SUV-type cars now account for more than half of sales in our country, and have reached all market segments. There are small ones, compact ones, large ones with 5 and 7 seats and also very large ones such as the BMW X7, the Ford Explorer or the Mercedes GLS. But, in other world markets there are even larger SUV-type vehicles than those sold in Europe.
The main market for this type of car is the United States, where the large SUVs have completely eliminated one of the most popular types of vehicles at the end of the last century: the large station wagon-type station wagons. And they are on their way to doing exactly the same with the large 7-seater MPVs. In addition to the United States, large 7-seat SUVs with high-displacement gasoline engines are also sold in other receptive markets for this type of car, such as Russia or the Middle East.
In this article we are going to review the large SUVs that do not reach our market, both 5 and 7 seater, most of which have been developed specifically for the US market, which is the main consumer of this type of car and has forced Asian brands to develop cars of this type to compete on equal terms with local brands that have been manufacturing them for decades.
Buick Enclave
Buick was saved from the burn when General Motors dropped most of its mainstream brands earlier this century (Saturn, Oldsmobile and Pontiac fell) thanks to its strong performance in the Chinese market. In the United States , the brand survives with a range limited to three SUV models , the largest of which is the Enclave launched in 2008 and of which the second generation is currently being sold. This car is related to the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia , but has a slightly different design and more luxurious interior treatment. This same year it has received a half-life redesign (this generation dates from 2017) and is only available with a 310 hp 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine combined with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and an electronically managed permanent four-wheel drive system. It is sold in 3 finishes, of which the most luxurious, called Avenir, is a kind of transversal sub-brand for all the models in the Buick range .
Cadillac XT6 and Escalade
The Cadillac XT6 is a direct cousin of the Enclave and the rest of the General Motors consortium’s midsize SUVs. It falls within the range between the XT5 and the Escalade and is just over 5 meters in length. It is available with two engines, the aforementioned 3.6-liter, 310-hp V6 that it shares with the Buick Enclave and a 2-liter, 237-hp turbocharged four-cylinder , in both cases with an automatic gearbox and being able to choose in the case less powerful engine between front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the latter mandatory in the case of the 6-cylinder version.
The Cadillac Escalade, for its part, is a large SUV that is in its fifth generation , presented in 2021. This car is the version for the luxury brand Cadillac of the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon and like them it is sold in two versions, a short one with a wheelbase of 3.07 m and a length of 5.38 and a long one called ESV whose wheelbase is 3.40 m and the total length grows to 5.76 m. Available in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions, always with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this massive car is built in Texas with a single 420-hp 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine.to which was recently added a 275 hp 3-litre diesel in-line 6-cylinder, Cadillac’s first with a diesel engine since the mid-1980s. The brand has announced a “sport” V version with a supercharged version of the V8 engine by the end of this year and the launch of an electric Escalade in the year 2024 .
Chevrolet Traverse, Tahoe and Suburban
The Chevrolet Traverse is the almost twin brother of the Buick Enclave and the Cadillac XT6 and is, as in the case of the first, in its second generation. It replaced the Chevrolet Trailblazer in the range (name that has now been recovered for a smaller SUV) and the current generation dates from 2018. With a passenger compartment for 7 seats, it mounts the same engines outlined in the Cadillac XT6 and is offered in front-wheel drive. and to the four wheels with a length of 5.19 meters. The half-life redesign of this car should arrive during this year 2022.
The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are the models of this brand equivalent to the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon, but with the difference that in Chevrolet the short and long versions have different names . What is for sale at the moment is the fifth generation of these large vehicles whose dimensions far exceed 5.30 meters in the case of the Tahoe and 5.70 meters in the Suburban . Both are 7-seater models and the main difference is in the space available inside, which is greater in the Suburban as it has a longer wheelbase and a longer overall length. To the two engines already mentioned in the Escalade, these cars add an “access” V8 of 5.3 liters and 355 hp. In addition to North America, they are sold in other markets such as Russia, Japan and the Middle East.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is the only Chrysler Group SUV offering outside of the Jeep brand and has been on sale in its third generation since 2011 and does not, at the moment, appear to be replaced. The launch of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, could facilitate the development of a similar car to take its place in the Dodge lineup. In any case, the model for sale is offered with four engines, a 290 hp 3.6-liter V6 from the veteran Pentastar family, and three 5.7-liter V8s (360 hp), 6.4 liters (475 hp) and 6.2 liters (710 hp), the latter for the SRT Hellcat version, which makes it one of the most powerful series SUVs on the planet.. The Durango is offered in 7-seater versions, only with 5, 6 or 8-speed automatic transmissions and is produced in the same plant as the Grand Cherokee with which it no longer shares the platform as a new generation of the latter has been launched.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition, which is now in its fourth generation, is a larger car than the Explorer sold in Europe since it is 5.33 meters long and its wheelbase is 3.11 meters. Presented in 2018, it derives from the Ford F-150 pick-up platform and that allows it to have a 2-speed transfer case coupled to the 10-speed gearbox in the 4×4 versions and, therefore, be considered more of an off-roader than an SUV. The only mechanics available is a 375 hp 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 . The third generation of this model, manufactured between 2006 and 2017, had a long version called EL or Max that replaced the old Ford Excursion and has been eliminated in the current generation.
