Americans have been spending serious cash on their trucks and sport utility vehicles, with the average transaction price above $49,000 in January, according to Kelley Blue Book.New models continue to arrive in showrooms and it can be hard to distinguish the middling from the exceptional. So many manufacturers now include the lavish conveniences commonly found in ultra luxury brands.ABC News spoke to auto experts about the top models that would satisfy all consumers -- including the uber wealthy -- in the most popular driving categories.Luxury SUVsKorean automaker Hyundai clearly took notes when studying SUVs in the luxury space -- its large Palisade SUV ($39,435) resembles a Range Rover, comes built with nearly every indulgence and still somehow costs a fraction of the price. There are two powertrains to choose from: a naturally aspirated V6 that makes 287 horsepower and a 2.5-liter turbocharged in-line four-cylinder hybrid (258 horsepower.)The XRT PRO trim ($49,870) appeals to the off-roading types: electronic rear limited-slip differential, front and rear recovery hooks and an integrated tow hitch. For those who prefer the finest leather and accoutrements, the Calligraphy trim ($54,560) will certainly exceed expectations: Nappa leather-trimmed seats, heated seats third-row heated seats, captain's chairs, three-zone climate control and a dual pane sunroof.Hyundai - PHOTO: The 2026 Palisade XRT PRO was designed explicitly for U.S. consumers, according to the company.Of course, if money is no object, picking a luxury SUV could be surprisingly challenging. With so many incredible models and endless possibilities, which are crème de la crème?Tony Quiroga, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, said he equally adored the Mercedes G-Class ($153,900) and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 SUV ($180,000)."The G-wagen is the singular automotive experience," he told ABC News. "It's an old-school German car updated with everything we love today. You feel like a million bucks when driving it."As for the GLS, "It's more of a modern SUV experience ... it rides beautifully and has tons of power," he noted.Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, spoke highly of the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid (X5 xDrive50e), which starts at $76,000 and gets up to 38 mpg.Of course, luxury is synonymous with Rolls-Royce, the British marque that can make any owner's wildest dreams come true. The Cullinan, which went on sale in 2018 and is now in its second generation, oozes superfluity, and that's totally fine.Rolls-Royce - PHOTO: The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II adds even more luxury and style compared to the first gen model.The driving experience of the SUV is sublime; the leather inside is soft and supple, the materials are opulent. The SUV is heavy and tank-like, but that has not stopped wealthy customers from buying it; the Cullinan is the brand's top seller, and for good reason. One truly feels like a royal when driving one.Off-road SUVsThe hottest SUV these days is one that exudes ruggedness and toughness; consumers cannot get enough of these utes, even though so few actually go off-roading. That doesn't matter though, it's all about styling and knowing you could traverse the unknown and emerge unscathed.Honda has seen a ton of interest in its midsize Passport Trailsport ($48,650) since it launched last year. The TrailSport models represented 80% of sales for the Passport, which has become the No. 1 conquest vehicle for Honda."Its styling is unique: the front end is much more progressive, the front fascia is upright and the styling is more boxy," Jody Suzuki, product planner for the Passport, told ABC News. "It also has 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is rare now in this class."Honda - PHOTO: The Honda Passport Trailsport has been a hit with consumers, according to Jody Suzuki, a product planner at Honda.Suzuki called the Passport "the most well balanced vehicle we have now," explaining that it can as rewarding to drive on freeway as it is on a trail. And it's been tested in some of the most challenging locales, including Moab, Utah."It's not just about customer confidence in vehicle -- the appearance has to match," she said. "We were really intentional about making the Passport capable off-road."Quiroga said he still loves the two-door Ford Bronco ($39,995) even though it's been in production for four years."It's just a really cool off-road vehicle and you can get a manual too," he said.Owners won't get all the bells and whistles at $40,000 but that's OK, Quiroga added: "It's more fun to drive on a daily basis than a Jeep Wrangler."There is no shortage of expensive SUVs that combine luxury and ruggedness, but the Lexus GX ($66,935) and Defender OCTA ($158,300) truly satisfy that itch to explore the wilderness.The GX, with a max towing capacity of 9,096 lbs, is a "very capable off-roader," Fisher said. It scored highly on Consumer Reports' tests, with reliability a key attribute. Fisher, however, had a word of caution for owners who prefer local streets