Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) combine the comfort of a passenger car with features of a more rugged off-road vehicle. SUVs typically come standard with higher ground clearance than a car, protecting them from the rough terrain they sometimes travel. Most models also offer four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive for added stability on wet, slick, or muddy roads.

Four doors, with a cargo area behind the seats, provide plenty of room to haul anything from groceries to sports equipment. Let’s look at some of the top-rated SUVs for safety:

1. Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape, with seating for five and an estimated 34 miles per gallon on the highway comes with a number of option packages. Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 helps drivers avoid some of those surprises that pop up on the road, while its adaptive cruise control helps stay with the flow of traffic. Owners may choose from four different engines including EcoBoost in a 1.5L and a 2L, Hybrid and Plug-in electric.

2. Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe puts comfort, function and safety into one package. HTRAC AWD is one of the available options, along with leather seats and door panels, alloy wheels and exclusive LED signatures. The inline 4-cylinder engine provides 191 horsepower, or turbo charge it for 281 hp. One of its best attributes, however, is the amount of passenger space. Both rows of seats offer plenty of room for comfort, even on long trips.

3. Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride offers a V6 engine that makes 291 horsepower and a towing capacity of two and a half tons. Three rows of seating will accommodate eight passengers, with front and rear climate control to keep them comfortable. The middle and rear rows fold down for extra cargo space. Kia Drive makes any drive safer with assisted avoidance of forward, blind-spot, and rear collisions, along with rear occupant alert.

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most awarded sport utility vehicle. The standard and available safety features keep drivers and passengers safe. The available 6.2L supercharged V8 makes over 700 horsepower while delivering over three and a half tons of towing capacity. For comfort, occupants can settle into leather seating for five and enjoy the Harman/Kardon premium twenty-speaker sound system. The available launch control and advanced Quadra-Trac 4×4 system put the power where it is needed.

5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class manages to combine power with high-end luxury. It comes with Standard all-wheel drive powered by an available AMG-tuned twin-turbo V8 making 577 horsepower. Also standard are the locking differentials – there are three of them – and a low gear giving it the ability to tackle almost any rough terrain. Meanwhile, the opulent interior is spacious and comfortable, with an option for massaging seats and huge cargo space.

The SUV class of vehicles offers many options and choices. All of these balance function, performance, safety and style in unique ways to meet the needs of the most discerning owner. Whether it is a trip to the grocery store or an off-road adventure, these vehicles are ready to meet the challenge.