SUV’s are a type of automotive vehicle that combines attributes of passenger cars with off road vehicles. The history of the sports utility vehicles (or SUV) dates back to the late 1930’s. The World War II Jeep is one of the first recognized mass-produced SUV’s. There are generally two types of modern-day SUV’s. There are those built on light truck bodies and those that are built with a unibody construction (passenger car bodies).

The top safety rated SUVs are as follows:

1. Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is one of the top-rated small SUVs on the market. The fourth generation Escape also comes in two different hybrid models. The vehicle will be more than 200lbs lighter than previous models because of its use of high strength steel. The hybrid versions of this vehicle will be able to get 37mpg.

2. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a small SUV that is manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea and Montgomery, Alabama in the United States. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given this vehicle 5 stars for safety based upon crash tests conducted by them. The price for a low-end version of this vehicle is $25,000 according to Car and Driver magazine.

3. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a mid size SUV that is manufactured in West Point, Georgia in the United States. The Telluride is the recent winner of the 2020 World Car of the Year. The Telluride is based upon a modified Kia Sorento chassis. The pricing for the Telluride starts at $32,785 for the low-end LX model up to $42,585 for the top end SX model according to Angus MacKenzie of Motortrend magazine. MacKenzie further stated Kia also comfortably punches above its weight not only in terms of ride, refinement, and low noise levels but also in steering and handling.

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV that has been manufactured in Detroit, Michigan; Valencia, Venezuela; and Cairo, Egypt. According to Daniel Pund of Car and Driver magazine, an all-new generation of this vehicle is coming in 2020. When it comes out it will come with options for 4, 6 and 8 cylinder engines as well hybrid powertrains.

5. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a midsize luxury SUV that is assembled in Austria, Algeria and Greece. The G 500 has a starting price in the United States of $125,495.00 and is powered by a twin-turbo V-8 which generates 416 horsepower. The G-Class includes a 6×6 version for the Australian Defense Forces.

6. Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV that is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series truck is. According to Motor Trend Magazine, one of the engine options for this SUV will be a Duramax 3.0 liter I-6 turbo diesel. The Suburban is the only SUV in this size class that offers a diesel engine option. This SUV has three rows and can sit up to 9 passengers. The Suburban is scheduled for a refresh in 2020 but that may be pushed back because of the current Covid-19 pandemic.