Thanks to advancements in fuel economy and somewhat low gas prices (much lower than in Europe, anyway,) the crossover and SUV market is booming at levels similar to that of compact cars during a gas crisis. So far, 2018 has been a big year for crossovers specifically with some big players posting big sales numbers and others surprising us out of nowhere. Sales statistics paint a clear picture of what the people want, but why is it that people want certain models so much more than others? Well, that’s what this list is all about. We’ve plucked sales statistics for crossovers through June of 2018 and will take a better look at each one individually below. Let’s get to it.
No. 1 Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue has been a mainstay in Nissan’s lineup since it was introduced over a decade ago. As a compact crossover, it offers a unique combination of utility paired with efficiency and agility. It tops the sales list for crossovers through June of 2018 with 215,202 examples sold, and it’s not really all that surprising considering it was just updated for the 2018 model year. The biggest update was the addition of ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s own semi-autonomous driver assist system. The most important feature at this point is active cruise, but the Rogue was also updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And, on top of that, the Rogue has a stylish exterior and a nice-for-the-price interior with good fit and finish as well as plenty of leather appointments if you select the right boxes. The Rogue is priced anywhere between $24,680 and $32,410 for the range-topping SL AWD trim level. With that in mind, the mid-range Rogue S AWD should be the perfect fit for you if you’re on a budget but still want decent appointments and creature comforts.
2018 Nissan Rogue Specifications
|
Engine |
2.5-liter inline four-cylinder |
|
Horsepower |
170 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
175 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Xtronic with Sport and Eco Mode switches |
|
City/highway/combined |
25/32/27 |
|
Weight |
2,057 lbs |
|
Towing |
1,102 lbs |
|
Passenger compartment (w/o moonroof) |
105.8 |
|
Cargo w/2ndrow seat folded down |
70.0/39.3 |
2018 Nissan Rogue Prices
|
2018 Nissan Rogue S FWD |
$24,680 USD |
|
2018 Nissan Rogue SV FWD |
$25,900 USD |
|
2018 Nissan Rogue SL FWD |
$31,060 USD |
|
2018 Nissan Rogue S AWD |
$26,030 USD |
|
2018 Nissan Rogue SV AWD |
$27,250 USD |
|
2018 Nissan Rogue SL AWD |
$32,410 USD |
Read our full review of the 2018 Nissan Rogue if you want to know more.
No. 2 Toyota Rav4
Number 2 on the list is the Toyota Rav4, and it’s quite surprising considering the next-gen, 2019 model hasn’t even gone on sale yet. Of course, when you take into consideration that it was, across the world, the first compact crossover, it’s got a bit of a following. It’s pinned as a recreational vehicle, but it does just as well on the road as it does off, even when it’s not equipped with AWD. Of course, Toyota keeps it fresh as it was just thoroughly updated back in 2013. It comes with everything you would expect from a world-class compact, including Toyota’s own Safety Sense system that has a whole host of safety equipment as standard. Options are plentiful too, including heated front seats and a JBL Audio system with navigation. With pricing for the 2018 model set between $24,600 and $36,400, it’s not only competitive but a good bargain too. The 2019 model should see minor price increases so if you’re really counting pennies or don’t want to wait, the 2018 model will still keep you satisfied for years to come.
Read our full review of the 2019 Toyota Rav4 if you want to know more about the upcoming model or check out our in-depth driven review of the 2015-2018 Toyota Rav4 if you’re more interested in the current model.
2018 Toyota RAV4 Prices
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Grade 2WD |
$27,950 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Grade AWD |
$28,650 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD |
$27,385 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD |
$29,280 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE AWD |
$32,435 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD |
$34,280 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 LE 2WD |
$24,660 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 LE AWD |
$26,060 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE 2WD |
$25,750 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD |
$27,150 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 SE 2WD |
$29,040 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 SE AWD |
$30,440 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited 2WD |
$31,155 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD |
$32,555 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Platinum 2WD |
$35,000 |
|
2018 Toyota RAV4 Platinum AWD |
$36,400 |
Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota RAV4.
No. 3 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is a big seller for Honda and has seen constant increases in sales since 2010. For 2018, it falls third on the list, nipping at the heals of the RAV4 with 179,588 examples sold in the first half of the year. It still needs to make up some ground if it will beat 2017 sales of 377,895, but it was just updated for the 2017 model year so it’s about as fresh as it can get. In its latest form, it has a new turbocharged four-banger that is the most fuel efficient in this segment while the interior is as updated and modern as it could possibly be. The only oddity here is the MPV- or minivan-style center console that positions the shifter high and almost in front of the center stack. It can be had with anywhere between 160 horsepower in diesel form all of the way up to 190 horsepower with the new turbocharged engine. That engine, by the way, will net your 34 mpg on the highway, beating out its closest competitor, the Tucson at 31 mpg. The CR-V starts out at $24,250 and climbs to as much as $32,750 in the range-topping Touring trim. On that note, the mid-range EX-L offers the best appointments below $30k and even includes leather interior, power seating, and a power tailgate.
