Cars by price -- SUVs
By Terry
Jackson • Bankrate.com
SUVs under $25,000
Despite all the dire warnings about safety concerns surrounding SUVs,
America still loves them. They come in all price ranges, sizes and
power configurations, but the fastest growing part of the market is
the compact SUV category.
Ford Escape/Mazda
Tribute
In terms of power, overall utility and styling, Ford's Escape
-- and its mechanical twin, the Mazda Tribute -- is the class of the
field. After some early production-quality problems, the Escape has
emerged as a reliable SUV. Its available V6 is extremely smooth and
the Escape's off-road capabilities are hearty enough for most buyers.
Price: $19,300-$26,830
Engines: 2-liter inline four-cylinder; 3-liter V6
Horsepower: 127 (2-liter); 201 (V6)
Transmissions: 5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 23-27 mpg (2-liter); 18-23 mpg (3-liter)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Hyundai Santa Fe
Bargain hunters would do well to consider the Hyundai Santa
Fe, if the admittedly quirky styling doesn't put them off. It's
extremely well-equipped, has three engine choices and at the base
end of the scale is extremely affordable.
Price: $18,589-$26,089
Engines: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder; 2.7-liter V6; 3.5-liter
V6
Horsepower: 138 (2.4-liter); 173 (2.7-liter); 195 (3.5-liter)
Transmissions: 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 22-30 mpg (2.4-liter); 20-27 mpg (2.7-liter)
Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
SUVs $25,000-$40,000
Ford Explorer
Despite everything that's been documented about rollover
and tire problems with the previous generation Explorer, Ford's
midsize SUV is still No. 1 on the sales chart. It has standard V6
power and an optional V8. Its independent suspension is among the
smoothest available and its interior ergonomics are just about perfect.
Explorers can be had in trim levels that range from basic utility
to performance sport to sybaritic luxury. The only drawback is that
it's nearly impossible to find an Explorer on a dealer lot with
a sticker of less than $30,000.
Price: $27,080-$37,795
Engines: 4-liter V6; 4.6-liter V8
Horsepower: 210 (V6); 240 (V8)
Transmissions: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 16-21 mpg (V6); 14-19 (V8)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Honda Pilot
The Pilot is a close second choice. Its standard 240-horsepower
V6 is one of the smoothest engines on the market and the Pilot's
interior has so many useable pockets and cubbies it's like a mobile
backpack. For those who want greater off-road potential, the Pilot
may be lacking. The styling tends to be bland as well.
Price: $27,590-$33,360
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 240
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 17-22 mpg
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Nissan Murano
For those looking to make a real styling
statement, there's the new Murano, which gets high marks for innovation.
It stands out in a world of boxes on wheels, and it has a cutting-edge
continuously variable automatic transmission.
Price: $28,739-$31,139
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower: 245
Transmissions: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel consumption: 20-25 mpg
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
SUVs above $45,000
This category is about being seen, making the biggest,
boldest lifestyle statement possible.
Cadillac Escalade
Bigger is definitely better when in this
price range. So No. 1 on the shopping list is the Cadillac Escalade.
It's the ultimate statement in SUV luxury, especially with the optional
345-horsepower V8. It's truck-based, so it's plenty rugged, but Cadillac
has tamed the chassis so it rides nearly as well as a Deville sedan.
The standard Escalade is plenty big, but for those who want really
big, there's the Escalade ESL.
Price: $52,795-$55,695
Engines: 5.3-liter V8; 6-liter V8
Horsepower: 295 (5.3-liter); 345 (6-liter)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 14-18 mpg (5.3-liter); 12-16 (6-liter)
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Lexus LX 470
Not nearly as big, but equally luxurious is the LX 470. Its
reputation for reliability is top-drawer, and there's the charm of
the Lexus dealer experience. But it lacks the same cargo room as the
Escalade, and its price is a few thousand dollars too dear.
Price: $64,800
Engine: 4.7-liter V8
Horsepower: 235
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Fuel consumption: 13-17 mpg
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Hummer H2
In nearly a dead heat with the Cadillac
and the Lexus, there's the H2. It's the trendiest vehicle on the market,
taking the macho looks of the military Humvee and combining it with
the real-world drivability of a GM sport-utility vehicle. Its off-road
capabilities are second to none. On the minus side, the interior ergonomics
are a little cramped, outward visibility is limited, and cargo room
is less than might be expected.
Price: $49,995-$52,795
Engine: 6-liter V8
Horsepower: 315
Transmission 5-speed automatic:
Fuel consumption: 14-18 mpg
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
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-- Posted: Dec. 9, 2003
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