Crossover SUVs have thoroughly supplanted sedans as America’s default transportation devices. For the 2024 model year, there are more than eighty such machines on offer. From affordable small-fries like the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Kicks and hyper-popular compact suvs like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue to family-friendly three-rows like the Honda Pilot and the huge Chevrolet Traverse, there’s truly something for everyone. There are also premium equivalents, of course, from the Audi Q3 to the Volvo XC90.
It isn’t hard to see why crossovers are so popular. Unlike traditional body-on-frame SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe, crossovers are unibody-construction machines. Integrating the body and frame into a single, light, and rigid structural unit makes them slightly less rugged, but it enables crossovers to mimic the smooth driving dynamics and handling of sedans and get better gas mileage than full-frame SUVs while still offering big box space.
Almost. Even crossover SUVs can’t truly match sedans dynamically or on fuel economy, but they are roomy, comfy, and far more utilitarian. They can even be made into good off-roaders, see the Subaru Crosstrek and Land Rover Discovery for proof.
Because there’s such a variety of crossovers on the market these days, we’ve focused our list of the best crossover SUVs of 2024 on models from popular brands in a variety of niches for different budgets and purposes. All offer only automatic transmissions, and all can be configured with all-wheel drive (AWD), though the latter isn’t necessarily standard.
The Best Crossover SUVs of 2024
- Dodge Durango
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Kia Sportage
- Kia Telluride SX
- Mazda CX-30
- Mazda CX-90
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota Grand Highlander
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is an old machine now, having gone without a major redesign since 2011. But despite its age, the Durango is still a decent seller, with more than 55,000 of them finding homes in 2022. Why? Because the Durango does things that few other crossover SUVs can, and it’s the King Kong of crossover towing capacity. With the optional V8 engines, the Durango can tow up to 8,700 pounds. Only pricey Land Rovers even come close among unibody crossovers (although in fairness, the ultra-hot SRT Durangos are just as costly).
Speaking of those V8 models, the Durango also offers a muscle-car personality when so equipped, and it has the visuals to match. You can really go crazy with performance here. The Durango offers V8s with 360, 475, or even 710 horsepower (for that blistering 12-second quarter mile), though that last one, the Durango SRT Hellcat, will cost you six figures. It does all this while also doing many of the family SUV things that people want a crossover like this for, with decent room in all three comfy rows and plenty of storage space.
The downsides of the Durango are those you’d expect from an aging muscle machine. It lacks standard driver-assist gear and fuel economy ranges from mediocre to awful depending on the engine. It looks like a big brute, but the Durango is a crossover, complete with a fully independent suspension. As the Durango is based on the previous-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, a replacement is due in 2025.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is easily the most distinctive of the new breed of compact, fully-electric crossovers. The retro-futuristic looks recall Hyundai’s first car, the 1970s-era Pony and the original Volkswagen Golf, both penned by design maestro Giorgetto Giugiaro. Whatever its inspiration, the razor-edged Ioniq 5 looks like nothing else on the road and has an roomy, luxurious-feeling interior that’s just as stylish. It’s far more pleasing to the eye and user-friendly than the blobby Tesla Model Y, and it's competitive with that vehicle in lots of ways.
Although it doesn’t qualify for federal tax credits, the Ioniq 5 has several configurations to choose from with up to 303 miles of rated range. All of them can fast charge from 10% to 80% in less than 25 minutes on a 350-kW DC fast charger. The base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) SE standard range model offers 168 horsepower and 220 miles of rated range, while the higher SE long range offers 225 hp and 303 miles. The SEL and Limited offer AWD, 320 hp and 260-mile ranges.
A little smaller than Hyundai’s gas- or hybrid-powered Tucson, the Ioniq 5 offers plenty of cargo room and a big back seat, though it does trail the Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4 on cargo volume. It comes with lots of tech and safety features, including a pair of 12.3-inch screens on the dash running easy-to-use software (or Android Auto or Apple CarPlay). All told, it’s a beautifully designed and practical commuter.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Available in an armada of different trims from utilitarian to serious luxury, the Jeep Grand Cherokee continues to offer consumers style, practicality, genuine off-road ability, and the latest technology. Redesigned for 2022, the new Grand Cherokee soon debuted its own version of the company’s 4xe plug-in hybrid idea, and for 2023 that hybrid has taken center stage. The long-serving 5.7-liter Hemi V8 has been dropped, but any sadness you feel should be tempered by the fact that the 4xe delivers more power, more precise off-road control, and far better fuel economy.
All Grand Cherokees look good, but their capability and luxuriousness can vary greatly. The entry-level Laredo doesn’t even have 4WD, and it’s pretty basic inside. Nor does the 4xe come cheap, as you must upgrade to the Limited trim level to get it. But tick the right boxes and the Grand Cherokee can take you almost anywhere. The best model in the lineup is probably the Trailhawk, which formerly offered the V8 but is now 4xe-only.
