If you’re looking for the best cars of 2020, and you’re especially interested in knowing which vehicles satisfy their owners according to the consumers who own them, J.D. Power can help.
You see, we survey tens of thousands of verified new-car owners every single year in order to find out what they like and what they don’t like about their vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership. From this information, supplied by consumers just like you, we find out which models offer the best quality, which models offer the best overall appeal, and which models do the best in both of these areas at the same time.
All of the Best Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of 2020 for Quality
In the J.D. Power 2020 Initial Quality Study, 23 vehicles received awards based on what the people who actually own them think of their overall quality. They are presented below in alphabetical order by make and model.
Small Premium Car: 2020 Audi A3 – Find the best Audi deals!
Audi is about to replace the current A3 with a completely redesigned model, but the existing car ranks highly when it comes to quality. You can get the 2020 Audi A3 in Premium or Premium Plus trim with front-wheel drive or Quattro all-wheel drive. Performance-tuned S3 and RS 3 versions are also available.
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Large Premium Car: 2020 BMW 8 Series – Find the best BMW deals!
In its second year since it replaced the 6 Series in the BMW lineup, the 2020 BMW 8 Series model line dramatically expands to include the 4-door Gran Coupe in addition to the 2-door coupe and convertible variants. Also, both entry level 840i and new performance-tuned M8 models join the roster in 2020.
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Upper Midsize Premium SUV: 2020 BMW X6 – Find the best BMW deals!
Redesigned this year, the 2020 BMW X6 continues to offer less passenger and cargo space than a BMW X5 but in exchange for a higher price. Of course, the point of this BMW is style, which the company conveys through a fastback roofline and a Sports Activity Coupe marketing reference. For maximum performance, consider the BMW X6 M.
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Midsize Premium Car: 2020 Cadillac CT5 – Find the best Cadillac deals!
Remember the Cadillac CTS? It’s gone, replaced by the 2020 Cadillac CT5, which comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, Sport, and V-Series trim. You’ll choose between a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Though technically a midsize car, the CT5 is priced more like a compact, adding value.
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Upper Midsize Premium Car: 2020 Cadillac CT6 – Find the best Cadillac deals!
In its last year on the market, the 2020 Cadillac CT6 might be one of the greatest luxury sedans the company has ever made. It certainly made its mark in terms of quality, and the rare CT6-V with its Blackwing twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V-8 might ultimately become highly collectible. Alas, slow sales and a need for a factory in which General Motors can build electric vehicles sealed the short-lived CT6’s fate.
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Large Premium SUV: 2020 Cadillac Escalade – Find the best Cadillac deals!
A redesigned 2021 Cadillac Escalade is about to debut, but the outgoing 2020 Cadillac Escalade exudes quality, according to the people who own one. Available in Standard, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum trim, the Escalade comes in regular- and extended-length styles and includes a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8 eng
ine. Four-wheel drive is an option.
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Compact Premium SUV: 2020 Cadillac XT4 – Find the best Cadillac deals!
At the opposite end of the Cadillac SUV spectrum you’ll find the XT4. Equipped with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the 2020 Cadillac XT4 comes in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. In spite of its diminutive dimensions, the XT4 offers impressive rear-seat room.
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Midsize Car: 2020 Chevrolet Malibu – Find the best Chevrolet deals!
In a world gone crazy for SUVs and trucks, Chevrolet is slowly but surely eliminating cars from its lineup. The last sedan standing is the 2020 Chevrolet Malibu, though in just a couple of years it is expected to vanish from showrooms, too. Turbocharged 4-cylinder engines power this family car, which comes in L, LS, RS, LT, and Premier trim levels.
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Small Car: 2020 Chevrolet Sonic – Find the best Chevrolet deals!
Sitting on the equivalent of vehicular death row for a couple of years, the 2020 Chevrolet Sonic might be the final example of this affordable, high-quality car. Choose between a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback, and LS (sedan only), LT, or Premier trim. Each one includes a zippy turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and good crash-test ratings.
