The Best SUVs are always selling like hotcakes because they are fantastic all-around performers. You can take them on adventures, use them as a people or materiel hauler, and are fully capable of traversing more adverse terrain and weather. There is a sea of them out there, but not all are fantastic options for the money.
Thankfully, Consumer Reports has already selected the cream of the crop and created a list of valuable recommendations. Each vehicle went through a gauntlet of stringent tests which were created to test their capabilities and durability. CR does independent testing, meaning the vehicles were not sponsored in any way to avoid bias and pressure.
There are no specific brands when CR rounded up the machines they would test, but the results speak for themselves. All of the best car brands have at least one representative in this lineup. Their track records are proven by both tests and owner satisfaction ratings, so you can’t go wrong with either one.
Best SUVs by Consumer Reports 2024
Subcompact SUVs
Subcompact SUVs are like upgraded sedans that have better ride height, space, and overall capacity. They are popular simply because they are affordable AWD machines that a young professional or student can take on weekend adventures or grocery shopping.
The top three picks hear are popular because of their fantastic pricing and legendary reliability. The Subaru Crosstrek is a well-known adventure-ready subcompact, while the Corolla Cross and HR-V are some of the most practical and reliable cars in the market.
Subaru Crosstrek (87) 29 MPG
Road Test Score 82/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Corolla Cross Hybrid (79) 41 MPG
Road Test Score 82/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
Honda HR-V (74) 27 MPG
Road Test Score 70/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 2/5
Compact SUVs
Compact SUVs own the road everywhere since there are more and more of them plying our streets and freeways every day. They offer more room and comfort for a small family, plus some luggage or big items in the back.
The elusive yet highly desirable RAV4 Prime leads the pack with its upgraded interior, aesthetics, and efficiency. The Subaru Forester is quite popular with every type of driver, including the adventurous ones, while the Kia Sportage upgrades its lineage with plug-in hybrid capabilities.
Toyota RAV4 Prime (89) 34 MPG
Road Test Score 88/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Subaru Forester (88) 28 MPG
Road Test Score 90/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid (87) 31 MPG
Road Test Score 92/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
Midsize SUVs
Midsize SUVs are more ideal for road trips and vacations since they offer more trunk space, a more powerful drivetrain, and a slightly longer wheelbase. A family of 5 would be more comfortable here versus the category above due to more legroom and width.
The Subaru Outback takes the top spot this year but is closely followed by the spacious Ford Edge and the svelte Venza. All three are fantastic dailies and closely tied, but the Outback’s offroad ability gives it the edge.
Subaru Outback (79) 24 MPG
Road Test Score 89/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Ford Edge (79) 22 MPG
Road Test Score 81/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
Toyota Venza (79) 37 MPG
Road Test Score 79/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
3-Row Midsize SUVs
This particular segment gives you the gift of extra space that can expand your 5-pax capacity to 7 or 8 courtesy of 3rd-row seats. You lose most of your cavernous trunk space if you opt to use the former, but you get a ton of room once those seats are stowed away.
The hybrid Highlander is very hard to find because of its wild popularity despite the inception of the larger Grand Highlander. Its closely tailed by the equally popular Telluride and the Palisade, both of which also fly off the dealer’s lots as soon as they drop them from the trailer truck.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid (85) 35 MPG
Road Test Score 86/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Kia Telluride (84) 21 MPG
Road Test Score 92/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 5/5
Hyundai Palisade (83) 21 MPG
Road Test Score 85/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Luxury Entry-Level SUVs
Luxury entry-level monitors kick it up a notch compared to the likes of the Subaru Crosstrek above. They offer better creature comforts like plush interiors and snappier road performance.
BMW takes a lot of top spots this year in the luxury segments, but the Lexus UX and fun-to-drive Mini Cooper Countryman are hot on the trail. These three are excellent starting points in the luxury segment, even if they are more compact than the more popular options in the following category.
