2022 LUXURY COMPACT SUV OF THE YEAR
Genesis GV70 - Land Rover Defender 90 - Porsche Macan
The 2021 finalists (Acura RDX, BMW X3, Lincoln Corsair) were very good choices, but in a sign of how incredibly competitive this segment is, in 2022, that trio was washed away, overtaken by these three new models: the Genesis GV70, which seems to be getting unanimous accolades everywhere it goes; the Land Rover Defender 90, which does the double whammy in playing both the nostalgia and off-roader cards; and the Porsche Macan, which is considered by many to be the sportiest vehicle in the category, if we exclude the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, another vehicle with a sporty temperament.
2022 LUXURY MIDSIZE SUV OF THE YEAR
Porsche Cayenne - Land Rover Defender 110 - Genesis GV80
This is a category that is always tight, because many of its contestants benefit from strong brand loyalty on the part of their buyers. Simply put, image is very important here – a Porsche person type is not likely to become a Land Rover person type. This means that beyond the skills, performance and comfort offered, the prestige associated with ownership is a very important element.
Consequently, it's no surprise that there are three finalists with a very strong image this year. On one side, the Porsche Cayenne, a model that needs no introduction and that makes its future owners dream. On the other hand, the Land Rover Defender 110, one of the most talked-about new SUVs when it arrived on the market last year. And then there’s the ambitious upstart, the Genesis GV80, another one that has garnered award after award since its first run a few years ago. The vote is shaping up to be very contested.
