With an estimated 80 million SUVs sold globally in 2023, these versatile vehicles continue to dominate the automotive landscape, becoming a primary choice for a significant number of drivers. However, navigating the vast array of options to find the perfect match can be challenging. As highlighted in the accompanying video from Edmunds, an SUV is an excellent fit for many, but only if the correct one is chosen for specific needs and lifestyles.
At Edmunds, a rigorous methodology is applied to review over 200 vehicles annually, encompassing everything from track performance to real-world driving conditions. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that recommendations are built upon extensive testing and unbiased analysis, offering consumers a trusted guide in their vehicle selection process. This article aims to elaborate on some of the top SUVs identified, providing additional context and insights beyond the video to help prospective buyers make informed decisions, whether their priority is affordability, family utility, or premium luxury.
Top Small Crossovers: Value and Practicality in a Compact Package
For those seeking an entry point into the SUV market without compromising on essential features, small crossovers represent an appealing category. These vehicles are primarily known for their urban maneuverability and surprising interior space, making them ideal for city dwellers or individuals who do not require substantial cargo or passenger capacity on a regular basis.
Hyundai Kona: A Feature-Rich Affordable Option
The Hyundai Kona stands out as a particularly impressive offering in the sub-$30,000 segment. Despite its relatively modest price point, often around $27,500 for the base model, it delivers a suite of modern amenities typically found in more expensive vehicles. A large infotainment screen is included, seamlessly integrating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a significant convenience for daily connectivity. Furthermore, a generous provision of charging ports ensures all devices can remain powered.
One of the Kona’s strongest attributes is its user-friendly interface. Physical controls for essential functions mean that drivers can operate systems without excessive reliance on the touchscreen, thereby reducing distraction. Interior storage solutions, such as ample space for personal items in the front and an impressively sized trunk, contribute to its practical appeal. The back seat is also noted for its ability to accommodate passengers or child seats comfortably. While its driving dynamics may be characterized by a slight lack of power and a firmer, somewhat louder ride compared to larger vehicles, its overall package of technology, practicality, and value earned it the top spot in Edmunds’ comparison of small crossovers.
Leading Compact SUVs: Balancing Space, Comfort, and Efficiency
Stepping up in size, compact SUVs offer a more comprehensive balance, catering to a broader range of needs, from daily commuting to family excursions. This segment is characterized by improved ride comfort, more sophisticated powertrains, and enhanced interior refinement.
Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage: Sibling Rivalry for the Win
When considering vehicles under $40,000, the Hyundai Tucson is frequently recommended due to its exceptional value proposition. Its features-per-dollar ratio is often superior to many competitors in its class. The Tucson Hybrid, in particular, is highlighted for its potent yet smooth power delivery, providing an enjoyable and efficient driving experience. Comfort is another strong point, contributing to its appeal as a well-rounded option.
Technological integration is also a strength across the Tucson lineup, especially in higher trims where features like a digital gauge cluster and the innovative blind-spot camera are included. The latter is consistently praised as one of the most effective driver assistance systems available. Thoughtful interior storage, such as a convenient shelf ahead of the passenger seat, further enhances its utility. While cup holders may not accommodate larger water bottles, this minor drawback is often overshadowed by the vehicle’s overall excellence.
The Kia Sportage, a corporate cousin to the Tucson, shares much of its mechanical underpinnings due to their common parent company. Although their interior and exterior designs differ, allowing for distinct aesthetic preferences, both vehicles offer similar strengths in terms of value, technology, and driving performance. The Sportage, for instance, offers a configurable cup holder area, addressing a small concern found in the Tucson. Both models have demonstrably excelled in extensive compact SUV testing, reinforcing their position as top contenders.
Toyota RAV4: Redefined Performance and Fuel Economy
The Toyota RAV4 has undergone a significant transformation, with its latest iteration garnering considerable praise, especially after previous versions were less enthusiastically received. The current model is lauded for its improved technology suite and, notably, its standard hybrid engine, which achieves class-leading fuel economy. This blend of efficiency and modern features makes the RAV4 an easily recommendable SUV for a wide demographic.
