10 of the Best Looking SUVs

Maserati Levante ・ Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

There can be little to no doubt that a few years ago, SUVs and crossovers were cursed with a bland and boxy exterior design. Well, automakers have finally given importance to the exterior of this segment as sales consistently continue to grow. Usually, attractive SUVs and crossovers tend to be pricey luxury vehicles, but with sales approaching an upward trend, good-looking SUVs and crossovers now come at every price tag.

With that in mind, we decided to create a list of the 10 Best Looking SUVs. Keep in mind that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but we made sure that our list consists of something for everyone shopping in any price segment.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

Shortly after the debut of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (the replacement to the compact GLK), the Germany luxury brand decided to of a sleek-looking four-door coupe version of the model. Taking on the likes of the BMW X4, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe jumps into the segment with a luxurious and smooth-looking exterior that you really can’t take your eyes off. While the BMW X4 goes for a sharp and angular exterior design language, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is all about smooth corners that make GLC Coupe a sexy vehicle to look at from any angle.

With four doors and a power sloping liftgate, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is not only an attractive luxury suv but a highly practical one.

2017 Volvo XC90

The new Volvo XC90 took the industry by storm in 2014 and launched a whole new design language for the Swedish luxury brand. The shape of the bold headlamps are like Thor's hammer, and the new grille stands out boldly. These sharp cues eventually trickled down to other models in Volvo’s lineup including the S90, V90, and XC60.

The mid-size XC90 is a winner of many awards and accolades, and we’re not the least bit surprised. While being packed with a bunch of technology, safety, and convenience features, this Volvo is one of the most attractive looking SUVs on the market today. Even though the new XC90 is a significant departure from the previous-generation models, it is still instantly recognizable as a Volvo. Taking that step is one of the most difficult things to do for designers when redesigning a vehicle and building on its legacy and heritage.

Photo by Volvo

2017 Range Rover Sport

Redesigning an SUV that has become the icon for celebrities living the great Hollywood life in Los Angeles is a daunting task. Well, the designers at Land Rover have achieved that without any problems for the brand's Range Rover Sport. Besides being good-looking, the Range Rover Sport has to be a competent vehicle as well. With that in mind, designers focused on redesigning the model with capability in mind.

The Range Rover Sport’s all-aluminum body not only reduces the weight of the SUV but also increases agility. Land Rover has made many updates to the Range Rover Sport, including exterior features finished in Gloss Black for the Dynamic model. The Range Rover Sport Dynamic model also features a red "Sport" badge and matching red brake calipers for the 2017 model year.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2017 Mazda CX-5

There is something special going on at Mazda, and it’s called “KODO — Soul of Motion.” That’s the name of Mazda’s new design theme that has been in practice over the past couple of years. The design language has helped the brand significantly increase sales for the Mazda3, Mazda6 and its hugely successful CX-5 SUV. While the outgoing CX-5 was already a great-looking compact SUV, the new 2017 Mazda CX-5 goes leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation.

Highlighting the new redesign, the sharp and aggressive new grille and headlamps first made their debut on the new CX-9. Mazda has also added a new color for the 2017 model year, Soul Red Crystal, that accentuates the overall KODO design language. In our opinion, the Mazda CX-5 is the best-looking compact SUV currently on the market.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

The Jaguar suv is finally here, and it is extremely good-looking. When Jaguar first announced that it was going to build an SUV, many automotive enthusiasts and publications were skeptical. Jaguar proved them wrong with the bold new F-Pace, which has taken the industry by storm.

Not many know, but inside Jaguar there is a saying that each model should draw your attention from 200 meters (656 feet) away and that F-Pace does exactly that. Inspired by the Jaguar C-X17 concept car, the F-Pace remains true to its study form. The front end is highlighted by a massive grille and sleek headlamps that give it a shark-like look. The rear end draws your attention with a strikingly shaped LED taillamps. In our opinion, the resulting design draws your attention from even more than 200 meters away.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2017 Maserati Levante

Like the Jaguar F-PACE, the Maserati Levante is the first SUV offered by its brand. Before the Levante, this Italian luxury automaker was mostly focused on three passenger cars: the Quattroporte, Ghibli and the Gran Turismo. With the arrival of the Levante, Maserati has moved into a segment it had never competed in.

Nonetheless, the timeless design language of the Maserati brand helps the Levante stick out in the SUV segment. The giant vertical grille of the Levante gives it a very bold and strong stance while the rear end gives it a smoother and more elegant appeal.

Photo by Maserati

2017 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander has grown up to be a very handsome mid-size SUV. Toyota was previously known for offering vehicles with a particularly bland design language, but all that has finally changed. Striking the perfect balance between elegance and aggressiveness, the latest Highlander is one great-looking SUV for its segment. The large bold front grille, the optional LED daytime running headlamps lights and the optional dark-black-accent headlights give the Highlander a very strong stance.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

When Fiat jumped in on saving Chrysler from failure, the focus of CEO Sergio Marchionne was to make the Jeep Gand Cherokee the first vehicle that could make the company proud. The updated reengineered Grand Cherokee was under scrutiny from the higher-ups on making sure that every department from design to engineering deliver their best.

They did not disappoint. The new Grand Cherokee stays true to its heritage while moving into the new and attractive modern market. This muscular and elegant-looking SUV is something that customers can be proud of parking in their driveway. The recently unveiled Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (the SRT Hellcat of SUVs) is even more aggressive and sporty-looking than the standard model that it's based on.

Photo by Jeep

2017 Mazda CX-9

It seems like Mazda can’t do anything wrong these days. The brand's lineup consists of some of the most beautiful vehicles we’ve seen in a while. The brand's KODO design language has taken the market by storm and the recently redesigned CX-9 is a clear indication of where that design language is headed next.

The CX-9 features a large and aggressive-looking front grille that draws anyone’s attention from a mile away. The narrow LED headlamps give it a sleek and sharp look. Unlike other seven-passenger vehicles in its segment that look a bit awkward at times, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 looks beautiful from every angle.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Lexus RX

Large grilles seem to be all the buzz these days. When Lexus went into the design room to come up with a new RX, the Japanese luxury brand went above and beyond in making sure that the front end will instantly grab your attention. In comes the largest version of the Lexus signature spindle grille that we’ve ever seen.

While other design elements give the Lexus RX a very luxurious look, the front end of the SUV is extremely aggressive — especially if you go for the F Sport version. The grille is further highlighted by sharply shaped intakes and striking headlamps that give this SUV even more character.

Photo by Lexus