Modern SUV Upgrades that WOW

May 12, 2021April 20, 2022 Jack McCoy 0 Comments Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Traverse, EVs, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln Navigator, Market Trends, SUVs, Toyota 4Runner, Westin, Wrangler Rubicon 392

The dominant SUV market continues its breakneck evolution, appealing to today’s customer while keeping an eye on tomorrow’s trends. This news roundup tracks the most compelling SUV headlines and offers a few suggestions from Westin Automotive on how to improve the best models on the market today…

The era of unbridled innovation that dawned on the SUV and crossover segments years ago is still just picking up steam as new designs and ideas continue to emerge. Altogether, SUVs and crossovers represent the auto industry’s most dominant segment, a trend that shows absolutely no sign of slowing down. For perspective: J.D. Power just announced that, collectively, SUVs and trucks are on pace to account for a combined 76% of retail sales.

The juice behind the SUV market’s prolific growth is largely thanks to automakers’ adherence to individual lifestyles.

Large families are in love with the ample space afforded by the Kia Telluride, Chevy Tahoe, Hyundai Palisade, and Ford Explorer. Luxury seekers find sexy models by Acura, Audi, BMW, Lincoln, Jaguar, and now the Genesis GV70 has just arrived to wow your argyle socks off.

Performance lovers have an impressive slate of track-happy SUVs to pick from, like Jeep’s class-leading Trackhawk, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid.

And of course off-roaders and overlanders famously offer amped-up entries by Jeep, Toyota, and Land Rover, as Ford hopes to disrupt the market in a big way with the next-gen Bronco this summer.

Topless Ford Bronco speeds down a dusty desert trail — Ford Bronco | *Ford*

The EV Revolution

The next chapter for the SUV market seems largely influenced by Elon Musk’s Tesla, which means electric options are not only coming, but they’re coming in all shapes and sizes. The supersized electric Hummer by GMC is due for production in 2023, offering an impressive 300 miles of range. (Unfortunately, it also wears a $110,000 price tag.)

The newest electric SUVs to hit the market include the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Next up are future entries by Jeep, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, and Toyota, with headlines like these:

Whether or not electric SUVs ultimately become commonplace on the road, today’s industry-leading conventional models continue to galvanize buyers with key factory upgrades.

Check out the most notable updates on popular models below, as well as some high-quality aftermarket enhancements suggested by accessory leader Westin Automotive!

Unwrapping The New Chevy Tahoe & Suburban

Chevrolet’s best people and cargo haulers have started a new chapter with the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

2021 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe side-by-side — *Chevrolet*

Key features include:

66% more cargo room in the Tahoe and 10 more inches of third-row legroom
A new independent rear suspension paired with available Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, including load leveling at all four corners of the vehicle
An entirely new interior offering up to five display screens, including central touchscreen, instrument cluster, head-up display, and rear-seat LCD displays
All-new 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine
Updated V-8 engines with Dynamic Fuel Management
Standard LED headlamps and LED taillamps
Active front grille shutters that close at certain times on the highway to enhance aerodynamics

Westin HDX Grille Guard — If fooling people into thinking they’re about to be pulled over for speeding is your idea of a good time, check out the rough-and-ready HDX Grille Guard from Westin. This fully-welded, one-piece grille guard features wrap-around wings made of heavy duty 2-inch diameter tube, a full punch plate grille, and aggressive styling. Seen here without winch option. | *Westin*

The longer wheelbase and new chassis system create greater ride smoothness, particularly on uneven pavement and unpaved surfaces, with improved handling. Plus, the vehicles’ load floors are significantly lower, providing a more natural seating position.

What’s more, for the first time ever in the Tahoe and Suburban, the second-row seating can now slide, adjusting approximately 5.5 inches forward or rearward, much to the delight of younger siblings everywhere. Both the second- and third-row seats also fold more easily, making cargo-loading considerably less stressful.

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

HDX Winch Mount Grille Guard
Sportsman X Grille Guard
Max Winch Tray Mounting System

Chevy Refreshes the Traverse

Redesigned front and rear fascias, a new grille, new standard LED headlamps and taillamps, and all-new seating options are the most immediately recognizable changes to the Traverse. Four new wheel designs also join the lineup. And that available Dual SkyScape two-panel power sunroof with new rear power sunshade is certainly a welcome addition. The newly available 8-inch diagonal driver information center now features Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM2 capability. Wireless charging pad USB4 ports are also available in all rows.

New available safety and driver assistance features include advanced adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, IntelliBeam auto high beams and following-distance indicator.

2022 Chevy Traverse Interior, Exterior — *Chevrolet*

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

SG6 LED Running Boards
Sure-Grip Running Boards
Grate Steps Running Boards

Ford Explorer Expands Trim Choices

The best-selling Explorer is slated to reach even more consumers with three new trim levels now available. New for 2021 is the lower-priced Explorer Enthusiast ST, a rear-wheel-drive Explorer Platinum, and the Platinum Hybrid.

