Looking for the Best SUV? Start with Our Top Picks in Every Segment

While we here at Road & Track tend to gravitate towards sports cars, hot hatchbacks, and other performance cars, it’s impossible to deny the dominance of SUVs in today’s new-car market. SUVs and light trucks make up a vast majority of all new vehicle sales, and an impossibly wide variety of shapes, sizes, capabilities, and powertrain configurations are available. To help you navigate the overwhelming array of SUVs available, we’ve gathered our favorites with the right measure of capability, speed, and style. They’re listed by segment, starting with the smallest and most affordable models and going up to the largest, most powerful, and most expensive vehicles.

For more specific SUV rankings, check out our pages for various sizes, price classes, and other characteristics:

Brian Silvestro and Clifford Atiyeh also contributed to this story.

Subcompact: 2026 Chevrolet Trax

Base price: $22,995

The Trax may not appear to offer any standout characteristics, but its attractively low base price makes it one of the best values of any new car you can buy today. It looks good for a small SUV, its driving experience is sportier than you’d think, and it offers a ton of space inside. The infotainment screen is easy to use and offers all the expected connectivity features. Even the top trim levels with all the available options don’t reach $30,000, and that’s worth celebrating in today’s over-priced world.

We Review the Trax Activ

Subcompact: 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Base price: $28,415

Although the Crosstrek is little more than a lifted Subaru Impreza hatchback, it manages to provide more character and off-road prowess than anything else in the subcompact-SUV class. Standard all-wheel drive, a standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine, and an available Wilderness off-road trim make the Crosstrek an interesting choice among diminutive utes. For 2026, the hybrid version joins the lineup and promises significantly better fuel efficiency.

Why The Wilderness Version Feels Like a New Era of Subaru

Compact: 2026 Mazda CX-50

Base price: $31,395

Compact SUVs don’t usually elevate the heart rates of those who like to drive, but Mazda’s offerings are an exception. The CX-50 is our pick of the company’s smaller SUVs because it offers sleeker styling than the similarly sized CX-5 while also providing more powertrain choices. The base naturally aspirated four-cylinder is best avoided, but the powerful turbocharged four makes the CX-50 genuinely fun to drive, and the new hybrid version (pictured) that joined the lineup for 2025 is impressively efficient. A well-tuned suspension provides a smooth ride and composed handling, while the steering is far more communicative than what you’d expect from this type of car.

Tested: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Compact: 2026 Honda CR-V

Base price: $32,370

The CR-V is probably one of the first names you think of in the compact-SUV segment, and it has established a strong reputation for practicality. The latest version is particularly enticing in hybrid form, as the gas-electric powertrain is more powerful than the standard turbo-four and provides up to 40 mpg according to the EPA. We also like how the latest CR-V drives, and its interior is spacious, easy-to-use, and attractive. It’s not the most exciting SUV out there, but it’s the whole package. The hybrid offers the new TrailSport trim level, which has a few off-road-oriented upgrades including all-terrain tires.

More Info on the New TrailSport Model

Compact Electric: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Base price: $67,800

As the winner of our Performance EV of the Year award, the Ioniq 5 N’s calling card is its highly entertaining driving experience. It’s the 641-horsepower, high-po version of the also appealing Ioniq 5 electric SUV, and the N version has all sorts of fun add-ons including far more powerful electric motors, various drive modes including manual shifting, and cheeky fake sounds that can be set to impersonate different types of gas engines. We’ve never driven an EV quite like it, and it happens to also be practical thanks to its spacious interior and cargo area.

We Compare the I5N to a Manual BMW M3

Base price: $37,885

The Kia Telluride has been around for a while now, having debuted for the 2020 model year, but it’s still one of our favorite mid-size SUVs. It comes standard with three rows of seats and can hold either seven or eight passengers. The styling is handsome, the driving experience is refined, and the interior is far more luxurious than the price would suggest. No matter the trim, every Telluride gets Kia’s naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 making 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front or all four wheels. There’s even an off-road-focused X-Pro trim, which adds a 110-volt outlet in the cargo area and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

A New 2027 Model Is Coming Soon

Mid-Size: 2026 Hyundai Palisade

Base price: $41,035

For its first generation, the Palisade lived in the shadow of its Kia Telluride sibling, but now the Hyundai gets to shine because its second-generation version has arrived ahead of the Kia’s. The new Palisade is larger than before and looks more upscale inside and out. It also now offers a hybrid version with 329 horsepower, and the rugged-looking XRT trim level is more capable than before in the rough stuff.

