People ask us all the time: what’s the best car you’ve ever driven? Considering we published more than 100 first drives and new-car reviews this year alone, it’s not exactly an easy one to answer.
Still, a few favorites rose to the top. Focusing on SUVs specifically, several new models stood out in 2025—from compact hybrids to serious off-roaders, with lots of other options in between.
We hit the trails in rugged newcomers like the Toyota 4Runner and the (now officially) SUV-ified Subaru Outback. We also took a few luxury SUVs on long road trips and tested some of the latest electric models.
After all that driving, we narrowed the field to 10 SUVs that truly impressed us this year. Here they are.
Aston Martin DBX S
Why We Love It: Among the ranks of high-end performance SUVs, the Aston Martin DBX sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, what with newer, faster offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini now on the market. But the DBX—specifically the new DBX S—shouldn’t be overlooked.
Aston retooled its high-riding sports car for the 2026 model year with a slight power bump and a faster steering ratio, making the already excellent British SUV even better. With 717 horsepower from a turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, the new DBX S is the perfect tool for most jobs. That is, assuming you have $270,500 lying around. — Jeff Perez, Editor-in-Chief
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Honda Passport TrailSport
Why We Love It: Very rarely does an SUV get a glow-up as significant from one generation to the next as the new Honda Passport. The outgoing Passport was ugly, underwhelming, and, especially in the TrailSport trim, overpriced for what Honda offered. This new Passport looks great, has a punchier V-6, and packs genuine off-road capability on the TrailSport model.
We drove the TrailSport model multiple times this year, along the beaches of Puerto Rico and on the trails of upstate New York. And every time we walked away impressed. The naturally aspirated V-6 gives the Passport a likeable old-school feel, while the added equipment on the TrailSport model meant we could seriously put it through its paces. At $46,245 to start for the base RTL model, getting into one isn’t insanely expensive, either. — Jeff Perez, Editor-in-Chief
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Ineos Grenadier
Why We Love It: Vintage vibes with modern power is a simple yet effective recipe for off-road success. The Ineos Grenadier is born from the annoying thought of ‘Rich Guy can’t have a thing, so he uses money to solve the problem.’ But the result is a vehicle solely focused on its mission. That mission? To deliver a classic Land Rover-like sense of adventure paired with reliable power under the hood.
The Ineos Grenadier drives like an older vehicle. It should, after all, since it uses a recirculating-ball setup for the steering. And that’s all part of the charm. In an increasingly digital world, the Grenadier is properly analog. You have simple boxy styling, serious off-road capability, and an interior designed by children who stare at the sky with wonder anytime a plane flies over. Driving a Grenadier is an experience, and we need more vehicles that deliver on such promises. — Jeff Glucker, Senior Editor
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Hyundai Ioniq 9
Why We Love It: Hyundai’s first three-row EV certainly looks controversial—more so than its Kia EV9 counterpart. But it’s no less excellent. The new Ioniq 9 does virtually everything right, from its battery configurations and range options to its lush interior and lovely driving experience.
The Ioniq 9 comes with up to 335 miles of range and charges from 10 to 80 percent in just 10 minutes. Even the loaded Calligraphy model I drove still has a solid 311 miles of range paired with 422 horsepower. It is a little bit pricey with a starting MSRP of $60,555 with destination, but in this case, you really do get what you pay for. — Jeff Perez, Editor-in-Chief
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Hyundai Palisade
Why We Love It: In an industry where automakers seem more focused on gimmicks and profits instead of necessities and value, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade feels like something truly different. Hyundai engineers made an assortment of small, but important tweaks while the designers updated the three-row SUV’s already bold design into something even more striking, inside and out, with Nappa leather, “Relaxation” seats, and an integrated dash cam available on higher trims.
Hyundai also updated the powertrain, with a new 3.5-liter V-6 under the hood that makes 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty for normal driving. There’s also a hybrid option with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing a combined 329 hp and up to 339 lb-ft. There’s also the off-road-oriented Palisade XRT that comes with standard off-road kit like a suspension lift, functional recovery hooks, and an electronic limited-slip differential. — Anthony Alaniz, Associate Editor
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Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Why We Love It: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is an essential offering for the brand, as more cost-conscious consumers seek fuel-efficient vehicles. The CX-50 borrows its hybrid system from Toyota, with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motors making 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, which isn’t a lot for such a large vehicle. Still, Mazda’s engaging driving dynamics and electrified powertrain make for an enjoyable driving experience while returning an EPA-estimated 38 miles per gallon combined.
Inside, the CX-50 is the same as the gasoline version, with a few tweaks that accommodate the hybrid powertrain. The interior retains physical controls for the heating and cooling, the aging infotainment system, and other vital vehicle functions. The Premium Plus trim featured leather on the dash, soft-touch surfaces, and an elevated cabin experience that will make you look twice at its $40,000 price. — Anthony Alaniz, Associate Editor
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Nissan Leaf
Why We Love It: The third-generation Nissan Leaf is a huge improvement over the outgoing model, with a larger battery pack, more range, and a lower starting price. It’s exactly what the electric vehicle industry needs right now. It offers over 300 miles of range for just under $32,000—and it’s fun to drive, with the 214-horsepower electric motor making a robust 261 pound-feet of torque
While Nissan classifies the new Leaf as a crossover, it’s actually smaller than the previous version. It has a shorter height, wheelbase, and length than the second-gen model, but it is wider, improving its stance. Inside, Nissan doesn’t go wild with unnecessary tech, making essentials like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The higher trims offer more luxury and style, but those extras lower the EV range and raise the price. — Anthony Alaniz, Associate Editor
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Subaru Outback
Why We Love It: The 2026 Subaru Outback gets a lot less attractive, admittedly, but the much-improved interior and resurgence of physical controls are a big plus. Even if the wagon-ish shape we know and love is gone, when you factor in the peppy 2.4-liter boxer engine making over 250 horsepower mixed with an all-wheel drive system that can take way more abuse than strictly necessary, it does make for a pretty compelling package.
The new Outback starts at $34,995, which means it isn’t even that much pricier than last year’s model. Even if you go for a nicely loaded Limited model—like the one I drove—you’ll still end up paying less than $45,000 for a well-equipped, off-road capable, all-around excellent SUV. — Zander Sutton, Social Media Editor
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Toyota 4Runner
Why We Love It: Toyota finally updated its longstanding 4Runner SUV for the 2025 model year. But it was well worth the wait. With an entirely new platform, a fresh hybrid powertrain, and a stylish redesign, the 4Runner is finally the modern off-road SUV we’ve been waiting for.
This year, we spent the most time in two versions of the 4Runner: the TRD Off-Road and the TRD Pro. The TRD Off-Road is an ideal option for buyers who want something off-road capable but still comfortable on the road. It starts at $53,440. The 4Runner TRD Pro, meanwhile, is for the serious off-roader who plans on taking it on trails regularly. But that also means you have to pay a hefty premium; the TRD Pro model starts at $68,850. Either way, you can’t go wrong. — Jeff Perez, Editor-in-Chief
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Toyota RAV4
Why We Love It: Toyota really didn’t need to do anything to the RAV4; even though the current model is already seven years old, it’s still the most popular small SUV in the country. But not one to rest on its laurels, Toyota went back to the drawing board and reinvented its compact crossover from the ground up. And the results are—as you’d expect—excellent.
The new Toyota RAV4 now packs a standard hybrid powertrain to go along with its sharp redesign, fully rethought interior, and expanded plug-in-hybrid offerings. Even the base engine is excellent; the 2.5-liter hybrid unit makes 226 and returns up to 41 miles per gallon combined. The PHEV is even punchier, with 320 hp and 52 miles of electric-only range. With a starting price of $31,195—cheaper than last year’s hybrid—the new RAV4 will be tough to beat. — Jeff Perez, Editor-in-Chief
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