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Midsize Sporty Car: 2020 Ford Mustang – Find the best Ford deals!
Few automotive nameplates have reached true icon status, but the Mustang is one of them. And the 2020 Ford Mustang, in coupe and convertible form, is arguably one of the best ever. From the basic turbocharged EcoBoost to the track-shredding Shelby GT500, and with the legendary GT and retro Bullitt in between, there is a Mustang to suit just about anyone.
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Midsize Pickup: 2020 Ford Ranger – Find the best Ford deals!
After a long absence from the U.S. market, the Ranger returned to take on midsize trucks – and it won. In terms of quality, anyway. The 2020 Ford Ranger comes in extended- and crew-cab styles with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. You choose between XL, XLT, and Lariat trim, and you’ll want the FX4 Package for off-roading.
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Large Heavy-Duty Pickup: 2020 Ford Super Duty – Find the best Ford deals!
Facing new competition, Ford made numerous upgrades to the 2020 Super Duty line of trucks. Each one – F-250, F-350, and F-450 – received enhancements designed to improve their ability to work, and also to play. Off-roading enthusiasts will want to check out the new Super Duty Tremor, an option package available with select F-250 and F-350 trims.
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Compact Premium Car: 2020 Genesis G70 – Find the best Genesis deals!
Designed and engineered to take on the legendary BMW 3 Series in terms of driving dynamics, the 2020 Genesis G70 also excels when it comes to quality. You’ll choose between a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a twin-turbocharged V-6, paired with manual or automatic transmissions and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Standard, Elite, and Prestige trim packages are also available.
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Compact SUV: 2020 Hyundai Tucson – Find the best Hyundai deals!
Offered in six trim levels and with two different engines, there is a 2020 Hyundai Tucson for just about anyone. Unless, that is, you want strong acceleration. The biggest engine is a 181-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, driving the front or all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.
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Compact Sporty Car: 2020 Hyundai Veloster – Find the best Hyundai deals!
The 2020 Hyundai Veloster is nothing if not different. A small and sporty car with asymmetrical side doors and a rear hatch, it comes in several flavors ranging from the stylish base model to the Nurburgring-tuned Veloster N with a 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
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Small Premium SUV: 2020 Jaguar E-Pace – Find the best Jaguar deals!
One of the most affordable ways to own a Jaguar, the 2020 Jaguar E-Pace comes in standard P250 and performance-tuned P300 R-Dynamic models with S, SE, or HSE trim. The P250 is also offered as a Checkered Flag special edition. The E-Pace is one of three SUVs to rank highest in its class for both quality and overall appeal.
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Compact Car: 2020 Kia Forte – Find the best Kia deals!
Supplying value, style, and, in turbocharged GT trim, performance in equal measure, the 2020 Kia Forte is among the highest-quality cars you can b
uy, according to the people who own one. A Forte is also quite roomy inside, enough so that you might decide you don’t need a bigger vehicle.
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Minivan: 2020 Kia Sedona – Find the best Kia deals!
When buying a minivan, most people consider the Chrysler Pacifica, the Honda Odyssey, and the Toyota Sienna. Don’t forget about the 2020 Kia Sedona, which ranks high in quality and offers SUV styling cues combined with the undeniable practicality of a minivan. Plus, it’s just as powerful, big, and useful as the most popular models in the segment.
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Upper Midsize SUV: 2020 Kia Sorento – Find the best Kia deals!
Able to seat seven people in an admittedly smaller SUV than is typical for this segment, the 2020 Kia Sorento is ranked high in quality by its owners. You choose between a 4-cylinder and a V-6 engine, front-wheel and all-wheel drive, and five different trim levels. Note, however, that maximum cargo space amounts to less than what’s in a Honda CR-V.
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Small SUV: 2020 Kia Soul – Find the best Kia deals!
