10 BEST RWD SUVS IN 2023

Not all SUVs are created equal, no sir. They come in different sizes, powertrains, drivetrains, and various price tags. Some are made to tackle the toughest terrains out there in nature and get thought without breaking a sweat, while others are meant to serve as ultra-luxury executive transportation. Some are built with a body-on-frame architecture, while others are unibody models. But if we're going to get specific about one topic here, let's just say that not all SUVs need to have all-wheel drive or four wheel drive systems. If you live in an urban area with amicable weather, and do most of your riding there, perhaps there's a great deal waiting for you in the form of an excellent rear-wheel drive SUV in a dealership not far away.

I know someone who once bought a brand new four-by-four truck, paying an extra $6,000 or so over the same truck, but RWD only. Long story short, over the few years and 100,000+ miles that person had that truck, he only engaged four-wheel drive once, out of convenience, when he was driving up a dirt road on the way to visit a customer of his in a rural area. Sometimes there's just no need to have that extra weight, fuel consumption, purchase, and maintenance cost, just so you can say you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. So, in the future, if someone tells you he or she just bought a four-by-four or an all-wheel drive vehicle, please ask: "Why?". It's a great conversation starter.

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Nissan Armada

Starting MSRP $50,700

The Nissan Armada S is the cheapest V-8 SUV you can buy new today. And what a great SUV it is for the money. The Armada's naturally aspirated V-8 is a sturdy, understressed unit that moves the full-size SUV with ease. Of course, the Armada S trim is RWD only and that's all most people will ever need.

Nissan Armada Performance Specifications

The big ole gas guzzler employs direct injection and four valves per cylinder. Nissan's Safety Shield 360 technology is standard, as well as a 12.3" central touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The standard seats are cloth, another feature that's been devalued by marketing, but that many people prefer over those noisy, hot, and brittle-prone leather seats. With an EPA interior volume of 171.1 cu.ft., the Armada has all the cabin room the family could ask for. Cadillac Escalade

Cadillac Escalade

Starting MSRP $80,795

The full-size three-row SUV that brought bling back, the Cadillac Escalade is the American luxury brand's boldest statement of opulence. A big luxury SUV doesn't come cheap, though, and the Escalade starts at $30,095 north of the Nissan Armada's price tag. The engine options are pretty good, with a gas V-8 and a Duramax diesel.

Cadillac Escalade Performance Specifications

The 2WD gas towing capacity can be increased from the standard 7,700 lbs. to 8,200 lbs with the heavy-duty towing package. The Escalade carries a certain status with it and signals its owner isn't someone who'd be willing to give up top-tier luxury features and accommodations just to save, well, quite a bit of money. The Duramax diesel gets better mileage, it's well-built and reliable, and it's ideal if you're going to be doing a lot of towing. But you have to factor in the higher cost of Diesel fuel, and the horsepower loss over the base 6.2-liter gas V-8.

BMW X5 sDrive40i

Starting MSRP: $65,200

BMW's X Series has grown to encompass pretty much all sizes, from the X1 to the luxury barge X7. But the one that started its wall was the E35 X5 series, and it did it in style. The BMW X5 has always been a good performance SUV, something most people weren't used to at the time it came out in 1999, and they were immediately drawn to it. It's no secret BMW is a brand that's made a lot of fans precisely for offering luxury, and performance wrapped around in a package full of state-of-the-art German engineering.

BMW X5 sDrive40i Performance Specifications

The X5 sDrive40i does 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds and handles pretty well for an SUV. Some of the noteworthy standard equipment on this model are:

• Panoramic Moonroof
• Sport, heated front seats
• Parking assistant
• Active driving assistant
• Air suspension

Being a mid-size luxury SUV with sporty performance, the X5 feels like an ideal SUV, able to cover most needs. It's not too big for the city, nor too small for it to lack interior space. Towing capacity is good for a decent-sized trailer when optioned with the tow package, and we have to do justice and mention just how gorgeous the X5 looks, provided of course you've gotten used to the oversized kidney grills at the front.

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Toyota 4Runner

Starting MSRP $40,155

This list couldn't be complete without a trusty Toyota RWD SUV, and the 4Runner is just that. The 4Runner uses the conventional body-on-frame structure and is a very capable mid-size SUV. Some may argue its looks are a bit dated, but that's part of the appeal of the vehicle. The 4Runner has been around for 40 years and hasn't lost its boxy looks, and its reliability remains bulletproof as long as properly maintained.

Toyota 4Runner Performance Specifications

A couple of things that don't sit very well for the 4Runner are the fuel economy, which is similar to larger V-8 engines than a V-6, and the five-speed gearbox. A six-speed transmission has more or less become the standard for entry-level automatics, with transmissions having seven, eight, nine, or even 10 speeds being increasingly more common on newer vehicles, Toyota should do something about that five-speed, and who knows, it could even help with fuel economy too. But the fact remains, that the 4Runner is probably the most sturdy and durable RWD SUV on this list, and shouldn't be overlooked.

