Best SUVs for 2023 and 2024

Price: $36,785

The Ford Bronco, revived and placed back into the lineup in 2020 after a years-long slumber, 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 designed for exciting 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 totally revised long-travel Fox Racing suspension, fender flares, and 37-inch all-terrain tires.

Check out our review of the Bronco Raptor

Price: $44,795

The Ford Mustang Mach-E might not follow the Mustang format we know and love, but it is a real accomplishment for Ford. It's a tangible alternative to the Tesla Model Y, complete with an existing dealer network so you don't have to wait for an appointment at your closest Tesla service center. The Mach-E also looks far better and drives well.

Go for the performance-oriented GT trim, and you get 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque thanks to e-motors front and rear. Seeing as how most of these will be bought to commute, we'd go for the Premium model, as it's able to achieve as much as 306 miles of range on a charge paired with the extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive.

Read about Mach-E price cuts for 2023

Price: $30,825

The Honda CR-V is a reminder of just how good normal cars have become. Even a basic Honda crossover now delivers most of the features you'd want out of a car, plus much more. There's wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, a well-thought-out cabin, and a comfortable driving experience. Sure, you won't get as much enjoyment from a CR-V as you would in something like a Mazda CX-50, but still, for basic transportation, the CR-V is a great value.

You get a 190-hp turbocharged inline-four as standard and an available 204-hp hybrid powertrain. The one downside: AWD isn't standard. The cheapest CR-V is front-drive only, so if you live in a snow belt state, be sure to check if the CR-V you're buying has four driven wheels (or a set of quality snow tires) before you sign the paperwork.

Here's our full review of the CR-V

Price: $92,160

Toyota doesn't sell the newest version of its Land Cruiser in the United States (right now), and that's a shame. But you can still own a 300-series Landie stateside as long as you're willing to settle for a different fascia and a Lexus badge. The LX600 uses the Land Cruiser's architecture, cloaked in a layer of corporate styling and luxury.

Adjustable air suspension and available 22-inch wheels mean this SUV is aimed more toward on-road driving pleasure than adventurous trips off the beaten path. The only choice of drivetrain is a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 making 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 10-speed auto driving all four wheels. Towing capacity is 6000 pounds, so if you plan to pull race cars to the track, the LX is a good choice.

Check out our first drive review right here

Price: $25,000 (est.)

The Mazda CX-30 is the company's entry-level crossover, the smallest utility vehicle in Mazda's lineup offering just a tiny bit more practicality over its Mazda 3 hatchback sibling. While we'd take the standard 3 over the CX-3o every time, the high-riding CX is surprisingly fun, much like the rest of Mazda's lineup.

Its relatively small footprint and pleasant chassis tuning mean you can actually have fun behind the wheel. Add in the stylish looks and the well-specced interior, and you have a wonderful all-rounder that doesn't break the bank. We suggest springing for the optional 250-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four, as the standard naturally aspirated unit is a tiny bit underpowered for this application.

Here's our review of the all-electric MX-30

Price: $29,000 (est.)

Like the CX-30, the Mazda CX-50 is a crossover that's fun to drive. While most SUVs in this price range are soulless, boring boxes with no excitement engineered into the driving experience, the CX-50's taught suspension and weighty steering give something back to the driver, delivering something more than just pure, basic transportation.

The interior feels like it was lifted out of a car twice as expensive, with a generous 10.3-inch infotainment screen mounted atop the dash, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Go for the top-of-the-line turbocharged engine and you get 256 hp going to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission—more than enough to merge onto highways and have a bit of fun on your favorite back roads.

Read our road test right here

Price: $40,970

The Mazda CX-90 punches above its class in the full-size SUV range not only because it looks great inside and out, but because it features an all-new longitudinal engine layout, using a turbocharged straight-six engine that can be had as a mild hybrid or as a full-on plug-in, which features a 17.8-kWh battery pack.

There's up to 340 hp available on either of the two mild-hybrid options, or 323 hp from the plug-in hybrid. 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 plug-in CX-90 runs in EV mode, it plays a rotary engine note in the cabin.

Check out our review of the CX-90 here

Price: $141,050

Turn any corner in Beverly Hills, and you're likely to run into a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It's the vehicle of choice for the wealthy elite, and for good reason: It's one of the best-driving, most versatile SUVs on the market right now. Whether you choose the base G550 or the 577-hp Mercedes-AMG G63, you're getting a unique retro-inspired truck with real speed and capability, packed into something that's not too big to navigate through tight city streets.

If you're on the fence about buying a G-Class, 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.

We like the 500,000th G-Class ever built

Price: $175,000 (est.)

The Mercedes-Maybach brand is known best for its gigantic, ultra-luxurious sedans and the occasional convertible. For those who still need the extra utility mixed in with their comfort, there's the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. It deletes the GLS's third row to give the second row occupants far more space to stretch out and relax, thanks to repositioned lounge chairs. Despite the 600 nomenclature, the GLS 600 doesn't have V-12, but rather a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 550 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque.

It's paired to a 48-volt mild hybrid system for powering accessories and giving a little extra boost of power at low speeds. Though speed is likely not very important to buyers of this car, it's good to know it can get to 60 in 4.8 seconds, onto an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.

Here's everything we know about the Maybach GLS

Price: $61,460

Toyota no longer sells the Land Cruiser here in the United States, and if you don't want to spend six figures on the Lexus-branded LX600, that leaves the Sequoia. Thankfully Toyota's three-row SUV is better than ever, with sharp styling and a modernized interior.

The only drivetrain available is Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid system, something optionally available on the Sequoia's Tundra sibling. It pairs a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and 10-speed transmission to make 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a legitimately brisk 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds.

