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Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
4 Vehicles That Went Boxy and are Much Better For It
The boxy trend for SUVs is on a roll with manufacturers recognizing that buyers want the rugged look even if they have no intention of doing anything more challenging than summer car camping with the kids. In a sea of rounded-off SUVs and crossovers, the boxy look is very much on the rise. Buyers also want the practicality of squared-off versions that provide more space, in addition to a stronger presence on the road. Not all SUVs have taken this path, but we applaud the ones that have. Let's take a closer look at four standout models that went boxy and benefited from the design change. Let's put it this way. There was nothing wrong with the last Santa Fe. Its only major demerit was the fact that it didn't especially stand out in a crowd with its ubiquitous shape. The soft design was attractive but not distinctive. The 5th-generation looks about as different as a vehicle redesign can, and it has been transformed from a conventional SUV into a head-turner. Land Rovers don't even get this much attention, frankly. Everything about the new Santa Fe looks vastly different from its predecessor, most notably the unapologetically boxy shape. The Santa Fe's styling cues are in line with the boxy shape: there are H-shaped LED signature lighting in front and back, a rectangular grille on a vertical front fascia, and an upright greenhouse with plenty of blocky windows. The new Santa Fe also gets crisp body lines, large squared-off wheel arches, and a huge liftgate that provides a terrace-like rear cargo section for a lounge-like atmosphere. The Santa Fe no longer blends in with the crowd. Instead, it makes just about every other competitor fade into the shadows. Ever since its second-generation debut in 2019, the midsize Honda Passport has looked a bit minivan-like, but for 2026, the Passport has gone properly boxy and stands out in the process. Even boxier than its Pilot sibling, the redesigned Passport ditches its rounded corners for a tougher, more angular shape that clearly signals its off-road ambitions. The Passport gets a flatter hood, a more vertical front end, and a wider stance that fits well with the more capable TrailSport trim. TrailSport models add off-road suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and a subtle lift for extra ground clearance. The 2026 Passport's newfound looks are consistent with its more capable TrailSport trim. The boxier design allows for increased cargo capacity, now offering over 100 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, way up from the 77.7 cubic feet in the second-generation Passport. It has shed its minivan appearance completely, and boxy might just be here to stay. Toyota was certainly baking something during the Toyota Land Cruiser's hiatus between 2021 and 2024. The formerly V8-powered off-road luxo-barge was replaced by a less-expensive but still tremendously off-road capable version with a fresh, boxy design last year, marking a return to form reminiscent of the F60 Land Cruiser from the '80s and '90s. and built to conquer harsh terrain. The new Land Cruiser uses Toyota's TNGA-F body-on-frame platform and features a retro-modern design with upright pillars, square fenders, and round LED headlights that evoke the legendary FJ40. The grille is simple and functional, with prominent "TOYOTA" lettering that leaves no doubt about its heritage. Nothing about the new Land Cruiser carries over from the last one, and that's a good thing. It had morphed into an overpriced and nondistinctive SUV, and the poor sales figures were clear evidence that Toyota needed to make a change if it wanted to bring the Land Cruiser back. On the new model, the boxy body, squarish-fender trim, eggcrate grille, and upright greenhouse all make for a rough-and-ready look. The design finally exhibits the rugged underpinnings and components, and the Land Cruiser has returned to its former glory. It seems the Santa Fe's market success gave cause for Hyundai to apply the same thinking to its flagship SUV. The second-generation Palisade is more refined in its appearance than the Santa Fe, and it applies the square look a bit differently. The fenders receive boxy creasing that's more understated, and the stacked DRLs and larger grille are more upscale in their appearance. The look is more cohesive than the first-generation Palisade. Hyundai never quite figured out what kind of front fascia and grille looked right, and the refresh made improvements but added more complexity at the same time. The new Palisade also adds a modicum of cargo space to its already spacious interior, and there's more rear legroom thanks to a longer wheelbase. Its new, more premium look should also draw customers away from pricier brands. These four SUVs prove that going boxy isn't just a style statement; it's a functional choice that pays dividends in interior space, visibility, off-road capability, and presence. The return of square proportions helps the Santa Fe, Passport, Land Cruiser, and Palisade stand out on the road (and off, as the case may be) while offering practical benefits that curvier designs can't provide. We like the new trend toward SUVs looking like SUVs rather than attempting to be curvaceous, and hope the industry will continue in this direction. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Roomiest Crossovers You Can Buy in 2025