Though the Trailhawk isn’t cheap for a midsize crossover, it’s pretty cool that this Jeep combines a competitive fully electric range for road driving with the brand’s rugged off-road capability when you’ve reached your weekend destination. And the 4xe gets the Grand Cherokee’s upscale interior finishes, supreme comfort, and rugged good looks. When you've tapped that electric range, the Grand Cherokee 4xe defaults to about 23 mpg in combined driving.
Kia Sportage
Fully redesigned for 2023, the Kia Sportage has vaulted to the top of the compact crossover class. Yes, the 187-hp base engine is a little more tepid than the previous-generation’s 240-hp turbo, but there’s also the excellent 227-hp hybrid and a 261-hp plug-in hybrid, both of which offer both compelling performance and excellent fuel mileage. Inside, there’s also more passenger and cargo space than the Toyota RAV4, and not by a little. The Sportage’s back seat offers a limousine-like 41.3 inches of rear legroom, comparable to a giant Chevy Tahoe.
It’s also just really stylish. Kia has been gradually reinventing itself from a brand that sold on price to one that sells on desirability and tech features, and the Sportage is distinctive and cool. There are many standard features too, although the higher trim levels offer larger infotainment touchscreens (12.3 to the base model’s 8.0 inches, both running Kia’s excellent UVO infotainment system) and even mechanical upgrades, like the off-road-oriented X-Pro. CarGurus has taken the X-Pro off-road and while it isn’t a Jeep Wrangler, it performs admirably on rough terrain.
Kia’s redesign gave the Sportage 39.6 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, more than the redesigned 2023 Honda CR-V, and 74.1 with them folded. Space is a little tighter in the PHEV version, but not much, and that model can manage up to 34 miles of fully-electric range. The Sportage is affordable, too, although the PHEV and higher hybrid models can crest $40,000. Even so, the Sportage is a must-drive for compact crossover shoppers. And don’t forget, all Kias come with an amazingly long warranty.
Kia Telluride SX
When it was first introduced, the Kia Telluride was so popular there were waiting lists and long lines to get one, and the Korean automaker upped the ante by giving it a mid-cycle refresh in 2023. The Telluride not only looks like a cut-price Range Rover, it can now also be configured to offer a modicum (though no more) of off-road ability to match its butch visage. At heart, the Telluride is a practical, user-friendly, and featured-packed three-row family SUV, and there’s no denying its visual appeal.
Its standard features include a 291-hp V6, a pair of pretty 12.3-inch screens on the dash running Kia’s very good UVO infotainment software, and a host of active-safety features, including adaptive cruise control. The V6 isn’t as much of a performer as you’d think and fuel mileage is only so-so (there’s no hybrid model), but it can tow up to 5,500 pounds and isn’t slow or ungainly either. The X-Pro and Prestige X-Pro trims, new for 2023 and packing extra off-road gear and a 0.4-inch increase in ground clearance, can really handle light off-road duty.
Inside, the second and third-row experiences are both roomy. The second row is huge, with a best-in-class 42.4 inches of legroom and the third row is reasonably large too. The way back is much roomier than the Toyota Highlander’s, though the new Grand Highlander does better. Cargo space is good too, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row (more than the Honda Pilot or Subaru Ascent), 46 with it folded, and 87 in total. It’s hard to go too wrong with such a package, though a variety of things, like AWD (FWD is standard), cost extra.
Mazda CX-30
It may seem odd to compare the Mazda CX-30 to the BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, but on the top trims, it really is that nice. Among small SUVs, the Mazda CX-30 stands out for its cool styling, supple handling, and amazing refinement. It’s not the cheapest entry and it does have some foibles, namely the rotary-controlled infotainment system and the small-ish cargo hold, but the CX-30 looks and feels more expensive than it actually is, and it’s just plain fun to drive, even with the standard engine. It’s also cheaper than the bigger Mazda CX-50 without being too much smaller inside.
That powerplant delivers 191 hp, and while it isn’t exactly fast, the CX-30’s very capable handling makes it fun to wring out every last drop of that power. Upgrading to the 250-hp CX-30 Turbo isn’t cheap, as it starts at nearly $35,000 (including destination), but it delivers power to match this Mazda’s enthusiastic moves. The automaker also equips a large number of standard driver-assist features, like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warnings.
The higher trim levels are pricey, but they come with more luxurious materials, and even at their lofty-for-a-Mazda prices, they’re still cheaper than entry-level luxury crossovers like the Lexus UX or GLA, and much more satisfying to drive. The back seat is reasonably sized for this small an SUV, though the are some entries, like the Kia Soul, that have more space. There are also 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 45.2 with them folded. Good, not great. But if you’re having fun, do you mind?
Mazda CX-90
All-new for 2024, the Mazda CX-90 looks and feels like a cut-price alternative to much more expensive luxury family SUVs from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Its taut, clean lines look much more exciting than the Grand Highlander or really any of its popular-brand rivals, and inside it can range from plain to plush just like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The third row is a little smaller than in those two or the Kia Telluride, but the CX-90 is vastly more roomy back there than the old Mazda CX-9 it replaced.
