Best Crossover SUVs

Subaru introduced the Forester almost 30 years ago, and since then has sold more than 2.6 million of the popular SUVs in the U.S. Now, the Japanese automaker is introducing the sixth generation of the Forester for the 2025 model year.

The 2025 Subaru Forester remains a popular light off-roader with full-time all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru also offers dual-function X-Mode for increased capability in foul weather or more challenging off-road conditions. The previous generation's 180-horsepower 2.5-liter engine carries over to the new Forester, which maintains adequate power and good fuel efficiency. A hybrid version has been announced, but no details have been provided yet. Given Subaru's previous partnerships with Toyota, we expect the hybrid to be based on a Toyota powertrain.

Still easily recognizable, the latest Forester gets fresh styling, including a new flush-mounted grille that enhances a streamlined design. The grille flows into the new LED headlights with stylish LED daytime running lights above. The rear gets new taillights and the Forester name spelled out in large letters across the tailgate.

Inside, the available 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen display gives the Forester a premium vibe. Virtually all physical buttons are gone, replaced by screen-integrated controls for climate, audio, and navigation. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all Foresters, with a wireless connection on higher trims.

These updates should keep the Forester relevant in the very competitive compact crossover segment, which includes top sellers such as the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4. We expect Subaru will add a Forester Wilderness sometime in 2025; it should provide strong competition to off-road-capable crossovers like the Ford Bronco Sport and Mazda CX-50. Details of the Forester Hybrid are expected in early 2025.

Hyundai has fully embraced electrification with hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. The all-new 2026 Ioniq 9 takes its place at the top of the Hyundai EV model lineup, joining the Ioniq 5 compact crossover and Ioniq 6 premium sedan.

Built on Hyundai's E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), the new Ioniq 9 is the brand's largest EV with seating for up to seven passengers in a roomy, comfortable cabin. While the overall dimensions of the Ioniq 9 are similar to the gas-powered Hyundai Palisade, the electric powertrain allows for a much longer wheelbase, improving interior space and drivability.

The Ioniq 9 will be available with single-motor rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. A Performance version boasting 422 horsepower will also be offered, making it one of Hyundai's most powerful vehicles. Hyundai expects the Ioniq 9 to have a maximum range of 335 miles, with every trim getting at least 300 miles on a charge. Charging from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger should take about 25 minutes.

With only a handful of three-row electric vehicles available, the Ioniq 9 will be vying for a piece of a rather small pie. Rivals include the Rivian R1S, and the Hyundai’s cousin, the Kia EV9. While the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz also offers three rows of seats, it is more minivan than SUV, so it is an outlier but still could be considered an alternative to the Ioniq 9.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 goes into production in the Spring of 2025 at the Korean brand's new facility in Bryan County, Georgia.

For 2025, Audi fills in a notable gap in its electric vehicle lineup with the all-new Q6 e-tron. It's a compact SUV, which is somewhat rare among luxury EVs. While the Q6 is an excellent choice for most drivers, those who desire more performance and excitement have their own variant: the 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron. Both models sit between the smaller Q4 e-tron and the larger Q8 e-tron, but the SQ6 makes a stout 483 horsepower compared to the Q6's 422 hp, and its sporty suspension is tuned for athletic cornering. In the next year or so, a raucous RSQ6 e-tron is expected with even more performance.

Among the new SQ6 e-tron's few rivals, there is one that was developed alongside it. The new Porsche Macan Electric shares a lot of the Audi's underpinnings but costs quite a bit more and offers more sporty variants. The Genesis Electrified GV70 offers decent performance, but doesn't match the Germans when it comes to luxury and refinement. Other competitors are larger and pricier alternatives: the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

At least for now, the Audi SQ6 e-tron enjoys an advantageous position among luxury EVs. It returns a respectable amount of range, charges quicker than almost anything else, and is suitably practical for everyday use.

The Nissan Murano has always gone its own way when it comes to exterior design, beginning 20 years ago when it was introduced as the brand's first-ever crossover SUV. Now, Nissan has introduced a new fourth-generation Murano for the 2025 model year, and its exterior styling is as polarizing as ever before.