over the outdoors."This vehicle might be designed for scaling the Rubicon [trail] but it's terrible for the streets of Boston," he said. "If someone wasn't going primarily off roading, I wouldn't recommend the GX."The OCTA, the most extreme version of the popular Defender SUV, looks intimidating on the street. Twenty‑inch forged alloy wheels, a wider stance, extended wheel arches and higher ride height make the SUV borderline menacing. Yet all this power (a 4.4‑liter twin-turbo V8 produces 626 horsepower) and exterior toughness mask the upscale experience inside, where passengers can cocoon themselves in luxury without ever realizing the vehicle just pulverized a boulder.Land Rover - PHOTO: The Defender OCTA is the "performance hero" of the Defender family, according to the company.The OCTA can also "wade deeper than any production Defender before it," according to Land Rover. It's unlikely OCTA owners actually spend their weekends wading through the jungle, but the average motorist will be plenty pleased with how well it performs in normal conditions.TrucksCompact pickups have been hugely popular with truck traditionalists and former SUV owners, though the options are slim. Hyundai announced it would discontinue its Santa Cruz pickup, which means consumers have two options: the Ford Maverick and the upcoming electric Slate.The Maverick, which ranges from $29,000 to $41,000, is the top pick for Fisher and Quiroga."It drives nicely and we got 37 mpg in our testing," said Fisher. "It does a lot of trucky things and is surprisingly functional."Ford - PHOTO: The Ford Maverick, a compact truck, has been popular with truck traditionalists and former SUV owners.Fisher said the Maverick's bed is actually longer than the bed on the pricey Rivian R1T truck and more spacious than the Santa Cruz."The Maverick is cheap, it's a hybrid and offers what a truck buyer is looking for," he said.James Gilpin, a product marketing manager at Ford, previously told ABC News that the Maverick was a surprise hit for the company."The Maverick has been a phenomenon since we launched," he said. "We saw overwhelming interest since Day 1 ... the demand has shocked the whole industry."There is no shortage of expensive trucks on the market, with many priced above luxury SUVs. Fisher picked the Ford F-150 for those who are willing to pay up, including the Raptor, which starts at $79,000 but can easily top six-figures."The F-150 is very roomy, very reliable and surprisingly nice to drive," he said.Quiroga suggested the Ram 1500 truck, specifically the Tungsten trim ($90,690)."This is the classic American luxury car," he said. "It's got a V8, is super quiet plus the ride is so smooth because of the air suspension. Plus it has a great interior, like all Rams do, and loads of power. The fit and finish is spectacular."Ram's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 makes its return this year, a decision made on customer feedback. The engine makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and will be available in all nearly Ram models this summer.Stellantis - PHOTO: The Ram 1500 RHO is powered by the 3.0-liter Hurricane Straight-Six Turbo engine.There's also the Ram 1500 RHO ($76,685), which moves from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 118 mph. The truck's 3.0-liter Hurricane straight-six turbo does not mean less power: it's rated at 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. The RHO can also tow up to 8,380 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,520 pounds.Electric SUVsThe Polestar 4, the fourth model from the Swedish EV maker, resembles a Tesla Model Y with its swoopy, coupe-like design but the drive quality immediately distinguishes it from its competitor. Starting at $56,400 for the RWD single motor version ($62,900 for the long range dual motor), the Polestar 4 is fairly priced in its category, and upgrades include 22-inch performance wheels, ventilated and massage seats, heated seats for the rear passengers, Brembo brakes and a high quality Harman Kardon audio system.Polestar - PHOTO: The Polestar 4, a coupe SUV, offers 310 miles of range in its RWD single motor model.Like its Polestar 2 and 3 siblings, the 4 has so much spunk and poise and whipping it around local chicanes can be a highlight of any weekend. First-time EV owners have to remember there is no on/off button for the 4, so once you step inside the punchy coupe is ready to go.The drive experience closely mimics a gas-powered vehicle, so haters of regenerative braking fear not. Polestar says the 4 makes 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph hustle of 3.7 seconds. Range varies depending on the trim, with the single-motor model offering 310 miles and the dual motor getting 280 miles. The vehicle's designers relied on recycled plastics for the interior and the knit upholstery is made from 100% recycled PET.One important note about the 4: there is no traditional rear window. Drivers have to rely on the digital rear-view mirror, which can be jarring. Polestar made this decision to "allow for exceptional rear occupant space, comfort and headroom ... this results in a cabin that feels like Business Class."You'd be forgiven to confuse the Lucid Gravity ($79,900) with Chrysler's Pacifica minivan, but Marc Winterhoff, Lucid's interim CEO, confirmed that the three-row electric people mover is indeed an SUV. In fact, it has the same interior space as many full-size SUVs, according to Winterhoff, and could actually be "category defining.""Maybe we shouldn't even call it an SUV or minivan, maybe we need to define a new category for it," Winterhoff told ABC News last fall. "The response to phenomenal ... we basically packed so many different things into it."Lucid - PHOTO: The Gravity Touring delivers up to 560 horsepower and bolts from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds.The Gravity Touring delivers up to 560 horsepower and bolts from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, according to the company, and can travel nearly 440 miles on a single charge. The interior is spacious and upscale, with massage seats available for long-distance trips. The dash includes a 34-inch curved 6K OLED display, a screen trend that's become ubiquitous in EVs.The more expensive trim -- the Grand Touring ($94,900) -- has more power (828 horsepower), a faster sprint (0-60 in 3.4 seconds) and a more range (450 vs 337 in the Touring). The SUV weighs almost 6,000 lbs though it's agile in the corners and highway driving is easy and pleasing.Quiroga, a huge fan of the Gravity, said the company "thought about every nook and cranny" and perfected it. The "interior is beautiful and all three rows are super comfortable," he added.Fisher said the BMW iX SUV ($75,150) impressed him in testing, calling it "fantastic," "so quiet" and "so smooth."The one downside of the luxury SUV? Its exterior styling, which has become a contentious matter for auto enthusiasts."The way the car looks is very polarizing," Fisher noted. "Some people love it and some hate it ... styling is purely subjective."BMW begins production of the 2026 iX in March and it's now available in three variants. Range and power depends on the variant; the iX xDrive60 (entry level model) provides 536 horsepower and 340 miles compared to 650 horsepower and 302 miles of range for the iX M70 xDrive, the more expensive and performance-oriented iX.Wagon-typesKia's K4 Hatchback, a seductive new vehicle from the Korean automaker, has a long list of attributes. The first pro may be its price: the hatch starts at $24,890 for the base model. For a few thousand dollars more, buyers can opt for the GT-Line Turbo model (190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine under the hood) for a sportier and more dynamic experience. Very few automakers are making stylish (and spacious) vehicles for under $30,000.Kia - PHOTO: The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback pricing starts from $24,890.The K4 Hatchback packs a ton of amenities that its rivals charge for: wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats and steering wheel, a Harman Kardon audio system, customizable display theme and over-the-air updates. And that's not all. The vehicle responds to voice commands, allowing owners to keep their eyes on the road and the tech changes radio stations and cools the cabin.The hatch may not be as popular at the K4 sedan, which is an automotive tragedy. The hatch provides the same tech and features with a major advantage: unbelievably good looks and versatile cargo space.Fisher said budget-conscious consumers should also seriously look at the Honda Civic, which is available as a hybrid ($30,595). That powertrain (200 horsepower) makes the hatch sportier, quicker and very full efficient, he said. The Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid models average 50 mpg in city driving, according to Honda."Every iteration of the new Civic is great," Fisher said.For those with unlimited wealth, there are two wagons that will make every enthusiast drool: the Audi RS 6 Avant and the Mercedes-Benz E 53 Hybrid. Quiroga gushed about the RS 6, saying he "loves the wagon's twin turbo V8 and its looks." The entire drive experience is "more authentic," he noted, and overall the wagon "is so wonderful to drive."The RS 6 ($130,700) may be a wagon by design but it's a whole lot more: enough cargo space for a large family and a serious track competitor (yes, take it to the track!).Mercedes-Benz - PHOTO: The AMG E 53 Hybrid wagon from Mercedes-Benz pairs a turbo inline-6 engine with advanced plug-in hybrid technology.Like the RS 6, the new Mercedes-Benz E 53 wagon wins in the looks department, with seductive styling that will get you a few thumbs up around town. Starting at $93,350, the E 53 now replaces the revered E 63 S wagon and its mighty V8. Some consumers may be disappointed with the 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo, but that's a shame: this plug-in hybrid scoots around the city with confidence, takes off like a jet when requested and acts like a pure EV too, getting up to 41 miles of electric range. Consumers save a lot on fuel with this model while also experiencing the best of Mercedes' wagon culture.
