SUVs are a great choice for many families because of the space and flexibility in their cabins. Almost every automaker has several SUVs in their lineup, and they come in all shapes and sizes. If you prefer to look for American-made products, the good news is you have plenty of options when it comes to SUVs.
SUVs: Uniquely American
We Americans love our wide open spaces, and that goes for our vehicles. The oil crisis shrunk the size of cars to make them more fuel efficient. But as the crisis passed, American drivers preferred the bigger, more rugged SUVs over sedans and station wagons. Over the years, American (and foreign) automakers shifted production to meet the demand. While you have hundreds of models to choose from, these are our five top American SUVs.
GMC Yukon
When you need space in your vehicle, the GMC Yukon has plenty of it. We are talking three rows of seats, plenty of legroom in all three rows, and a cargo area that starts with 22.5 cubic feet of storage space but opens up to 122.9 cubic feet. GMC has two V-8 engines for this SUV and a turbodiesel six-cylinder, so there are plenty of powertrains to choose from. Add the Max Trailering Package, and it can even tow up to 8,400 pounds. The GMC Yukon comes in several trim levels, but splurging on the Denali will get you real wood trim in the cabin, upgraded leather upholstery, and a great 14-speaker stereo system.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep builds the Grand Cherokee right in Detroit, Michigan. This two-row SUV has room for five people and has an upscale feel in the cabin. Jeep offers it with either a V-6 engine, a V-8, or with a plug-in hybrid, and no matter which engine you choose, this SUV will outperform most others when you take it off the beaten path. It can even tow up to 7,200 pounds if you need it
to.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is another massive SUV. The difference with this one is you can get it with either two or three rows of seats. Choose two rows, and you’ll have a huge cargo area, choose three rows, and you’ll have more seats. Power for the Expedition comes from Ford’s EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6, which is quick, even when propelling this large SUV. It also has the power to tow up to 9,300 pounds.
Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse might not be the flashiest SUV on the market, but it has tons of space in the cabin and a huge cargo area. Power comes from a V-6 gas engine, and you can get it with either front-wheel drive or choose all-wheel drive. Inside, the larger 8-inch touchscreen is a good choice. It works with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and comes with a Wi-Fi
hotspot.
GMC Acadia
Do you like upscale and capable? The GMC Acadia is both. The latest model has a trim in the lineup for every type of driving. You can get the basics in a lower-end trim or take your ride over rough roads in the off-road AT4. Want to take things up a notch? Check out the super luxurious Denali. The Acadia gets power from either a four-cylinder or a V-6 and you can get any trim with all-wheel drive.
These American SUVs Deserve a Place in Your Garage
American-made SUVs such as the GMC Yukon and the others on this list are some of the best when it comes to power and capability, and the best part is they are made by American workers.