Why the Palisade Feels More Expensive Than It Is

Base price: $40,330

The Mazda CX-90 punches above its class in the mid-size SUV segment not only because it looks great inside and out, but because it features a new platform with a longitudinal engine layout and a turbocharged straight-six engine. The inline-six offers 280 hp in base form and 340 hp in the Turbo S trims, and the plug-in-hybrid model produces a total output of 323 hp from 2.5-liter inline-four and electric motors. Power gets to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing for a 0-60 time of as low as 6.3 seconds. Fun fact: When the CX-90 hybrid runs in EV mode, it plays a rotary engine note in the cabin.

Tested: 2026 Mazda CX-90 Is the Best-Driving SUV in Its Segment

Mid-Size: 2026 Ford Bronco

Base price: $42,490

The Bronco is Ford’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler. It has an independent front suspension for better on-road manners and a utilitarian cabin with removable doors for off-road adventures. The base engine, a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, can be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission with a seventh “crawler” gear for serious trail climbs, while higher trims come with a 330-hp twin-turbo V-6. Then there’s the big-boy Bronco Raptor, which gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 making 418 hp along with a long-travel Fox Racing suspension, fender flares, and 37-inch all-terrain tires.

Check out our review of the Bronco Raptor

Mid-Size: 2026 Jeep Wrangler

Base price: $36,985

With live axles on either end, the Jeep Wrangler feels far from modern when compared to anything else on this list. But this SUV has a lasting cult following and more curb appeal than just about anything else costing less than six figures. Pair that with its go-anywhere attitude and, in Rubicon form, serious off-road prowess, and you have a guaranteed recipe for fun. There are no fewer than four powertrains available, including a base 3.6-liter V-6, a 375-hp four-cylinder 4xe hybrid, and, our personal favorite, a 6.4-liter V-8 making 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Get the V-6 and you can even opt for a manual transmission.

The Wrangler Lost Ground but Still Beat the Bronco in Sales

Mid-Size: 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser

Base price: $58,695

In many ways, the new generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser is returning to the nameplate’s roots. Though we knew it as a large, luxurious, expensive, three-row off-roader for decades, the latest model is significantly smaller and less expensive and comes only with two rows of seats. It comes with a hybrid powertrain using a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four, and total output is 326 horsepower. The base model, called 1958, is fairly basic and has retro-inspired round headlights, while the higher trim level has more equipment and the squared-off headlights you see here.

Does the New Land Cruiser Still Feel Like a Land Cruiser?

Base price: $56,495

Kia’s smash-hit designs continue with the EV9, the electric version of the Telluride that’s based on the same great chassis as the EV6. With 82 cubic feet of cargo space, the three-row EV9 is among the roomiest electric SUVs. It’s quick, too, with a 379-hp dual-motor setup good for 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The swivel seats are not on sale here, but those second-row chairs recline and even have leg rests. If you want to be the coolest parent in the school pickup line, get the EV9. That becomes even more true for 2026 as the 500-hp EV9 GT (pictured) joins the lineup.

Here’s What We Know about the EV9 GT

Full-Size: 2026 Toyota Sequoia

Base price: $66,120

Toyota’s three-row, Tundra-based SUV is better than ever, with sharp styling and a modernized interior. The only drivetrain available is Toyota’s iForce MAX hybrid system, which is optional on the Sequoia’s truck sibling. It pairs a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission to make 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a legitimately brisk 60 time of 5.6 seconds and towing capacity up to 9520 pounds. The TRD Pro model with Fox shocks and a grille-mounted light bar is the one to get.

Here’s our first drive review of the Sequoia

Full-Size: 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe

Base price: $62,995

GM has dominated the full-size, truck-based SUV market for many decades, and the latest iteration of the Tahoe (and its big sibling, the stretched Suburban) is impressive. These trucks can tow and haul like a half-ton pickup while providing plenty of space for passengers and cargo inside. Two V-8 engines are available, and you can also opt for a turbo-diesel inline-six for better fuel economy and longer cruising range. Trim levels range from the relatively basic LS and LT up to the off-road-oriented Z71 and luxed-out High Country.