An entry-level box on wheels with an expressive personality, the 2020 Kia Soul comes with a 147-horsepower 4-cylinder engine unless you get the Turbo, which supplies a robust 201 horsepower. They’re all front-wheel drive; you can’t get all-wheel drive with the Soul. But you do get one of the best warranty programs available on any vehicle, and plenty of quality.
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Midsize Premium SUV: 2020 Lexus GX – Find the best Lexus deals!
Sharing its platform with the rugged Toyota 4Runner, the 2020 Lexus GX is a go-anywhere and do-anything kind of an SUV that, when cleaned up, fits in perfectly at the country club. It’s got a 301-horsepower V-8 engine, full-time 4-wheel drive, three rows of seats, and the expressive design for which Lexus has come to be known.
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Compact Sporty Car: 2020 Mini Cooper – Find the best Mini deals!
Available in 2-door and 4-door hatchback as well as 2-door convertible body styles, the iconic 2020 Mini Cooper ranks high in quality according to the people who own one. Standard, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works versions are available is ascending levels of power, with Classic, Signature, and Iconic trim levels.
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Large SUV: 2020 Nissan Armada – Find the best Nissan deals!
Ranking at the top of its class in both quality and overall appeal, the 2020 Nissan Armada has plenty in common with the Infiniti QX80. A 390-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 engine pairs with rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive, and trims range from standard SV to luxurious Platinum Reserve. Three rows of seats, up to 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and as much as 8,500 pounds of towing capacity are ready to tackle tasks.
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Large Car: 2020 Nissan Maxima – Find the best Nissan deals!
Offering more performance and personality than the less expensive Altima, and more features and equipment than an equivalently priced Infiniti Q50, the 2020 Nissan Maxima is a “white space” kind of car meant for a small but fanatical buyer. Equipped with a 300-horsepower V-6 engine, the Maxima is called “the 4-door sports car” by Nissan.
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Midsize SUV: 2020 Nissan Murano – Find the best Nissan deals!
Expressively designed and equipped with roomy seating for up to five people, the 2020 Nissan Murano is a crossover SUV offering high-style at an affordable price. Four trim levels – S, SV, SL, Platinum – are available, each equipped with a 260-horsepower V-6 engine and front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
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Large Light Duty Pickup: 2020 Toyota Tundra – Find the best Toyota deals!
Last redesigned for 2007, and last updated for 2014, the 2020 Toyota Tundra is getting on in years, but that means any quality issues were worked out long ago. That’s the sentiment of Tundra owners, anyway. Extended- and crew-cab styles are available, and every Tundra has a 381-horsepower V-8 engine. Four-wheel drive is optional.
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All of the Best Cars, SUVs, and Trucks of 2020 for Overall Appeal
In the J.D. Power 2020 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study, 27 vehicles received awards based on what the people who actually own them think of their overall quality. They are presented below in alphabetical order by make and model.
Small Premium Car: 2020 Audi A3
If you want an Audi, the 2020 Audi A3 is the most affordable way to obtain one. This 4-door sedan topped it’s class in both quality and overall appeal, a testament to how much owners like their cars. And while a redesigned A3 is coming soon, the outgoing version remains worthy of consideration. And don’t forget about the S3 and RS 3 performance versions.
Compact Premium SUV: 2020 BMW X4
BMW sells an extensive lineup of SUVs. Those with an odd number are more traditional models. Those with an even number have a fastback design and cost more
while offering less in terms of passenger space and cargo room. The 2020 BMW X4 is like that, based on the BMW X3 and sitting at the top of its segment in terms of overall appeal. Hey, style matters.
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Upper Premium Midsize SUV: 2020 BMW X6
Moving up a rung on the luxury SUV coupe ladder from the BMW X4, you’ll find the 2020 BMW X6. It is redesigned this year, and the people who buy this SUV really like it in terms of both overall quality and overall appeal. Underneath the skin, the X6 is the same thing as the BMW X5, only with less interior and cargo room.
