Gone are the days when sedans used to be an individual’s first preference. These days, SUVs and crossovers are the best-selling body styles. It makes sense, too, given that they are a lot more practical than sedans, courtesy of loads of space inside the cabin, comfortable ingress and egress, and good cargo space. Automakers have worked on the driving dynamics as well to make the handling a lot better than what it was a few decades back. With numerous options to choose from, things can get quite tricky. So, allow us to narrow things down to the best 10 SUVs of 2022 that you can buy. We’ve picked models that are more mainstream and mass-produced to make sure it is helpful to the non-one-percenters.

2022 Hyundai Tucson - $25,800

Are you on a hunt for a new and reliable SUV? Well, look no further, because the Hyundai Tucson is as fresh as it can be while retaining all good things from the past. Hyundai has brought out its A-game and made sure it fends off competition, which includes the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V, etc., successfully. The 2022 Tucson is bold, aggressive, and follows Hyundai’s latest design philosophy. Things like a 10.25-inch touchscreen system and panoramic sunroof fill up the desirability quotient.

The Tucson is available in 12 trims that include the pure ICE, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. If you opt for the standard models, your Tucson will be powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horses. The hybrid and the plug-in hybrid models come with a 1.6-liter, four-pot turbocharged engine with a motor and a battery pack. The power output on the hybrid is 227 horses and on the plug-in, 261 horses. The Tucson hybrid and plug-in hybrid come with an HTRAC all-wheel-drive system as standard. These things make it one of the best hybrid SUVs under $40,000 on sale today. The only fly in the ointment for us is the push-button shifter. But, that said, for a starting price of $25,800, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is a lot of SUV.

Hyundai Tucson

2022 Mazda CX-50 - $26,800

The Mazda CX-50 is a fresh product, but it has found a spot on this list in its first year. It’s not wishful thinking on our end, but more to do with how good the product is. Technically a successor to the popular CX-5, the CX-50 is everything Mazda, and then some more. It comes with the signature minimalistic looks, but is ruggedized so you can take it on beaten paths with utmost confidence. Even though the CX-50 is fresh out of the oven, Mazda is offering it in nine trims right away, showing how much faith the company has in the SUV. On the inside, it is relatively spacious and comes with features like a 10.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, panoramic moonroof, Terracotta leather upholstery, etc.

The 2023 CX-50 is powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that is offered with and without turbo. The naturally aspirated option churns out 187 horses and 186 pound-feet of torque, whereas the forced induction version makes 256 ponies and 320 pound-feet of oomph. To make it even better, the all-wheel-drive system is standard across the range! This, on a vehicle that starts at just $26,800. If you’re in the market for an SUV on this side of $40,000, the CX-50 should definitely be on your consideration list as it is currently one of the best small SUVs on sale.

Mazda CX-50

2022 Toyota RAV4 - $26,975

The Toyota RAV4 moniker is nearly three decades old and is still going strong. The SUV doesn’t have the finesse and the grace that some of its rivals possess; but hey, this isn’t ballet! The RAV4 does what it does best – munch miles and offer a no non-sense ownership. Over the years, Toyota has mastered the art of offering a practical and value-for-money proposition. The RAV4 is an SUV that, if maintained well, can even outlast its owner. It comes with rugged styling and features a design that will age gracefully.

On the inside, the base trims leave a lot to be desired. But, step up the ladder and you’ll be offered a pleasant cabin that features things like heated seats, faux leather upholstery, a nine-inch touchscreen, etc. The RAV4 is powered by a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that churns out 203 horses and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox directs power to front wheels as standard, but extra moolah can get to you to route it to all four wheels. If you need something even more fuel-efficient than extracting 35 miles to the gallon on the highway, the RAV4 Hybrid and the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime should help you out. For a starting price of $26,975, the RAV4 is an excellent proposition.

Toyota RAV4

2022 Kia Sorento - $29,590

If you want an SUV with three rows without a lot of flaws for not a lot of money, the Kia Sorento will make you happy. This Korean SUV will not disappoint you in any regard, except for maybe the cramped third row. It looks handsome and modern, comes with premium quality material inside, and is well-loaded in terms of creature comforts.

