BEST-LOOKING CROSSOVERS AND SUVS
SUVs and crossovers aren’t traditionally very “pretty,” but automakers are proving that these once-boxy utilitarian vehicles can be quite the lookers. So for those who prefer to start their shopping experience with the most attractive cars available, you’ve come to the right place. There are attractive SUVs and crossovers at every price point, too, although a lot of the prettiest ones tend to be more upscale. Since beauty is subjective, not everyone will agree with our picks. But in alphabetical order, here are our top 10 best-looking crossovers and SUVs are available in 2017
Acura MDX The three-row Acura MDX was recently updated and it got a stylish new front end that makes it one of the best-looking SUVs available. The big diamond grille, massive badge and jewel headlights do a lot to make the new MDX look more upscale. The 2017 Acura MDX comes standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 290 hp and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. There’s also a Sport Hybrid model featuring a 3.0-litre V6 engine combined with three electric motors to produce a combined system output of 321 hp and 289 lb.-ft. of torque.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Alfa Romeo’s first SUV has captured many hearts simply because of how good it looks. The signature Alfa Romeo grille translated really well onto the aggressive-looking crossover and the proportions are pretty perfect. Pricing for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio hasn’t been announced, but it will be available in three trim levels when it goes on sale: Stelvio, Stelvio Ti and Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The standard powertrain is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 280 hp and 306 lb.-ft. of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Those wanting more performance will love the Quadrifoglio variant, which has 505 hp and 443 lb.-ft. of torque from a Ferrari-sourced 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine.
Jaguar F-Pace Arguably the best-looking SUV available today is the Jaguar F-Pace. It’s the British automaker’s first luxury SUV and is even more affordable for the 2018 model year, thanks to the addition of an entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. There’s also a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder diesel engine offering 180 hp, a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine with 340 hp and a range-topping 380-hp model with the same supercharged V6.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Land Rover has been in the business of making luxury SUVs for decades, and the new Range Rover Sport may be the British automaker’s best-looking one yet. We love the Rover’s imposing stance, flat hood and floating roof design. It comes standard with a 3.0-litre V6 supercharged engine providing 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Pricing starts from $77,000, so it’s certainly one of the more expensive options on the list.
Mazda CX-9 As one of the more affordable models on this list, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 is one stylish SUV. The SUV’s swoopy lines and strong upright grille help it look more expensive than it actually is. It comes standard with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Toyota C-HR
Originally born a Scion, the Toyota C-HR’s styling might not be for everyone, but we’re fans because it gets points for originality. The funky Toyota C-HR has very exaggerated styling and is also the cheapest model on our list. It’s proof that budget offerings don’t have to look boring. The C-HR comes standard with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine providing 144 hp and 139 lb.-ft. of torque.
Maserati Levante
There’s little surprise that Maserati’s first SUV is gorgeous. The Italian automaker has been in the business of designing beautiful cars since its inception, and the Levante is a welcome addition to the segment. The signature upright Maserati grille and side vents look fantastic on this mean-yet-classy-looking SUV, and it really does look more like a sports car than an SUV. The Levante comes standard with a 3.0-litre V6 engine generating 350 hp that’s good for a zero-to-100 km/h time of six seconds flat. There’s also a diesel option as well as the more powerful Levante S with 430 hp.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63
Mercedes-Benz, along with its high-performance AMG arm, has been introducing new crossovers and SUVs at a rapid pace. But its best-looking SUV offering is the recently debuted AMG GLC 63, which has a grille that’s very similar to the one on the sexy AMG GT sports car — it translates nicely onto this high-performance SUV. Under the hood is a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that produces 469 hp on the standard model, while the GLC 63 S brings 503 hp. The S model, however, is only available as a “coupe-style” SUV and we’re not big fans of how that one looks.
Volvo XC90
Volvo is enjoying a resurgence following a few years of financial woes and the introduction of the new XC90 certainly helped put it back on the map in the luxury segment. With a handsome and understated design, the Volvo is undeniably Scandinavian. Because of its simplicity, we think this one will age nicely, too. The XC90 offers plenty of features to go with its good looks, such as the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, and a lovely interior.