The 7 best SUVs and the 7 worst on the market right now

Kia Telluride (2025)
Honda CR-V Hybrid (2025)
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2025)
BMW X5 (2025)
Mazda CX-50 (2025)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (2025)
Genesis GV70 (2025)
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2025)
Chevrolet Blazer (2025, Gas Model)
Volkswagen Atlas (2025)
Subaru Ascent (2025)
Infiniti QX50 (2025)
GMC Terrain (2025)
Nissan Rogue (2025)

The SUV market continues to grow—and evolve—faster than ever. Between all the bold designs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. While SUV selections can be highly subjective, what really makes one a hot commodity? Is it the ride quality? Safety features? A usable third row? Answer: All the above (and more). Unfortunately, not every SUV lives up to the hype. Some skimp on essentials, others overpromise and underdeliver. And these days, buyers want more than a pretty face. Practicality, performance, safety, and innovative engineering are what separate the stars from the duds. So, we did the legwork for you. Scroll on to see which SUVs are worth your money—and which ones you might want to steer clear of, starting with the “yes” bunch.

Kia Telluride (2025)

For six consecutive years, the Telluride has won the Car and Driver 10 Best Trucks and SUVs award (2025 being the most recent). Why? Well, that’s because it’s a beauty in and out. In: upscale cabin materials, a 12.3-inch dual-screen display, spacious third-row seating, and standard safety technology. Out: A refined V6 that produces 291 hp.

Honda CR-V Hybrid (2025)

Delivering 204 total horsepower and up to 40 mpg combined in FWD form, the CR-V Hybrid excels in efficiency and practicality. Its roomy cabin and smooth regenerative braking make urban and suburban commutes effortless. Honda Sensing® safety features come standard, reinforcing Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and daily confidence.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2025)

With available all-wheel drive and Toyota’s trusted build quality, it’s a favorite among budget-conscious families globally. The RAV4 Hybrid delivers 219 net horsepower and class-leading mileage—up to 41 mpg city. Then enters the smart storage design and an available 10.5-inch infotainment screen, making it ideal for road trips or just everyday peace of mind.

BMW X5 (2025)

The X5 blends athleticism and luxury, offering up to 483 hp in its plug-in hybrid trim. With optional two-axle air suspension (except on the plug-in hybrid), xDrive AWD, and a tech-loaded interior, it strikes a balance between on-road confidence and premium comfort. It also supports electric-only driving for up to 40 miles in hybrid variants.

Mazda CX-50 (2025)

Built with off-road readiness, the 2025 CX-50 features a 2.5L engine and is available with a turbo. The interior? That’s all vibes and airy comfort, thanks to the panoramic moonroof, intuitive 10.25-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Alexa built-in. You get all this (and more) at a starting price of $31,000.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (2025)

The 2025 Cherokee is a versatile midsize SUV with real off-road chops. The refined “4xe” trim, a plug-in hybrid, brings 375 hp and 25 miles of electric range, though its high pricing is a concern. Nonetheless, it’s known for conquering trails and highways alike, and people love it because it’s luxurious even in rough terrain.

Genesis GV70 (2025)

This one brags commendable features like premium finishes, strong technology, and value-rich pricing. The GV70 punches above its weight, offering available 21-inch alloy wheels on select trims for long-distance driving stability and a fingerprint authentication system for added security. The adaptive cruise control with machine learning is also something innovation-loving buyers get excited about.

While the SUVs we’ve just covered continue to dominate the market, the following have been considered the worst in the class. They are not “bad” cars, just underperformers in the SUV market.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2025)

Although it offers 38 miles of EV range, the Outlander PHEV is hindered by three main drawbacks that SUVs typically excel in: a cramped third row, sluggish performance when loaded, and dated infotainment. Its interior is notably underwhelming; the original PHEV comes with an 8.0- and 9.0-inch screen and higher trims have a 12.3-inch screen.

Chevrolet Blazer (2025, Gas Model)

Stylish but shallow, meet the Blazer. First, the base 2.0L turbo and available 3.6L V6 engines fail to excite. Second, its rear visibility is poor due to the thick C-pillars, and its 30.5 cubic foot cargo capacity lags behind that of its competitors. It’s a style-first SUV, sure, but it’s missing substance.

Volkswagen Atlas (2025)

Spacious inside and…. that’s all! Even with ample space, when loaded, the midsize Atlas’s 269-hp engine struggles mainly going uphill. The infotainment bugs are common, with the biggest complaint being the overly touch-sensitive controls. If you thought the saving grace was reliability, J.D. Power ranks it below average. For these reasons, buyers say, “pass!”

Subaru Ascent (2025)

While it offers decent towing (5,000 lbs) and smooth cruising, acceleration is middling, and the turbo lags under load. The CVT is generally smooth, but it can feel sluggish when accelerating hard. The 11.6” Starlink touchscreen? That has been widely reported to freeze or go unresponsive, especially in cold conditions or after startup.

Infiniti QX50 (2025)

Infiniti’s VC-Turbo engine is innovative in theory but underwhelming in execution. It produces 268 hp but lacks refinement and consistency in acceleration. The QX50’s cabin looks luxurious at first glance, but fit and finish vary by trim. For its price, the QX50 falls short of delivering a truly luxurious or engaging experience.

GMC Terrain (2025)

The GMC Terrain’s underpowered 1.5L engine makes just 175 hp, leaving acceleration flat. Earlier Terrains used push-button gear selectors, which were widely criticized for being unintuitive. This 2025 redesign features a steering column-mounted stalk, a win. However, for the price, it still lacks refinement.

Nissan Rogue (2025)

The 2025 Nissan Rogue features a 201-hp VC-Turbo engine, offering excellent fuel economy of up to 37 mpg on the highway. While efficient, its CVT delivers a droning underload, and acceleration feels modest. Cabin quality varies by trim, and wind noise persists at speed. It’s practical, sure, but lacks dynamic driving appeal.

This content was created with the help of AI.