Need AWD traction without an SUV attached? Here are 10 great choices.
by Keith Buglewicz
Introduction
Over the past couple of decades, SUVs and crossovers (also known as CUVs) have taken up a bigger and bigger share of the new car market. And why shouldn't they? Offering enhanced passenger capacity, all-wheel drive and lots of cargo space, they've replaced the station wagon as the family hauler of choice.
But what if you don't want or need all that extra sheetmetal? What if you need extra room, but without the added bulk or the pretense of making it look like it can climb vertical escarpments? What if you don't even care so much about cargo space, but just want all-wheel drive in your sedan?
To answer that question, we've compiled a list of ten SUV and crossover alternatives. Our criteria were simple. First, it had to offer all-wheel drive, at least as an option. Second, it had to be an actual non-SUV or crossover, so halfway measures like the Subaru Outback weren't allowed. It also had to be reasonably priced, which meant a base price less than $40,000. Finally, it also had to be something that we wouldn't mind driving ourselves.