The two top SUV/CUVs of 2013 were the Honda CR-V (crossover) and the Ford Escape with nearly 600,000 in sales between them.
(The CR-V actually beat out the Escape by a mere 7,911 vehicles last year.)
And both vehicles now have been recognized by Kelley Blue Book (www.KBB.com) on its list of the “10 Best SUVs under $25,000 of 2014” – the Honda CR-V at No. 1 and the Ford Escape at No. 4.
“Today’s market of right-sized SUVs offers a little something for everyone: Utility, style, fuel economy, and in some cases, a healthy dose of excitement,” says KBB in its introduction to the list. “There are also more options to choose from than a Vegas buffet, which is why we’ve assembled our 2014 list.”
Other SUV/CUVs from the top-10 best-seller list, which also earned a spot on the Kelly Blue Book “under $25,000” compilation were the Nissan Rogue (KBB’s No. 3), the Toyota RAV4 (No. 8) and the Jeep Wrangler (No. 10). The KBB list also included the Mazda CX-5 (No. 2), Subaru Forester (No. 5), Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (No. 6), Jeep Cherokee (No. 7) and Kia Sorento (No. 9).
Of its No. 1 selection, which also earned a Consumer Reports “recommended” rating, KBB said:
“The Honda CR-V claims the top spot on our list two years running for its matchless combination of value, reliability, and utility. As it has for over 15 years, the CR-V builds upon its core philosophy of providing practical-minded car shoppers worry-free transportation in a safe, sensible package.”
KBB’s Fair Purchase Price for the 2014 CR-V recently was listed at about $22,522 in the Dallas, TX, area.
Others in the top 5, with KB’s Fair Purchase Price and a description, were:
No. 2 Mazda CX-5, $21,579, a “stylish, affordable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive (of course), the 2014 Mazda CX-5 hits nearly all the right notes. Feeling more like a 5-passenger sports car than a compact sport utility vehicle, the CX-5 makes a stellar dynamic impression on the road.”
No. 3 Nissan Rogue, $22,404, “one of the most practical choices on this list.”
No. 4 Ford Escape, $22,507, “a perfect example of why car buyers are flocking back to the Blue Oval.”
No. 5 Subaru Forester, $21,667, “offers all the utility of its competitors while carrying forth its traditional hallmarks of safety, durability, and the assurance of standard all-wheel drive.”
“The vehicles on our 2014 edition of the 10 Best SUVs under $25,000 list are not only affordable, but also are sensible, stylish and feature all-new in-vehicle technology,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Any SUV on this hand-selected list is sure to impress, especially this time of year when utility vehicles are most appreciated.”
More than 90 models of SUV/CUV were sold in 2013, according to Good Car Bad Car sales data.
For more on the top 10 vehicles, see KBB’s list of “Top SUVs under $25,000”.
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