10 Best SUVs for Guys Who Want an SUV

2018 Mercedes AMG G65 G Wagon Rear Quarter Grey ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

While men and women are equal in a philosophical sense, there are certain differences between the genders that can be drawn in broad generalities. Men are larger than women. Men tend to have better spatial abilities than women. Men have weaker impulse control than women. These scientific facts are accompanied by subjective differences, once again broad generalizations: Men like chunky designs; men like capability; men like tools.

Taking both the objective and subjective into account, some SUVs appeal more to guys than others. The same SUVs may be great for women, too — but that’s not what we’re examining here. No offense to anyone, this is a guy thing, and you wouldn’t understand. 

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier RST

RST is a new special edition for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, and it can transform an already masculine full-size truck-based SUV into a testosterone-boosting lifestyle accessory — especially with the addition of the RST 6.2L Performance Package.

When so equipped, the Tahoe looks tough, with blacked-out trim, 22-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels with silver accents, and more. Better still, it can back up the look thanks to a potent 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and performance-tuned magnetic ride control. Add the Max Trailering Package, and you can tow up to 8,600 lbs with your Tahoe — just the kind of excess capability that guys treasure. You may never need to tow anything that heavy — but you could.

Photo by General Motors

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

There’s nothing better than a sleeper — a vehicle that looks completely harmless and ordinary on the surface but packs a punch underneath. The 2018 Dodge Durango SRT is just that: a totally pedestrian mid-size SUV that Chrysler treated to the ministrations of its SRT division. They’re the same folks who are responsible for the Dodge Demon, Dodge Viper, and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The Durango SRT carries a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that produces 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow up to 8,700 lbs. Best of all, other than some subtle SRT badging, low-profile hood air intakes, and red-painted Brembo brake calipers, the Durango doesn’t broadcast its capability. We don’t condone street racing, but if you feel compelled to dust that annoying minivan at a traffic signal, they’ll soon be admiring your taillights when you rocket from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Photo by Dodge

2018 Ford Explorer Sport

When the ultimate guys — Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues of The Blues Brothers — needed a new ride, they chose a retired cop car. We’d never advocate impersonating the police, but if you want some respect on the roadway (and every guy does), try driving around in a 2018 Ford Explorer Sport in Shadow Black.

Many police departments and highway patrol divisions have adopted the Explorer as the replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria and other pursuit sedans. Savvy motorists have caught on, and the sight of the Blue Oval on the grille of an Explorer in their rear-view mirror will cause them to behave a little better, and maybe even change lanes to clear a path. Guys enjoy this kind of deference, deserved or not.

Photo by Ford

2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

When it comes to off-road capability, few vehicles can approach the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Wrangler drivers command admiration, as they are perceived as adventurous, athletic outdoorsmen who are willing to sacrifice comfort for capability.

Little do the uninitiated know, but the newly redesigned Wrangler doesn’t demand a sacrifice in exchange for its off-road chops. Today's Wrangler is available with all of the creature comforts you’d expect in a modern SUV, including GPS navigation, a premium sound system, power windows and door locks, sound deadening insulation, and even a carpeted interior. Not only that, for the first time ever, the Wrangler's manual soft top can be easily operated by one person in just minutes, eliminating the curse-inducing struggle of the past.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 Infiniti QX70

Though production of Infiniti QX70 ended with the 2017 model year, it’s still possible to find a new example on many Infiniti dealer lots. Available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the QX70 is one of the best-handling mid-size crossover vehicles in its class. Its scarab-like shape and muscled exterior design wrap around a masculine interior with leather seats that bring to mind a well-oiled catcher’s mitt, and wood and metal trim worthy of a drawing room billiard table.

Sure, the technology may not be exactly cutting-edge, but the lusty 325-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission help to deliver pulse-quickening performance, especially when the roads get twisty. The QX70’s history of slow sales, while bad for Infiniti, is good for guys who want an SUV that stands out from the crowd.

Photo by Infiniti

2018 Land Rover Range Rover

Most guys paid only casual attention to the recent royal wedding in Great Britain, but if they did, Meghan Markle wasn’t the only sight to behold. Sure, the prince and his new bride drove away in an electrified version of a vintage Jaguar E-Type, but the real automotive stars were the many 2018 Land Rover Range Rover SUVs on parade.

The Range Rover is the flagship of the Land Rover lineup, and it's one of a very few vehicles that are just as much at home in a royal procession as crawling over sandstone formations in Moab. That kind of automotive range appeals to guys who love luxury yet demand capability. The fact that the 2018 Range Rover SVAutobiography comes with a 557-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine doesn’t hurt the appeal, either.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 65

A military-inspired design may be the most masculine style that an SUV can adopt. Combine that with a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine with 557-hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, and you may have the most macho mass production vehicle currently produced. That behemoth is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 65 SUV, a brash, over-the-top expression of automotive manliness.

Nothing about the G 65 is subtle, and that’s what its owners love about it. With the muscle to back up its swagger, the "G-wagon" is a go-anywhere off-roader with rugged styling that is executed with superior quality, luxury features, and technological prowess. With a commanding $222,700 starting price, the G 65 announces your arrival in bold fashion, leaving little doubt you are a guy to be reckoned with.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2018 Porsche Macan

For many guys, the Porsche 911 is the ultimate sports car. Unlike finicky Italian exotics, the 911 is a solid, dependable vehicle that can serve as a daily driver, while delivering world-class performance and handling. But when it’s time to take the kids to school or to pick up a flat of annuals at the garden center, the 911 doesn’t cut it. Enter the 2018 Porsche Macan crossover, the SUV for sports car guys.

Porsche purists scoffed at the mid-size Cayenne, which struggles with its mass. The compact Macan is right-sized for a better driving experience — while retaining great capability and even decent off-road chops. With styling cues that tie it to its sports car stablemate, the Macan’s low center of gravity and superior handling characteristics make it an SUV that sports car guys can drive without sacrificing enjoyment or appearances.

Photo by Porsche

2018 Subaru Outback

Look around the parking lots in any mountain resort, and you’re bound to see an abundance of Outbacks. The 2018 Subaru Outback mid-size crossover is the all-around vehicle of choice for skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and dog owners who use their SUVs to set off on outdoor adventures.

The Outback’s capability and no-nonsense design say something about the guy who’s driving it. The inclusion of standard all-wheel drive, generous ground clearance, and rugged good looks, along with a surprising level of available safety features, convey confidence and authenticity to guys who drive an Outback.

Photo by Subaru

2018 Toyota 4Runner

One of the few body-on-frame mid-size SUVs to survive through multiple generations of evolution, the 2018 Toyota 4Runner is experiencing a resurgence of popularity right now. Guys admire its in-your-face muscularity, rugged capability, and legendary durability.

Over the years, the 4Runner has evolved from an elemental truck-based SUV to a sophisticated, technologically advanced vehicle. TRD Pro models come with equipment and features that rival professional off-road racing machines, while still maintaining road manners appropriate for everyday commuting and family duties. It’s a great SUV for guys who want to be ready for anything the day has to offer — whether that involves a freeway, a parking lot, a plunge through a rocky ravine, or a zombie apocalypse.

Photo by Toyota