2014 Best Buys: Crossovers under $50,000

Ah, marketing execs… To humble automobile journalists such as ourselves, it seems as though their main role is to make our lives difficult. Crossovers aren’t really cars, but they aren’t really SUVs or wagons either. To a certain extent, they’re all of the above, but they’re also none of the above. But whatever they are, many of them are truly excellent vehicles!

Take, for example, the 2014 Subaru Outback. More than just a Legacy wagon in high heels, the Outback offers a much-celebrated all-wheel drive system, a huge interior, excellent versatility and a great price. Hats off to you, Subaru!

While The Car Guide’s team didn’t debate the first-place winner, the same cannot be said of the runner-up. The final decision was made in the schoolyard – just kidding, it was the hallway! –and in the end second place was awarded to the 2014 Mazda CX-9. We were impressed by this vehicle’s roomy passenger compartment, near-sporty road handling and exceptional style.

And finally, third place went to the 2014 Toyota Highlander, which nabbed the bronze thanks to its proverbial reliability, exceptional soundproofing and reasonable fuel consumption.

If neither of these three cars/SUVs/wagons strike your fancy, there’s also the Buick Encore, Chevrolet Traverse and Trax, Dodge Journey, Ford C-Max / Edge and Flex, GMC Acadia, Honda Crosstour, Kia Rondo, Nissan Juke and Murano, Subaru XV Crosstrek and Toyota Venza…

See all of The Car Guide’s 2014 Best Buys