The market’s favorite body shapes include trucks, SUVs, and everything not cars; our annual 10Best awards honor our picks in this vast area. We’ve given these cars their due this year by separating them apart once more. The same guidelines that apply to 10Best Cars also apply to our selection process.
Chevrolet Trax
What is a typical grievance expressed by purchasers of compact cars? Of course, they’re too little. With this new, significantly longer Trax—which will outstrip the competition by leapfrogging it by 11.0 inches—Chevrolet hopes to offset that one. Though its price is still firmly in subcompact crossover territory, the least costly but no longer smallest Chevy’s 106.3-inch wheelbase precisely equals that of the class-larger Honda CR-V. This man in the 99th percentile can fit his knees behind the front seat set for an equally lanky driver since there are three more inches of legroom behind the rear seats and 37 percent greater luggage space than previously.
Getting more for less is a solid approach to meet our value criteria, which are the main considerations for 10Best along with how effectively a car performs its intended function and how exciting it is to drive. Even if the Trax’s enjoyable driving leg is somewhat shorter than some of the other winners, it still stands tall on the other two legs of the three-legged criterion stool. Even though the Trax’s dynamic performance isn’t particularly exciting, we admire its strong competence and value features like a well above-average steering and braking feel.
Ford Maverick
It seems to be the prevailing belief over the past few decades that “The only good pickup is a big pickup.” From the heavy-duty “one-ton” trucks at the top to the “half-ton” trucks in the center to the “compact” trucks at the bottom, everything in this broad category has gotten bigger. The idea is further supported by the fact that these names seem ridiculous in modern times. Due to this upsizing done in the name of towing and payload competition, there is now a void at the bottom of the product landscape, which the Ford Maverick perfectly fits into.
When we took the Cyber Orange Maverick hybrid to a gas station for the first time, we were surrounded by curious onlookers who gathered around three separate pumps, asking questions as if we were driving some kind of rare Lamborghini. “Is this the hybrid?” “What kind of fuel economy does it get?” “It has a bigger bed than I imagined.” Ford has undoubtedly hit gold with the Maverick.
Genesis GV70
With the gas-powered GV70 and the Electrified GV70, Genesis is refining the compact-luxury-SUV playbook rather than writing it from scratch. The GV70 model line isn’t very revolutionary, but it nevertheless makes an impact by adhering to the standards that set it apart as a premium item. Even the entry-level GV70s are magnificent. Rich inside materials are included on all GV70s, regardless of trim level. These premium goods mix well with a simple design that includes considerate ergonomic elements like HVAC controls that are oriented toward the driver and tactile buttons that provide quick access to the infotainment system’s most frequently used functions.
Although the external design is not as well-liked by everyone, it still has a royal appearance. Haunched fenders are complemented by split headlights and taillights, and the grille and fascias have elaborate mesh patterns reminiscent of cars that cost significantly more than the $46,095 Genesis charges for its small SUV.
Honda CR-V
It’s amusing how memory functions. When the CR-V was first introduced in the late 1990s, some of us—okay, one of us—thought the acronym stood for “Civic Recreation Vehicle.” However, that is untrue. It was called the 1997 SUV, or “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle.” That’s almost absurd, which might be why we forgot about it.
In no way does the 2024 CR-V remind us of the first-generation vehicle. Rather, it continues from where the Accord and Civic left off. We comprehend. A car isn’t what you desire. You desire to sit tall. It’s alright. Additionally, the CR-V nearly completely fits the gap in Honda’s product lineup as the company no longer produces the Accord wagon. Even the powertrains from the Accord are primarily used.
The standard engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four with 190 horsepower and a CVT; similar to the Accord, the uplevel powerplant is a 204-horse hybrid system. Both provide the highest level of refinement, a claim supported by the hybrid’s internal sound levels, which are measured at 68 decibels at 70 mph and 72 dB at wide-open throttle. Either configuration is capable of providing an all-wheel drive.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The usual trade-offs associated with driving an EV are virtually eliminated with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. restricted range. The EPA estimates that the regular 58.0-kWh battery pack has a range of 220 miles, while the 77.4-kWh pack that is available has an estimated range of up to 303 miles after a full charge.
Slow rates of charging? Connected to a 350-kW fast charger, the large battery of the Ioniq 5 ran from 10 to 90 percent in just 26 minutes thanks to its 800-volt electrical design.