Mid-Size SUVs: Versatility for Adventure and Daily Life
For buyers requiring a bit more space, enhanced capability, or a blend of both, mid-size SUVs offer increased versatility. This segment often introduces options with more robust powertrains and, in some cases, a respectable degree of off-road prowess.
Subaru Outback: An Overhauled Contender for Off-Roaders
The Subaru Outback, following a substantial overhaul for the 2026 model year, presents compelling improvements both aesthetically and functionally. The updated design is complemented by a completely revamped interior, most notably a significantly improved technology stack. The previous generation’s infotainment system, known for its sluggishness and glare issues, has been replaced by a much faster, crisper, and more intuitive setup. Furthermore, the new Outback offers increased interior dimensions, with a taller roof contributing to greater rear passenger room and expanded cargo capacity.
Perhaps the most significant enhancement lies in its driving dynamics. The new Outback exhibits enhanced composure and refined handling, steering, and braking, shedding its previous tendency to feel less stable during cornering. This improvement is achieved without sacrificing the characteristic comfort that Subaru owners appreciate. Coupled with its long-standing reputation for off-road capability, evident in the current model, the Outback provides a unique blend of ruggedness and everyday drivability. A welcome change for many drivers is the return of physical buttons for climate controls, which greatly improves ergonomics and reduces the need to divert eyes from the road.
Honda Passport: Robust Design with Ample Storage
As an alternative to the Outback, the Honda Passport offers a more conventional SUV aesthetic. It is praised for its tactile interior quality, featuring “clicky, nice haptics” for controls, and its larger dimensions translate into more passenger and cargo room. However, this increased size and weight also lead to diminished fuel economy compared to some lighter counterparts.
A standout feature of the Passport is its exceptional interior storage. Thoughtfully designed elements such as oversized cup holders, multi-level door pockets, numerous cubbies, and a spacious center console shelf with a rubberized tray for phones underscore its practicality. Its inclusion in Edmunds’ one-year road test fleet further attests to its robustness and appeal.
Family-Friendly Three-Row SUVs: Seating and Space for Everyone
When the need for multiple passengers, particularly growing families, becomes paramount, three-row SUVs are an indispensable category. These vehicles prioritize seating capacity and often offer flexible cargo configurations.
Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe: Affordable and Spacious
For an affordable three-row SUV that doesn’t feel overly cumbersome, the Kia Sorento is a top recommendation. It is offered with a potent turbocharged engine, contributing to a smooth and effortless driving experience. Kia’s suite of driver assistance features is consistently rated among the best in the segment, enhancing both safety and convenience. The Sorento’s interior space is particularly impressive, providing ample room for child seats or adult passengers in the second row, and even accommodating adults in the third row—a rare feat at its price point.
Mirroring the relationship between the Tucson and Sportage, the Hyundai Santa Fe serves as the Sorento’s Hyundai counterpart. With a more distinctive, Land Rover-inspired design, the Santa Fe shares the Sorento’s core strengths in space, technology, and refined driving dynamics, offering an alternative for those with different aesthetic preferences.
Hyundai Palisade Hybrid and Toyota Grand Highlander: Premium Three-Row Options
For buyers willing to invest a bit more, the new Hyundai Palisade has made a significant impression, particularly the Palisade Hybrid variant. The interior design and material quality evoke a true sense of luxury, especially with specific color schemes. Ride comfort and cabin quietness are comparable to luxury-segment vehicles, yet the Palisade maintains a more accessible price point, aligning with many minivans. The hybrid model offers robust power and an estimated 30 miles per gallon, a notable achievement for a vehicle of its size.
Interior space is generous across all three rows, ensuring comfort for all occupants. Higher trim levels of the Palisade are equipped with features unparalleled by competitors in its price range, such as heated and power-reclining rear seats. While the standard gas-powered Palisade may feel less spirited and less fuel-efficient, the hybrid version emerges as one of the finest vehicles available today.