Jeep Wagoneer

Starting MSRP $61,595

A full-size, three-row SUV, the Jeep Wagoneer has a starting price tag similar to luxury mid-size SUVs like the BMW X5. It has two powerful engine choices depending on the trim you choose and room for the entire family. The Wagoneer was first released in 1962 and is one of those vehicles from the brand that marked generations. Its current looks and styling are modern and tasteful.

Jeep Wagoneer Performance Specifications

With best-in-class towing capacity when properly equipped, the Wagoneer could potentially steer some customers away from a mid-size luxury SUV. The Wagoneer has a modern and accommodating interior that looks and feels luxurious anyway. It has exceptional cargo room and versatility with the ability to fold both rear rows of seats, freeing up a lot of space for cargo in the cabin. The front seats are heated and ventilated. The Wagoneer has been recognized by critics as well, and it won first place in driver appeal in 2022, and first place in residual value among large SUVs in 2023 by J.D. Power.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Starting MSRP $40,130

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a two-row mid-size SUV that's among the biggest of its class. Three-row is available as an option. Equipped with the trusty Pentastar engine, the Grand Cherokee makes a good compromise between fuel efficiency and performance. There is a large range of models to choose from the base Laredo to the up-market and luxurious Summit Reserve.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Performance Specifications

The Grand Cherokee has a maximum cargo capacity of 70.8 cu.ft., bucket front seats with eight-way power-adjustable, and a heated driver seat. Like the Wagoneer, the Grand Cherokee has tasteful and modern exterior and interior design. This has always been a well-rounded American SUV, able to deliver good performance, luxury, and comfort, and that remains true to this day.

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GMC Yukon

Starting MSRP $57,400

Another full-size SUV from a traditional American brand, the GMC Yukon has three excellent engine options and the SLE and SLT models come standard with a third row of seats. The Yukon is offered in trim levels ranging from the SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali, and the new Denali Ultimate. Whichever trim you choose, you'll be happy with the interior space with a maximum cargo capacity of 122.9 cu. ft.

GMC Yukon Performance Specifications

With reliable and capable engines to choose from, seating for up to 8 people, and a strong body-on-frame setup, the Yukon is among the best full-size SUVs available on the market today. It comes with advanced technologies as well, such as the available hands-free Super Cruise, and up to 13 different camera views. The exterior design is highlighted by bold proportions made so that the Yukon stands out among other Large SUVs.

Lincoln Aviator

Starting MSRP $53,340

Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, the mid-size three-row luxury SUV, Lincoln Aviator comes standard with heated driver and front passenger seats, while with the available premium package, you get a panoramic roof.

Lincoln Aviator Performance Specifications

The turbocharged V-6 paired with the 10-speed transmission provides great performance for the Aviator. Keeping in line with its comfort and convenience philosophy, some of the interior features include:

• Symphonic chimes
• Carpeted first, and second-row floor mats
• tri-zone climate control
• 10.1-inch LCD touchscreen center display
• Cabin particulate and odor filter
• Intelligent access with push-button start

The Lincoln Aviator is a premium mid-size SUV with a sophisticated interior for the whole family and a sleek, elegant exterior design. The combination of power and comfort is aimed at elevating the driving experience. The Aviator is an SUV that will take you places with style and comfort.

Chevrolet Suburban

Starting MSRP $57,200

Chevy's top-range Suburban won as the best large SUV for families three times in a row by U.S. News & World Report. This behemoth offers seating for up to nine people with the available front bench seat, a feature that harks back to old classics.

Chevrolet Suburban Performance Specifications

The Chevy Suburban has six unique trims available with 144.7 maximum cargo space. The Suburban's presence is impossible to ignore, and the car rolls with a poise that suits the American upper-middle-class lifestyle.

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Ford Expedition

Starting MSRP $55,525

Ford's full-size SUV, the Expedition is the blue oval brand's answer to take on the segment. With 10 models to select from ranging from a starting MSRP of $55,525 to $83,695, the expedition can go from a comfortable and roomy SUV to a modern luxury barge, packed with useful technology such as continuously controlled damping which works with a camera-mounted in the front grille that reads upcoming road imperfections and prepares the suspension to react accordingly.

Ford Expedition Performance Specifications

The same engine is used in different trims and packages but with different tuning. In the central console, a 15.5-inch touchscreen stands out. The side profile of the big SUV makes use of perfectly linear lines through and through, further complimenting the size of the vehicle. The high output engine available on the Stealth Performance Edition Package has the 3.5-liter Ecoboost making as much as 440 horsepower, and 510 pound-feet of torque, enough to move the big SUV effortlessly.

2023-09-26T04:01:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd