Best SUVs 2025
The huge demand for SUVs shows no sign of slowing down, and we get. These cars combine confidence-inspiring high driving positions with roomy interior and big boots, and often with modest running costs.
Nearly every manufacturer offers an SUV of some description, with even the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini capitalising on the popularity of the sports utility vehicle. While we haven't included an Italian thoroughbred on our list of the best SUVs, many of our choices are great to drive and don't cost a six-figure sum.
Indeed, we've included everything from Britain's cheapest SUV to one of the latest all-electric cars from BMW. Some also come with four-wheel drive for when you want to venture off the beaten track.
Here's our list of the best SUVs currently on sale.
Best SUVs |
1. Ford Puma
The Ford Puma is proving to be a real success story for Ford. Derived from the Ford Fiesta, it offers appreciably more space inside and has a brilliantly practical boot. There’s a vast 456 litres of space – and beneath the boot floor is Ford’s water resistant ‘Magic Box’, which even has a drain plug in the bottom so you can wash it out with a hose. It’s perfect for muddy boots and tall house plants alike.
A curvaceous and good-looking car, the Ford Puma offers a broad range of engines that include several punchy mild hybrid motors and now a fully electric option in the form of the Ford Puma Gen E. It's a shame the brilliant Ford Puma ST has switched to a smaller and less powerful engine, though.
2. Skoda Kodiaq
The first-generation Skoda Kodiaq was a tough act to follow and yet, the latest version improves upon its impressive predecessor in several areas. It feels nicer inside, looks sharper, comes with the option of plug-in hybrid power for the first time and somehow, an even bigger boot.
Choose the five-seater version and you've a whopping 910-litre space to fill, while the seven-seater manages a still extremely impressive 845 litres with the third row folded down. Along with the aforementioned PHEV (which loses a bit of boot space to its petrol and diesel siblings), there's an impressive array of engines, including a strong diesel engine and a powerful inline-four petrol engine in the Kodiaq vRS.
3. BMW iX
Don’t get hung up on the looks. Sure, the BMW’s unusual styling isn’t to everyone’s taste, even after the recent facelift, but the rest of the car will garner a lot of fans. The BMW iX is a large, fully-electric SUV brimming with technology and with a sumptuous interior. Despite its size it’s really impressive to drive, with sharp handling, a comfortable ride and with some serious power options.
The top-spec M60 model has 619PS and will manage the 0-62mph sprint in less than 3.8 seconds, which is top-end sports-car territory. Need to go far in one go? The xDrive 60 M Sport model will get you up to (claimed) 426 miles between charges. On top of all that, the BMW iX has bags of space inside for passengers and luggage thanks to its well-considered design. It’s an extremely impressive all-round package.
4. Dacia Duster
We already rated the Dacia Duster before the all-new generation arrived in 2024. The latest one is just as big on practicality and value as the outgoing model. The cabin's a lot more stylish, although the infotainment system remains quite basic and there's still a fair amount of cheaper-feeling materials. But hey – when you have an SUV starting at under £20,000, something's got to give.
New for this generation is a hybrid, although we're not sure the efficiency savings are worth the extra you pay. We're also not sure if it's worth paying extra for the 4x4 system, although it does make for a surprisingly capable SUV, with the Dacia Duster enjoying a lot more ground clearance than most of its rivals.
5. Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is the firm’s best-selling car and it’s easy to see why. A compact SUV, its squat stance has all the premium cues of larger Volvo models, with fun twists such as a contrast-colour roof. Volvo previously sold two types of XC40: regular models with petrol or diesel engines, while XC40 Recharge versions were either plug-in hybrid or pure electric. The PHEV has been discontinued, while the EV has been renamed the Volvo EX40, although it's much the same as it was before.
All have an impressively roomy interior, with great design and attention to detail. We love Volvo’s Google-based infotainment system, too. The Volvo XC40 is refined and reassuring to drive – and its safety credentials, of course, are second to none.
