Best SUVs to buy 2025
There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
What is the best SUV you can buy? That question is probably impossible to answer, at least with a single model. There simply isn’t one car that is better than all the others in every possible way, as everyone has different expectations about what their car should do. For some, the best SUV will be the model with the most space inside, yet for others it might be the one that looks the best, is fastest or has the most technology.
A key part of buying a new car is doing your research and finding out which models are available, so we’ve put together a list of our favourite SUVs: cars that have a brilliant all-round approach or with a defining attribute that makes them great choices. These SUVs all offer something different, and you’ll at the very least be able to get an idea of the different types available and how much they might cost you with this list.
We’ve picked out models with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric power, but if you’re only interested in the best electric SUVs we have an article covering that in much more detail. When buying any new car, think carefully about the type of driving that you do: short trips could mean electric power is perfect, while diesel - despite falling out of favour recently - is still very much the best option for people who do a lot of long motorway trips. Petrol is great for people who have a varied lifestyle as it’s good for long trips while being less problematic for short ones.
You should also consider how big you need your next car to be, as SUVs are far from all the same size. They range from pretty small, with only room for small kids in the back, to huge luxury models with seven seats. Buying an SUV that’s too small will be inconvenient but buying one that’s too large for your needs will mean you’re paying more (both to buy and to run) for little benefit.
Read on to find out our picks for the best SUVs to buy in 2025, along with some frequently-asked questions and buying advice at the bottom of this page.
1. Hyundai Tucson
At a glance
Engine power
160 - 252 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.9 - 8.1 secs
Top Speed
121 - 116 MPH
Fuel Economy
41.5 MPG
Insurance Group
16E - 23E
The Hyundai Tucson has been our Mid-size SUV of the Year in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, so it’s pretty safe to say that we like it. This market domination comes from the car’s brilliant all-round ability on top of its sheer desirability, and a midlife facelift has only boosted its credentials. The Tucson is packed with kit, and higher-spec versions get a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging, a rear-view camera and as many safety systems as you could hope for.
The updated Tucson’s interior feels classier than many rivals’ and all versions get twin 12.3-inch displays. The 620-litre boot should be enough for most families, too. On the outside, the latest Tucson is a huge departure from the tame looks of previous generations, and the bold design really stands out on the road. Whether you like the looks or not, Hyundai should at least be commended for not playing it safe and trying to make its family SUV stand out.
2. Dacia Duster
At a glance
Engine power
90 - 140 BHP
0 - 62mph
13.1 - 10.1 secs
Top Speed
103 - 106 MPH
Fuel Economy
45.6 - 55.4 MPG
Insurance Group
11E - 24A
• Best SUV for low price
The second-generation Dacia Duster was one of the cheapest brand-new cars in the UK, yet its owners named it as the best car to own in our 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. It’s this blend of affordability and capability that ensured the Duster’s success, and now the third-generation car has arrived to continue this legacy.
With bolder styling and a larger stature, the latest Duster does stand out a bit more than its predecessor, but Dacia has still ensured that budget-friendliness is at the forefront of its design. Standard equipment consists of features that will actually be used, rather than fancy gimmicks, while most of the materials are sturdy instead of plush. There’s still the option of four-wheel drive, too.
3. Skoda Kodiaq
At a glance
Engine power
150 - 265 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.7 secs
Top Speed
128 - undefined MPH
Fuel Economy
47.3 - 33.8 MPG
Insurance Group
18E
• Best SUV for families
The original Skoda Kodiaq was one of our favourite SUVs throughout its lifetime, and it managed to bag our Large SUV of the Year award in 2023. Today, the new model follows the same successful formula as the car it replaced, and it’s certainly a winning one as it also claimed the Best Large SUV crown at our 2024 New Car Awards.
The seven-seat Kodiaq has plenty of practicality on board with lots of storage bins and a huge 910-litre boot with the rear row folded away. The materials don’t feel particularly luxurious but they are put together and sturdy – something a family-friendly SUV like the Kodiaq really requires. The only downside is that it’s rather dull to drive.