Here's our first drive review of the Sequoia

Price: $29,610

If fun is an important aspect for you when considering an SUV, it's tough to recommend the Toyota RAV4. It's a boring econobox, through and through. But there's a reason Toyota sells so many: the RAV4 is affordable, dependable, and practical. It checks every box it needs to, all while lasting for hundreds of thousands of miles with nothing more than scheduled maintenance.

The standard 203-hp inline-four should be enough people, but the speed demon in us recommends the RAV4 Prime. It makes 302 hp by combining the inline-four to three electric motors, meaning standard AWD and a 0-60 time of just 5.4 seconds.

The RAV4 is one of the best vehicles for the money

Price: $57,195

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, best-appointed choice. 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, something we think other manufacturers can learn from. Opt for the top-tier Recharge powertrain, and the XC90 is surprisingly quick, too. There's 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque to play with, meaning a claimed 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds, which feels especially fun in a car that flies totally under the radar.

Here's our comprehensive review of the XC90

Price: $50,000 (est.)

If you're looking for a pleasant daily driver, you can't do much better than the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Not only does it look great and come with a well-appointed cabin, it's also able to deliver up to 293 miles of range on a single charge. Build quality is far superior to its main competitor, the Tesla Model Y, and there's up to 402 hp available from its dual-motor powertrain.

Going for the two-motor setup means full-time all-wheel-drive and a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds. Best of all, the XC40 Recharge's design is very much ICE-adjacent, with very little to give it away as a purely electric vehicle. So you can fly under the radar while sprinting from stoplight to stoplight in silence.

Check out our first drive review here

Price: $37,355

The Kia Telluride is one of the few cars still demanding wait-lists and markups at dealerships, and it's easy to see why. For the price, it's easily the best midsize SUV on the market right now, delivering slick looks, a wonderful interior, and a surprisingly pleasant driving experience.

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, depending on trim. There's 21 ft of cargo volume, and up to 5500 of towing capacity available. 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.

Here's our cross-country review of the Telluride

Price: $37,735

The Hyundai Palisade shares an architecture and its powertrain with the Kia Telluride, meaning the same great demeanor and value. The biggest difference is the styling, an aspect of the Palisade we think can't keep up with the nicely designed Telluride. The engine is the same 3.8-liter V-6, making the same 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Power gets to the front wheels via an eight-speed torque converter as standard, though all-wheel-drive is an option on higher trims, and standard on the top-range Calligraphy model. There's 5000 pounds of towing on tap, and a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds for AWD models. The Calligraphy also gets power-folding second- and third-row seats, quilted leather, and second-row captain's chairs.

Make sure you check the safety ratings before you buy

Price: $43,000 (est.)

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks more like a big hatchback than an SUV, but we're going to include it here anyway, simply because it's so good. Unique boxy looks and tons of retro touches lead into a minimalistic, well-organized cabin with tons of space. We recommend going for the hotted up Ioniq 5 N, not only because it delivers 641 hp, but because it uses software tech like synthetic gear changes and battery preconditioning to make the driving experience unlike any electric car on sale today.

The Ioniq 5 N is a bright ray of fun, feedback-rich hope in a world of increasingly isolated, all-electric boxes. For around the price of a new M3, there's no beating it.

Read our first drive of the Ioniq 5 N prototype

Price: $62,925

When's the last time you saw an SUV with a drift mode? Never? We thought so. A drift setting is one of several things that make Kia's EV6 GT so great. Thanks to a 576-hp, 546 lb-ft all-electric drivetrain, it can sprint to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, onto a top speed of 161 mph. And it's not just straightline speed the EV6 GT is good at.

Thanks to chassis stiffening measures, retuned electronically controlled dampers, and electronic limited-slip diffferential, a quicker steering rack, and bigger brakes, it can handle as well as any new sports car. We're also fans of the neon green calipers and the big 21-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.

Check out our road test right here

Price: $36,285

The Hyundai Kona N might be the cheapest performance SUV on this list, but it's also one of the most fun. Hyundai's N division has a knack for turning boring, unassuming economy cars into smile-inducing riots, pushing out hit after hit, including the Veloster N and Elantra N. The Kona is no exception, delivering 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter turbo inline-four to the front wheels via a dual-clutch transmission.

The Kona N's steering, suspension, and chassis are expertly tuned for fun, despite its rather pedestrian bones. It gets a whole lot more appealing if you think of the Kona N as a tall hot hatch rather than a crossover. So that's what we suggest you do.

Read our review of the Kona N

Price: $66,195

It feels weird to say this, but some of BMW's best products right now are its SUVs. Its high-riding utility offerings are its biggest sellers, which means they get the biggest budgets. The X5 is the heart of the range, offering two 48-volt hybrid engine choices, a world-class cabin, and appealing styling (a rarity for BMWs these days).

You can't go wrong with either the 375-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six in the xDrive40i or the 523-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the xDrive M60i; both provide adequate power for daily use (we'd opt for the V-8, obviously). There's also a plug-in hybrid xDrive50e, which offers 483 hp and 40 miles of pure electric range.

Here's everything we know about the new X5

Price: $78,845

Say what you want about the BMW X7's looks, but it's the best-driving, most well-appointed vehicle in its class. With three rows as standard and a slew of desirable features, it's the ultimate family hauler, grocery-getter, and kid's soccer team carrier. 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 hp.

There's also the range-topping Alpina XB7 which, in addition to the specific fascias and fantastic signature multi-spoke wheels, squeezes 630 hp out of an Alpina-specific version of that V-8 engine. It can do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, onto a top speed of 180 mph.

Read our first drive here