6. Mazda CX-60
The Mazda CX-60 is a more premium model than we’re used to seeing from Mazda, but we hope it’s a sign of what’s to come. As a rival to cars like the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3, it’s a rear-wheel-drive, sporty SUV available currently as a plug-in hybrid or with a 3.3-litre, straight-six diesel engine.
The PHEV will get you 39 miles on electric-only battery power and it handles in a way that belies its size. The interior’s lovely as well, with top-notch materials and an infotainment system that’s refreshingly easy to use compared to many of its rivals. All that and it’s considerably cheaper too.
7. Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai is now into its third generation, which was recently facelifted. The clean and modern lines are a contemporary take on the familiar family-friendly crossover, which rivals cars such as the Peugeot 3008. The Nissan Qashqai measures less than 4.5 metres long, so is a particularly car-park-friendly compact SUV.
However, it now has more space inside than ever and is very practical. Neat touches include rear doors that open to nearly 90 degrees for ease of access. The Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid is an interesting addition, blending an EV-like driving experience with the convenience of a petrol engine. Recent improvements have boosted its efficiency from 53mpg to 62mpg. The Nissan Qashqai remains a fun-to-drive SUV, but is impressively refined as well.
8. Kia Sportage
The striking Kia Sportage is designed to give Kia’s ultra-popular SUV another big lift in terms of sales, further helped by a recent facelift. Crucially, it’s now available as both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, alongside the regular petrol and diesel.
Kia says there is now a Sportage for everyone and it’s designed to complement the range-topping pure electric EV6 SUV. The Sportage inherits the head-turning styling of its electric sibling and also the fully overhauled interior based around high-resolution screens and smooth gloss-black surfaces. The Kia Sportage is very spacious in the rear while equipment levels remain generous. Even basic cars feel like a cut above in terms of specification.
9. Land Rover Defender
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Without the Defender's Land Rover 'series' predecessors, the SUV as we know it today might have never happened. The modern one is a far plusher proposition than Defenders of old, mixing luxury and far better on-road manners with that same off-road ability that made the model so popular in the first place.
The available choice includes three lengths available – 90, 110 and 130. The 110 probably makes the most sense as a family SUV. There are further choices to make, with a wide range of engines available covering efficient four-cylinder diesels, plug-in hybrids and even big V8s.
No Land Rover Defender is cheap to buy and the running costs will be on the higher side compared to some of our other options here. But few SUVs feel quite so special.
10. Hyundai Tucson
The latest Hyundai Tucson is a bit of a head-turner on the move, thanks to its sharply-cut lines and LED light array that illuminates half the grille. Inside, a modern, digital-first dashboard looks open-plan and sophisticated plus there’s good space both in the rear seats and the boot.
Hyundai now offers the Tucson with a choice of traditional petrol or diesel engines, alongside a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. All have a particularly plush and compliant ride quality, plus excellent refinement – especially the plug-in model, which can travel for up to 38 miles in near-silent electric mode.
Which SUV is the best value for money?
The best SUV in terms of value for money isn’t necessarily the cheapest. While the Dacia Duster is among the most affordable new SUVs on sale, many buyers prefer to spend more to get a plusher, more technology-packed vehicle such as the Kia Sportage. It’s fair to say, though, that all our best SUV choices offer plenty of space, ability, features and, yes, kerbside appeal. What’s more, many buyers can’t put a price on how much they value the high-up seating position offered by the best SUVs.
What are the different types of SUV?
SUVs are now available in almost every sector of the car market. You can buy supermini-based small SUVs, family hatchback-derived compact SUVs, and larger SUVs derived from bigger executive car platforms. There are also full-blown 4x4-style SUVs, which have a much more rugged, off-road-ready appearance, plus crossover-style SUVs that serve as a half-way house between a car and a full 4x4. In short, there are SUVs of all flavours, which means there’s almost guaranteed to be something just right for you.
Which is the most popular SUV?
SUVs now regularly appear on the list of the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars, and increasingly make up a sizable chunk of the rankings. Models such as the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Ford Puma sell by the thousands each and every month, and share the top 10 with cars like the Nissan Juke, Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen T-Roc.
