossovers, despite the disapproval of off-road enthusiasts. While some of these crossover SUVs drive like tall sports sedans, some are even capable of competing off the main path.
Our editors have put almost every SUV sold today through our battery of tests, whether you're trying to save money on a mainstream brand's SUV or enjoy the opulent flair of a premium model. As a result, we were able to narrow down a list of the top SUVs on the market, all of which are now included on our esteemed 5 Best list:
SUBCOMPACT: MAZDA CX-30:
The 2022 CX-30, which resembles a taller, more-durable Mazda 3 hatchback, sits next to the CX-5 at the small end of the brand's SUV portfolio. The CX-30 virtually competes with small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 thanks to its curved external design and nearly premium interior, but its price is closer in line with popular subcompact SUVs like the Hyundai Kona and the Volkswagen Taos. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has mediocre performance; hot-shoe drivers will find the optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine to be much more appealing. We like the CX-30's handling and the way it drives on the road since it reminds us of Mazda's sportier models. Because of this, we granted it an Editors' Choice award. All-wheel drive is now standard as well as a hearty dose of infotainment and driver-assistance systems.
SUBCOMPACT: HYUNDAI KONA:
It's difficult to get caught up in the typical anti-crossover mentality when an SUV offers a driving experience as sharp as the 2022 Hyundai Kona, so we won't. Simply put, the subcompact Kona is a fantastic package that combines carlike on-road behavior with dramatic appearance, a dash of practicality, and an elevated driving position. We are so impressed with it that we gave it an Editors' Choice award. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is admittedly rather sluggish, and a more desirable turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which packs a lot more punch, are the two four-cylinder engines available. A vast list of standard items is included with the Kona as standard equipment, and as you progress up through the more expensive trims—the top couple of which get downright posh—that list only gets longer and longer. This keeps with Hyundai's value-forward philosophy.
SUBCOMPACT: KIA SOUL:
The Kia Soul has prevailed over the Honda Element, Nissan Cube, and Scion xB when it comes to toaster-shaped cars. It currently competes with subcompact crossovers with more conventional styling, such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Renegade, and Kia Seltos, but it hasn't caved in to their proportions. It continues to be a unique cube, and we find it so appealing that we gave it an Editors' Choice designation. Standard on the Soul is a 147-hp four-cylinder engine, but Kia also offers a potent 201-hp turbocharged four.
SUBCOMPACT: VOLKSWAGEN TAOS:
Customers are crying out for reasonably priced crossovers and SUVs, and the new 2022 Volkswagen Taos offers yet another option. The subcompact Taos boasts a surprisingly spacious back seat and a huge load space despite being smaller than the tiny VW Tiguan; its practicality even earned it an Editors' Choice award. The smallest and least priced VW SUV, which borrows styling ideas from both the Tiguan and the mid-size VW Atlas, is still attractive despite not being as fashionable or tough as competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Chevy Trailblazer. A new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive are also features of the Taos.
SUBCOMPACT: BMW X1:
Don't get too caught up in the bread-box design of the 2022 BMW X1. Actually, it's a little, fun SUV that also happens to be useful and simple to live with. The same 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard across all variants, and it's vivacious enough to swiftly move the diminutive X1 around town. In our tests, it achieved 29 mpg on the interstate, which is fairly efficient. The ride is smooth and the handling is precise, just as we would expect from the BMW name. The X1 not only offers fun on the road, but it also has a huge cargo area with plenty of space for cargo, and the back seats are simple to fold flat to create place for larger objects.