4. Hyundai Kona
At a glance
Engine power
120 - 218 BHP
0 - 62mph
11.8 - 7.8 secs
Top Speed
112 - 107 MPH
Fuel Economy
48.7 MPG
Insurance Group
16E - 33D
• Best SUV for low running costs
While the original Hyundai Kona proved popular with owners, there were just a few too many flaws for it to be a class leader. A dull interior, meagre space and a lack of driver engagement were three of the biggest weaknesses that held this compact SUV back. Now, though, the second-generation Kona is in town, and Hyundai has listened very carefully to its customers’ feedback.
The latest Kona has grown in size and is based on the same K3 platform as the Kia Niro EV. This means that this small SUV offers a much better level of space and practicality than its predecessor. It’s chock-full of standard tech, too, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens acting as the interior centrepiece. These run the brand’s latest infotainment software, and it’s a very easy system to use.
5. MINI Countryman
At a glance
Engine power
170 - 313 BHP
0 - 62mph
8.3 - 5.6 secs
Top Speed
132 - 111 MPH
Fuel Economy
47.9 MPG
Insurance Group
20E - 32E
Your eyes don’t deceive you, there is indeed a MINI on our best SUVs list. While the legitimacy of its badge has been the subject of many online debates, there’s little doubting the latest MINI Countryman’s sheer appeal, and it’s easily one of the brand’s best offerings yet.
The latest Countryman is even bigger than its predecessor, but this means it now offers even more space and better practicality to accompany its distinctive retro appeal. The choice of petrol or fully-electric power is a welcome addition, too.
6. Hyundai Santa Fe
At a glance
Engine power
215 - 253 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.6 - 9.3 secs
Top Speed
112 MPH
Fuel Economy
41.5 MPG
Insurance Group
33P - 36P
The large Hyundai Santa Fe isn’t too far behind the mid-size Tucson on this list. The latest version of this seven-seater car has a far more distinctive appearance than any Santa Fe before it, and it’s a more sophisticated car inside, too. Take a seat in the upmarket-feeling cabin and you’ll find plenty of high-quality materials, along with loads of technology.
It’s not just a looker, though, as the Santa Fe also gets the basics right. There’s acres of space for every passenger, and folding the rearmost seats will free up 628 litres of boot capacity. Opt for the plug-in hybrid model, and this large SUV can even cover up to 38 miles without using a drop of liquid fuel.
7. Kia EV9
At a glance
Power
200 - 378 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.4 - 5.3 secs
Top Speed
114 - 124 MPH
Efficiency
3.1 - 2.8 kWh/100km
Range
349 - 313 miles
Insurance Group
45E - 50E
With seven seats and zero emissions, the Kia EV9 is a great choice for large, eco-conscious families. This giant SUV is only available as an electric car, and it claims up to 349 miles of range from its 99.8kWh battery. This should prove sufficient for most daily needs, and there’s plenty of space inside for all of your loved ones, too, including the very tallest.
With all three rows of seats in place, the EV9 still offers 333 litres of boot space, so it’ll take the weekly shop with ease. Fold the rear seats, though, and you’ll have a whopping 828 litres at your disposal. Drop the middle row and this increases the Kia’s cargo space even further to a van-like 2,318 litres, so you can shop for furniture to your heart’s content.
8. Nissan Qashqai
At a glance
Engine power
140 - 190 BHP
0 - 62mph
10.2 - 7.9 secs
Top Speed
122 - 105 MPH
Fuel Economy
44.8 - 53.3 MPG
Insurance Group
19E - 30A
The Nissan Qashqai was a pioneer for the mid-size SUV class when it first arrived in 2007, and the latest model is still hugely popular in the UK. The competition is fiercer than ever, though, so the Qashqai now has a much more distinctive appearance thanks to its Japanese armour-inspired front grille. Things are a lot posher when it comes to materials and kit, too, but the Nissan’s starting price is still quite reasonable at around £30,000.
If efficiency is high on your list of priorities, the Qashqai e-Power uses its petrol engine as a plug-in hybrid range-extender in order to keep costs and emissions down. The wheels on this model are driven purely by electric motors, and the result is an official fuel economy figure of over 50mpg.
9. Kia Sportage
At a glance
Engine power
157 - 241 BHP
0 - 62mph
9.9 - 8.4 secs
Top Speed
120 - 115 MPH
Fuel Economy
43.5 MPG
Insurance Group
19E - 27E
The latest Kia Sportage is officially one of the UK’s best-selling cars, and given that it provides space, efficiency and top-quality tech for a starting price of less than £30,000, it’s not too difficult to see why Kia’s mid-size SUV is proving so popular.