BMW X1 (79) 28 MPG
Road Test Score 86/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 1/5
Lexus UX (78) 37 MPG
Road Test Score 75/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 2/5
Mini Cooper Countryman (77) 35 MPG
Road Test Score 81/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Luxury Compact SUVs
This category contains upscale versions of one of the best-selling SUV types in the market right now. Beautiful interiors and soft-as-clouds ride experiences are part of the package, making the premium price a bit more palatable.
BMW’s X-series of SUVs rose to fame quickly when they arrived, and the X3 continues that advantage in the market with its lead. However, the Japanese bets in this category are not far behind, especially since they are known to be more reliable than their euro opponent.
BMW X3 (86) 24 MPG
Road Test Score 90/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Lexus NX Hybrid (83) 38 MPG
Road Test Score 84/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Acura RDX (81) 22 MPG
Road Test Score 80/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
Luxury Midsized SUVs
Luxury Midsized SUVs are highly desired because of their more robust road performance and extra room that magnifies the upscaled comfort. Typical buyers are families that want more room while having a car for daily commutes, unlike full-sized SUVs that guzzle gas and are impractical when driving alone.
BMW takes this year’s top spot again with its redesigned BMW X5 that drives like a dream. The plug-in hybrid drops a spot because of its lower predicted reliability, while the Lexus RX takes the third spot.
BMW X5 (92) 23 MPG
Road Test Score 94/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 5/5
BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid (88) 21 MPG
Road Test Score 98/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 5/5
Lexus RX Hybrid (83) 34 MPG
Road Test Score 86/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Luxury 3-Row Midsize SUVs
This group consists of people haulers who feel less utilitarian and more chic without losing their most important functionalities. These options are considerably pricier with lower MPG ratings, but their combination of power and space for families and cargo make the investment worth it.
The nimble Q7 takes the top spot since it’s very satisfying to drive, followed by the legendary Lexus GX, which is universally loved by the SUV crowd. The XT6, on the other hand, offers a distinguished design with new and improved features like Caddy’s Smart System.
Audi Q7 (76) 20 MPG
Road Test Score 87/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 2/5
Lexus GX (74) 17 MPG
Road Test Score 68/100
Predicted Reliability 5/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Cadillac XT6 (72) 18 MPG
Road Test Score 90/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Luxury Large SUVs
These plush tanks have a commanding presence on the road, but the other categories are missing. Each important segment has been expanded to meet the demands of executives and their families.
Vehicles like the BMW X7 are not considered full-sized, but they are more comfortable and tighter to drive. The Buick Enclave has, so far, put the brand back on the map with its fantastic design and more powerful engine.
BMW X7 (78) 22 MPG
Road Test Score 90/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Buick Enclave (77) 18 MPG
Road Test Score 82/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
Electric SUVs
Electric SUVs are becoming more prominent on the road since pricing has become a bit more affordable for the masses. What’s great about these options, besides their ICE and fuel-free operation, is that they are some of the most comfortable options in this lineup.
The Kia EV6 takes the top spot with its higher MPGE and satisfaction feedback from owners and testers. The spirited Ford Mustang Mach-E and the daily-driver-focused Nissan Ariya follow it.
Kia EV6 (77) 105 MPGE
Road Test Score 86/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Ford Mustang Mach-E (70) 90 MPGE
Road Test Score 74/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Nissan Ariya (70) 87 MPGE
Road Test Score 70/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Electric Luxury SUVs
Luxury EVs are some of the most sought-after vehicles in the market since their gas counterparts are basically guzzlers. Top-end EVs also have very attractive features like very powerful drivetrains that can give sports cars a run for their money.
The category is led by the BMW iX and Genesis GV60 due to their fantastic road test scores. The Lexus RZ trails at the third spot, but it’s predicted to be the most reliable of the bunch.
BMW iX (84) 86 MPGE
Road Test Score 91/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Genesis GV60 (75) 95 MPGE
Road Test Score 86/100
Predicted Reliability 3/5
Predicted Satisfaction 4/5
Lexus RZ (74) 107 MPGE
Road Test Score 70/100
Predicted Reliability 4/5
Predicted Satisfaction 3/5