All the new Explorer lineup additions, according to Ford, are driven by customer feedback, starting with the Explorer Enthusiast ST. Like Explorer ST, Enthusiast ST is the most powerful Explorer ever – built for customers who want that same spirited fun and performance, but at a lower cost. “The market continues to grow for performance SUVs, and the ST currently accounts for nearly 20% of sales,” said Craig Patterson, Ford SUV marketing manager.

The Enthusiast ST features:

Specially-tuned 3-liter EcoBoost engine making 400-hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability and sport-tuned suspension
Top track speed of 143 mph
Standard Class III Trailer Tow Package provides towing capability of up to 5,600 pounds
Leather seating surfaces with Miko micro-perforated inserts and City Silver accent stitching
12.3-inch digital cluster and heated sport-style steering wheel.
Quad chrome exhaust tips, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets, and sideview mirrors with ST projection lamps.

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

R5 Nerf Step Bars
Molded Running Boards
Grate Steps Running Boards
Sure-Grip Running Boards

Jeep Grand Cherokee Adds a Third Row

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee this year has ventured into the world of third-row interiors with it’s new L line.

While this large Cherokee won’t crawl like a Wrangler, the Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain traction management system instill Grand Cherokee L with plenty of 4×4 capability. Plus, Quadra-Drive II, with rear electronic limited slip differential, is available on the Overland 4×4 model when equipped with the Off-Road Group and standard on Summit models.

All 4×4 systems for the Cherokee are equipped with an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip. Also new for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L is a front-axle disconnect, standard on all 4×4 trims.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee wearing Westin Sportsman X Grille — Pictured here on the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Westin Sportsman X Grille Guard proves it is ready for anything. | *Westin*

The Grand Cherokee L offers buyers a choice of two powerful, fuel-efficient and refined engines with proven performance for any driving situation. Standard across the lineup is the all-aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, rated at 290-hp and 257 lb.-ft. of torque. Overland and Summit buyers who want more power can opt for the 5.7-liter V8, rated at 357-hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque.

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

Sportsman X Grille Guard
Profile Floor Liners

Rubicon 392 is Jeep’s Quickest, Most Powerful Wrangler Ever

Westin WJ2 Bumper featured on Dirtnation Offroad Rubicon Gladiator — Westin WJ2 Stubby Front Bumper seen on Dirtnation Offroad’s Rubicon Gladiator. | *Westin*

For those seeking more — a lot more — Jeep has its new Wrangler Rubicon 392. It’s feature packed, with 470-hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from its 6.4-liter V-8, full-time 4×4, functional hood scoop, and a dual-mode performance exhaust. Premium features that are standard include a sport steering wheel with shift paddles and leather-covered performance seats.

You can’t get all that power, speed, and luxury without spending a pretty penny, though. The Rubicon 392 hits dealer lots with an eye-watering MSRP of $73,500.

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

HDX Xtreme Nerf Step Bars
HDX LED Grille
Pro Traxx 4 Oval Nerf Step Bars
GenX Oval Drop Nerf Step Bars
LED Hood Scoops
WJ2 Stubby Front Bumper with LED Light Bar Mount

Toyota 4Runner Debuts Trail Edition

With its core DNA as a body-on-frame, do-anything SUV, the 4Runner enters 2021 with a new Trail Special Edition and several TRD Pro enhancements. The entire 4Runner lineup has also been upgraded to include LED low-beam headlamps as standard equipment for 2021.

The new 2021 4Runner Trail Special Edition was introduced with a major emphasis on storage, convenience, and special styling touches. Based on the SR5 grade, the new edition is available in either 2WD or 4WD. Both cases feature dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels.

A sliding rear cargo tray makes it easier to load and unload gear, while a Yakima LoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket carries more of it. All-weather floor liners help catch the outdoor elements that come in on occupants’ feet. ‘What about the drinks and sammies?’ you ask. Those stay cool in the Trail Edition’s 40-quart cooler. Featuring a lockable lid, tie-down straps and special brackets, its freezer-grade gasket can keep ice for up to seven days.

Westin Automotive Upgrades to Consider:

Outlaw Nerf Step Bars
HDX Stainless Drop Nerf Step Bars
HDX Grille Guard
Pro Series Front Bumper and Rear Bumper
Ultimate LED Bull Bar

Overland Expo called Westin’s Outlaw Nerf Step Bars the “ideal match” for their Ultimate Overland Vehicle, a 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road. | *Overland Expo*

Lincoln’s Sleek Black Label Edition Finds Navigator

Lincoln proves that luxury extends far beyond Matthew McConaughey’s syrupy-smooth voice in its ads. The brand recently debuted a new monochromatic-inspired Black Label package to the 2021 Lincoln Navigator — its flagship SUV.

This package includes a specially painted black roof and monochromatic accents, including a black mesh Lincoln grille, 22-inch, 12-spoke black aluminum wheels, black sideview mirror caps, and spoiler. The package is available on the following exterior colors: Pristine White, Chroma Crystal Blue, Silver Radiance, Chroma Molten Gold, Burgundy Velvet, and Lincoln’s signature color, Flight Blue – new to the 2021 Navigator lineup.