Crossovers are extremely popular in the modern landscape, offering a great blend of car-like driving manners and SUV proportions and practicality. In a sea of excellent options, it takes a lot to stand out, though. One important area where you can get the edge, though, is interior space. There are tons of large crossovers that offer spacious cabins, with tons of room to stretch your legs. Many of the segment's largest options even come standard with a third row of seating. On top of having a lot of room for passengers, these crossovers feature versatile cargo areas that can carry whatever you need them to. We dive into ten of the most spacious crossovers currently available in 2025. We outline what helps them stand out in such a hyper-competitive environment, looking at details like value and capability. We also detail exactly how much space they feature on the inside, from the third row to the cargo area. In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed. This list focuses on mainstream unibody crossovers, excluding luxury options and body-on-frame SUVs. Kia has been absolutely killing it lately, with a heavy focus on offering value-oriented option. Sitting on the border between compact and mid-size SUV is the Sorento. It takes a pragmatic approach, offering a standard third row, tons of practical features, and road manners that will impress at a ridiculously low price. While the Sorento comes standard with a third row of seats, these are best utilized by children, with legroom being limited. However, at this price point, it is impressive that it is even on offer. Cargo space is pretty generous too, with 38.5 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. Much like Kia, Hyundai's approach to the market has been focused on offering practicality and value. The Santa Fe, which was redesigned for the 2024 model year, is an extremely stylish option in their lineup with an agreeable price tag and a standard third row of seats. The Santa Fe may be smaller than some other mid-size SUVs, but there is much more space on the inside than you'd expect. Those in the first two rows can happily stretch their legs and enjoy the many comfort features standard on the Santa Fe. Behind the second row, you'll find an impressive 40.5 cubic feet of space, with the ability to make more row by stowing these passengers seats too. It is really hard to find any faults with the Kia Telluride. For families looking for an affordable three-row SUV, it is potentially the best option on the market right now. Its brilliant price point mixed with its strong list of standard features make it a force to be reckoned with. It also has a high ceiling for comfort on top trims. The Telluride offers a pretty spacious interior for its passengers, with seating for up to eight. Second row captain's chairs are available though, reducing capacity to seven. Being a few inches longer than Kia's smaller mid-size crossover, the Sorento, there is more room in the third row for passengers and a much larger cargo area. Choosing between the Palisade and the mechanically similar Kia Telluride comes down to a matter of price and taste. The Hyundai is slightly more expensive and comes with a tamer, more conventional exterior design. Beyond that, it is just as much a value-packed bargain. Due to the Hyundai having a slightly sleeker profile than the Telluride, the Palisade sacrifices a little bit of room here and there. However, in real world use, you're not likely to notice all that much of a difference. The Palisade comes standard with a second row bench, which can be swapped out for captain's chairs. The CX-90 is Mazda's latest effort in their crusade to move somewhat upmarket. This three-row crossover is now in its second year on the market and continues to impress as an entry-level luxury option. What other mainstream brand is offering this level of style or a turbocharged inline-six for under $40,000. Mazda's sleek and stylish design ideology means that the CX-90 isn't quite class-leading when it comes to interior space, especially when we take a look at the third row. However, superb interior comfort more than makes up for this. There is also the two-row CX-70 for those who don't care for the bench in the way-back. The Grand Cherokee L is the slightly longer version of the regular Grand Cherokee, including a standard third-row of seats. The Grand Cherokee comes in a ridiculous number of trim levels, catering to everyone, from those on a budget to those looking for high-end luxury features. The third row in the Grand Cherokee L is not the most spacious in this segment, but it can still quite comfortably house the kids on longer road trips. Jeep instead prioritizes the cargo area, with 46.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row. The Honda Pilot is one of the most family-friendly crossovers on the market. As well as coming standard with three rows of seats, there are plenty of storage solutions throughout the cabin and the cargo space is impressively large. The offered TrailSport model also delivers some genuine off-road capability. Inside, you'll find that the Honda Pilot offers one of the most spacious interiors out there, with enough space in all three rows for up to eight passengers to feel plenty comfortable. Cargo space is nicely balanced as well, with 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row. Ford's Explorer is one of the brawnier, tougher-looking family haulers on this list. It comes standard with a strong four-cylinder engine, with the option to upgrade to an impressive twin-turbocharged V-6. On the inside you'll find a spacious cabin that is clearly laid out and family-friendly. As seen in this list, finding a mid-size crossover with a third row that can host adults is difficult. While maybe not the comfiest seat in the house, there is enough legroom in the way-back for fully grown passengers. There is plenty of space in the trunk for cargo, with 16.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row and 46 cubic feet behind the second row. Introduced for the 2024 model year, the Grand Highlander is an extended wheelbase version of the regular Highlander. This may seem like a minor improvement, but space in the back was the one area where the Highlander lagged behind a bit. Extra interior space makes the Grand Highlander one of the best options in a competitive segment. The Grand Highlander has one of the most practical third rows of any mid-size SUV you can buy, with an impressive amount of legroom for passengers at the back. There is seating for up to eight, but you can swap the second row bench for captain's chairs reducing this number down to seven. There aren't many EVs to choose from in the mid-size segment, with most of the existing options being smaller two-row affairs. The EV9 is easily one of the most family-friendly electric vehicles that money can buy. When equipped right, it also has a maximum range of 304 miles. While the EV9 doesn't have the largest third row, at least compared to its gas-powered rivals, it can still easily and comfortably accommodate up to eight fully-grown passengers. Cargo space is very generous, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 43.5 cubic feet behind the second row.
