A Cincinnati Driver’s Guide to Finding the Perfect SUV

Cincinnati drivers have to be ready for just about anything. Wind, snow, ice, inexplicable road construction on every bridge in the city, and devastating last-minute sports championship losses– not to name any names– are all things we’ve learned to accept in this part of the world. You might wake up to sunshine and end the day in snow, which means being prepared is all in a day’s work. That’s why, when the time comes to visit your Cincinnati used car dealer to check out a new addition to your family, you need to know which are the best SUVs for Cincinnati drivers.

Naturally, many things will factor into your personal decision-making process, such as budget, favorite features, and the overall feeling you get when you sit behind the wheel for the first time. However, if you’re just starting to look for an SUV and wonder which one would be ideal for a busy person in Cincinnati, Ohio, we have just the guide. Practical, dependable, and with a healthy dose of fun, here are four SUVs that fit the Cincy lifestyle very well.

The Fan Favorite: The Jeep Cherokee

It’s hard to find a driver who doesn’t have a passing familiarity with the Jeep Cherokee. This crossover SUV has been around since 1974 and has undergone many changes since then. You may associate the Cherokee name with a boxy, rugged, clunky type of SUV, but the 2019 model refresh brought with it a sleeker yet even more capable image for this fan favorite.

One thing that distinguishes the Cherokee from other SUVs is that it is truly designed with adventure in mind. Its unique design makes it stand out from a crowd and has the agility to navigate even the tightest turn. Plus, selecting an all-wheel drive Cherokee can help take away that white-knuckle feeling you get when you discover your vehicle covered in snow after a quick stop at the grocery store.

As an added bonus, the Cherokee can move more stuff than you might imagine. You’ll find adequate road trip supply space inside, even with all seats occupied. You’ll also have the ability to tow up to 4,500 pounds of gear behind you, a rarity amongst SUVs its size.

With several engine options and choice of trims available ranging from the not-so-basic Latitude, the off-road-ready Trailhawk, and the well-dressed options in between, finding a used Jeep Cherokee that ticks off all of your boxes is entirely possible. In fact, you might find some features you never knew you couldn’t live without.

The Back-To-Back Champion: The Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has won major accolades for years. Praised for its high resale value, its impressive standard safety features, and practical features, the CR-V always seems to be on the cutting edge of what drivers are looking for in a compact crossover SUV.

The CR-V received a complete makeover in 2017, gaining a fresher, sleeker, taller exterior. The Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance and safety features became standard on nearly all models during the 2017 model year and gave drivers an even greater sense of security on the road. If blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and a forward collision mitigation system sound like exactly the right features you’d like to have on board when merging through the tangle of freeways that ensnare downtown, the CR-V has your back.

Notably, the CR-V Hybrid version became available in 2020. With standard all-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 212 horsepower at your disposal, drivers who don’t enjoy frequent trips to the gas station will appreciate its 40 mile-per-gallon range in the city. With that being said, the gasoline-powered CR-Vs are each able to get more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway, making it one of the most economical SUVs on the market.

The Come-Back Kid: The Jeep Compass

The Jeep Compass could have had a sad and short story, but thanks to a somewhat confusing 2017 plot twist, the Compass ended up replacing itself with an entirely new attitude and performance focus, continuing its legacy.

It’s highly likely you’ve seen the Compass cruising through the streets of Hamilton, Monroe, or Middletown. It’s a popular vehicle amongst suburban commuters thanks to its polite road habits and decent fuel economy. Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, models as recently as 2020 were offered a choice between manual and standard transmission.

While many drivers comment on the Compass’s “tiny Grand Cherokee” appearance, the interior is anything but “tiny,” with almost 60 feet of cargo space available once the rear seats are folded. Whether you choose to fill that space with Trader’s World finds or a Jungle Jim’s shopping spree is up to you.

Additionally, those who enjoy frequent voyages away from the pavement will appreciate the Compass Trailhawk, especially those produced after 2020. With skid plates, 8.5 inches of ground clearance, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system to adjust your crawls, this version is considered an impressive off-roader.

The Rookie: The Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride made its debut in 2020, making it a newcomer to the SUV scene. With three rows of seats and room for up to 8 passengers, it certainly is large and in charge, which some drivers are looking for.

Those looking for plenty of configurable passenger and cargo space will rejoice with the Telluride’s offerings. Second row seating can accommodate three passengers with a bench seat or two when captain’s chairs are selected. Folding both the second and third-row seats down opens up 87 cubic feet of cargo room, though you’ll still have 21 cubic feet of space with all seats occupied.

One area in which the Telluride certainly exceeds is style. With an almost European, aerodynamic exterior, it’s not your grandparents’ three-row vehicle. Instead, you’ll find soft leatherette upholstery and a touchscreen infotainment system on even the introductory LX trim. Climbing up the trims unlocks premium audio systems, a 360-degree exterior camera view of your surroundings, and heated and ventilated seats, depending on selected options.

The Kia Telluride is comfortable and classy, so you’ll get there safely and in style whether you’re taking the crew to the game or the family to the zoo.

The All-Stars of Cincinnati: Choosing the Best SUV for You

Selecting the ideal SUV for your own driving needs is far more complicated than good looks, abundant safety features, and cargo space. However, if you’re beginning to consider how an SUV might fit into your life, we hope this guide gave you some practical starting points for deciding which direction you want to take.

Are you looking for something with standard all-wheel drive that can take on whatever sloppiness happens to be covering the roads on any given Ohio day? Would you prefer a time-tested, driver-approved classic that is always in demand? Perhaps you’re more interested in something smaller and sportier that prioritizes fun. Then again, maybe you need more space, more seats, and more style than your average SUV.

Be sure to try out a few different models before making your final decision. After all, you’re going to be driving your SUV in a variety of conditions, from bumper-to-bumper to cornfield cruise control, up and down hills, and through nearly every weather condition known to humans. Such is driving in Cincinnati, so being prepared is key!