Genesis GV70 and GV80
Genesis, the luxury brand of the Hyundai group, is scheduled to arrive in Europe during the year 2022 and, therefore, from that date we will be able to remove these models from this article, but while this does not happen, the GV70 and GV80 are part of this select group of vehicles that do not reach our market. The GV70 is a midsize SUV made in Korea, measuring 4.71m in length and offered in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol engines (305 and 380 hp respectively) or with a diesel engine. 2.2 L and 210 horses. In November 2021, a one hundred percent electric version of this car was presented with a 480 hp engine, four-wheel drive and a theoretical range of 500 km.
The GV80, presented in 2019 already on sale in many markets, shares the chassis with its smaller brother, but measures 4.94 m and offers a body for 7 passengers. The gasoline engines are the same as those of the GV70, but not the diesel since in this case it is a 6-cylinder, 3-liter engine with a power of 280 hp . This car has numerous parts made of aluminum to reduce its weight, which, however, exceeds 2 tons in all its versions.
GMC Acadia, Yukon and Yukon XL
Everything said for the Chevrolet Traverse applies to the Acadia and everything explained for the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban applies to the Yukon, the huge cars of the General Motors truck brand . The XL version is obviously the one with the longest wheelbase and the longest, and the technical characteristics are identical to those of its Chevrolet brothers. GMC offers a very high-end trim called Denali for both vehicles , which also has some minor cosmetic differences from the rest of the range.
Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is a full-size SUV designed and built in the United States and measuring 4.94 m. it has a 7-seater interior and sits in the range just above our CR-V. The current one is the third generation of this car. It was launched in 2016 and was remodeled in 2019. It is offered only with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and 280 hp, of course gasoline and coupled to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Hyundai Palisade
If Japanese brands like Honda have been forced to build specific vehicles for the US market, Korean ones have done exactly the same more recently. A good example of this is the launch in 2018 of the Hyundai Palisade, which in addition to Korea, is manufactured in Russia for the local market. The Palisade is a 4.98-meter-long, 7-seater SUV that is sold with two V6 gasoline engines, one 3.5-liter and 277 hp for Asian markets and the other 3.8-liter and 295 hp for America. from North. Additionally, a 2.2-liter, 200-hp diesel engine is available, which is the same one used in Europe by the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Infiniti QX60 and QX80
The disappearance of the Infiniti brand from the European market has made it impossible to have cars in our market such as the second generation of the Infiniti QX60, a 7-seater, 5.03-meter-long SUV presented in 2021 and which shares the D platform. of the Renault-Nissan alliance with its brother the Nissan Pathfinder. For the North American market, it has the usual 3.5 L V6 engine with 295 CV of gasoline coupled in this case to a 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox. This car is also sold on the Chinese market with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The older brother of the QX60 is the QX80, of which the restyling of the second generation launched in 2011 is currently sold and was called QX56 until 2013. More than an SUV, this car is actually an off-roader since it is the Infiniti version of the Nissan Patrol that is sold in many world markets. In fact, its production is distributed between Nissan’s Japanese and Russian plants. The only engine available for this car is a 400 hp 5.6-litre V8 petrol combined with a 7-speed automatic gearbox and reduction gear.
Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
The forthcoming launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Europe ( more information at this link ) leaves the recent Jeep Wagoneer as the only non-European representative of the brand, a car that shares a platform with the aforementioned Grand Cherokee , but is reserved for the North American market where it will compete with cars like the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban or the Ford Expedition. The Wagoneer, which is 5.4m long and offers a 7-passenger cabin , is powered by a 400bhp 5.7-litre Hemi mild-hybrid engine and is available in front or all-wheel drive versions, while its sibling the Grand Wagoneer, which is physically indistinguishable (despite what the name might lead you to believe, it is no longer than the Wagoneer),It mounts a propeller of 6.4 liters and 480 hp and is only offered with four-wheel drive.
Kia Mohave and Telluride
The Kia Mohave is an SUV that was presented in 2008 as the top of the range of the brand in the United States, a country where it was marketed under the Borrego name for only one year since its low number of sales led the brand to remove it and replace it with the Sorento. In other markets, however, it did work and after a restyling in 2016, it has undergone another in 2019. Currently this car is sold in South America, in Russia, where it is also manufactured, in Korea and in other countries. world markets only with V6 diesel engines and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It measures 4.93 m long and offers 7 seats.
