Carmakers took a lot of flak during the 1990s for the SUV craze, where buyers were sold on bulky truck-like vehicles with off-road capability they’d probably never need. Enter the crossover, with vehicles like the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX paving the way. These combine a carlike ride with the commanding driving position and extra cargo capacity SUV owners crave.
Now this new breed of SUVs, which ride on quieter uni-body platforms and usually feature efficient four- and six-cylinder engines, has taken over the market. Here’s 10 of the top models available this year along with a couple key reasons why each deserves to make the cut.