10 V6 SUVs That Deserve More Recognition

What do you need out of your SUV? Many automakers have begun the transition toward smaller engines with hybrid motors and turbochargers to deliver the power desired. Despite these added features on smaller engines. There’s no replacement for displacement, and two additional cylinders could provide you with the added power and performance desired.

Sometimes, you can’t get the power desired out of a four-cylinder engine, even if it has a turbocharger attached to it. This is where V6-powered SUVs come into the mix, but which models should you consider? The most popular choices are everywhere, but there are many V6 SUVs that deserve a lot more recognition than they get. These models have the desired power and impressive features and provide the driving experience desired.

Lincoln Aviator

Upscale Design Inside And Out

Lincoln

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator is an excellent choice among midsize three-row SUVs, but it tends not to get the recognition it deserves. This SUV is comfortable, fits up to seven people, and rides great on the highway, making it an easy choice for your driving pleasure.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

Lincoln gives this SUV a plush cabin, a big motor, and a compliant suspension, which means it can easily feel great when you take it out for a drive. You’ll love how smooth, elegant, and purely luxurious the Aviator is when you’re behind the wheel.

Pros

• Fancy cabin appointments
• Handsome outward appearance
• Gutsy turbocharged powertrain

Cons

• Could be more fuel-efficient
• Ford underpinnings dilute its prestige
• Some rivals offer better value

Toyota Sequoia

Comfortable Ride For A Truck-Based SUV

Toyota

Most car-based crossovers dominate the sales charts, but the 2025 Toyota Sequoia has something special going for it. This big SUV can easily be the most capable and enjoyable V6-powered SUV you drive, but you’ve got to give it a chance.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

If you want a capable and comfortable full-size SUV, you’ve got to see this big Toyota. It’s more than just practical to drive; it has the power to tow a heavy load, a large cabin for all your stuff, and a smooth ride on every road.

Pros

• Hybrid V6 ekes out competitive fuel mileage
• Stout towing capacity
• Available TRD off-road equipment

Cons

• Compromised third-row seating
• Limited cargo space with all seats in use
• Drives as big as it is

Honda Pilot

A Versatile Contender

Honda

The practical and reliable 2025 Honda Pilot can accommodate up to eight passengers, making it a great choice in the midsize SUV class for anyone with a large family. The simple and single powertrain offering makes the Pilot easy to buy and enjoy.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

Honda gives this midsize SUV three rows of seats and six trims to choose from, which makes the Pilot a great choice for families. It's been overlooked a little recently because of the lack of powertrain options, but that can also be part of its charm.

Pros

• Trail-worthy TrailSport model
• Plentiful small storage and cargo space
• Easy-going road manners

Cons

• Styling that blends in with the rest of the pack
• Tepid acceleration
• Top-spec Elite’s interior doesn’t match the upscale competition

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid Red Side Shot

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Acura MDX

Driving Pleasure Delivered

Acura

The 2025 Acura MDX has upscale materials, sharper styling throughout, and the option of the sporty Type S model. The MDX isn’t simply a luxury version of the Pilot, but it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for being a fun V6-powered SUV.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

If you want a premium SUV with a roomy interior, excellent value, and pleasing performance, this Acura has everything you’re searching for. The MDX receives some new technology features to make the 2025 model better than the previous model year version.

Pros

• Generous passenger and cargo space
• Fun to drive while remaining comfortable and quiet
• Lots of features for the money

Cons

• Standard engine is a bit down on power for a luxury SUV
• Lackluster fuel economy
• Third row is kind of tight

Audi Q8

Sporty Flagship SUV Styling

Audi

Audi makes things a little confusing with its naming structure. You expect the 2025 Audi Q8 to be the largest SUV in the lineup, but the Q7 is actually bigger. The Q8 has a sporty side to it with its coupe-like build and sloping roofline.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

If you want a luxurious midsize SUV with aggressive styling and German qualities, this Audi is a fantastic choice. You’ll be glad to have the two-row setup, which makes it more comfortable than some three-row models, and the sporty driving manners found in the Q8.

