Captain’s chairs are both a nice and practical feature for passenger cars, as they both increase safety and provide a comfortable and spacious ride. Captain’s chairs have been a standard feature of full-size SUVs for years, and some models have struck a balance between style and comfort, while others are less concerned with luxury and more concerned with practicality. There’s something to appreciate about both approaches, but even a practical everyday passenger and freight car can be appealing.
Cool isn’t just for sports cars and muscle cars, SUVs can get in on the action and many do. The cool SUVs on this list all have captain’s chairs and can be found used for reasonable prices.
14 Volvo XC90
With 4 cylinders, 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the 2022 Volvo XC90 starts at around $50,000 new. However, used models feature most of the same engine specs and horsepower.
So if one is willing to shop around a bit, the XC90 could be theirs for $40,000. Since this is one of the more expensive starters on the list, let’s look at some more affordable options,
13 Nissan Armada
Costing $1,000 less than a base XC90 and developing 400 horsepower, the Nissan Armada is both an excellent transport and touring car (it seats 8 people) and an excellent off-roader.
While newer models are relatively expensive when buying used, a 2018 or 2019 model can be found for around $35,000. For 400 hp it’s a hell of a deal!
12 GMC Acadie
GMC makes some of the most durable trucks and SUVs on the market and the Acadia is one of their best. For a gasoline-powered SUV, it gets decent mileage (up to 29 MPG on the highway) and comes with either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a V6 engine.
When buying a used GMC Acadia, it can be found for as low as $27,000 or as high as $45,000 depending on trim. The Acadia is also one of the most affordable SUVs, as 2022 base models start at $34,000.
11 Buick Enclave
Buick only recently entered the SUV market a few years ago, but now they have a respectable share of the market. The standard Enclave is equipped with a V6 engine and, in addition to its captain’s chairs, it has a spacious and comfortable interior.
New enclaves start at $45,000. But Carfax and Carvana have listings of older, barely used models starting at $25,000.
ten Subaru Ascension
Subaru, closer to making wagons and sedans, ventured into SUVs and the result was the Ascent. The first entry on our list to feature a turbo engine, the Ascent can hit 260 horsepower without issue.
Subarus are notoriously affordable, and while they might not be as sexy as an SUV as an Escalade or as chic as the Acadia, it’s a practical and affordable buy when bought new. Base models for the 2022 Ascent start at just $32,000.
9 Honda driver
The Pilots, now in their third generation, feature a 280 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine. In 2021, a nine-speed automatic transmission became standard for all Pilot trims.
Plus, while the car isn’t very pretty (not ugly, but not impressive or sexy), it has some of the highest safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Used models can be found between $27,000 and $50,000.
8 Dodge Durango
Durangos practically invented the SUV concept, and they remain one of the most dominant models on the market. While some years you want to avoid, like the 2009 Durango, this SUV has more engine options than other entries on this list so far and can even be upgraded to include one of the famous Hemi V8 engines. from Dodge. If one opts for the 6.2-liter Hemi V8, their Durango can reach 710 horsepower.
Durangos have been on the market for almost 20 years, so there is a variety to choose from. However, models made between 2017 and 2020 can fetch between $30,000 and $40,000.
seven Chevy Tahoe
Another of the most dominant SUVs on the market, the Chevy Tahoe is both an excellent passenger car and a perfect off-road vehicle for camping or hauling as it has a towing capacity of almost 8,000 pounds.
New Tahoes start at around $50,000, and there are six available trims to choose from. Used models can be found between $30,000 and $40,000.
6 GMC Yukon
The second GMC on our list is the Yukon and the only entry on this list so far to offer a diesel engine option. Base models, however, come with a V8 that starts at 350 horsepower and can be upgraded to 420.
The car also deserves extra credit for looks, as its wide grille and sleek design make it more attractive than the Acadia. Sticker prices for a new Yukon start at $52,000, but only go up from there through additions and upgrades. Even bought used, the car can sell for up to $72,000.
5 BMW X7
Like the Yukon, the BMW X7 is a step away from transportation and off-roading and one step closer to luxury. The X7s are available with a full leather interior and rear climate controls, perfectly accessible through its captain’s chairs.
But, as a luxury brand, no BMW is cheap, even used you can expect to pay a high price. Models on CarFax are listed up to $95,000. The 2022 Base X7s start at $75,000. But keep in mind that this beauty is not only comfortable, it has 523 horsepower under the hood!
4 MazdaCX9
More compact than our previous entries but still capable of carrying up to 8, the CX9 strikes the perfect balance between functionality and comfort. Mazdas are renowned for their handling and the CX9 is no expectation.
Mazda also excels in the balance between luxury and functionality. The CX9 is decked out in leather-trimmed seats and starts at just $35,000 new, used models can be found for $27,000.
3 Infiniti Qx 80
400 horsepower powers this SUV’s 5.6-liter V8 engine, and new models sell for $70,000. Like the BMW, it has a comfortable leather interior, but unlike the previous luxury SUVs mentioned here, this one has one of the best towing capabilities. The QX 80 can carry up to 8,500 pounds.
Although expensive when bought new, used Infiniti’s of all kinds can be found for relatively cheap. Carmax has models as recent as 2019 selling for less than $50,000.
2 Acura MDX
A 3.5-liter direct-injected v6 powers the MDX and can hit 290 horsepower. The full leather interior and captain’s chairs ensure that passengers are as comfortable as the driver.
More affordable than the Infiniti or the BMW, the Acura can be found new for only $48,000, but used it can be yours for $25,000. If one is willing to opt for the newer models, it can be found for less than $20,000.
1 Cadillac Escalade
No list of “cool” SUVs is complete by mentioning the most famous luxury SUV, the Escalade. 2022 models come standard with a high-output Vortec V8 engine and the Escalade’s famous spacious all-leather interior, which is only enhanced by the car’s captain’s chairs.
Undoubtedly the most expensive entry on this list, starting at $76,000 and only going up from there, when bought second hand the sticker price can be almost halved . Granted, one might have to live with driving an older model, the differences in any one year Escalade are almost negligible.
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