Let’s face it – buying a new SUV can cost as much as a small house these days. But the good news? The 2020 model year gave us some absolute gems that deliver luxury features without the luxury price tag. Here’s the real-world scoop on these rides from someone who’s tested them all.
2020 Kia Telluride – The Showstopper
Why Everyone Lost Their Minds Over It:
- Third row adults won’t hate (rare for this price)
- That V6 purrs when you need to pass slowpokes
What They Don’t Tell You:
The hype was REAL – you’ll still pay a premium for low-mileage examples.
Perfect For: Families who want Escalade vibes on a Trax budget.
2020 Mazda CX-9 – The Secret Luxury Pick
Why It Feels Special:
- Interior looks like a BMW (seriously, touch the leather)
- Handles like a sports sedan despite its size
- Turbo engine gives you power without guzzling gas
Catch: That third row is strictly for kids or very tolerant adults.
Ideal Buyer: Empty nesters who still want space but miss their Mazda6.
2020 Chevy Traverse – The Road Trip Machine
Where It Shines:
- Cargo space for days (seriously, where does it all fit?)
- Chevy’s infotainment is actually good now
- V6 has surprising pep when fully loaded
Downside: Interior plastics remind you it’s a Chevy, not a Cadillac.
Best For: Soccer parents who moonlight as pack mules.
2020 Honda Pilot – The Dependable Workhorse
Why It Never Disappoints:
- Honda reliability means fewer surprise repair bills
- Magic Slide seats make carpool chaos manageable
- Safety tech comes standard – no nickel-and-diming
But: The styling is… well, it’s a Honda.
Buy It If: You want a no-nonsense SUV that’ll last until your kids graduate.
2020 Hyundai Palisade – The Telluride’s Fancy Twin
What Makes It Special:
- Quieter cabin than the Telluride (check those double-pane windows)
- First-class rear seats in higher trims
- Same great warranty Hyundai’s known for
Trade-Off: Slightly softer handling than the Kia.
Perfect Match: Luxury seekers who don’t want to pay luxury prices.
The Real-World Verdict
Three years later, these SUVs still hold up shockingly well. Here’s how they stack up:
- “I need space NOW”: Traverse > Pilot > Telluride
- “I want to enjoy driving”: CX-9 > Telluride > Palisade
- “Resale value matters”: Telluride > Pilot > Palisade
Pro Tip: The sweet spot is 30-50k miles – enough depreciation to save thousands, but not enough wear to worry.
Which one would you pick? Anyone out there own one of these? Share your horror stories or love affairs in the comments! 🚙💨
(P.S. If you find a Telluride under $35k with less than 40k miles, jump on it – those things are gold.)