The Toyota Grand Highlander, especially the Hybrid Max variant, is another compelling choice for those seeking extensive space. Its engine delivers brisk and confident performance while maintaining a respectable 27 MPG. The interior is notably cavernous, rivalling only GM’s large SUVs for cargo capacity. Key strengths include abundant front storage, effortless child seat installation, intuitive controls, and robust technology. For those who appreciate Toyota’s straightforward and dependable approach, the Grand Highlander proves to be a highly satisfactory no-nonsense three-row SUV.
Large Truck-Based SUVs: Maximum Space and Towing Capability
When the demands for space, passenger capacity, and, crucially, towing prowess reach their peak, truck-based three-row SUVs become the only viable option. These formidable vehicles are built on rugged platforms designed to handle heavy loads and challenging conditions.
Ford Expedition: The Undisputed Towing King
The new Ford Expedition is recognized as the segment leader among large truck-based SUVs, particularly excelling in comparison tests against rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe. Its twin-turbo V6 engine offers an unmatched combination of power delivery and smoothness, making it a segment benchmark. Ride comfort over uneven surfaces, such as bumps and potholes, is superior, and the interior provides vast amounts of space for both people and cargo. Front interior storage is also a significant highlight.
One of the primary reasons to opt for an Expedition is its prodigious towing capacity, which can approach nearly 10,000 pounds. This capability far exceeds that of smaller SUVs like the Palisade or Grand Highlander, making it the ideal choice for hauling large boats or RVs. While fuel economy is, as expected for a vehicle of this size, not its strong suit, and some drivers might find its oval-shaped steering wheel unconventional, the Expedition remains the premier option for those requiring maximum utility and capability.
Premium Luxury SUVs: Redefining Comfort and Sophistication
For discerning buyers who prioritize refinement, advanced technology, and an elevated driving experience, luxury SUVs offer the ultimate automotive indulgence. This segment encompasses a range of sizes, each delivering a distinct interpretation of premium motoring.
Small Luxury SUVs: Compact Elegance
BMW X1: Dynamic and Discreet Luxury
The BMW X1 represents a strong choice for those seeking luxury in a more compact footprint, without incurring exorbitant costs. It boasts excellent technology, a responsive engine, and retains the characteristic driving DNA found in larger BMW SUVs like the X3 and X5. Its quiet operation around town significantly contributes to a premium feel, a quality often rare in smaller luxury vehicles. While it offers less space than some non-luxury compact SUVs or its larger BMW siblings, the X1 still provides sufficient trunk capacity for short road trips with four occupants and ample legroom in both rows. Despite a potentially jarring stop-start system, the X1’s overall package makes it a desirable vehicle for everyday luxury.
Genesis GV70: Exceptional Value and Opulence
The Genesis GV70 is a true overachiever in the small luxury SUV segment, consistently exceeding expectations with its remarkable sense of luxury. Its ride comfort is among the best in its class, and the cabin remains exceptionally quiet. The interior design and materials exude a premium aura, feeling appropriate for a vehicle priced significantly higher. A large, wrap-around screen houses the intuitive technology, complemented by spaciousness and advanced driver assistance systems.
The GV70 also offers an impressive electric variant. Its value proposition is particularly strong; a fully loaded GV70 can be acquired for thousands less than a comparably equipped BMW X3, yet often includes exclusive features such as massaging ventilated seats, fingerprint recognition for ignition, and remote smart parking. Backed by an industry-leading 10-year warranty, the GV70 stands out as an outstanding blend of luxury, technology, and compelling value.
Mid-Size Luxury SUVs: Elevated Performance and Customization
Mercedes-Benz GLE: Versatility and Refinement
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a highly regarded mid-size luxury SUV, offering extensive customization options for its interior and exterior, along with a diverse range of powertrains. Options include four, six, and eight-cylinder engines, a plug-in hybrid, and a high-performance AMG variant, ensuring an engine choice for virtually any preference. While the GLE can become quite expensive with added options, the resulting vehicle justifies the investment through exceptional build quality and premium materials. It delivers immense comfort, with available features like rapid heating, ventilation, and massaging seats. Interestingly, the standard suspension is often preferred over the more expensive air suspension, and the MB-Tex synthetic leather upholstery is praised for its feel and durability compared to some genuine leather options. The interior is elegantly designed and spacious, incorporating modern and feature-rich Mercedes technology, which, despite a learning curve, becomes intuitive with use. A compact third-row seat is also available for occasional use.
