As a more popular choice of vehicle than any minivan, especially for owners who are not in need of a minivan, finding the right SUV that is both fuel efficient and versatile is sometimes a very difficult task. With the end of the2014 model year looming ever closer dealers are scurrying to sell off their remaining 2014 inventory to make room for the new 2015 lineups. This allows shoppers to take advantage of great financing and pricing incentives, but the dilemma comes down to which SUV to choose. Here are ten that are sure to help keep more money in the pocket of owners.
This nice Subaru offers a very adequate ground clearance and comes standard with the signature all-wheel drive that is offered on all Subaru models. The XV Crosstrek is a great vehicle for daily commuting or to head off into the wilderness for a weekend getaway. This SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter PZEV four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and offers a fuel efficiency of 25 city/33 hwy mpg. Not only does it have a very nice fuel efficiency, but the starting price comes in at $21,446 which is a very low price for a vehicle with all-wheel drive.
With plenty of cargo space and great ground clearance the Sportage is a surprisingly easy to drive SUV that comes in with performance that feels more like a car. Add the powerful base engine and great warranty and the Sportage makes a fantastic choice for any owner looking for an easy to enjoy SUV. The Sportage is powered by a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine that offers 182 horsepower and carries a 21 city/28 hwy mpg fuel efficiency. The starting price for the Sportage comes in at $21,213, an easy payment to enjoy such a great vehicle.
Any SUV that carries the brand name of Mazda has to live up to the mantra of “zoom-zoom” and the CX-5 does that and more. As a very agile and responsive SUV the CX-5 offers a reasonable ground clearance and enjoyable off road capabilities needed to take the weekend getaway trips. Powered by a 2.0-liter SKYACTIV four-cylinder engine that produces as much as 155 horsepower and offers a fuel efficiency of 26 city/35 hwy mpg the CX-5 makes a great choice for any SUV owner. With a starting price at $21,204 the CX-5 is also a value anyone can easily enjoy.
Offering a feisty engine, respectable ground clearance, and a nice array of standard technology inside the Tucson comes into the mix as a great choice and an affordable one for any SUV shopper. With a great looking body style that almost appears to be a luxury vehicle the price tag will quickly remind any shopper this is not a luxury vehicle. The Tucson is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that brings in 164 horsepower and a fuel efficiency of 23 city/29 hwy mpg. The starting price point comes in at $21,197 making it both affordable and tech-friendly.
The Journey is basically a very large Swiss Army Knife on wheels. With storage compartments everywhere the Journey gives owners a place to put all their stuff. On top of this it actually comes standard with a touch-screen infotainment system and can be outfitted with a third row of seats if needed. The Journey is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 173 horsepower and coming in with a fuel efficiency of 19 city/26 hwy mpg. The starting price of the Journey is a surprisingly low $19,778 for any owner to take advantage of.
Powered by an engine that has stood the test of time, the Rogue Select is the choice to make for bargain shoppers. Offering a very nice ground clearance as well as respectable off road performance the Rogue Select rides like a car but gives the cargo space and versatility needed in an SUV. Powered by the2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that averages 170 horsepower the Rogue Select offers a fuel efficiency of 23 city/28 hwy mpg for owners to enjoy. The Rogue Select stays under the $20,000 line with a starting price of $19,581.
The Outlander Sport is s surprisingly well-equipped SUV that offers a really nice stance and ground clearance as well as great handling and a comfortable ride. A manual transmission is available for those who enjoy the extra fun of shifting gears themselves, and the Outlander Sport comes equipped with a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, voice control system and leather wrapped shift knob all as standard features. The Outlander Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 148 horsepower and offering a fuel efficiency of 24 city/31 hwy mpg. The starting purchase price for this great SUV comes in at $18,832.
For shoppers who are looking for a funky style that is all its own the Nissan Juke is the choice. The Juke seems to have gotten confused as it comes powered by a sports inspired turbocharged engine in an SUV that offers a nice ground clearance and respectable interior cargo space. The Juke is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a very nice 188 horsepower and a fuel efficiency of 27 city/32 hwy mpg to make it a great SUV. The price is easy to enjoy as well coming in at a starting point of $18,615.
As one of the smallest Jeep SUV’s on the market the Compass appears to be a larger version of a hatchback car, but it truly is all Jeep. The Compass is adorned with the same nose as the Grand Cherokee and has a very nice ground clearance to allow owners to head off road on the weekends very easily. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that spits out 172 horsepower the Compass has plenty of power to tackle light trails. Add to this a nice fuel efficiency set at 23 city/30 hwy mpg and the Compass is a great SUV for anyone to buy. The starting price for a Compass comes in at $18,392, another benefit for an owner’s wallet.
The Patriot is the most affordable of all the SUVs on this list and offers a classic Jeep look. It truly does appear to simply be a smaller version of a Grand Cherokee and offers great Jeep style and off road performance for any owner to enjoy. The Patriot is powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the Compass, producing 172 horsepower and carrying a fuel efficiency of 23 city/30 hwy mpg. The Patriot offers a starting price of $15,851 making it easily the most affordable SUV on the road.
Ten great SUVs to choose from; all offering excellent fuel efficiency as well as the versatility of owning an SUV that is capable of light off roading. No matter what the style preference of any shopper is, there is sure to be an SUV on this list that can meet their needs and help to keep more of their hard earned money in their pockets instead of going to payments or at the gas pump.