Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are very popular especially in the U.S but recently, in the first quarter of 2019, there was a slight drop in the percentage of SUVs sold compared to the previous year. Some vehicles are preferred to others for some reasons which may include fuel efficiency, seating capacity, cargo capability, ease of driving, engine configuration, and more.

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Looking at the most popular SUVs that make up this list, there are probably some reasons they are the most popular. Different models of Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and Volkswagen are listed among the most popular SUVs ever made, and the automobile companies spend lots of time upgrading them with more features and functions periodically.

10 GMC Terrain

The Terrain 2018 model was launched into the market by the end of 2017 and became very popular in 2018 making sales of about 34 percent, but these sales dropped in early 2019.

The most recent GMC Terrain is redesigned with sculpted headlights, bold grille, and rear lights with a C-shape. It is available in different trims of SLE, SL, and SLT with all-wheel-drive and three choices of engines.

About 170 hp is produced by the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter unit engine with a 9-gear automatic transmission. There is an optional 2.0-liter power-plant turbocharged to produce 252 hp with the same transmission. Also available is a turbo-diesel of 1.6-liters producing 137 hp.

The Black edition of GMC Terrain added in 2019 is available on SLT and SLE with features such as a darkened grille and aluminum wheels, roof rails, black mirror covers, grille surround, and badging.

9 Volkswagen Tiguan

The drop in sales of the Volkswagen Tiguan was experienced in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the number of sales in the first quarter of 2018. About 119 percent of this SUV was sold out in 2018.

The new version of this 2.0-liter Turbocharged Stratified Injection (TSI) engine, produces about 184 hp. It comes with an 8-gear automatic transmission that supplies power to the front wheels.

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Also, the optional 4Motion AWD has an active control which delivers four modes of driving to maximize traction when a different driving condition is utilized. Other features that come with it include a Car-Net system and Volkswagen's Digital Dashboard display.

8 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Sante Fe

Hyundai has become so popular since the introduction of the Santa Fe SUV, and steady growth in sales is experienced with the launching of the 2019 model. This fourth-generation Santa Fe 2019 model has a large interior with more comfort, striking design, and advanced technologies for safety and convenience.

For the 2019 model, the name - Santa Fe will only be used for its 5-seat version, which implies that the name will be dropped for the previous model, and Santa Fe XL will be assigned to the 7-seat version.

The overall length of this 5-seat version is increased by 2.8-inches to create more space in the interior, and the width is also increased to almost 0.5-inch. The position of the outside mirrors are adjusted to improve the driver's visibility, and the size of the rear glass increased by 40 percent.

This Hyundai has a standard rear cross-traffic and safe exit assistance to avoid a collision. Cars approaching from the rear are detected using radar, and passengers attempting to exit the vehicle are cautioned and barred from doing so by keeping the doors locked to avoid being hit by the approaching vehicle until the vehicle passes.

7 Honda Pilot

The new Honda Pilot 2019 model launched in August 2018, helped increase sales of the Pilot in 2018 by 25 percent, but the reverse was the case in the first quarter of 2019 as the sales dropped.

This Pilot is refreshed and remodeled with extra features such as powertrain refinements, striking appearance, hands-free power tailgate, touchscreen audio display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

This popular SUV uses a 3.5-liter 280 hp V6 engine and a 6-gear automatic transmission with an AWD system. The Pilot 2019 also features a high-sensing technology for driver assistance and safety such as road departure and forward-collision warnings, adaptive voyage control and lane-keeping assistance.

6 Chevrolet Traverse

Chevrolet Traverse redesigned 2018 model entered the market in late 2017, resulting in a sales increase of 18.6 percent in 2018, but in early 2019, the sales of this 3-row crossover decreased by 10 percent.

Chevrolet Traverse 2018 model has a standard interior space common to Chevrolet's full-size SUVs with 8-seats. It uses a 3.6-liter 310 hp V6 engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It is offered as a front-wheel-drive (FWD) or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle.

