Need a new SUV? WTOP test drives three new interesting vehicles

A few new vehicles are generating lots of buzz among drivers. WTOP wanted to know what makes these bold new rides stand out.

WTOP’s John Aaron and car review expert Mike Parris explore three new and interesting vehicles out in the market now.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2021 Ford Bronco and 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz all offer drivers the spacious interior of an SUV with their own twist when it comes to customizability, tech features and usability.

Check out the videos and photos below:

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series II 4×4 (Price: $101,180 as driven)

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

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Jeep takes aim at large luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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Plush, high-tech interior comes with up to 75 inches of screens throughout the first and second rows, and a very usable third row. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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Available camera allows the driver to keep an eye on kids in the back. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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From the outside, the engine lets out a deep rumble that sounds good but seems out of place on a luxury vehicle, while its interior remains silent. (WTOP/John Aaron)

$<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door Advanced 4×4 Black Diamond (Price: $40,025 as driven)</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><div><div style=""><style>#tnvbNcaMHUrl {margin-bottom: 10px;padding: 20px 10px;background: #D30000;text-align: center;font-weight: bold;color: #fff;border-radius: 5px;}.connatix_video_caption{margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top:0; font-size: 14px; color: #272828; font-weight: 600; text-align: left; display:none;}</style> <div style="display:block;min-width:100%;min-height:100px"><div id="tnvbNcaMHUrl" style="display:none;">This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.<br>In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.</div><script id="662b827a153db970317791">(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384", mediaId: "730a4557-bb97-4b14-bc79-060b59ab2e85"}).render("662b827a153db970317791", function(renderError, playerApi) {if(!renderError && playerApi && typeof playerApi.getSize === "function") {var size = playerApi.getSize();var captionElement = document.querySelector(".connatix_video_caption");if(captionElement && size) {captionElement.style.width = size.width + "px";captionElement.style.display = "block";}}});});</script><div class='connatix_video_caption'>2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door </div></div></div></div></p>$ 5/14

Unlike classic Grand Wagoneers, exterior wood paneling is nowhere to be found. (WTOP/John Aaron)

2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door Advanced 4×4 Black Diamond (Price: $40,025 as driven)

2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door

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Ford takes targets the Jeep Wrangler with this reborn SUV that evokes the original Bronco but has little in common with the last full-size model. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Bronco has a removable roof and doors, available in 2- or 4-door, with an automatic or manual transmission. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The ride on the Bronco is surprisingly compliant for an off-road focused SUV. (WTOP/John Aaron)

$<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD (Price:$41,500 as driven)</strong></p> <div><div style=""><style>#tnvbNcaMHUrl {margin-bottom: 10px;padding: 20px 10px;background: #D30000;text-align: center;font-weight: bold;color: #fff;border-radius: 5px;}.connatix_video_caption{margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top:0; font-size: 14px; color: #272828; font-weight: 600; text-align: left; display:none;}</style> <div style="display:block;min-width:100%;min-height:100px"><div id="tnvbNcaMHUrl" style="display:none;">This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker.<br>In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker.</div><script id="662b827a2ee88394241697">(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384", mediaId: "486c201f-9647-4a94-9f09-6fcc3ffbf5e9"}).render("662b827a2ee88394241697", function(renderError, playerApi) {if(!renderError && playerApi && typeof playerApi.getSize === "function") {var size = playerApi.getSize();var captionElement = document.querySelector(".connatix_video_caption");if(captionElement && size) {captionElement.style.width = size.width + "px";captionElement.style.display = "block";}}});});</script><div class='connatix_video_caption'>2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz</div></div></div></div>$ 9/14

Broncos have been slow to come to market due to multiple issues include quality problems with hardtops. (WTOP/John Aaron)

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD (Price:$41,500 as driven)

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

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Hyundai looks for a slice of the red-hot pickup market. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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Hyundai calls this Santa Cruz a “Sport Adventure Vehicle.” (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Santa Cruz has an in-bed trunk with a drain plug, perfect for tailgates. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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The Santa Cruz is an SUV-based pickup in the vein of the Honda Ridgeline. (WTOP/John Aaron)

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It offers carlike handling but can also tow 3,500 to 5,000 pounds. (WTOP/John Aaron)

John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.