10 of the Best V6 Crossovers for Mainstream Customers

2016 Ford Explorer Platinum side profile ・ Photo by Benjamin Hunting

While their four-cylinder friends are most often chosen for their fuel economy, many of today’s V6 crossovers manage to mix competitive EPA ratings with confident power, so that owners can have the best of both worlds. Indeed, some of these vehicles can achieve up to 29 mpg in highway travel, and others can tow up to 5,000 lbs., backed by a wide range of powertrain technologies such as direct injection, variable valve timing, turbocharging, active fuel management and stop/start systems. As a result, these choices also will appeal to a wide range of current crossover customers.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox

After six consecutive years of record annual sales, the Bowtie brand’s compact crossover, the Equinox, has been both restyled and restocked with safety features in its quest for record No. 7. The exterior design changes, for example, include a revised front fascia that now shows a new dual-port grille in all trims, with the up-level Equinox LT and LTZ editions wearing chrome accents. Unsurprisingly, it’s those models that also offer new-for-2016 tech like side blind-zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert. But even popular L and LS models receive their share of upgrades, like a standard 7-inch "Color Touch" infotainment system with a rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity. The Equinox then has a new finishing touch for its V6 crossovers, which all wear chrome exhaust outlets. As for that 3.5-liter engine, it supplies 301 horsepower, 272 lb.-ft. of torque and EPA grades of up to 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

2016 Dodge Journey

According to the Dodge brand, the 2016 Dodge Journey stands out from other V6 crossovers as, in fact, the “most affordable V6 AWD seven-passenger crossover” in the country, thanks to an MSRP of $26,195. Well, that’s also thanks to its award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar engine. That unit is able to unleash 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, for EPA ratings of 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway/19 mpg combined. The Journey additionally takes the high-value approach with other models as well, lowering the sticker prices for the entry SE trim (by $2,600), the all-wheel-drive SE (by $1,200), the sportier SXT (by $800) and even the custom-cool Crossroad edition (by $600). The latter model allows owners to take the road less travelled with distinctive 19-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels, Platinum Chrome fascia accents, leather sport seats, an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen and more, all for $25,995.

2016 Ford Explorer

The 2016 Ford Explorer is unique among mainstream V6 crossovers, since it actually provides a pair of engines in that configuration. Standard for the lineup is a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter unit that can pump out 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, but as you might guess, the highlight here is the Explorer’s twin-turbo, direct-injection EcoBoost technology. Deployed for the Explorer Sport and Explorer Platinum, the EcoBoost V6 engine leverages 3.5 liters of displacement to deliver 365 horsepower and 355 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels. The Platinum model itself is a new member of the team for the 2016 selling season, and it combines that premium power with an incredible inventory of premium amenities, including ultra-comfortable multi-contour seats, real aluminum and ash-wood accents, 500 watts of Sony audio, and Nirvana leather that, with all apologies to the Explorer’s rivals, may be the most supple in the segment.  

Photo by Ford

2016 Jeep Cherokee

It might pain some off-road enthusiasts to see the 2016 Jeep Cherokee listed with the V6 crossovers, yet this is truly a vehicle worthy of the “crossover” classification, combining car-like front-wheel drive and unibody construction with the available 4X4 functionality furnished by traditional Jeep SUVs—sometimes in the exact trim levels, courtesy of Jeep’s rear-axle disconnect technology. For 2016, the Cherokee also furnishes a new V6 engine; in this case, a 3.2-liter unit from the Pentastar portfolio that produces 271 horsepower, 239 lb.-ft. of torque, and a best-in-class towing maximum of 4,500 lbs. On the other hand, the Cherokee does what it can to boost fuel efficiency, too, and not only with its four-wheel-drive tech, which can run in a fuel-efficient front-drive mode in many scenarios. A stop/start system is standard with all V6 Cherokees as well, so that those models can achieve 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined.

Photo by Jeep

2017 GMC Acadia

The 2017 GMC Acadia is one of the all-new V6 crossovers coming to the market this year, complete with new driver-assistance measures, more cutting-edge connectivity technology and, of course, updated powertrains. For our purposes, though, the primary pick is the Acadia’s 3.6-liter V6. It’s more powerful than the Acadia’s previous V6, since it packs 310 horses and 271 lb.-ft. of torque, yet it’s also more efficient, with GMC predicting EPA marks of 17 mpg city/25 mpg combined. Nor will there be any shortage of pulling power, as the V6 Acadia will be able to tow up to 4,000 lbs. But GMC’s latest midsize entry will be long on lux features like Android Auto and Apple Car smartphone integration, while as mentioned, engineers have gone to great length to improve occupant protection by serving up the Acadia’s first front pedestrian braking system and a surround-vision camera.