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Large Premium Car: 2020 BMW 7 Series
BMW’s flagship sedan is, according to the people who own one, mighty appealing. The 2020 BMW 7 Series received a thorough freshening this year, and the improvements were well received by owners. You can choose from 6-, 8-, and 12-cylinder engines, or get a 7 Series plug-in hybrid. Performance-oriented BMW M- and Alpina-tuned versions are also available.
Upper Midsize Premium Car: 2020 Cadillac CT6
Talk about going out with a bang. This year, the now discontinued 2020 Cadillac CT6 topped its class for both quality and overall appeal according to the people who bought one. Trouble is, few people bought one. And GM needed factory space to build new electric vehicles. So now, the CT6 is no more. Get one while you still can.
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Midsize SUV: 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
When people think about a Chevy Blazer, a rugged off-roader typically comes to mind. However, the 2020 Chevrolet Blazer isn’t that kind of an SUV. A 5-passenger crossover, the Blazer is made more for pavement than dirt. It comes with a choice between three engines, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and six trim levels, half of them including “LT” in their name.
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Midsize Sporty Car: 2020 Dodge Challenger
Does the 2020 Dodge Challenger require an introduction? Not really. It’s been around since 2008 without a redesign, but people seem to love it just the way it is. Affordable versions have a 305-horsepower V-6. Expensive versions have a 717-horsepower supercharged V-8. And in between there are varying levels of power, performance, and even an all-wheel-drive system.
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Compact SUV: 2020 Ford Escape
The 2020 Ford Escape is completely redesigned, offered with a pair of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, or as a hybrid, or as a plug-in hybrid. Ford says the Escape’s styling is influenced by the Mustang, and the SUV is made primarily for driving on the pavement, leaving the off-roading to the all-new 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.
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Compact Premium Car: 2020 Genesis G70
Ranked at the top of its class for both quality and overall appeal, people who buy the 2020 Genesis G70 sure do like their new luxury sport sedans. No doubt, part of their satisfaction is rooted in Genesis owner benefits such as valet pick-up and drop-off for complimentary service, but clearly the design, materials, technology, and performance play a part, too.
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Large Heavy-Duty Pickup: 2020 GMC Sierra HD
Redesigned for the model year, the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks are big, bold, and brash. Not only that, but they’re dramatically improved in terms of towing and hauling talent, and they are more technologically advanced than ever. Big-rig looks, lots of chrome, and no-excuses capability make the Sierra HD especially appealing to the people who own them.
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Minivan: 2020 Honda Odyssey
Nothing hauls people and cargo quite like a minivan. And among the handful of them that remain available, the 2020 Honda Odyssey is the most appealing one according to the people that own them. With an Odyssey, you get a smooth-revving 280-horsepower V-6 engine, seating for eight people, and up to 144.9 cubic feet of cargo room. Road trip time!
Midsize Pickup: 2020 Honda Ridgeline
Unlike most midsize pickups, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline does not use traditional body-on-frame construction. Instead, it’s like a Honda Pilot SUV, but with a cargo bed on the back. It’s more rugged than you might expect, though, able to tow up to 5,000 pounds and haul as much as 1,580 pounds of payload. And the bed’s design makes a Ridgeline quite useful.
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Midsize Car: 2020 Hyundai Sonata
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is redesigned, taking on a daring new look at the same time the automaker adds free scheduled maintenance to the already generous list of ownership benefits. Standard and hybrid models are available, and a performance-tuned Sonata N Line version is coming soon.
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Compact Sporty Car: 2020 Hyundai Veloster
People who own a 2020 Hyundai Veloster sure do like their cars. After all, it ranks highest for both quality and overall appeal in J.D. Power surveys. That’s easy to understand given its unusual design, impressive available performance, and unique utility in its competitive segment.
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Small Premium SUV: 2020 Jaguar E-Pace
It wasn’t long ago that Jaguar brand purists bemoaned the company’s plan to sell the F-Pace SUV. Now, the smaller and more affordable 2020 Jaguar E-Pace is impressing the people who own it enough that this little crossover ranks highest in its class for both quality and overall appeal.