Like Mazda’s other products, the CX-90 brings athletic moves to the table, but it also packs totally new 3.3-liter mild-hybrid straight-six engines (with 280 or 340 horsepower) and RWD platform architecture, though all CX-90s employ AWD. If that sounds BMW-like, it’s probably because the German automaker’s X7 isn’t so different in structure or concept. There’s also a plug-in hybrid CX-90, with 323 hp and up to 26 miles of electric range. This SUV is lots of fun, and it’s luxurious, particularly on the higher trims, which get nicer interior materials and Nappa leather seating.
It may seem odd that Mazda now offers an SUV that ranges up to $61,000 out the door, but most CX-90s cost less than that, and even the base model has lots of standard safety gear. The less-expensive CX-90s do feel a bit less premium, but this is a near-luxury SUV offering Acura-like tech and BMW-like moves for a reasonable price.
Subaru Forester
Every other manufacturer with a vehicle in this class will loudly tout their affordable base price, which tends to omit the most desirable features. In the case of a crossover, this often means all-wheel drive (AWD). Subaru, on the other hand, makes AWD standard in every vehicle it sells except the sporty BRZ, and it even offers a lifted, more-capable Wilderness version for more hard-core off-roading. This makes the Forester between $1,200 and $1,500 less expensive than most comparably-equipped rivals, but that’s not the whole story.
The Forester’s cargo area is massive. With all the seats in place, you can fit 31.1 cubic feet of junk in the cargo area (ever so slightly less in Foresters with the sunroof). Fold the seats down and that volume increases to 76 cubic feet, enough to fit about 23 carry-on suitcases. It’s competitive with the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan, but the seats fold flatter, making it easier to fill. The competitive Ford Escape is smaller by 10 cubic feet. Subaru also piles on a hefty suite of active-safety features, including adaptive cruise control.
Although it's pretty dull to drive on the road, the Forester is a decent performer and it really shines off the pavement. Standard Foresters offer 8.7 inches of ground clearance (much more than a Ford Escape), and the Wilderness offers 9.2 inches and skid plates to match small off-roaders like the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass Trailhawk, only with more room, more features, and up to 29 mpg combined. For the outdoorsy adventurer, it’s a great choice and one that’s a bit more affordable than the larger Outback.
Toyota Grand Highlander
If there’s one thing the Toyota Highlander has always needed, it’s a properly sized third-row seat. Now, courtesy of the new-for-2024 Grand Highlander, it has one. Like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the Grand Highlander takes its smaller sibling’s format and stretches it to a hair over 201 inches, creating the room needed for a truly capacious third row. With 33.5 inches of third-row legroom, the resulting way back seat can truly rival those in the Volkswagen Atlas and the three-row Grand Cherokee L, where the teeny-tiny one in the regular Highlander didn’t have a chance.
But the Grand Highlander is more than a stretched version of a familiar family SUV face. It has more angular styling all its own and offers Toyota’s 362-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder plus electric motors Hybrid Max powertrain, capable of delivering both good performance and up to 36 mpg combined. That mileage blows away everything else in this class, and it doesn’t sacrifice driving enjoyment to do so. The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four (265 hp) and 2.5-liter hybrid (245 hp) aren’t bad, but the Max is a standout.
Like the regular Highlander, the Grand version is full of useful storage spaces and a big slate of active-safety gear. This SUV does cost a little more than some three-row alternatives like the Kia Telluride, and the top trim rings in at nearly $60,000, but it has a great deal to offer and Toyota’s reputation for reliability and quality.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Long the best-selling SUV in America, there’s lots to like about the Toyota RAV4 but it is undeniably best in hybrid form. That means a $3,000 price premium over the equivalent gas-only versions, but given the hybrid’s 40 mpg combined economy, a 10 mpg jump over the standard SUV, you’ll make that up in savings over time. And the hybrid is more powerful (219 hp to 203) and more enjoyable to drive, to boot. Plus, many other hybrid SUVs (including like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson hybrids) can’t match this fuel economy.
Most of the RAV4’s trims are available in hybrid form, and if you want even more power and off-road ability, there’s also the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, though it’s much more expensive than the other hybrid RAVs. Even at that price, you’ll never confuse this with something from BMW. It’s practical inside, with cubbies everywhere and all of the controls are simple to operate, unlike the current family of similar products from the premium brand at Lexus.
Toyota, like Subaru, equips its SUVs with lots of active-safety gear, including adaptive cruise control, and the RAV4 gets high marks for safety. The back seat isn’t as big as those in the Honda CR-V or Sportage Hybrids, nor is cargo space, but it isn’t super small either. Because of the price premium, the very nicest RAV4 hybrids crest the $40,000 barrier, but the Woodland and XLE Premium trim levels offer lots of equipment for a bit less.
Related Topics
The Best Subcompact SUVs
The Best Midsize SUVs
The Safest SUVs