2016 Toyota Highlander

There’s a tendency to think of V6 crossovers as significantly less fuel-efficient than their four-cylinder counterparts, but as evidenced by the 2016 Toyota Highlander, that’s not necessarily true. For instance, the Highlander’s 3.5-liter V6 is rated at 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway/21 mpg combined, and that’s complemented by 270 horsepower, 248 lb.-ft. of torque and the ability to pull 5,000 lbs. However, even with that robust powertrain, the V6 Highlander has the exact same highway grades as the four-cylinder model, along with city/combined ratings that slip by just a single mpg. And drivers who opt for the Highlander hybrid—also motivated by a 3.5-liter V6—ups the ante with 280 horsepower and EPA results of 27 mpg city/28 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. That means that with Toyota’s hybrid technology, its three-row, midsize crossover is capable of getting the same combined fuel efficiency as some subcompact entries.

Photo by Toyota

2016 Honda Pilot

The 2016 Honda Pilot has been completely redesigned for the current model year, setting a new benchmark for V6 crossovers in the process: Available for its also-new 3.5-liter V6 is the first nine-speed automatic transmission ever offered on a Honda-brand vehicle. Like the engine itself, the new transmission is lighter and more efficient than its 2015 counterpart, and when everything’s working together—including standard variable cylinder management and stop/start technology—drivers benefit from noticeable boosts in both outputs and efficiency over the previous Pilot. The tale of the tape: 280 horsepower, 262 lb.-ft. of torque and an EPA line of 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/20 mpg combined; the standard Pilot provides the same power, and fuel economy ratings of 19/27/22, with a traditional six-speed automatic. A further powertrain bonus comes from Honda’s latest all-wheel-drive system with intelligent variable torque management and a multi-mode terrain-management setup.

Photo by Honda

2016 Nissan Pathfinder

Although essentially unchanged from 2015, the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder remains relatively fuel efficient as compared to rival V6 crossovers: The Pathfinder puts up EPA scores of 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined despite its midsize, three-row configuration, helped by a next-gen “Xtronic” CVT. Drivers also should keep in mind that that transmission also touts “D-Step Logic” technology that was developed to combine the shift-by-shift feel of a traditional automatic with the efficiency benefits of a continuously variable unit. The expected all-wheel drive option is additionally available for on-demand and lockable AWD capability, and without much of an impact on efficiency. After all, Pathfinders so equipped still produce EPA marks of 19/26/22. Well, most of them do. The Pathfinder Platinum comes in at a nearly identical 19/26/21, making up for that missing mile per gallon with an extensive roster of standard luxuries.

2016 Kia Sorento

The 2016 Kia Sorento certainly distinguishes itself from the rest of the V6 crossovers by its bold and aggressive style, showcasing details like quad LED front fog lamps, a sophisticated front fascia inspired by Kia’s Cross GT concept and four fresh alloy wheel designs. That said, the configuration details also are important for customers. The Sorento is one of the rare compact crossovers with two- and three-row cabins, but Kia’s 3.3-liter V6 engine can only be found in the seven-seat models. In those Sorentos, it holsters a healthy 290 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Meanwhile, mated to a standard “Sportmatic” six-speed automatic transmission, that unit is good for a top trailering limit of 5,000 lbs., too. The all-new 2016 Sorento also supplies a standard four-cylinder unit, with 185 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque, and a new 2.0-liter turbo that spools up 240 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. of torque.

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Bolstered by outlandish value—it was named, literally, the “Best Value on Road” at the most recent Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Awards—the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander concludes our cavalcade of V6 crossovers with the 3.0-liter powerplant reserved for use in the athletically oriented Outlander GT. This is the top trim for the Outlander crew, carrying 224 horsepower and 215 lb.-ft. of torque in a compact crossover package. Moreover, that motor is matched with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel drive technology and a four-mode drive selector with dedicated normal, snow, “lock” and eco settings. Mitsu also cements its high-value status by increasing standard content for the Outlander—to include automatic climate control, six-speaker audio, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights and more—despite lowering its MSRP by $200. The new price of admission to the Outlander lineup is $22,995, and the GT model starts from $30,995 with premium cues like standard Rockford-Fosgate audio.

Photo by Mitsubishi