A few years ago, manufacturers had saturated the car market with sedans. The overwhelming demand forced automakers to mass produce sedans. Although sedans dominated the car market since the advent of cars, consumers sought vehicles that were capable of hauling heavy loads and providing safety features that sedans lacked.
Consumers also wanted vehicles that could perform off-road as well as it did on the road. SUVs provided the answers that consumers were looking for, and the rise in popularity of the vehicles resulted in SUVs becoming the world's largest automotive segment.
In 2015, sales of SUV rides had quadrupled since 2000. The popularity of the SUV is evident, and car pundits predicted that automakers might sell 42 million units by the year 2031.
The rising gasoline prices haven't impeded consumers from buying SUVs, as the market prefers the 4/5 door models in favor of the popular 2-door off-roaders. The future for the SUV market looks bright, allowing consumers to take advantage of the existing models to make a handsome profit in the future.
For consumers to make profits from their SUV rides, they need to know which models are poised to become classics. Furthermore, consumers also have to know which models to avoid. To help collectors find the perfect SUV, we compiled a list of cars that they should bag and the ones they should avoid if they intend on making a profit from their purchase.
25 Collect: 1983 Land Rover Defender
Although production for the Defender ceased in 2016, the manufacturer announced at the beginning of 2018 a special edition Defender Works V8 that will pump out 400 horsepower. The reason we selected the 1983 model was that the newer generations weren't as bare-boned and off-road capable as the earlier models.
When you purchase a Defender, you know that you're getting a great combination of off-road capability and comfort, according to Autowise. The manufacturer had launched the original Land Rover series in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show.
24 Collect: 1993 GMC Typhoon
The Typhoon was in production for only three years, but it made its mark in the SUV segment. From 1991 until 1993, GMC produced almost 4,700 units of the car that fostered a 4.3-liter V6 engine, capable of pumping out 280 horsepower. The car was capable of reaching a top speed of 125 mph and needed 5.6 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph.
When the Typhoon debuted in 1992, GMC priced it at almost $30,000. One of the drawbacks of the car was the fuel economy. In the city, drivers could expect 15 mpg and 19 mpg on the highway, according to Road and Track.
23 Collect: 2006 Jeep Wrangler
When you talk about one of the most capable off-road SUVs, you can't leave the Wrangler TJ out of the conversation. TJ was the second generation that Jeep introduced in 1996 and reintroduced the round headlamps from the classic Jeep models.
In 2006, the Wrangler was smaller than the latest models and used more capable suspension, at least off-road. The main engine was the AMC 4-liter inline, and Jeep fitted all the Wranglers with coil springs instead of leaf-spring suspension.
22 Collect: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban
The 2015 model is part of the eleventh generation. Chevrolet has manufactured this magnificent SUV since 1935, making the Suburban the longest continuous use automobile nameplate in production.
What started as a three-row half-ton Carryall Suburban in 1935 has become Chevrolet's most successful vehicle of all time. Drivers can expect to get 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, according to Motor Trend. The car has a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8, pumping out 355 horsepower. The six-speed automatic is the only transmission offering.
21 Collect: 2006 Mercedes Benz G-Wagen
Otherwise known as the G-Class, the Mercedes Benz G-Wagen is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV that Magna Steyr manufacturers in Austria and Mercedes Benz sells. The G-Wagen has a boxy styling and body-on-frame construction. The car uses a three fully locking differentials, making it one of the few vehicles to have such a feature.
In 2006, Mercedes introduced the Grand Edition. The version offered optional alanite gray Magno metallic body color with integrated Grand Edition lettering, as well as non-embossed natural leather upholstery. The G-Wagen has been in production for 40 years.
20 Collect: 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota has been making reliable cars for decades. Considering that production for the Land Cruiser commenced in 1951 and hadn't stopped, most people will agree that the Land Cruiser is one of the best SUVs on the market.
The Land Cruiser is Toyota's longest running series of models. Global sales of the Land Cruiser totaled more than 6.5 million units as of 2018. Although Toyota has garnered massive sales, the Land Cruiser J200 isn't available in markets such as Hong Kong, North Korea, Brazil, Thailand and large parts of Europe.
19 Collect: 2018 Toyota 4Runner
Toyota unveiled the fourth generation of the 4Runner at the State Fair of Texas in 2009. When iSeecars.com conducted a study in 2016, it found that the 4Runner ranked third in the top ten longest-lasting vehicles in the US.
The study showed that 5.2 percent of 4Runners lasted longer than 200,000 miles. If you ask Consumer Reports what one of the most reliable cars on the road is, the answer will be, "The Toyota 4Runner." The 4Runner has been in production since 1983.
18 Collect: 1996 Ford Bronco
The legendary SUV was in production for more than 30 years before Ford decided to scrap the project. While Expedition and Explorer have proven to be capable SUVs, the Bronco's demise left a big gap in Ford's lineup. After more than a twenty-year hiatus, the Bronco is poised for a return in 2020.
The Bronco was more than a reliable and capable SUV; it was the heart and soul of the Ford Motor Company for three decades. The standard engine on the 1996 model was a 4.9 liter. The major drawback of the Bronco was the fuel economy. Drivers can expect to get 14 mpg combined, according to Edmunds.
17 Collect: 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
Consumers who want more than the standard space that an SUV offers should opt for the Tahoe. The car provides three rows of spacious, comfortable seats that accommodate up to nine passengers if you buy the front bench seat model, according to US News.
