New Crop of SUVs for 2020

In 2018, 11,786,069 pickup trucks and SUVs were sold compared to 5,488,181 passenger cars. America loves them some big rides, and while trucks lead the way, SUV sales are up once again. When you have a trend like that, you double down and that’s just what some manufacturers are doing. 2020 will see a fleet of new SUV models ranging from affordable compact styles to luxury three-row people haulers. If you’re into SUVs, 2020 will be a bumper crop for you.

Best SUVs for 2020:

Here are a few you can expect to be hitting the showrooms in the fall of 2019.

2020 Hyundai Venue - Starting at $19,990

First on our list of the best SUVs for 2020 is the Hyundai Venue. Hyundai is targeting the brand-new Venue to buyers who would buy a compact car but want more space than a car can offer. That’s another way of saying the Venue is a compact SUV with less cargo space than other, more expensive models in its class, but more space than a compact car. To its credit, it does have a 60/40 back seat that gives it the room to haul skis or other long objects. Hyundai says it’s an agile handler, filled with technology, and an abundance of safety features. It’s powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder that produces 175 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission comes standard with an intelligent CVT available as an option.

2020 Kia Telluride – Starting at $31,690

Kia keeps building bigger and bigger rides. This time it’s the new Telluride mid-size SUV that will be competing with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, and Toyota Highlander. Kia is calling the Telluride “Big, Bold, and Boxy” to play up its tough design that will be equally at home on dirt trails and asphalt highways. Is it an off-roader? Not quite but it holds promise. Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. It comes with four drive modes, Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort and a choice of two drive settings, Snow and AWD Lock. The telluride comes stock as a FWD platform but AWD is available and advisable if you are going through iffy terrain. Safety systems include safety features such as a head-up display, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane following assist, rear cross-traffic alert. And tech? It has tech like a 10.25-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, up to six USB ports, an available 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and available multi-Bluetooth connectivity. This one is worth watching when the market heats up this fall with the new 2020s.

2020 Lincoln Aviator - Starting at $51,100 

Introduce at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show as a prototype, the Aviator arrives as a production vehicle as a mid-sized, three-row, luxury SUV. Lincoln claims this model is “a true representation of Lincoln’s vision for the future.” At first look, it appears this Lincoln is ready to make a serious dent in the luxury mid-size SUV segment. Powered by a twin-turbo V6 generating 400 hp and a matching 400 lb-ft of torque. If you need more, go for the Grand Touring trim and its 450 hp and boat towing 600 lb-ft of torque. Is it smart? It’s equipped with a suspension that automatically lowers the ride as you approach to make it easier to get in. This SUV is loaded with technology.

2020 Cadillac XT6 – Starting at $52,695 

Cadillac enters the crowded three-row luxury SUV segment with its new XT6, a ride that Caddy says provides “spaciousness, safety, and convenience features for customers who thrive on doing it all.” To help you do it all, the XT6 comes equipped with a 3.6L V6 generating 310 horsepower mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. If you don’t want to do it all, Caddy technology can turn your V6 into a four-cylinder to save fuel. The XT6 comes standard as a FWD platform with AWD available on the Sport trim. Seriously. Inside is what you expect from Cadillac. Luxury abounds with top-notch materials, wood accents in the Premium Luxury models and carbon fiber in the XLT Sport. Technology includes adaptive cruise control, night vision, a surround-view camera, keyless entry, and remote start.

2019 BMW X7 - $73,900 and up.

Last on our list of the best SUVs for 2020 is the BMW X7. Fresh from the plant in Spartanburg, SC is BMW’s X7, the biggest SUV BMW has ever built. You can call this a late 2019 or early 2020 as it just recently arrived at the dealers. Satisfying the American taste for the big stuff, the X7 is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating, numerous driver assistance features and standard all-wheel-drive going head to head with the Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes Benz GLS, and Land Rover Range Rover. An in-line six-cylinder generates 335 horsepower and if that’s not enough, a class-leading 4.4L V8 generating 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque is available. Inside is all BMW fit and finish, high-quality materials, and an array of tech and convenience features. If you have a few extra bucks, the options list on this SUV includes 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, a head-up display, a rear-seat entertainment package that includes two 10.2-inch touch screens, a Blu-ray player, an HDMI socket, and two headphone jacks. This is some kind of SUV.

All told, there are 35 new and refreshed SUV models hitting dealer lots this season. It promises to offer buyers a wide array of features, sizes, and varying levels of affordability. With that kind of projected demand, it might be a good time to swing a sweet deal on a sedan. Just make sure it has rear cross-traffic alert so you can back out of the paring slot with no fear.