Pros

• Dynamically impressive
• Super comfortable
• Beautifully finished cabin

Cons

• Large wheel options sacrifice ride quality
• Thirstier than many rivals
• Less practical than the Q7

Audi SQ5

Lightweight Audi Fun

If you’re looking for a light, active, and fun SUV with the chops to take on some of the best on the market, the 2025 Audi SQ5 could be right for you. This is the sporty version of the Q5 compact SUV, and it brings power and performance features that make it a lot of fun.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

The current output for this Audi SUV isn’t what it will be later in the year. A new model of this sporty SUV with 362 horsepower. If you can’t wait for it, the current model still has plenty of power to give you the fun and active driving experience you desire.

Pros

• Impressively comfortable ride for a sport-tuned SUV
• Generous space for passengers
• Luxurious but restrained interior design

Cons

• Lower power output than some rivals
• Not many visible cues that differentiate it from the standard Q5
• Touchscreen interface is sometimes distracting to use

2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super Sport-8 in black driving on track

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Dodge Durango

Bold Never Looked So Good

Dodge

The 2025 Dodge Durango continues to have a bold personality and three rows of seats, making it a good option. The Durango doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for being one of the most capable and versatile SUVs in its class for many years.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

The venerable Pentastar V6 engine still moves this Dodge SUV like a champion, giving you excellent power in the lower trims. If you want more power from the Durango, Hemi V8 engines are still available, but the V6 model does the job for most drivers.

Pros

• Class-leading towing capacity
• Available V8 power
• User-friendly infotainment system

Cons

• Light on standard features
• Can’t hide its age or thirst
• Tight third row

Genesis GV80 Coupe

Stylish, Affordable Luxury Excellence

Genesis

There are two versions of this SUV, but the 2025 Genesis GV80 Coupe is the more stylish model, giving you the look and feel you want when you’re after a sporty SUV. The GV80 comes packed with amazing features and qualities to make it one of the top models in the class.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

The Genesis brand is still establishing itself as a serious luxury brand, but there’s nothing funny about the GV80 Coupe. This stylish and elegant SUV is ready to show you what luxury driving should feel like.

Pros

• More for less
• Beautiful inside and out
• Smooth ride on any road

Cons

• Gas-only powertrains in a hybridized world
• No third row offered with four-cylinder engines
• Tight third-row seat

Infiniti QX80

Better Power From A Smaller Engine

Amee Reehal | TopSpeed

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 enters a new generation with a brand-new powertrain that’s smaller but more powerful than the antiquated V8 setup. This big and impressive SUV has all the luxury qualities you’re looking for in a full-size luxury SUV.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

This Infiniti SUV is big, boldly styled, and exactly what you expect from a flagship SUV. The QX80 doesn’t pull any punches, giving you the power and performance desired to take a large trailer with you or fill it with passengers and cargo for a great ride.

Pros

• Quiet cruising attitude
• Stout towing capacity
• Dramatically improved interior

Cons

• Some ride harshness over broken pavement
• Coolest features push the price over six figures
• Downsized engine lacks efficiency

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A red 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport front exterior shot

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Lincoln Navigator

Big, Pure Lincoln Luxury

Lincoln

When comfort and a posh cabin are what you want in your luxury SUV, the 2025 Lincoln Navigator should be on your shortlist. The Navigator doesn’t get the recognition it deserves as a luxury SUV, but the Reserve and Black Label trims prove that it should.

Most Popular Powertrain Specifications

This big Lincoln SUV has a formidable size, but that also means it’s a thirsty SUV. Still, the Navigator blends luxury and modern tech to create a rolling den of quality materials and comfort that can make your road trips much more enjoyable.

Pros

• Powerful twin-turbocharged V6
• Impressive roster of standard features
• Handsome exterior

Cons

• Fuel efficiency is an afterthought
• Size is a hindrance in urban settings
• Big wheels hurt the ride quality