Lexus GX: Rugged Luxury with Off-Road Prowess
For those whose preferences lean more towards rugged capability without sacrificing luxury, the Lexus GX is an appealing option. Its bold, boxy design and upright grille convey an image of a capable off-roader, a perception supported by trims like the Overtrail, which demonstrate genuine capability in challenging terrain. Despite its truck-like underpinnings, the GX maintains a composed ride. Its twin-turbo V6 engine provides confident power for effortless passing, while refined braking and steering contribute to smooth driving. The large infotainment screen offers user-friendly technology, and an exceptional audio system can be specified. However, a notable drawback for the GX is its relatively limited interior space, particularly in the second and available third rows, considering its large exterior footprint and fuel consumption. Despite this, its unique blend of off-road potential and luxury makes it a popular choice for adventurers seeking comfort.
Large Luxury Three-Row SUVs: Pinnacle of Space and Comfort
Mercedes-Benz GLS: The Ultimate Luxury Family Hauler
For an unparalleled experience in a large luxury three-row SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is a standout. It embodies all the advanced driving, safety, and infotainment technologies expected from a flagship Mercedes product. The GLS delivers an incredibly smooth, effortless, and exceptionally comfortable ride, making long journeys a pleasure. Like the GLE, it offers an almost limitless array of customization possibilities for those with the budget. Crucially, the GLS provides genuine adult-sized space in all three rows, a rarity among luxury SUVs, complemented by a substantial cargo area that can be expanded using power-folding second and third-row seats. Its unique blend of comfort, space, and refinement leaves competitors wanting, often being considered the ultimate three-row SUV on sale.
Lincoln Navigator: Unmatched Size and Towing Capability
While the Mercedes-Benz GLS represents the pinnacle of luxury, the Lincoln Navigator offers an alternative focus: sheer size and uncompromising capability. Built on a robust truck platform, the Navigator is an exceptional towing vehicle, boasting a maximum capacity of 8,700 pounds. This significantly surpasses other luxury options, including the GLS and Cadillac Escalade, making it the top choice for those needing to tow substantial luxury RVs or large boats. Furthermore, the Navigator is cavernous inside. The extended-length Navigator L model can comfortably accommodate luggage for seven people, and with its seats folded down, it offers an additional volume equivalent to an entire Toyota RAV4’s cargo space compared to the GLS. This makes the Navigator a formidable contender for the title of ultimate luxury family hauler, especially for those who prioritize maximum space and towing prowess in their premium SUVs on sale today.
Picking the Best SUV for You: Your Questions Answered
What is an SUV and why are they so popular?
SUVs are versatile vehicles that have become a very popular choice for many drivers worldwide. They are known for their flexibility to suit various needs and lifestyles.
How does Edmunds evaluate the best SUVs?
Edmunds uses a rigorous process to review over 200 vehicles each year, testing everything from track performance to real-world driving conditions. This ensures their recommendations are based on extensive, unbiased analysis.
What are the main types of SUVs available?
The article discusses several types of SUVs, including small crossovers, compact SUVs, mid-size SUVs, three-row family SUVs, large truck-based SUVs, and premium luxury SUVs.
What kind of SUV should I consider if I have a family?
For families, a three-row SUV is ideal as it prioritizes seating capacity and often offers flexible cargo space. These vehicles typically provide ample room for child seats and multiple passengers.
What type of SUV is best if I need to tow heavy loads?
If you need to tow very heavy loads, like large boats or RVs, a large truck-based three-row SUV is the best option. These vehicles are built on rugged platforms specifically designed for maximum towing capability.