The base model comes with a 2.5-liter, four-pot engine that makes 191 horses and 182 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but all-wheel-drive is also available. The same engine is also offered with forced induction that bumps up the power outputs to 281 ponies and 311 pound-feet of torque. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options are also available in the Sorento lineup. Offered in eight trims, the 2022 Kia Sorento starts at $29,590 and tops out at $43,190.

Kia Sorento

2022 Ford Bronco - $30,800

Ford launched the Bronco back in 2020 amidst much pomp and fare, and it looked like a genuine threat to the Jeep Wrangler. Two years later, it has trumped its rival in terms of sales; but with an asterisk next to its name. Ford sold 52,663 examples in the first quarter of 2022, but this also includes 29,098 copies of the Bronco Sport. Jeep, on the other hand, moved 45,553 examples of the Wrangler. But, all said, the Bronco has proven to be a force to reckon with.

The 2022 Bronco comes with a plethora of trims and optional goodies, which means customizing one based on your tastes and preferences shouldn’t be a task. Things like the EcoBoost V-6 engine, a strong Terrain Management system with G.O.A.T modes, HOSS suspension, removable roof and doors, etc. make the Bronco an amazing SUV for off-roading. But, it also shines as a daily driver; more than the Jeep Wrangler, too! The refinement and cabin material quality isn’t the best, but it’s no deal-breaker. The 2022 Bronco Range starts at $30,800 and goes up to $53,000 (or, $68,500 if you account for the Bronco Raptor) before options.

Ford Bronco

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L - $39,725

The Grand Cherokee L is Jeep’s way of being greedy and getting an even bigger share of the pie. I mean that in a good way, though. Instead of building a seven-seater from the ground up and spending millions in research and development, the automaker decided to ‘L’ the Grand Cherokee for the ‘W’. The Grand Cherokee moniker has been around for 29 years and Jeep still moves over 200,000 examples of it every year. So, yeah, it seems like a smart move to begin with.

While it can be called a stretched Grand Cherokee, note that is based on a new platform that, for now, it doesn’t share with its smaller sibling. The addition of the third row – which makes it 15.1 inches longer than the standard Grand Cherokee – to an already successful formula is something you can’t go wrong with. Just because it is tilted towards family-hauling doesn’t mean it loses out on any of its off-roading prowess. Three versions of its all-wheel-drive system, a limited-slip rear diff, and an adjustable air suspension are some things you’ll get here. Things like the 10.25-inch frameless digital instrument cluster and the 10.1-inch touchscreen prove that it’s heavy on tech, too. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L starts at $39,725 and goes all the way up to $65,500 before options.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

2022 Genesis GV70 - $41,500

Genesis is not even a decade-old brand, but it has climbed up the ranks in the luxury segment quite quickly. It’s still not at the level of the Three Germans, but the marque is growing quite popular. And, the introduction of the G70 sedan-based GV70 SUV further ups the ante. The GV70 is pretty much an all-rounder, which is why Motortrend even awarded it the 2022 SUV of the Year. It’s luxurious, sporty, comes with a lot of tech features, and has enough grunt to fulfill your adrenaline cravings. The design language may not be to everyone’s liking, but the SUV has a lot of character. The only Achilles’ heel in the GV70 is the not-so-spacious rear row. A fifth adult will certainly not be welcome here.

The GV70 can be had with either a 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6. There’s enough oomph even in the four-pot engine – 300 horses and 311 pound-feet of torque. Both the engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that channels power to all four wheels as standard. For a starting price of $41,500, the GV70 is one of the best entry-level luxury options in 2022 that money can buy you.

Genesis GV70

2022 BMW X3 - $43,700

The X3 is a vehicle that embodies the BMW spirit as well as any car from the brand could, but with the added advantage of a spacious and practical cabin. This German SUV is luxurious, comes with ample tech features, and can carry a boot-load of cargo for your vacations. Some may find the cabin to be a little dated overall, especially when you compare it to its immediate rivals, but it’s still no deal-breaker. What it lacks here, it makes up for it in the driving department.