2018 Honda CR-V - specifications
|
Engine |
2.4-liter inline four-cylinder |
1.5-liter inline four-cylinder |
|
Horsepower |
184 HP @ 6,400 RPM |
190 HP @ 5,600 RPM |
|
Torque |
180 LB-FT @ 3,900 RPM |
179 LB-FT @ 2,000-5,000 RPM |
|
Tranmission |
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sport Mode |
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with Sport Mode |
|
Fuel economy City/Highway/Combined 2WD |
26 / 32 / 28 |
28 / 34 / 30 |
|
Fuel economy City/Highway/Combined AWD |
25 / 31 / 27 |
27 / 33 / 29 |
|
Curb Weight (2WD/AWD) |
3,307 lbs / 3,421 lbs |
3,358 lbs / 3,473 lbs |
|
Towing Capacity |
1,500 lbs |
1,500 lbs |
|
Passenger Volume |
105.9 cu ft |
102.9 cu ft |
|
Cargo Volume (rear seat up/down) |
39.2 cu ft / 75.8 cu ft |
39.2 cu ft / 75.8 cu ft |
2018 Honda CR-V Prices
|
2018 Honda CR-V LX (2WD) |
$24,250 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V LX (AWD) |
$25,650 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX (2WD) |
$27,050 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX (AWD) |
$28,450 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX-L (2WD) |
$29,550 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX-L (AWD) |
$30,950 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX-L w/ Navi (2WD) |
$30,550 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V EX-L w/ Navi (AWD) |
$31,950 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V Touring (2WD) |
$32,750 |
|
2018 Honda CR-V Touring (AWD) |
$34,150 |
Read our full review of the 2017-2018 Honda CR-V to learn more about it.
No. 4 Chevy Equinox
Chevy gets such a bad name for quality sometimes that models like the Equinox kind of fall off the radar. Be that as it may, people are buying them up pretty steadily. So much so, in fact, that 156,366 examples have been sold as of the half-way point of 2018. Of course, that’s down about 15-percent compared to this time last year – bad news for a model that was completely updated for 2018, but we’ll leave that story for another day. When we test drove the new 2018 Equinox, we were pretty impressed with what it offered. Chevy did sharpen its scalpel before it started the redesign process, but the downside here is that the Equinox’s styling is still a little bland. It does have great ride qualities, though, thanks to an updated and lighter chassis to go with stiffer, independent suspension. There’s even a new Turbodiesel engine that offers as much as 40 mpg – take that Honda CR-V. Chevy also brought it into the modern ages, as it now offers a 4G LTE hotspot, wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, and some driver assist aids as well. With a starting price of $24,575, it’s right on the mark as far as competitive pricing goes too.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox - specifications
|
Engine |
1.5L turbo DOHC DI |
2.0L turbo DOHC DI |
1.6L turbo-diesel |
|
Horsepower |
170 HP @ 5,600 RPM |
252 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
137 HP @ 3,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
203 LB-FT @ 2,500-4,500 RPM |
260 LB-FT @ 2,500-4,500 RPM |
240 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic |
Hydra-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic |
Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed automatic |
|
Fuel economy city/highway |
26/32 |
22/29 |
-/40 |
|
Curb weight |
3,327 Lbs |
- |
- |
|
Towing |
- |
3,500 Lbs |
- |
2018 Chevrolet Equinox - prices
|
2018 Chevy Equinox L 1.5L Turbo |
$24,575 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox LS 1.5L Turbo |
$26,595 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox LT 1.5L Turbo |
$27,795 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox LT 2.0L Turbo |
$30,295 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox LT 1.6L Turbo Diesel |
$31,695 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox Premier 1.5L Turbo |
$31,795 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox Premier 1.5L Turbo Diesel |
$33,995 |
|
2018 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0L Turbo |
$34,595 |
Check out our full review test drive review of the 2018 Chevy Equinox or our test drive review of the 2018 Chevy Equinox Turbodiesel.