Quick access to stations for rapid charging? That still aches a little bit, though. But starting in early 2025, owners will have the option to charge at Tesla stations, which should help with this aspect of EV ownership.
Kia EV9
The internal combustion engine car required almost a century to undergo the evolutionary modifications that resulted in the first Dodge Caravan, a pioneer of roomy and comfortable utility. EVs have improved their ability to comfortably carry large numbers of passengers in only a few short years. Although the Kia EV9 isn’t a fully electric minivan, it is still a three-row SUV, and not many people nowadays desire minivans. The market has moved toward three-row SUVs, and Kia’s new EV9 excels at transporting people by utilizing EVs’ advantages in packing.
Because the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 and the EV9 are constructed on a purpose-designed electric platform called the E-GMP platform, Kia was unable to package the EV9 to avoid installing a driveshaft or exhaust system below or a combustion engine up front. Compared to the comparably sized Telluride, Kia has been able to move the wheels significantly farther out thanks to this. These three-row Kia SUVs have almost the same length overall, but the EV9’s 122.0-inch wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer, making the third row easier to reach. Under the hood, there’s a small but functional frunk, and we adore the EV9’s aggressive stylistic cues and powerful posture.
Kia Telluride
We have been raving about the Kia Telluride for years. The infatuation phase has finally passed, and we are now living together in a happy household. And we mean it when we say this: Ever since the well-kept and practical SUV started winning 10Best accolades, several Car and Driver staff members have kept Tellurides in their garages. The most recent person to park one was our road test editor, Becca Hackett, who did it last summer.
In the mid-size three-row SUV segment, the Telluride is a contender, but its allure seems to surpass that of all of them. When it comes to selecting an SUV, you simply can’t go wrong with the Telluride.
Porsche Macan
The futuristic suburbanites shown in Syd Mead’s paintings would have been seen driving Porsche Macans and scurrying about glass-walled towers if midcentury soothsayers had any true insight into the future. Let’s talk about an aircraft. The Macan zings and zips like a hummingbird, yet it looks like a June bug (particularly the GTS in Python Green). Porsche’s compact SUV delivers on the sports-car promise of the nameplate, although with additional height and room, ranging from the snorty, six-jug GTS to the four-cylinder basic Macan.
Porsche elevates the Macan’s tall body to a level of greatness in the decidedly unimpressive compact crossover category by mounting it atop a chassis that is so light and responsive that it makes one wonder if the German automaker has found a way to give steel and aluminum the agility and life force of a border collie. While the standard Macan’s 261-hp turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a swift-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivers plenty of power to put the body to the test
When the Macan GTS’s 434-hp twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 engine is added, the true magic happens. The GTS can burble quietly through a day of errands or roar and speed through the corners on a weekend pleasure trip thanks to its 3.5-second 60-mph time and skillful direction adjustments akin to those of a high-end lawyer. The Macan is so in tune with its driver’s needs that it can be surprising to step down to open the door and get out of the car instead of heaving yourself up with the customary grunt and squirm required to exit a 911. It is remarkable just for its exit’s grace.
Ram 1500
Though the manufacturer debuted this iteration of the Ram 1500 in 2019, the time has only made us more fond of Stellantis’ full-size pickup. There’s a Ram for everyone: supercharged 702-hp TRXs, if that’s your thing, refrigerator-white Tradesmen with vinyl upholstery, and opulent Limiteds with interiors to match a Range Rover. Ram’s goal of reducing Ford and GM’s domestic truck market share is evident in every vehicle in the range; there are no duds.
The Ram 1500 challenges truck doctrine with its four-corner air springs, which can drop the body at speed or elevate it for more off-road clearance. Traditionalism is sometimes used as a justification for technological immobility. Heated, vented, and reclining front and rear quilted leather-upholstered seats are an option for the cabin. The multifunction tailgate that is provided is divided and has a vertical and horizontal hinge. You may see traces of original thought and the freedom to pursue ideas that defy preconceived notions everywhere you look.
Toyota Grand Highlander
Given how many SUVs Toyota produces in a wide range of sizes and styles, one may assume that the Grand Highlander, which debuted in 2024, is an extravagance in the portfolio. Since there were already seven different models covering every possible market, what more could a third-row crossover possibly offer?
However, the superiority of the Grand Highlander not only validates its existence but also poses a challenge to the relevance of some of Toyota’s other models. It’s much more than simply a larger Highlander; it outperforms its rivals, offering the ideal balance of functionality, style, and driving enjoyment.