While the exterior certainly gets attention, the Murano's cabin has a premium vibe with a clean, high-tech design. A large display screen dominates the dashboard, and aside from the volume control knob, there are virtually no physical controls to be found.

With seating for five passengers, the Murano fits into the Nissan lineup between the Rogue and Pathfinder; however, its price makes it one of Nissan's most expensive SUVs, surpassed only by the newly redesigned full-sized Armada. But with an extensive list of standard equipment, the Murano does not seem overpriced.

The Murano gets a new powertrain for the 2025 model year, using Nissan's innovative variable combustion turbo (VC-Turbo) technology. Power output is slightly less than the outgoing version's V6, but Nissan has improved overall drivability by replacing the CVT with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on upper trims and available on the base-level SV.

The Murano's redesign was overdue, and with its updated features and modern cabin, the crossover should prove to be stronger competition against the Honda Passport, Mazda CX-50, and Chevrolet Blazer.

Look for the 2025 Nissan Murano to arrive in showrooms by the end of the year.

One of the original high-performance luxury SUVs, the Audi SQ5 continues to be a benchmark for the segment. Audi injects a potent dose of power into its popular Q5, with the 2025 SQ5 boasting a 349-horsepower turbocharged engine (up 148 hp from the Q5) that propels it to 60 mph in a brisk 4.7 seconds. Sharper handling and stronger brakes complement the engine upgrade, all while retaining Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. A Sportback body style adds a touch of style for those who prioritize aesthetics.

Beyond its athletic prowess, the SQ5 delivers luxury in spades. Typical Audi elegance graces the interior, with impeccable fit and finish throughout. Spacious and comfortable seating for five, along with a generous cargo area, solidify the SQ5's daily-driver credentials. Driver assistance tech rounds out the package. While the SQ5 offers a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and practicality, it faces stiff competition from established rivals like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Porsche Macan, each offering its own take on the high-performance luxury crossover formula.

Cadillac continues pursuing General Motors’ EV agenda with its fourth all-electric model, the three-row, six- or seven-seat Vistiq SUV, slated to launch in the second quarter of 2025 as a ’26 model.

The powerful and spacious midsize vehicle is aimed at luxury buyers who prefer a domestic brand, or want to save a few dollars versus most competitive imports.

In Cadillac’s EV lineup, it follows the hulking Escalade IQ SUV and the built-to-order Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan, both arriving in late 2024, and the two-row Lyriq SUV, which launched in mid-2022.

Design-wise, the Vistiq is a fairly standard slab-sided two-box SUV, relieved with some interesting sculpting on the side panels and a slight rearward curve to the roofline. It has that familiar Cadillac face with thin vertical stacks of LED headlights flanking a shield-shaped grille that sports an illuminated Cadillac emblem.

Cadillac once again goes to its Ultium platform and battery for the Vistiq’s underpinnings and power pack. It uses a 12-module Ultium battery that Cadillac says will give it 300 miles of driving range despite its size. (Official numbers aren’t out yet). Caddy says all four trim levels will use the same dual-motor powertrain with electronic all-wheel drive, capable of delivering 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque when the red Velocity Max button on the steering wheel is engaged. Cadillac claims a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds for the Vistiq in Velocity Max mode, dropping to 4.7 seconds when that red button is left alone.

The Vistiq’s closest cousin in the Caddy pantheon is the internal combustion XT6 SUV, which has about the same passenger space but 20% less cargo space. The Vistiq is 6 inches longer than the XT6, can tow more, and deliver more than twice the maximum horsepower.

The luxury three-row electric SUV segment is a pretty small one, so the Vistiq doesn't have much direct competition. Pricing for all trims hasn’t been announced, but Cadillac says the base price, including destination fees, will be $78,790. We expect pricing will soar into the high $80,000s or even the low $90,000s. Most of the Vistiq’s probable competitors start in the low $80,000s although the Rivian R1S is a few thousand less and offers actual off-road capability.

Likely competition in size and price includes the Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S, Volvo EX90, and the aging Tesla Model X. While not a luxury brand, Kia fields a highly competitive three-row electric SUV with its EV9, and some shoppers might find a fully loaded version to be just as pleasing as the Vistiq at a lower cost. Likewise, the new three-row [Volkswagen ID.

Buzz](/overview/volkswagen/id-buzz/) doesn’t offer the luxury or power of the Vistiq, but the modern version of the iconic microbus makes a statement that shoppers might find hard to ignore. Mercedes-Benz offers a pair of three-row electrics in the EQB SUV and EQS SUV. But they bracket the Cadillac in size and pricing, so neither is directly competitive.

Cadillac’s come a long way in recent years and its EVs can compete with the best in the luxury and near-luxury segments. We’ve not yet been able to spend any time on the road with the Vistiq and will have to come back with driving and overall competitiveness impressions closer to its launch date.

The Vistiq is a global model. In the U.S., it will be available at Cadillac dealerships in all 50 states.

Audi gained an advantage over its German rivals when it introduced the original e-tron SUV in 2019, beating the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE to market by almost three years. In the time since, Audi has kept its momentum strong. That initial e-tron, recently renamed the Q8 e-tron, is the largest all-electric SUV in Audi's lineup. It was joined in 2022 by the smaller Q4 e-tron, which is closely related to the Volkswagen ID.4. Audi uses even numbers in its EV names and odd numbers for its internal-combustion vehicles).

The newest all-electric addition, the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron, fills the size and price gap between the Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron. It's worth noting that the size differences between Audi's e-tron SUVs are more like half-steps than the typical jump from a compact to midsize SUV. The Q6 is built on an all-new platform shared with the Porsche Macan Electric.

Based on the specs, things are looking up for the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron. It's estimated to return 307 miles on a single charge and is capable of some of the industry's quickest DC fast-charge rates. Audi's main competitors don't currently offer a direct rival; the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV are closer in size to the Q8 e-tron.

It has been 20 years since Hyundai introduced an all-new SUV called the Tucson. It had a slow beginning, but the Tucson has become one of the best-selling SUVs in the United States. The five-passenger crossover is also Hyundai’s top seller, with record yearly sales since the fourth generation was introduced in 2020. The Korean brand expects this success to continue for the significantly updated 2025 Tucson.

While the dimensions remain unchanged, the 2025 Hyundai Tucson features fresh exterior styling and a revised, high-tech interior with a large curved screen encompassing the driver's display and infotainment system. The new display, combined with a complete revamp of the dashboard, center console, and steering wheel, gives the cabin a premium vibe. There are also several new features,t including adjustable regenerative braking on the HEV/PHEV versions, as well as Baby Mode, which optimizes the throttle and braking when you're driving with an infant on board.

The Tucson, which sits between the Kona and Santa Fe in the Hyundai lineup, is one of the few models sold in the U.S. that offers a choice of internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid (HEV), or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. This flexibility, combined with its spacious interior, expansive cargo bay, and excellent driving characteristics, has helped Tucson maintain its top-selling position. But the competition is fierce in this popular segment, with solid offerings in the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Kia Sportage (the Tucson's corporate cousin).

Toyota is not letting up on gas-electric hybrids. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is the newest and 13th in the automaker's lineup.

A midsize five-seater, the Crown Signia is neither the largest nor the fanciest, but for fans of Toyota crossovers and SUVs who find the Sequoia or Grand Highlander hybrid too big or pricey and the RAV4 or the outgoing Venza hybrids too small or unpolished, it may just do the trick.

The Signia — Toyota says the same derives from “insignia” and denotes a signature model for the company — won’t be in dealerships until summer of 2024, so Toyota hasn’t released many details about it. It debuted this week in Los Angeles, where powertrain and trim information was announced.

Appearing more like a lifted wagon than an SUV, the Crown Signia will be marketed as a premium model alongside the Toyota Crown sedan. While the sedan starts at just over $41,000, the Signia version begins at almost $45,000. Initially, it will be offered in just two trim levels: XLE and Limited. There won’t be a turbocharged performance-oriented version like the top-of-the-line Crown Platinum sedan, at least not for the 2025 model year.

With standard electronic all-wheel drive, we expect the Crown Signia to compete against the slightly smaller Subaru Outback as well as various trim levels of other midsize SUVs, including the Kia Sorento and Honda Passport. It may be a bit pricier, but as a hybrid it also is likely to be a lot more fuel-efficient, which could make up for the price difference over time.

When Nissan introduced the Kicks in 2018, it was part of a class of entry-level crossover SUVs without the option of all-wheel drive. Now, this compact model is graduating with available all-wheel drive for the 2025 model year, but that’s not all.

The Kicks remains the entry point to the Nissan SUV lineup, sitting below the Rogue and Murano. However, this new version is built on Nissan’s new global platform, which promises improved dynamic performance and better capability. Longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, the 2025 Kicks features a more comfortable, roomy cabin. With its increased size, the Kicks moves into the gap previously held by the discontinued Rogue Sport.

In addition to its larger size, this Kicks gets fresh styling, introducing a new look for the brand. There are traces of the signature V-Motion grille, but the new look is a departure from the rest of the SUV lineup, featuring a horizontal design with stylish LED running lights integrated beneath slim, new headlights. New, vertical taillights are placed at the edge of the vehicle, giving it a wider stance from the rear.

Inside, the Kicks feels more upscale, with a clean dashboard design highlighted by the available dual driver and infotainment 12.3-inch touchscreen displays. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now available on upper trim levels. The front and rear seats use Nissan's Zero Gravity design, which better distributes pressure to minimize fatigue on long drives.

With the updates for 2025, the Kicks has become a strong offering in the competitive compact crossover market. Look for it to make inroads against popular models such as the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Corolla Cross.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is arriving in showrooms now, maintaining its value with only a minor price increase compared to 2024.

Cadillac’s entry-level luxury EV, the 2025 Optiq compact crossover, is designed to attract new customers who might otherwise turn to Audi or Volvo for an upscale, all-wheel-drive EV.

The five-seat Optiq will occupy the bottom row of Cadillac’s EV pyramid, which ultimately will be topped by the $300,000-plus Celestiq sedan. Slotting between the two models are the Lyriq two-row crossover, upcoming Vistiq three-row SUV, and the super-sized Escalade IQ.

A starting price near $54,000 puts the Optiq in the same range as similarly sized entry-luxe all-wheel-drive electric crossovers such as the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volvo EX40 and its EC40 Sportback sibling, and the three-row Mercedes-Benz EQB. The Genesis GV60 and upcoming Polestar 4 rear-wheel-drive models also are competitors in price, although moving up to the all-wheel-drive versions takes them out of the race.

Cadillac says the Lyriq will offer more cargo space than its rivals, along with more range and power than almost all likely competitors.

Though it sits slightly taller than all rivals except the EQB, the Qptiq is longer overall and has a longer wheelbase than the rest for a lean, sporty appearance.

The Lyriq won’t replace Caddy’s conventionally powered XT4 entry-level SUV, so buyers will still have a gasoline option in this segment.

Production of the 2025 Cadillac Optiq is scheduled to begin this fall.

The Genesis brand was introduced less than 10 years ago — barely a blink compared to Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Lexus — and in that short time, the luxury arm of the Hyundai Motor Group has become a significant competitor. It was just a few years ago that Genesis joined the lucrative midsize SUV market with the flagship GV80. This year, the Korean automaker is adding the sleek 2025 GV80 Coupe.

Front styling is similar to that of the revised 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV, but the Coupe features a special version of the familiar Crest grille with a dual-layered design and the brand's signature two-line headlights. However, the GV80 Coupe has a distinct profile with a roofline that smoothly flows from the top of the windshield to the custom rear spoiler. Available 22-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets add to the sporty look.

All-wheel drive comes standard on the GV80 Coupe, which gets two engine options: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that powers the top-level GV80 SUV and a version that adds a 48V electric supercharger, bumping output from 375 horsepower to 409 hp. The supercharged powerplant is now the most powerful engine in the Genesis lineup.

The GV80 Coupe's stylish cabin is highlighted by a 27-inch-wide OLED screen that houses the driver display and infotainment screen. Seats are trimmed in soft Nappa leather, and there's plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The GV80 Coupe is an excellent luxury SUV coupe option, bringing strong competition to a niche market dominated by established European brands. These include the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.