No. 5 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape hasn’t seen a decrease in sales since 2008, so it’s not surprising that it’s fifth on the list of best crossovers for 2018. It is, however, on a path so drop in sales by at least 10 percent if sales don’t pick up. Of course, we’re not sure why people are still buying it as it’s one of the most outdated models on this list. It did go through a facelift for 2017 that brought new safety technology and edge-like looks, but the chassis itself is getting up there in age. For 2017 it did get a new dashboard, Ford’s latest SYNC 3 infotainment software, a new pair of engines that are good for 180 or 245 horsepower. The standard 2.5-liter remains with 168 horsepower. Competitively priced in this segment, the Escape starts out at just shy of $24,000 and climbs to just over $32,000 in range-topping form. Max, it out with options and you, can hit the $40k mark, so be careful. On a budget, the SEL trim will sit nicely at home.
2018 Ford Escape - specifications
|
Engine |
2.5-liter O-4 |
1.5-liter EcoBoost I-4 |
2.0-Liter EcoBoost I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
168 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
179 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
245 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Torque |
170 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
177 LB-FT @ 2,500 RPM |
275 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
|
Curb weight |
3,542 Lbs |
3,576 Lbs |
3,603 Lbs |
|
Towing |
3,500 Lbs |
3,500 Lbs |
3,500 Lbs |
2018 Ford Escape prices
|
2018 Ford Escape S |
$23,940 |
|
2018 Ford Escape SE |
$25,700 |
|
2018 Ford Escape SEL |
$28,100 |
|
2018 Ford Escape Titanium |
$32,140 |
Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Escape.
No. 6 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler falls in the number six position on this list. That might not sound great at the moment, but it’s also up by 34.95-percent compared to last year. That’s a huge improvement, and there’s a good reason why. The all-new Jeep Wrangler JL is now on sale, and it has taken the Wrangler nameplate to all-new heights. At a glance, the new Wrangler doesn’t look all that new, but when you look closer, you’ll see that FCA actually changed every single panel, even if it was just a little bit. Staying true to its roots it has multiple top options, removable doors, and a foldable windshield. As always, it’s ready to off-road whenever you are and can now be had with a 3.0-liter diesel or an all-new turbo-four. The outgoing model, the Wrangler JK now starts at $23,995 (yes, you can still buy the old model,) while the new JL model starts at $27,495. Of course, the new model is a bit better, but you really can’t go wrong with either.
2018 Jeep Wrangler - Specifications
|
Engine |
3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 |
2.0-liter Turbo I-4 |
|
Power |
285 HP @ 6,400 RPM |
270 HP @ 5,250 RPM |
|
Torque |
260 LB-FT @ 4,800 RPM |
295 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
|
Fuel economy city/highway/combined |
18/23/20 |
17/23/19 |
|
Curb weight |
3,955 Lbs |
4,010 Lbs |
|
Towing |
3,000 Lbs |
3,000 Lbs |
2018 Jeep Wrangler - Prices
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport (two-door) |
$26,995 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Sport S (two-door) |
$30,195 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (two-door) |
$36,995 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport (four-door) |
$30,495 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S (four-door) |
$33,695 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (four-door) |
$37,345 |
|
2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (four-door) |
$40,495 |
Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
No. 7 Ford Explorer
A new version of the Ford Explorer is expected to hit the market in late-2019 for the 2020 model year, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the oldest SUVs out there has declined in sales a bit – just over five percent compared to this time last year. Be that as it may, it’s still selling fairly well, and it’s got everything one might need if you’ve got a family to haul. It’s not a body-on-frame SUV like the Expedition, but it’s the next best thing, and can even be had with three-rows of seating for up to seven passengers or plenty of cargo space. Starting in 2016, Ford began to offer it with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost with 365 horsepower on tap, so it’s even got some decent power lurking under the hood. And, for a midsize SUV that starts out at just over $32,000, it’s priced rather competitively despite its current age. With that in mind, you’re probably better off waiting for the next generation, but it’s not exactly necessary, the current Explorer is still a decent buy.
2018 Ford Explorer specifications
|
Engine |
3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 |
2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 |
3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 |
|
Horsepower |
290 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
280 HP @ 5,600 RPM |
365 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Torque |
255 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
310 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
350 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
Six-speed SelectShift® automatic |
|
Curb weight |
4,443 Lbs |
4,385 Lbs |
4,901 Lbs |
|
Towing |
5,000 Lbs |
5,000 Lbs |
5,000 Lbs |
2018 Ford Explorer - prices
|
2018 Ford Explorer |
$32,140 |
|
2018 Ford Explorer XLT |
$34,175 |
|
2018 Ford Explorer Limited |
$42,090 |
|
2018 Ford Explorer Sport |
$45,950 |
|
2018 Ford Explorer Platinum |
$53,940 |
Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Explorer
No. 8 Toyota Highlander
Despite its position on this list, the Toyota Highlander is actually doing quite well this year. It falls in inline as the No. 8 SUV of the year so far, but as far as sales go, it’s up by nearly 15-percent over last year at this time. It’s a weird anomaly considering the fact that the Highland is five years old as of 2018. It was refreshed in 2016 for the 2017 model year, but at this point it’s due to be replaced in the next couple of years. It delivers a decent 295 horsepower and 263 pond-feet of torque and, to top things off, Toyota now includes its “Safety Sense” suite of safety equipment that includes a whole host of equipment to help keep you safe and prevent accidents. The current Highlander starts out at $31,230 and offers up as much as 27 mpg, so it’s competitive in pricing and fuel economy.