Tested: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

Compact Luxury: 2026 Genesis GV70

Base price: $50,480

Genesis is Hyundai spinoff luxury brand, and its lineup is full of segment-leading vehicles. The GV70 compact SUV is the brand’s most popular model. It looks amazing and feels wonderful to drive. The interior is top-notch, with features you’d expect on a car double the price. The GV70 offers two gas engines—a 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four and a 375-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6—along with a 429-hp electric powertrain option. You can’t go wrong with any of the three, though the speed demons in us prefer the legitimately fast V-6 variant or the GV70 Electrified, which makes 516 pound-feet of torque from zero rpm.

More Info on the 2026 Updates

Compact Luxury: 2026 BMW X3

Base price: $52,075

It wasn’t all that long ago that the idea of a BMW SUV seemed crazy, but the X3 has established itself as one of the de facto choices among compact luxury crossovers. The newest generation arrived for 2025 and ups the technology quotient while retaining the same turbo-four and turbo-six engines that were available previously. The X3 30 is the four-banger version, with 255 horsepower, and the X3 M50 is sportier thanks to its 375-hp turbocharged inline-six. All-wheel drive is standard across the board.

Tested: 2025 BMW X3 M50

Compact Luxury: 2026 Porsche Macan

Base price: $66,850

While the electric Macan EV has now arrived to much fanfare, the gas model has been the company’s bestselling model for years. It looks good and drives even better, with tons of Porsche attitude injected into the experience, from the chassis setup to the suspension to the brakes to the steering. With the right driver, a Macan GTS can keep up with most sports cars on a back road. If you prefer to stay on a tighter budget, we suggest picking up a Macan T. It combines the base 261-hp turbo-four with a bunch of otherwise optional performance items, including launch control, active suspension management, Sport Chrono, and, if you option the air suspension, stiffer anti-roll bars. The Macan T also gets a more rear-biased AWD system.

Check out our first drive of the Macan T

Mid-Size Luxury: 2026 Volvo XC90

Base price: $62,345

The Volvo XC90 may be old, but we still love it. Even among the latest and greatest SUVs in its class, the XC90 stands out as the most handsome and understated. Like most Volvos, the seat design is the best in the business with plenty of support and comfort even over rough terrain. The interior trim is also made from wool rather than leather. Opt for the top-tier Recharge powertrain and the XC90 is surprisingly quick, too. This plug-in-hybrid model has 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque for a claimed 60 time of just 4.5 seconds, which feels especially fun in a car that flies totally under the radar.

Here’s our review of the Updated 2025.5 XC90

Mid-Size Luxury: 2026 Land Rover Defender

Base price: $65,350

The Defender has been a hit for Land Rover, as it outsells the Discovery by about four to one. Boxy, retro-inspired looks backed by serious off-road prowess combine with a choice of three body styles and four seating configurations. It’s the luxury version of a Jeep Wrangler. No other SUV offers a two-door body with a V-8, a front bench seat, or a cargo-paneled long body with two rows. The Defender allows for ultimate customization and choice. There are four- and six-cylinder powertrains available, and the new Defender Octa tops the lineup with its 626-hp, twin-turbo V-8 engine and a host of other modifications.

Here’s our review of the Defender Octa

Mid-Size Luxury: 2026 Genesis GV80

Base price: $59,195

One quick glance at the Genesis GV80 and you might think it’s a competitor to the Bentley Bentayga. The styling inside and out may be the draw, but the GV80 is also impressive under the skin. It gets the same two gas powertrain options as the GV70, with a turbo-four making 300 hp or a twin-turbo V-6 making 375 horses. The V-6 version can sprint to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds—damn impressive for an affordable luxury SUV weighing over 5000 pounds. We suggest going for the Prestige trim, as you get a panoramic roof, a digital gauge cluster, Nappa leather, and a set of sweet 22-inch wheels.

There’s Also a Coupe Version

Mid-Size Luxury: 2026 Lexus GX

Base price: $68,385

The Lexus GX recently transformed into something resembling a modern version of the blocky 1990s-era LX that was beloved by Biggie Smalls. Now as then, the new GX is more desirable than its Land Cruiser twin with a sharp, chiseled exterior and a pampering interior built atop a ladder frame. This is a serious off-roader with a solid rear axle and a special suspension that can electronically disengage the anti-roll bars. The GX shares the Tundra’s 3.4-liter turbo V-6 and 10-speed automatic transmission. Tall gas-powered trucks never looked so good.

