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Best SUV of 2023

Winner: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

  • Price range: $42,830-$69,985 (Grand Cherokee); $44,830-$71,985 (Grand Cherokee L); $61,660-$78,870 (Grand Cherokee 4xe) (all prices include destination charge)
  • Cars.com-measured cargo room behind the second row: 20.3 cubic feet (Summit Reserve); 22.0 cubic feet (Summit Reserve L)
  • Maximum towing: 7,200 pounds

The Grand Cherokee comes in so many flavors that it might as well offer a Baskin-Robbins Edition. There’s the basic two-row Grand Cherokee powered by a choice of gas-only V-6 or V-8 engines; a two-row plug-in-hybrid 4xe variant; and the three-row Grand Cherokee L for those who need more seats. But variety is just the start of the Grand Cherokees’ strengths.

The Grand Cherokee family also has capability in spades. There are three different four-wheel-drive systems for shoppers with varying off-road needs, and for 2023, the most off-road-ready Trailhawk trim is exclusively available on the Grand Cherokee 4xe and rivals almost any SUV in its go-anywhere ability. Looking to tow? Have no fear: Maximum towing capacities range from 6,000 pounds on the 4xe to 7,200 pounds on the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L. Want fuel efficiency? You shouldn’t expect Toyota Prius-like fuel economy from every Grand Cherokee, but we’ve managed to drive a Grand Cherokee 4xe 33 miles on electric power alone, which is more than the EPA’s estimated 26 miles of range — and the 4xe was rated at 56 mpg-e for 2022.

Comfort is another crucial component. It begins with a truly cushy ride when equipped with the optional air suspension. Inside, the standard interior is roomy and organized well, with ample and easy-to-use physical controls. For those who equate comfort with luxury, higher trim levels have high-quality, luxurious materials that rival traditional luxury brands. For parents who find comfort in quiet, there are available rear-seat screens with Amazon Fire TV compatibility and even a screen to occupy the front passenger, while the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The comfort that you and your passengers are safe comes from a host of standard safety features and available advanced technology like a night-vision camera system or the Grand Cherokee L’s available rear-seat monitoring camera that lets you keep an eye on the kids.

There’s a Jeep Grand Cherokee for every lifestyle and taste — and there’s a Grand Cherokee for a lot of budgets, too, with prices starting in the low $40,000 range. The Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee 4xe and Grand Cherokee L are versatile, capable, comfortable and our Best SUV(s) of 2023.

chevrolet tahoe 2023 exterior front angle oem scaled jpg 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe | Manufacturer image

2023 Chevrolet Tahoe: Finalist

  • Price range: $56,095-$76,295
  • Cars.com-measured cargo room behind the second row: 30.3 cubic feet (Z71)
  • Maximum towing: 8,400 pounds

Chevrolet’s Tahoe is a versatile SUV in its own right, with a choice of two V-8 engines or a more fuel-efficient turbo-diesel six-cylinder, as well as off-road, luxury and performance trims to satisfy a variety of consumer wants. And under the skin is a comfortable, roomy three-row SUV that can tow a maximum of 8,400 pounds.

Variety is the spice of life, and if you’re in the market for a full-size SUV, there’s a Tahoe to meet your needs. The Tahoe Z71 and its standard four-wheel drive are for off-road enthusiasts or shoppers who live in locales with frequent inclement weather. It may be strange to think of the Tahoe as sporty, but the Tahoe RST and its available 420-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 is a family hauler with sporting intentions. New for 2023 is the RST Performance Edition, which ups power to 433 hp and borrows parts from the Tahoe police variant in an effort to improve handling. There’s also an available turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that has a combined 24 mpg rating, an impressive figure for a vehicle this size.

Comfort is also king in the Tahoe, with roominess in all three rows. The switch to an independent rear suspension from the previous generation has turned the third row into a place for adults and not just a penalty box for unruly children. The luxurious High Country trim adds materials that wouldn’t be out of place in GM’s more premium offerings — or from traditional luxury brands. Technology and luxury are also becoming more and more synonymous, and,\ for 2023, Chevrolet says it plans to add its Super Cruise hands-free driving system to higher trims of the Tahoe.

For a full-size SUV that can do it all, the Chevrolet Tahoe is an excellent choice.

kia sorento HEV 2023 exterior oem 02 jpg 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid | Manufacturer image

2023 Kia Sorento: Finalist

  • Price range: $31,415-$45,015 (Sorento); $38,015-$43,815 (Sorento Hybrid); $51,315 (Sorento Plug-in Hybrid)
  • Cars.com-measured cargo room behind the second row: 23.1 cubic feet (Sorento SX Prestige)
  • Maximum towing: 3,500 pounds

Space is at a premium for growing families, but not every growing family has the space or budget for a full-size SUV. Enter the three-row Kia Sorento, which provides a high-quality and more affordable alternative to the hard-to-get Telluride.

Shoppers get a wide variety of powertrain choices, including two electrified powertrains with a focus on fuel efficiency. The gasoline-only Sorento uses a choice of two 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, with a turbocharged option for buyers looking for more oomph. The Sorento Hybrid has a traditional gas-electric hybrid powertrain, while the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid gains additional electrification for 32 miles of all-electric range. Max fuel economy estimates range from 26 mpg combined in the gas-only version to 37 mpg in the hybrid (both drop slightly when adding all-wheel drive), while the AWD-only Sorento PHEV is rated at 79 mpg-equivalent.

The third row of the Sorento may not be the largest, but it remains usable, and families will like that the Sorento’s second row of seats aced our Car Seat Check for 2022; we don’t expect any changes to that for 2023. The smaller Sorento may also lag behind larger SUVs when it comes to towing, but an available towing package and 3,500-pound towing capacity gives the gas-only Sorento a useful amount for occasional moves or longer road trips.

Where the Sorento truly shines, however, is in its budget-friendliness, with a starting price just over $30,000 that gets you a roomy, capable three-row SUV with standard safety tech and good crashworthiness scores. It’s hard to argue with a good three-row SUV for compact SUV money. We’ve always considered the Sorento a viable alternative to the more popular Telluride, but it’s truly a smart choice for most SUV shoppers.

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