The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is the best 2010 model year SUV, with 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 23 mpg combined (EPA, 2.4 L engine, four-wheel drive). The Honda CR-V (23 mpg) is #2 and the Subaru Forester (22 mpg) is #3, both with the same 5-star crash results.
19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway), 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
A family SUV with three rows
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
Best efficiency
2010 Honda CR-V
Best for families
2010 Honda Pilot
Best premium
2010 Acura MDX
Best 4x4
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The ranking
1
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe top 2010 pick.
Combined MPG (EPA): 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), 2.4 L four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and model2010 update: A mid-cycle refresh designed in Germany arrived for the 2010 model year, with 2.4 L four-cylinder and 3.5 L V6 engine choices; sales began in early January 2010
The Santa Fe earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings (driver and passenger frontal, driver and passenger side) and 4 stars for rollover. It rates 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway) with the 2.4 L four-cylinder and four-wheel drive, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the model year.
Go ifTop crash ratings with the best mpg and few recalls
Skip ifYou want a third row
Why #1 over #2: It ties the CR-V on stars and 23 mpg with 3 recalls against 15.
2
2010 Honda CR-V
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe efficient compact.
Combined MPG (EPA): 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), 2.4 L four-cylinder with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and model2010 update: For the 2010 model year in North America the CR-V received a redesigned front fascia with a new chrome grille, a new front bumper, revised tail lights and new alloy wheels
The CR-V earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway) with the 2.4 L engine and all-wheel drive. NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the model year.
Go ifEfficiency and top crash ratings in a compact SUV
Skip ifA low recall count matters most
Why #2 over #3: Its 23 mpg combined beats the Forester’s 22.
3
2010 Subaru Forester
Photo: OSX / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe all-wheel-drive compact.
Combined MPG (EPA): 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), 2.5 L four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelAward: The third-generation Forester won Motor Trend magazine’s Sport/Utility of the Year award in 2009Trim change: From July 2009 Subaru no longer offered a special-edition L.L. Bean trim on the Forester
The Forester earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway) with the 2.5 L four-cylinder and all-wheel drive. It won Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the Year in 2009.
Go ifA compact SUV with top crash ratings and standard all-wheel drive
Skip ifA low recall count matters most
Why #3 over #4: Its 22 mpg combined beats the Sportage’s 20.
4
2010 Kia Sportage
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe small value.
Combined MPG (EPA): 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway), 2.7 L V6 with a four-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelGeneration: The 2010 U.S. Sportage is the second generation (JE/KM, 2004), facelifted in May 2008; the third generation reached North America in August 2010 as a 2011 model
The Sportage earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 20 mpg combined with the 2.7 L V6 and four-wheel drive. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the model year.
Go ifA small SUV with top crash ratings and a low recall count
Skip ifYou want the best fuel economy
Why #4 over #5: Its 20 mpg combined beats the Traverse’s 19.
5
2010 Chevrolet Traverse
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe big crossover.
Combined MPG (EPA): 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), 3.6 L V6 with a six-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelDebut: The Traverse debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show and arrived at Chevrolet dealers in October 2008; the LS and LT models have a 3.6 L V6 rated 281 hp and 266 lb-ft
The Traverse earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway) with the 3.6 L V6 and all-wheel drive.
Go ifThree rows and top crash ratings
Skip ifFuel economy is your priority
Why #5 over #6: Its 19 mpg combined beats the MDX’s 18.
6
2010 Acura MDX
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe premium choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway), 3.7 L V6 with a six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, premium gasolineNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and model2010 update: The 2010 MDX received a facelift with Acura’s new grille, a new paddle-shift six-speed automatic and a higher 11.2:1 compression ratio
The MDX earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 18 mpg combined with the 3.7 L V6 and all-wheel drive, on premium gasoline. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the model year.
Go ifA premium SUV with top crash ratings and one recall
Skip ifYou want to use regular gasoline
Why #6 over #7: It ties the Pilot at 18 mpg with 1 recall against 10.
7
2010 Honda Pilot
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe family choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelGeneration: The second-generation Pilot was unveiled as a prototype in January 2008 and released for sale on May 22, 2008
The Pilot earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway) with the 3.5 L V6 and four-wheel drive. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the model year.
Go ifFamilies who want three rows and top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want few recalls
Why #7 over #8: Its 18 mpg combined beats the Grand Cherokee’s 17.
8
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 4x4 choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), 3.7 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelGeneration: The WK Grand Cherokee debuted for the 2005 model year; the fourth-generation WK2 went on sale in summer 2010 as a 2011 model
The Grand Cherokee earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 17 mpg combined with the 3.7 L V6 and four-wheel drive. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the model year.
Go ifA capable 4x4 with top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want the best fuel economy
Why #8 over #9: It ties the CX-9 at 17 mpg with 5 recalls against 6.
9
2010 Mazda CX-9
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe sporty three-row.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), 3.7 L V6 with a six-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and model2010 update: For the 2010 model year the CX-9 received a minor facelift with a new front fascia and new tail lightsAward: In 2008 the first-generation CX-9 was awarded the Motor Trend SUV of the Year
The CX-9 earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway) with the 3.7 L V6 and four-wheel drive. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the model year.
Go ifA three-row SUV with top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want the best fuel economy
Why #9 over #10: Its four 5-star crash ratings beat the Highlander’s three.
10
2010 Toyota Highlander
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe family hauler.
Combined MPG (EPA): 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway), 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2010 crash ratings: driver frontal 5 stars, passenger frontal 4 stars, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)NHTSA recalls, model year 2010: NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under this make and modelTrim change: In early 2010 the SE model replaced the Sport model in the Highlander lineup
The Highlander earned 5 stars for driver frontal and both side ratings, 4 stars for passenger frontal and 4 stars for rollover. It rates 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway) with the 3.5 L V6 and all-wheel drive.
Go ifA family SUV with three rows
Skip ifYou want a 5-star passenger frontal rating
How we ranked these
We ranked the 2010 models on the number of 5-star results among the four NHTSA crash-test ratings (the older star system has no overall score), then rollover stars, then EPA combined mpg from fueleconomy.gov (all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive version, most common engine) and then the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns for model year 2010. No prices are shown because no maker price source was read. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best SUV from model year 2010?
The Hyundai Santa Fe. It has 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings, 4 stars for rollover and 23 mpg combined (EPA, 2.4 L engine, four-wheel drive), tied for the best mpg here and with fewer recalls than its tie.
Which 2010 SUV gets the best gas mileage?
The Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V both rate 23 mpg combined (EPA, 2.4 L engine); both have 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash tests.
Does NHTSA give 2010 SUVs an overall star rating?
No. For 2010 NHTSA lists separate frontal, side and rollover star ratings and shows the overall rating as Not Rated, so we compare the individual ratings.
How many recalls does the 2010 Honda CR-V have?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for model year 2010 under Honda CR-V, against 3 for the Hyundai Santa Fe.
EPA combined fuel economy, 2010 model year at a glance
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee17 mpg
2010 Mazda CX-917 mpg
2010 Acura MDX18 mpg
2010 Honda Pilot18 mpg
2010 Chevrolet Traverse19 mpg
2010 Toyota Highlander19 mpg
2010 Kia Sportage20 mpg
2010 Subaru Forester22 mpg
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe23 mpg
2010 Honda CR-V23 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, 2010 model year, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
