Working with a budget cap of $40,000, Edmunds picked five SUVs to highlight. Some have city-friendly proportions that take the stress out of parking in tight spots, while others have cavernous cargo holds and handy third-row seating. They are listed below in order of price, which includes the destination charge.
The Honda Pilot is a popular midsize SUV for shoppers in need of a versatile family-oriented hauler. Toyota Grand Highlander is bigger and more spacious than the regular Highlander. Edmunds’ experts compare the two to find out which comes out on top.
Edmunds’ experts put the spotlight on five ready-to-roll off-roaders that cost less than the average price of a new vehicle and are highly rated. All prices below include the destination charge.
The plug-in powertrain takes advantage of a 68-kilowatt electric motor — sandwiched between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission — and the total 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque outputted felt adequate climbing the steep inclines faced along the way at a good clip. The onboard 17.8-kilowatt-hour battery contains enough juice to travel 42 kilometres before the ICE kicks in.
Sold in three trims in Canada (Signature, Luxury, Executive), the middle one was present at EcoRun sprayed in Eminent White Pearl paint and sitting on 20-inch black and machined finish wheels. Since no ICE is present to cool, nor a "frunk" in place, the lightweight aluminum hood is positioned low, creating a sportier look and, as a bonus, improves passenger visibility.
Zero emissions and off-roading are usually mutually exclusive, but not if Jeep has anything to say about it. Cue the 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe, an extra-rugged variant of the PHEV honouring Willys-Overland Motors that manufactured World War II and later military vehicles. And as if the special Electric Blue detailing isn't eye-catching enough, the optional bright Punk'n orange exterior colour should be.