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Midsize Premium Car: 2020 Kia Stinger
An upscale grand-touring performance car, the 2020 Kia Stinger marries sleek design, turbocharged 4-cylinder and twin-turbocharged V-6 engines, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and the cargo-carrying utility of an SUV into a single vehicle. And while it is a Kia, the available interior materials and technologies place it squarely in premium-car territory.
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Upper Midsize SUV: 2020 Kia Telluride
Kia can’t build enough examples of the 2020 Kia Telluride to keep up with demand. That might be why the family-sized SUV is internally referred to as the Selluride. Available in LX, S, EX, and SX trim, and equipped with a robust 291-horsepower V-6 engine and front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Telluride is certainly steezing for Kia.
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Midsize Premium SUV: 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
With a heavy emphasis on style and design, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar looks similar to the traditional Range Rover, but costs tens of thousands less. And, some Velar owners might argue, their 5-passenger SUV looks even more modern and custom. A range of models, powertrains, and feature are available for the Velar to help make it your own.
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Large Premium SUV: 2020 Lincoln Navigator
Starting next year, Lincoln will only sell SUVs. And at the top of the company’s lineup, the Lincoln Navigator serves as the flagship model in both regular and extended-length body styles. You choose between Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trim, and every Navigator has a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with plenty of power for towing, hauling, and accelerating.
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Compact SUV: 2020 Mazda CX-5
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 is the company’s best-selling model, and by a significant amount. Blending the enjoyable driving dynamics of Mazda’s cars with the utility and available all-wheel drive of an SUV, the CX-5 comes in multiple trim levels with a choice between a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine or a turbocharged version of that power plant making 250 horsepower.
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Small SUV: 2020 Mini Countryman
The biggest Mini you can buy is also one of the smaller SUVs you can buy. That’s the 2020 Mini Countryman, which comfortably seats four and offers up to 47.6 cubic feet of cargo room with the back seat folded down. You can even get one in plug-in hybrid format, in addition to Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works models.
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Large SUV: 2020 Nissan Armada
People who buy the 2020 Nissan Armada sure do like this big SUV, ranking it highest in both quality and overall appeal. It comes with a 390-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 giving it 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, while offering 8-passenger seating and up to 95.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Infiniti QX80 is basically the same thing, but with more chrome.
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Large Car: 2020 Nissan Maxima
Among larger sedans, the 2020 Nissan Maxima ranks highest in both quality and overall appeal. This is Nissan’s self-proclaimed “4-door sports car,” draped in daring styling and featuring a strong 300-horsepower V-6 engine and front-wheel drive. Despite seating for five and a 14.3 cubic-foot trunk, the Maxima isn’t your typical family sedan.
Compact Car: 2020 Nissan Sentra
Redesigned this year, the 2020 Nissan Sentra is a hit with both critics and the people who bought one. Thanks to a simplified lineup, the Sentra comes only in S, SV, and SR trim levels, each equipped with a 149-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission.
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Small Car: 2020 Nissan Versa
One of the most affordable vehicles in America, the 2020 Nissan Versa is redesigned this year, and the people who bought one clearly like it. Adopting the sleek and expressive design of other Nissan sedans, the stylish new Versa is also safer than the car it replaced. You can buy one in S, SV, or SR trim.
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Large Light Duty Pickup: 2020 Ram 1500
When it comes to overall appeal, the 2020 Ram 1500 leads its segment. Available in extended- or crew-cab styles and in multiple trim levels ranging from basic Tradesman to luxurious Limited, the Ram 1500 features mild-hybrid and turbo-diesel engines that can tow up to 11,620 pounds and haul as much as 2,100 pounds of payload.
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Small SUV: 2020 Toyota C-HR
While the styling might not suit everyone’s tastes, the people who buy a 2020 Toyota C-HR like this small SUV just fine, thank you. It comes in your choice between LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels, each equipped with a 144-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is not available, and, if you’re wondering, C-HR stands for “Coupe, High-Roof.”
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