SUV Award Nominees For the Category: Best SUVs For People Who Hate SUVs

I always applaud automakers for making sports cars and sedans, but let’s be honest with ourselves: America loves SUVs. That’s the real bread and butter for most brands. Hence, even McLaren finally giving in and announcing a future SUV.

For this reason, MotorTrend has announced the 2027 SUV of the Year awards. And it’s still trending on Google days later. People are really invested in this.

I get it. SUVs are all-rounders. They’re the masters of none, but can do a little bit of everything. The Mario of vehicles. MotorTrend picked its nominees based on efficiency, value, safety, performance (not the fun kind), design advancement, and engineering. The team test drove a bunch of SUVs, debated them, and then filled out a ballot with their top three.

Hey, someone had to subject themselves to hours of SUV driving.

Well, I want to make my own list of SUVs for those of us who can’t get behind the hype. The drivers who see a big chungus vehicle whipping corners in the garage and wonder why someone chose to get this thing to park around the city. The drivers who just can’t seem to be convinced to drive one of these things. For this reason, my criteria are performance (the fun kind), looks, uniqueness, and fair pricing. You know, ’cause we’re all sick of seeing the average vehicle price go up and up and up.

Rivian R2

The poor Rivian R2 was constantly compared to the Tesla Model Y when it was first announced, even though I found them to be nothing alike. The Model Y is for EV folks that want to fit in while the R2 is for EV folks that want to have fun, be different, and explore new things.

The R2 is smaller than the R1S, with two rows of seats rather than three. It’s not really a family hauler and was advertised more as a weekend getaway mobile for backpackers. For an EV, it’s pretty capable when it comes to off-roading. But you can also just drive it up a dirt path to a campsite, using its cool panoramic glass roof panel to gaze at the stars.

It’s quick, pretty fun to drive, comfortable, and packed with thoughtful touches (it even has glove compartments, unlike the R1S). The single rear motor gives you 350 horsepower, getting you to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. You get 275 miles of driving range, though you can expand it with the Long Range.

And it’s honestly just cute. The headlights look like shocked eyes. It’s super boxy and fun.

Performance (Fun): 7

Looks: 8

Uniqueness: 7

Fair Pricing: 5

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Yes, it’s expensive AF. Yes, the range sucks. But look at it! The ID. Buzz has to be the most adorable, cute, and fun SUV we’ve ever had. It’s charming, nostalgic, and comes in the coolest colors.

It’s a bummer that the new model has been delayed, but I feel it’s forgivable. The upcoming ID. Buzz will have everything that camper van fans ever wanted thanks to the Tourer trim. I mean, it comes with a whole friggin bed, blackout shades, and a mini dining room set for all your glamping needs. The ID. Buzz has plenty of creative compartments and other quirky touches to keep you from getting bored on the road.

I think if you live in a place with enough charging stations, the ID. Buzz is totally worth it. The smiles you’ll get while driving to the beach or to a fun camping spot on the weekend are immeasurable. As a Miata driver, I feel like that feeling of uncontrollable smiling while driving around is unbeatable.

Performance (Fun): 9

Looks: 10

Uniqueness: 10

Fair Pricing: 2*

*To be fair, we don’t know the price and range of the 2028 Volkswagen ID. Buzz yet.

Maserati Grecale Trofeo

If you want to feel like you’re in a super-capable, powerful sports car, the Grecale Trofeo is a great choice. I had the opportunity to drive the 2027 Maserati Grecale Trofeo (along with the GranCabrio Trofeo), and it’s nothing like any performance SUV you’ve experienced before.

My driving partner took it on the winding canyons of Malibu and you’d never know you’re in a nearly 4,500-pound SUV. It took corners even better than my boyfriend’s Mustang GT, super planted and no body roll. She was whipping it like she was in a Lotus Emira, and we were never even close to flying off the edge of the cliff on those narrow, tight turns thanks to its adaptive air suspension.

The Grecale Trofeo has a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine inspired by F1, producing up to 530 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. This gets you to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. Switch to Corsa and you’re going to feel like you’re in a sports car.

And just like new sports cars, the interior is extremely comfortable. You’ll have every feature ever needed and then some. The materials are luxurious. As the Maserati team would say, you’re experiencing the Italian lifestyle. That “lightness.”

But that lifestyle doesn’t come cheap. The Grecale Trofeo can cost upwards of $130,000. You may not be willing to pay that kinda price for such a beautiful yet understated SUV. Well, not if you’ve never been inside one. That may change your mind. Don’t get me wrong, it’s stunning. It’s just… Not an ID. Buzz.

Performance (Fun): 10

Looks: 6

Uniqueness: 3

Fair Pricing: 3

Meh

Scrolling through the rest of the SUVs available in 2026, I don’t think I can honestly include any of them. I feel like I’m looking at a sea of generic vehicles. Like alright, the Subaru Outback at least has some ugly plastic? The Lexus GX is a little boxier? But to be real, they all look sorta the same.

And that’s by design. SUVs are all boring and smooth to meet certain safety standards. They aren’t meant to catch your attention. They aren’t meant to be cool, fun, or silly. I get it. But dont’ think I’m going to mention you in a list for SUV skeptics then!

I almost considered putting the Porsche Cayenne, but my driving partner told me that the Gracela Trofeo was actually more fun. So… Why put another performance SUV on the list that’s semi-worse than the other one? I’m not that desperate to lengthen the list.

SUVs continue to be boring as we head into 2027. Let’s hope we see some fun innovations at some point for those of us who shudder every time we see a CR-V on the road.

B

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How does the Grecale Trofeo's adaptive air suspension work at canyon speeds?

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