Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

Edmunds recommends the best all-wheel-drive SUV alternatives

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Dec, 2023 04:27 PM
  • Edmunds recommends the best all-wheel-drive SUV alternatives

You can find all-wheel drive on most new SUVs on sale today, and some of the most popular models even come standard with this feature. All-wheel drive can be beneficial for the additional traction it provides on slippery or icy roads, especially when you’re trying to accelerate from a stop or up a hill. But what if you want all-wheel drive without the SUV? After all, SUVs are typically less fuel-efficient and more expensive than a comparably sized sedan or hatchback. Fortunately, there are options for shoppers seeking SUV alternatives with all-wheel drive. Edmunds’ experts have picked five of their favorites. The following prices include destination charges.

AFFORDABLE HATCHBACK: 2024 SUBARU IMPREZA

Of course, one of the main reasons you may be worried about not having an SUV is storage space. The Subaru Impreza is a nice alternative. Drop the rear seats in the Impreza and you’ll have 56 cubic feet of storage space to work with, which is about what a typical subcompact SUV offers. The Impreza is redesigned for 2024 and only comes as a hatchback. As is often the case with Subarus, all-wheel drive comes standard across the Impreza lineup. Look to get the RS trim if you can as it comes with a more powerful engine and a sport-tuned suspension that puts some welcome pep in this little Subaru’s step.

Starting manufacturer suggested retail price: $24,115

FAMILY HAULER: 2024 TOYOTA SIENNA

The Toyota Sienna minivan is a great SUV alternative if you’ve got lots to haul. First off, it actually holds more than most other SUVs, and that’s the case for both people and cargo. It seats up to eight people and can hold a substantial 75.2 cubic feet of cargo if you fold down the third row of seats. The Sienna is also a hybrid, getting an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving if you pick all-wheel drive. You can get all-wheel drive on an entry-level Sienna but Edmunds recommends the slightly pricier Sienna XLE. The XLE trim adds in some comfort and convenience features that are well worth the money, including a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and standard second-row captain’s chairs.

Sienna LE with all-wheel drive MSRP: $40,580

STYLISH SEDAN: 2024 KIA K5

Unlike the Impreza or Sienna, the Kia K5 is not going to compete with an SUV for utility. But you will get a midsize sedan that’s comfortable, quiet and well equipped with features. You also get the best warranty on this list with Kia’s 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Make sure to get the GT-Line trim. Besides being the only K5 trim level that offers all-wheel drive, it’s an excellent all-around value. Standard features include heated front seats, an upgraded center touchscreen and a wireless phone charger.

GT-Line with all-wheel drive MSRP: $29,615

THE ELECTRIFIED CHOICE: 2023 TESLA MODEL 3

The Model 3 has been the lowest-priced option in the automaker’s lineup since its debut and it continues to be a great choice for an EV. The latest Model 3 Long Range comes with dual electric motors — one for the front wheels and one for rear wheels — to give it all-wheel drive. It also has an impressive EPA-estimated 333 miles of range on a single charge. Other upsides to the Model 3 include roomy seating, helpful driver assistance features and access to Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which is the most extensive network of fast chargers in the nation.

Model 3 Long Range MSRP: $47,380

FAST AND FUN: 2024 AUDI S3

SUVs often fall short in another area: being fun to drive. For the same money as a nicely equipped SUV, Audi will sell you the S3. This compact sedan is the sporty version of the regular A3. It packs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 305 horsepower, a quick-shifting transmission, nimble handling and standard all-wheel drive. Pick the midlevel Premium Plus trim and you’ll have a nicely equipped luxury sedan thanks to leather upholstery, heated front seats, traffic-adaptive cruise control and a lane centering assist system. Summer-rated tires come standard on the S3 but you can order all-seasons as a no-cost option.

S3 starting MSRP: $48,095

EDMUNDS SAYS

If an SUV isn’t the best for your lifestyle or budget, there are still plenty of all-wheel-drive options out there. On vehicles that don’t come standard with all-wheel drive, make sure that the specific vehicle you’re interested in lists it on its window sticker.

 

MORE Reviews ARTICLES

Edmunds: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS vs. 2023 BMW i7

Edmunds: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS vs. 2023 BMW i7
BMW i7 and Mercedes EQS sedan. These two all-electric sedans are among the most expensive, technologically advanced and luxurious electric vehicles on the market. But which one most successfully represents the pinnacle of EV design? Edmunds compared the i7 and EQS to find out.

Edmunds: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS vs. 2023 BMW i7

2023 Toyota GR Corolla A new hot hatch is born

2023 Toyota GR Corolla A new hot hatch is born
The first-ever 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is definitely not the same Corolla of choice for sensible grandparents worldwide. A product of the Japanese brand's Gazoo Racing performance division, this rally-inspired hatchback instead embodies several decades of racing heritage and is designed to be every bit as capable on the track as it is in the city.

2023 Toyota GR Corolla A new hot hatch is born

Edmunds compares: 2023 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5

Edmunds compares: 2023 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5
Honda's Accord has been a long-standing fixture in this class and for 2023 it receives a full redesign that introduces added legroom, greater fuel efficiency and new styling elements. A key rival is the Kia K5, which has been one of Edmunds’ top-rated sedans since its introduction a few years ago. Both sedans scored well in Edmunds’ testing, but which one should you buy? Edmunds experts compared them to find out.

Edmunds compares: 2023 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5

2023 Lexus IS 500 Return of the V8

2023 Lexus IS 500 Return of the V8
No longer called IS F, the 500 is the first product to fall under the new F SPORT Performance line. The 5.0-litre engine is essentially an updated version of the unit last offered seven years ago, now sending 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle, representing a massive improvement over the previous 416 and 371, respectively.

2023 Lexus IS 500 Return of the V8

Edmunds compares: Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90

Edmunds compares: Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 is an ideal choice if you want an upscale three-row SUV that’s stylish and enjoyable to drive. The available plug-in hybrid model is a bonus, too. But overall the Kia Telluride remains the leader in this comparison. 

Edmunds compares: Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90

Edmunds: 5 hidden automotive gems that no one buys

Edmunds: 5 hidden automotive gems that no one buys
In the new car market, there exist some hidden gems — excellent vehicles with a lot to offer that are overlooked by many shoppers. Edmunds explores five of these hidden gems, shedding light on the X factor that makes them special.  

Edmunds: 5 hidden automotive gems that no one buys