Apart from the high reliability that the car provides, the Tahoe won over customers with its high-quality interior materials. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter V8, which is capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds. The car handles well and returns good gas mileage.
16 Collect: 2010 Honda CR-V
Who can argue that Honda doesn't make one of the most reliable cars on the road? With the Civic being one of the best selling vehicles in the US, Honda thought that it would use its sedan manufacturing ingenious to produce an outstanding SUV.
The result was the CR-V. Honda CR-V was the winner of U.S. News' 2010 Best Compact Crossover for the Money Award. The car seats five passengers and offers comfort and versatility in the top-notch cabin. Consumers who want to buy the 2010 model will spend around $9,000.
15 Collect: 2012 Toyota RAV4
RAV4 debuted onto the market in 1995, but it has proven to compete with the most prestigious SUVs that have been around for decades. Apart from the reliability, the RAV4 offers seats for five passengers and has a four-cylinder engine that is suitable for the daily commute.
Drivers shouldn't expect too much power from the base 2-liter engine but can opt for the more powerful 3.5-liter. Drivers can upgrade to the V6 and third-row seating. The RAV4 offers competitive fuel economy for its class and provides plenty of cargo space, as well as receives strong safety ratings.
14 Collect: 2011 Audi Q7
Production of the seven-seater Q7 commenced in 2005, making it the first SUV offering from Audi. The car shares a Volkswagen Group MLB platform and a chassis with Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga.
Audi fitted the 2011 model with a 3-liter supercharged V6 engine that is capable of pumping out 272 horsepower. The upscale version can produce 333 horsepower. The fastest 333 horsepower version can reach 0 to 60 mph in seven seconds, as well as 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
13 Collect: 2018 Buick Enclave
Drivers who want a reliable midsize SUV but don't mind spending $40,000 for the base model should test drive the 2018 Buick Enclave. The car had outstanding predicted reliability ratings and was the finalist in the US News Best 3-Row SUV for Families award.
Under the bonnet, drivers will find the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which delivers a composed ride. The plush cabin provides three seating rows. The Enclave needs 7.2 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph and offers 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
12 Avoid: 1988 Suzuki Samurai
Automakers who want their vehicles to sustain high sales for many years should design vehicles that impress Consumer Reports. Many people considered the Samurai as one of the most rugged and durable SUVs until Consumer Reports tested in 1988.
The Samurai had considerable sales success until 1988 when Consumer Reports deemed it to be unsafe for US roads. The report contained strong language and called Suzuki to recall the 150,000 units to replace with safer models.
11 Avoid: 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
Mitsubishi's marketing strategy for the Montero was to convince the market of its large size and safety. When Consumer Reports tested the vehicle, the watchdog discovered that the Montero had high rollover risk when taking corners at over 37 mph.
After the testing, Consumer Reports issued a 'Not Acceptable' rating for the Montero. The US market didn't want to take a chance on the vehicle, which reflected in the sales. The Montero wasn't a financial success, so Mitsubishi pulled it off the market in 2006.
10 Avoid: 2010 Lexus GX 460
The first time Consumer Reports tested the GX 460, the watchdog discovered that the car tended to roll over. Then, the watchdog purchased a second model and ran documented tests on the SUV. The second model vindicated the watchdog's theory of the SUV possessing a tendency to roll over, so Consumer Reports informed the public not to buy the vehicle, as it was a safety risk.
Toyota took the watchdog's advice to improve the vehicle by fixing the issue to make the subsequent models safer.
9 Avoid: 2012 Dodge Nitro
SUV enthusiasts who wanted a car with an eccentric design and subpar build quality would have bought the Dodge Nitro. After Consumer Reports tested the vehicle, the watchdog found that the Nitro had a cramped interior, a sluggish engine and cheap material in the cabin.
Consumer Reports didn't have to deter the market from the car, as consumers saw that the Nitro didn't offer anything special and took their business elsewhere. The Nitro was one of the contributors to Chrysler's downfall.
8 Avoid: 2018 Cadillac Escalade
At first glance, you wouldn't say that there's anything wrong with the Cadillac. After all, it has a bulky frame that looks lavish and a spacious interior. The V8 engine allows the Escalade to carry the heavy frame, and the cabin provides several luxury features. So, what's wrong with the Escalade?
Considering that the starting price of the Escalade is $75,000, it qualifies as competition for prominent brands such as Mercedes, Lexus, Range Rover and Audi. Apart from featuring on Consumer Reports least reliable list, the Escalade is lacking in refinement and has an interior that doesn't take wear and tear well, according to Cheat Sheet.
7 Avoid: 2005 Pontiac Aztek
The Aztek made its debuted in 2000 and garnered a reputation for one of the worst cars produced. The car had bad styling, an awkward interior and a high base price considering its offering. The car was so bad that Time Magazine featured it in its worst inventions ever list.
The Consumer Reports team admitted to feeling embarrassed about driving the car, so they performed most of the testing at night. After the testing, Consumer Reports struggled to find a buyer for the Aztek.
6 Avoid: 2005 Saturn Vue
The production of the Vue commenced in 2001 and ended in 2010, but Saturn should have scrapped the project before then. Apart from the mediocre design, the Saturn Vue was unreliable. General Motors settled a class-action suit related to the car's unreliable VTi variable transmission.
Although Saturn offered an extended warranty, it didn't mean that the problem vanished. The extended warranty was 125,000 miles/8 years, but that would've lapsed by now, so drivers would struggle to find parts, as CVT VTi was discontinued in 2005.