The BMW X3 is offered in four iterations. The base 30i model can be had with either a rear-wheel-drive layout or with the xDrive AWD system. Then there’s the M340i, and finally, the X3 M. The base trims come with a 248-horsepower 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. As for the M models, they are powered by a 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline-six mill, but in different states of tune. The X3 M, coupled with the Competition package, puts out more than 500 horses and takes under four seconds to sprint to 60 mph. Although the X3 range starts at $43,700, the desirable X3 M Competition will set you back by $77,000 before any options. All said, the BMW X3 is one of the best midsize SUVs that money can buy you.

BMW X3

2022 Cadillac Escalade - $77,795

The Cadillac Escalade was reinvigorated a couple of years back and that has changed its fortunes. The brand’s flagship SUV commands attention not just because of its sheer size, but also because of its bold and aggressive looks; a stark contrast from what it used to look like before. This beefed-up SUV is also loaded to the brim in terms of technology. Things like augmented reality navigation, three curved OLED displays occupying 38 inches of space, and a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference system are just the tip of the iceberg. The third row is quite spacious this time around, thanks to the independent rear suspension setup.

We’ll advise you to keep a deposit aside right from the time of your purchase so the fuel costs don’t give you a stroke. The 6.2-liter V-8 that pulls this building on wheels is as thirsty as Walter White in the desert. But, it comes with cylinder deactivation technology that helps save fuel while cruising. If you need something more frugal, opt for the 277-horsepower 3.0-liter, inline-six oil-burning option. The 2022 Escalade range starts at $77,795 and topped out at around $105,000 a few months back. But, with the addition of the V-Series, the price tag goes close to $150,000. To be brutally honest, the Escalade doesn’t offer the same badge prestige that its rivals possess for that much money.

Cadillac Escalade

2022 BMW iX - $83,200

The iX has been the center of attention for that massive kidney grille, and people aren’t able to see past it (not their fault since the thing is that huge!). But, seriously, take the weird looks out of the equation and BMW might have a winner on its hands. That’s precisely why it has made the cut in this list of the best SUVs you can buy in 2022. The iX is everything you usually expect from an EV – bold looks, more-than-needed tech features, and best of all, oodles of power.

Offered in two trims, this X5-sized EV comes with a dual-motor setup and all-wheel-drive as standard. In the xDrive 50 guise, it makes 516 horses, whereas, in the top-spec M60, it puts out 610 horsepower! This allows the iX to sprint to 60 mph from rest in just 3.3 seconds. The SUV draws power from a 105.2-kWh battery pack and that’s good enough for 324 miles on a full charge. The M60, on the other hand, will deliver up to 288 miles. It isn’t cheap, though; the 2022 BMW iX starts at $83,200 for the xDrive 50 and a whopping $108,900 for the M60.

BMW iX

FAQ

Q: What is the best small SUV?

The Mazda CX-5 is the best small SUV if you’re on a budget. If you have the bandwidth to spend more, then the Genesis GV70 will make you happy.

Q: What is the best midsize SUV?

The BMW X3 is the best midsize SUV that you can buy in 2022. These things are quite subjective, but the X3 is a top-notch all-rounder that will tick almost all your boxes.

Q: What is the best SUV to buy?

Here’s our list of the best SUVs that you can buy in 2022:

- Mazda CX-50

- Hyundai Tucson

- Toyota RAV4

- Kia Sorento

- BMW X3

- Genesis GV70

- Ford Bronco

- Jeep Grand Cherokee L

- BMW iX

- Cadillac Escalade

Q: What kind of SUVs are there?

There are a lot of kinds of SUVs these days. Broadly, you can classify SUVs into sub-compact SUVs, compact SUVs, midsize SUVs, and full-size SUVs. People generalize crossovers as SUVs as well these days, so you can take crossovers into account here, too, but we’d adhere to keeping them separate.

Q: What are the safest SUVs in 2022?

There are loads of safe SUVs in 2022. They all have scored top ratings. Some of these include the Toyota RAV4, the Genesis GV70, Mitsubishi Outlander, etc.