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The Traverse RS edition is embedded with a turbocharged engine of 2.0-liters, producing 257-hp combined with a 9-speed auto transmission and the AWD traverse RS 2019 has a V6 engine. Upgraded features include aluminum wheels, diagonal navigation radio, surround vision, 110-volt outlet, rear mirror with a camera, and Bose speakers.

5 Subaru Outback

Sales of the Subaru dropped in early 2019 by 5 percent but may increase again when the new Outback 2020 showcased at an Auto show in New York arrives anytime soon. This current model of Outback is convenient and gives the comfort of a Wagon with upgraded interior and exterior styling, using high-quality materials.

The steering feels smoother and more direct while driving and the new multimedia features offered by this model include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and different voice recognition.

Also offered are responsive LED-headlights for the steering and Eyesight technology. This technology includes steady voyage control, lane departure alert, pre-collision braking system, and lane-keeping assistance.

4 Jeep Wrangler

Wrangler recorded tremendous sales after the unveiling of the new 2018 model of Jeep Wrangler in 2017. But in the first quarter of 2018, the sales dropped by 10 percent, meanwhile, the new Wrangler JL had already arrived, and another Wrangler 2018 model, as well as Wrangler JK, were constantly being produced.

The 2018 Wrangler has round headlights and 7-slot grille but more modernized than its predecessor. Other features offered include a Sky One-Touch power-top and a Sunrider Soft-top.

The 2-door and 4-door versions of the Jeep Wrangler are available at all trim levels including Rubicon, Sahara, Sport S, and Sport trims.

3 Toyota Highlander

The popularity of the Toyota Highlander continues steadily after its sales increased by 13 percent in 2018 due to the introduction of excellent features such as an upgrade in performance, attractive style, and a new trim level.

The soon to be released 2020 Toyota Highlander was showcased at an Auto Show in New York, and arrangements are made to put it on sale in 2019.

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Toyota Highlander 2019 offers a 3.5-liter 295 hp V6 engine, producing a torque of 263 lb-ft with an 8-speed direct-shift automatic transmission. It comes in different types which depend on your choice from the front-wheel-drive (FWD) to the all-wheel-drive, and a 4-cylinder, six-cylinder, or the Highlander hybrid.

The Hybrid consumes less fuel and uses an electrically-driven motor-generator, combined with a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 gas engine producing 306 hp and delivering 29 mpg.

2 Jeep Grand Cherokee

In 2018, there was a record of a reduced sale of flagship Grand Cherokee, but it increased tremendously by 8 percent in the first three months of 2019.

The Grand Cherokee has maintained its original style for several years without a complete redesign. Although it is constantly faced with strong competition from other editions such as Cherokee, Wrangler, and Compass, it still maintains its position as the best-selling Jeep models of the year 2019. It is available in trim levels and 4WD systems.

The Grand Cherokee also released several editions which include the Trackhawk, Trailhawk, and the Summit, powered by a 6.2-liter engine with 707 hp and torque of 645 lb-ft, offering the ability to reach 60 mph within 3.5 seconds.

1 Ford Explorer

The sales recorded for the Ford Explorer as the top-selling SUV of all time dropped in 2018, but maintained balance in the first quarter of 2019, notwithstanding its old design.

The newly designed 2020 Ford Explorer is expected in the market in the last quarter of 2019. It is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a flexible structure meant to improve capability and handling.

This all-new architecture is lightweight but 25 percent stronger than its predecessor. The width and size are the same as that of its predecessor, but the base of the wheel is about 6-inches longer.

The new Explorer will come in two versions: the Limited Hybrid version and the Powerful ST version. It will offer a 2.3-liter, 300 hp EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine with a torque of 310 lb-ft, and a 3.0-liter, 365 hp EcoBoost V6 engine with a torque of 380 lb-ft.

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