Admittedly, the Sportage’s bold styling (particularly at the front end) may be enough to deter some potential buyers, but for those who like to stand out, it was ranked as the 11th best car to own in our 2024 Driver Power survey. The brand’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty is always a plus point, too.
10. Lexus NX
At a glance
Engine power
243 BHP
0 - 62mph
8.7 - 7.7 secs
Top Speed
124 MPH
Fuel Economy
49.5 - 44.1 MPG
Insurance Group
35E - 41E
With a well built, premium interior that’s full of tech, a selection of cutting-edge powertrains and plenty of on-road performance, the Lexus NX showcases what a modern SUV is all about. It’s such an appealing package that we’ve named it our Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year for three years running.
The 350h self-charging hybrid is clever and returns decent fuel efficiency, but the 450h+ plug-in hybrid was Lexus’ first PHEV model and is a great one at that. Most PHEVs require a charged battery at all times to make sense financially, but the PHEV can cover 40 miles on purely-electric power, and when the battery runs out it can still return more than 40mpg.
The best SUVs to buy now
| Rank | Car | Overall rating | Boot space, comfort and practicality rating | Price from |
| 1 | Hyundai Tucson | 4.5 | 4.5 | £31,535 |
| 2 | Dacia Duster | 4.5 | 4.5 | £18,295 |
| 3 | Skoda Kodiaq | 4.5 | 4.6 | £36,645 |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 5 | 4.5 | £26,040 |
| 5 | MINI Countryman | 4 | 4.3 | £29,340 |
| 6 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 4 | 4.7 | £46,775 |
| 7 | Kia EV9 | 4.5 | 4.8 | £65,615 |
| 8 | Nissan Qashqai | 4 | 3.8 | £30,135 |
| 9 | Kia Sportage | 4.5 | 4.6 | £29,390 |
| 10 | Lexus NX | 4 | 3.9 | £44,440 |
How we choose the best SUVs
We want you to find the best SUV for your needs and here’s how we go about it….
Intensive SUV testing
We’ve tested every new SUV currently on sale in the UK, most of them on multiple occasions.
Our expert road testers typically get behind the wheel on the international launch events and then again on UK roads where we carry out intensive group tests to compare top models head-to-head against their rivals. Some SUV models even come in for a six-month long-term test where we really get under the skin of what it’s like to live with day-in and day-out.
Over the course of the evaluation process we try the full range of engine options and specifications, taking our own precise measurements of important areas like the rear seats and the boot. This helps bring you a complete picture of the best SUV models on sale, and the ones that aren’t up to scratch.
It’s a continually evolving picture, too, with more and more SUV models being launched all the time, so we’re constantly updating and revising our verdicts to keep you informed. You can discover more about how the Auto Express expert team review cars here...
Focus on what matters to real SUV owners
We also ask you what you think about the cars you own. Every year thousands of UK car owners tell us about their car in the Driver Power survey. We know from Driver Power that SUV owners value the practicality and utility that these Sport Utility Vehicles bring to the party but they’re also looking for build quality, easy-to-use tech and, crucially, reliability. All these factors and more help shape the verdicts in Auto Express reviews and our current best SUVs rankings that you see on this page.
How you can choose the best SUV
The SUV market is a tricky one to navigate, not least because there are so many models available. On this page we’ve got our top overall SUV picks but they are a wide ranging bunch in terms of sizes, prices and use cases.
If you’re after something smaller, our best small SUVs list has the more compact models covered. We also have specific guides to the best mid-size SUVs, best large SUVs, best luxury SUVs, the most economical SUVs and the best electric SUVs.
Let’s look at the basics of what you need to consider when buying an SUV today with some FAQs...
Frequently Asked Questions
SUVs all follow a similar basic formula when it comes to design, with a higher ride height than a normal car, and usually a more chunky, rugged look. That tall shape provides a higher seating position for easier access and more upright seating once you’re inside.
As SUVs have grown in popularity, they’ve generally become less focused on off-road driving and more on the kind of on-road use that typical family buyers look for. Many popular models that are classed as SUVs are virtually identical to conventional hatchbacks of a similar size but have clever exterior designs that make them look taller and tougher.
How you choose the best one for you is a matter of thinking about all the most important features that you need. Let’s look at some of the key areas to think about when buying a new or used SUV.
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