2018 Toyota Highlander Specifications
|
Engine |
3.5-liter V-6 |
|
Horsepower |
295 HP @ 6,600 RPM |
|
Torque |
263 LB-FT @ 4,700 RPM |
|
Transmission |
8-speed shiftable automatic |
|
Fuel economy city/highway/combined |
20/26/22 |
|
Curb weight |
4,464 Lbs |
|
Towing capacity |
5,000 Lbs |
2018 Toyota Highlander Prices
|
2018 Toyota Highlander LE |
$31,230 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander LE Plus |
$35,660 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander XLE |
$39,120 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander SE |
$40,290 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Limited |
$42,280 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum |
$46,860 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE |
$36,870 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE |
$41,930 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited |
$45,360 |
|
2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum |
$48,480 |
Read our full review on the 2018 Toyota Highlander
No. 9 Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee was updated for the 2019 model year and has finally shown up in showrooms. That’s exactly why sales have climbed like crazy with sales figures sitting at nearly 40-percent over the same time last year. It’s also up by nearly 90-percent from May to June – that’s a huge increase and just goes to show how new and innovative the Cherokee is now that it’s had a proper facelift. It looks much prettier on the outside which is a huge plus given customer complaints when it was released in 2014. It even received some minor updates inside and a new 2.0-liter four-banger that’s good for 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Those are pretty big numbers for a vehicle this size. If you’re in the market for a new SUV, the Cherokee is definitely worth a look. The 2019 model starts out at just $23,995, putting it at a highly competitive price point.
2019 Chevrolet Cherokee specifications
|
Engine |
2.0-liter Turbo I-4 |
3.2-Liter Pentastar V-6 |
2.4-liter PZEV Tigershark I-4 |
|
Power |
270 HP @ 5,250 RPM |
271 HP @ 6,500 RPM |
180 HP @ 6,400 RPM |
|
Torque |
295 LB-FT @ 3,000-4,500 RPM |
239 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM |
171 LB-FT @ 4,600 RPM |
|
Fuel economy city/highway/combined |
23/31/26 |
20/29/23 |
22/31/25 |
|
Curb weight |
3,730 Lbs |
3,960 Lbs |
3,590 Lbs |
|
Towing |
2,000 Lbs |
2,000 Lbs |
2,000 Lbs |
2019 Chevrolet Cherokee prices
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude |
$24,940 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus |
$27,995 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Altitude |
$27,490 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited |
$30,375 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk |
$33,320 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Overland |
$36,275 |
|
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite |
$36,315 |
Read our full review on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee
No. 10 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee falls last on this list and for good reason. This generation was introduced to the market for the 2011 model year, and it has gone virtually unchanged ever since. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that sales have fallen by more than 12 percent from May to June and by more than six percent compared to this time last year. A new model was expected for 2018, but it just didn’t happen. So, a new model is imminent, and you should probably avoid the Grand Cherokee name until it makes its debut. The Grand Cherokee does start out at $30,895 so it’s fairly reasonable for a model this size, but it’s still about as outdated as you can get. Buy one if you may, but be warned – you’ll be much better off waiting for a new model.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee specifications
|
Engine |
3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 |
5.7-liter V-8 |
3.0-liter DOHC Ecodiesel V-6 |
|
Horsepower |
295 HP @ 6,400 RPM |
360 HP @ 5,150 RPM |
240 HP @ 3,600 RPM |
|
Torque |
260 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
390 LB-FT @ 4,250 RPM |
420 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM |
|
Fuel economy city/highway/combined |
19/26/21 |
14/22/17 |
- |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
|
Curb weight |
4,513 Lbs |
5,010 Lbs |
4,978 Lbs |
|
Towing |
6,200 RPM |
7,200 RPM |
7,400 RPM |
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee prices
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo |
$30,895 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E |
$33,195 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Upland |
$37,790 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude |
$37,090 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited |
$38,495 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Sterling Edition |
$42,495 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk |
$43,595 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland |
$45,295 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude |
$47,790 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit |
$50,995 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT |
$67,695 |
|
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk |
$86,200 |
Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee