SUVs and crossovers
Whether you’re looking to tow, transport your family, or deal with inclement weather, SUV and crossover options span nearly every size and budget.
Versatility is a key strength of an SUV, be it a full-size model like the Chevrolet Suburban or a midsize crossover like the Kia Sorento.
Best SUVs overall
There's a huge number of different SUVs out there, which is great news if you're looking for something that's perfectly tailored to your needs.
1. Nissan Rogue
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Fuel-efficient Ample cargo volume Many standard features
Cons
Steering lacks road feel Upper trims can get very pricey Less second-row legroom than some rivals
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Rugged powertrain Suite of driver aids
Cons
Rigid chassis Overwhelming trim options
3. Toyota RAV4
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Quiet and comfortable ride Capacious cabin for passengers and cargo Excellent off-road capabilities
Cons
Mediocre acceleration Steering on road feels vague Rugged styling might not be for everyone
Reliable SUVs
Whether off-road prowess is important to you or you're just looking for some extra space, SUVs offer plenty of versatility.
1. Buick Envision
CarMax owner rating
4.8
Pros
Quiet interior Smooth ride Good value
Cons
Small cargo area Less plush than competitors Limited steering feedback
2. Honda Passport
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Strong V6 engine Spacious interior Capable, standard all-wheel drive
Cons
Jarring ride off-road Adaptive cruise only above 20 mph No wireless Android Auto™/Apple CarPlay®
3. Honda HR-V
CarMax owner rating
4.3
Pros
Roomy seating Easy to get in and out Bigger cargo area than most other extra-small SUVs
Cons
Slow acceleration Uncomfortable front seats
Compact SUVs
Balancing practicality with versatile dimensions, a compact SUV is a great choice for busy lifestyles.
1. Nissan Rogue
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Fuel-efficient Ample cargo volume Many standard features
Cons
Steering lacks road feel Upper trims can get very pricey Less second-row legroom than some rivals
2. Toyota RAV4
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Quiet and comfortable ride Capacious cabin for passengers and cargo Excellent off-road capabilities
Cons
Mediocre acceleration Steering on road feels vague Rugged styling might not be for everyone
3. Honda CR-V
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Spacious interior Intuitive infotainment Smooth ride
Cons
Limited cabin storage Noisy hybrid powertrain Hybrid only on upper trims
Midsize SUVs
Embrace the freedom of adaptable seating configurations and cargo-carrying options to make space for your passengers, their belongings, and even your furry companions.
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Rugged powertrain Suite of driver aids
Cons
Rigid chassis Overwhelming trim options
2. Ford Explorer
CarMax owner rating
4.3
Pros
Wide range of engine choices Maximum tow rating of 5,600 pounds Cargo space
Cons
Key rivals have roomier third-row seats Higher trims are very pricey Some humdrum cabin trim
3. Mazda CX-5
CarMax owner rating
4.5
Pros
Strong overall performance Near-luxury interior Attractive styling
Cons
Below-average passenger and cargo space Firm ride quality Weak base engine
3-row SUVs
A third-row can be helpful to carry family or friends. Don't get overwhelmed by all of the great three-row options out there, we are here to help.
1. Acura MDX
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Comfortable seats Large cargo area Handling strikes a balance between relaxed and sporty
Cons
The base V6 engine lacks the power of turbocharged rivals The touchpad interface for the infotainment requires a steep learning curve
2. Chevrolet Traverse
CarMax owner rating
4.4
Pros
Intuitive infotainment technology Impressive acceleration Spacious seating across all three rows
Cons
Some panel finishing feels subpar Rear row design impairs visibility
3. Honda Pilot
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Comfortable ride The first two rows are roomy Controls are easy to use
Cons
The third row is a bit cramped Less rear storage than competitors Small standard touchscreen
Hybrid SUVs
With many models to choose from, purchasing a used hybrid SUV is a smart way to get more miles from a tank.
1. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
CarMax owner rating
4.7
Pros
Excellent fuel economy estimates Smooth ride Good cargo capacity
Cons
Uncomfortable front seats Mushy brake pedal Unpleasant engine noise
2. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
CarMax owner rating
4.8
Pros
Welcome hybrid fuel figures Generously equipped with standard and available driver assistance Pleasant ride experience
Cons
Tight third-row dimensions Prominent engine noise at full power Limited cargo space
3. Kia Niro
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Great seating and cargo space Standard tech including wireless smartphone connectivity Fuel-sipping powertrain
Cons
Just one engine, and it's a bit slow Front-wheel drive only Can have a rough ride depending on the surface
Best luxury SUVs and crossovers
Combining great features, style, and practicality, a used luxury SUV checks all the right boxes.
1. Acura MDX
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Comfortable seats Large cargo area Handling strikes a balance between relaxed and sporty
Cons
The base V6 engine lacks the power of turbocharged rivals The touchpad interface for the infotainment requires a steep learning curve
2. Acura RDX
CarMax owner rating
4.5
Pros
Decent features and options Roomy cabin and cargo space All-wheel drive with torque vectoring amplifies handling
Cons
Upgrades only available as packages Some drivers may find infotainment screen too high Only one trim, with no chance to trade up on powertrain
3. Infiniti QX60
CarMax owner rating
4.3
Pros
Great passenger space Full of features Quiet and comfortable cabin
Cons
Lackluster acceleration Ride can be rough on some surfaces Front seats could be better
Best electric SUVs
Electric SUVs have become a go-to choice for drivers seeking transportation without sacrificing style or versatility.
1. Tesla Model Y
CarMax owner rating
4.6
Pros
Pleasing electric performance options Spacious dimensions for a compact crossover Plenty of high-end, innovative tech
Cons
Distracting touchscreen interface Lacks Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ functionality
2. Volkswagen ID.4 EV
CarMax owner rating
4.3
Pros
Loaded with tech and driver aids Roomy, comfortable cabin Easily tackles U-turns with tight turn radius
Cons
Cumbersome, awkward controls Disappointing interior materials Handling could be sharper
3. Ford Mustang Mach-E
CarMax owner rating
4.8
Pros
Premium interior finishing Exhilarating to drive User-friendly touchscreen
Cons
Limited front-row seat adjustments A hard ride over lumps and bumps
Research SUV and crossover models
FAQs about SUVs and crossovers
SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle and the category covers a wide range of vehicles. Truck-based SUVs with four-wheel drive, like the Toyota 4Runner, have traditionally been what springs to mind when you think of an SUV. That's increasingly not the case, as crossover SUVs have become some of the most popular vehicles around. Those include the Kia Telluride, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
There are many different types of SUVs and they primarily are categorized by size and focus. Seating varies, from five in smaller SUVs, ranging all the way up to eight in some larger mid-size and full-size models.
Of the different sizes, there are:
– Subcompact SUVs, like the Volkswagen Taos
– Compact SUVs, like the Honda CR-V
– 5-passenger mid-size SUVs, like the Nissan Murano
– 7-passenger mid-size SUVs, like the Toyota Highlander
– Full-size SUVs, like the Chevrolet Suburban
Of the different focus areas, there are:
– Off-road SUVs, like the Jeep Wrangler
– Performance SUVs, like the Porsche Cayenne
– Hybrid SUVs, like the Volvo XC90 Recharge
The difference between an SUV and crossover boils down to how they’re built. An SUV resembles a truck but with more seating and enclosed storage space instead of a bed. For example, the Lincoln Navigator is built on the same platform, or chassis, as the Ford F-150. These vehicles tend to focus on off-road ability and towing more than comfort and fuel efficiency.
Crossovers are more similar to cars similar to passenger cars like the Honda Accord. Crossovers are commonly higher off the ground than sedans or coupes but share some characteristics, like a smooth ride and improved fuel economy compared to trucks and traditional SUVs. Examples include the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-50.
The Toyota RAV4 was far and away the top selling SUV in 2022. It was followed by the Honda CR-V and Tesla Model Y.
The Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Lexus NX 200t are among the most reliable and dependable SUVs available.
This will depend on what you need your SUV to do. If you're looking for off-roading, you can't do much better than the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. If towing and space is important, the Ford Explorer is a good option. But a few great, all-around choices include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Learn more about SUVs and crossovers
Ready to find your SUV or crossover?
How we ranked these vehicles
Our "Best of" lists represent the most popular vehicles with CarMax customers. To create the Best lists, our analysts look at CarMax vehicle and sales data over a recent 6-month period and rank the top selling vehicles in order. Looking back over a 6-month period allows for the highest sample size possible while also providing up-to-date pricing information. Each list includes the specific dates used when it was generated. Some articles may include data points with lower sample sizes.
To create our "Most Reliable" lists, our analysts pull the top most reliable vehicles—in order—according to RepairPal rankings. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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