First Drive: Lexus GX550

Mid-Size Luxury: 2026 Audi RS Q8

Base price: $140,190

Think of the Audi RS Q8 as a budget-friendly Lamborghini Urus. Both SUVs ride on the same platform, and while the Lambo is now offered only with a plug-in hybrid setup, the Audi continues with a 631-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine. The biggest differences are the looks, the badges, and some interior trim. While we’d rather have the sleeker, more capable RS6 Avant Performance for daily-driver duties, you really can’t go wrong with the RS Q8 as a big, fast, do-it-all super SUV, especially if you need to tow over 7000 pounds.

Tested: 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance

Full-Size Luxury: 2026 BMW X7

Base price: $87,875

The X7 is the best-driving, most well-appointed vehicle in its class. With three rows of seats as standard and a slew of desirable features, it’s the ultimate family hauler and grocery-getter. The base engine is a 375-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, though we suggest jumping for the M60i trim, which gets you a 4.4-liter V-8 making 523 horsepower. There’s also the range-topping Alpina XB7 which, in addition to the specific fascias and fantastic signature multi-spoke wheels, squeezes 630 horsepower out of an Alpina-specific version of that V-8 engine. It can do 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and go onto a top speed of 180 mph.

Read our first drive here

Full-Size Luxury: 2025 Land Rover Range Rover

Base price: $112,250

Land Rover’s high-class Range Rover has been a mainstay in the garages of the rich and powerful for decades. Its presence makes a statement that few other high-riding SUVs can match. Inside you’ll find an expertly designed cabin with high-quality materials throughout. The best part? Since the Range Rover is still a Land Rover at heart, it can go virtually anywhere a Defender can. Available powertrains include a turbo inline-six, a plug-in hybrid, and a twin-turbo V-8—we suggest sticking with the six unless you plan to do a lot of towing. If speed is more your thing, there’s the Range Rover P615 SV, which gets a 606-hp version of that V-8. That’s the one we’d choose, obviously.

Check out our first drive review here

Mid-Size Electric: 2026 Rivian R1S

Base Price: $78,790

Rivian has managed to rise out of the seemingly endless crowd of EV startups to become one of the best electric carmakers. Its second vehicle, the R1S, provides an excellent on-road experience that’s matched by its off-road prowess. The design makes a statement, while the interior is better than a lot of cars costing over six figures. While most people aren’t buying the R1S for speed, it’s incredibly quick, especially if you opt for the 800-plus-hp tri- or quad-motor versions. Range is between 270 and 400-plus miles depending on the which battery-pack option you choose.

Read our first-drive review here

Ultra-Luxury: 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Base Price: $155,050

Turn any corner in Beverly Hills and you’re likely to run into a Mercedes-Benz G-class. It handles poorly and the cabin is cramped, but the G-wagen’s impressive off-road capability and 1970s military aesthetic attract Kardashians and anyone lucky enough to snag this hand-built truck. Whether you choose the base G550 or the 577-hp Mercedes-AMG G63 (or the new electric G580 model seen here), you’re buying into provenance and incredible rock-crawling chops. If you’re on the fence about buying one, get up close and simply try opening and closing the door. The satisfying latch alone is enough to sell most people on the G-wagen’s greatness.

The Electric G-Wagen makes its ancestors proud

Ultra-Luxury: 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Base Price: $410,350

If ultimate luxury is your goal and price is no object, Rolls-Royce has the SUV for you: the Cullinan. It’s the company’s first utility vehicle, equipped with all of the same ultra-luxurious features you’d find in something like a Ghost or Phantom. A twin-turbo V-12 offering up to 592 hp is standard, as is all-wheel drive and a sumptuously appointed cabin. Most Cullinans will go out the door for a half-million dollars, which makes the Rolls vastly more expensive than even its Bentley and Mercedes-Maybach competitors. Will you be getting the most value for your dollar? Probably not. But when you swing open those suicide doors pulling up to the function, everyone will know just how important you are. And that’s worth every penny.

Check out our review right here

Ultra-Luxury: 2025 Ferrari Purosangue

Base Price: $433,686

The Ferrari Purosangue might look like an SUV, but it drives more like a supercar. It’s the company’s first production four-door, packing a 715-hp 6.5-liter V-12 mated to a trick all-wheel drive system with two transmissions: an eight-speed dual-clutch for the rear wheels and a two-speed gearbox for the fronts. There’s also Multimatic’s new True Active Spool Valve (TASV) dampers, which use their own motors to control the shocks independently of the road surface. The system eliminates anti-roll bars entirely, relying solely on the damper to determine ride height and corner stiffness. The result is a sport utility vehicle that can perform as well as most supercars on a race track, with the sound to match.

Here’s our first drive of the Purosangue

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