In 2020, Kia returned to the fray and launched a new SUV of exactly 5 m in length for the US market that is also manufactured on American soil. This is the Telluride, related to the Hyundai Palisade and offered with the same mechanics of 3.8 liters and 295 hp gasoline coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The brand allows you to choose between front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the latter with the same system used by the Sorento.
Lincoln Navigator
Launched to compete with the Cadillac Escalade, the Navigator was presented, in its first generation, in 1997 and the current one, launched in 2018, is the fourth generation of this twin model of the Ford Expedition , but which, unlike the latter , is offered in a short version of 5.33 meters and a long version called simply L, 5.63 meters long . The only engine available is the aforementioned Ford Ecoboost V6 of 3.5 liters and 375 horses with double turbocharger. The transmission includes a 10-speed gearbox, all-wheel drive and a reduction gear . Compared to its Ford sibling, the Navigator offers a different exterior design and a much more luxurious cabin.
Mazda CX-8 and CX-9
The Mazda CX-8 is a 4.90-meter-long SUV launched in 2017 and is manufactured, in addition to Japan, Malaysia and China. It has a 2.5-liter gasoline engine declined in versions of 188 hp naturally aspirated and 227 hp turbocharged and a 2.2-liter diesel with 190 or 200 hp depending on the market. This is a car essentially intended for the Asian and Pacific markets, which has never made it to Europe.
The one that did sell briefly in our market was the first generation Mazda CX-9. The current one, the second, is manufactured in Japan and Russia and mounts only the 2.5-liter turbo gasoline engine coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel drive system. This car is slightly larger than its brother, since it measures 5.07 meters, and follows the Kodo design aesthetic line of the rest of Mazda models.
Nissan Murano, Pathfinder and Armada
The Nissan Murano was sold in Spain in the first two generations, with some success, but the third, launched in 2014, has not reached our market . It is a five-seater SUV that is marketed only with the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and 290 hp and in a hybrid variant with a 2.5-liter engine . The Murano is 4.82 meters long and competes with cars like the Ford Edge, which has also disappeared from the European market. In addition to the United States, it is also manufactured in Russia and China.
The Nissan Pathfinder, brother of the Infiniti QX60, is now in its fifth generation, launched in 2021, and has established itself as an SUV with a monocoque chassis after, until the third generation, it was an off-roader derived from a pick-up. It should be remembered that the third generation was manufactured at Nissan’s Barcelona plant and was sold in our market together with the contemporary Navara pick-up. The current Pathfinder uses Nissan’s multi-purpose 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with 290 hp , but has swapped the previous generation’s CVT for a new ZF 9-speed. What it does maintain are the 7 seats and a length of over 5 meters (5.02 exactly).
Finally, the Armada is the US version of the Nissan Patrol and therefore shares the same technical specifications as the aforementioned Infiniti QX80, including its V8 engine. Launched in 2016, it received a slight redesign in 2021 to adapt its aesthetics to the new design line of American Nissans. This car is manufactured in the United States together with the Titan pick up with which it shares the platform.
Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is an exact 5 m long SUV launched in 2018 as a replacement for the Tribeca and offers an interior for 7 or 8 passengers . It is built on the global platform of the brand that it shares with the Outback ( video proof of this model at this link ) and with other models and has only a 2.4 L four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 260 hp and that It is connected to the usual CVT-type gearbox of the Japanese brand. Designed for the North American market, it is manufactured in the plant that Subaru has in the state of Indiana.
Toyota Sequoia
This model is another example of how Japanese brands have adapted their products to the demands of the North American market . The first generation was launched in 2000 and the current one is the third, presented in January of this year and whose production has just started in the plant that Toyota has in the state of Texas. Derived from the Tundra pick-up, which is why it has returned to the rigid rear axle instead of the independent suspension that the second generation had, this car will only have a 3.4-liter V6 biturbo hybrid gasoline engine and a combined power of 437 hp and its gearbox will be 10-speed automatic. This third generation Sequoia is 5.20 m long.
Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport
This car, launched in 2017 on the brand’s MQB platform, was designed for the North American and Chinese markets and is manufactured both in the United States and in China, where it is sold under the Teramont name, the same under which it is sold in countries like Mexico or Russia. Its location in the manufacturer’s range is between the long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan and the Touareg , although it is longer than the latter since it measures 5.04 meters to be able to accommodate up to 7 passengers in 3 rows of seats. The engine range includes the 2-litre turbo four-cylinder and for the US market a 3.6-litre V6 . Of the Atlas there is a version called Cross Sport with a coupé aesthetic, a shorter length (4.97 meters) andonly two rows of seats as a result of the more pronounced drop in the rear. In China this car is called Teramont X.
