The 10 Best and 10 Worst SUVs You Should Know About in 2025

In a crowded SUV market, not all models are created equal. Some deliver dependability, comfort, and low maintenance becoming instant favorites among buyers. Others struggle with reliability, costly repairs, or poor resale value, earning them a spot among the worst options. This list rounds up the 10 SUVs giving you the most bang for your buck and the 10 you might want to avoid in 2025, helping you make a smarter buying decision before the next purchase.

Toyota RAV4 / RAV4 Hybrid

So the RAV4 is that one friend who’s never the loudest in the room but somehow always shows up on time, with snacks, and never flakes. It’s not the cheapest SUV anymore, but around the mid‑$30,000s for a well‑equipped model in the US, the mix of reliability, resale value, and the hybrid’s crazy good fuel economy still makes it feel like a smart, boring‑but‑in‑a‑good‑way choice. People keep buying them in huge numbers, and mechanics tend to shrug and go “yeah, that one’s fine, just do your oil changes,” which is honestly all you want from a family SUV.

Honda CR‑V

The CR‑V is kind of the RAV4’s nerdy cousin who secretly works out. It’s comfy, smooth, has a big usable interior, and the hybrid version especially feels like the sweet spot if you’re doing a lot of city plus highway mix, with prices typically sitting in the low to mid‑$30,000s depending on trim. Honda’s had a few hiccups over the years but overall, for most people it’s one of those “buy it, service it, forget about it” SUVs, which is… not exciting, but also kind of perfect.

Mazda CX‑5

The CX‑5 is like, “what if your practical SUV also had a bit of soul?” It’s usually priced in the upper‑$20,000s to mid‑$30,000s, but the interior feels more premium than that, the steering actually has some weight, and if you like driving at all, this one just feels more alive than a lot of crossovers. You do trade a bit of rear seat and cargo space compared with the RAV4/CR‑V crowd, but if you’re okay with that, it’s one of those rare “sensible but still kinda fun” choices that car nerds quietly recommend.

Subaru Outback

The Outback isn’t exactly an SUV in the traditional sense but, like, everyone uses it like one, so it totally counts. Think of it as the outdoorsy friend with the hiking boots permanently in the trunk standard all‑wheel drive, a long roof for stuff, and a vibe that says “I own at least one flannel.” Price‑wise you’re looking roughly low‑$30,000s to mid‑$40,000s depending on trim, and it shows up near the top of a lot of midsize rankings because it balances comfort, safety, and rough‑weather confidence really well.

Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson used to be just “the cheaper option,” but now it’s, like, actually nice. You get a sharp design, a lot of tech for the money, and multiple powertrain options including hybrid and plug‑in hybrid, with starting prices around the high‑$20,000s and climbing into the mid‑$30,000s when you load it up. Hyundai’s warranty is still a big selling point long coverage that helps calm your brain about long‑term costs which makes it feel like a good value play if you want features without paying luxury money.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe just got that blocky, tough redesign and now it looks like a concept car that accidentally made it to production. It’s a bit bigger than the Tucson, offers available third‑row seating, and has hybrid options as well, with prices usually starting around the low‑$30,000s and heading into the $40,000s. It’s one of those “family adventure” SUVs lots of space, good safety ratings, long warranty so if you want something that looks rugged but still does school runs and Costco hauls, this is very on‑brand.

Kia Telluride

The Telluride is that SUV everybody raved about and, annoyingly, they were kinda right. It feels upscale inside for a non‑luxury brand, seats the whole crew, and has that squared‑off, almost Land Rover‑ish styling that makes it look more expensive than its roughly mid‑$40,000 average transaction price. It does drink more fuel than smaller stuff, obviously, but as a 3‑row family rig it keeps showing up near the top of best‑SUV lists for comfort, features, and overall value.

Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander

If the RAV4 is your reliable buddy, the Highlander is their older sibling with three kids and a calendar full of school events. With three rows, hybrid availability, and that Toyota “we’ll still see this thing on the road in 15 years” reputation, it’s a go‑to family hauler, typically somewhere in the mid‑$40,000s depending on trim and options. The Grand Highlander adds more space and comfort if you feel like the regular one is just a bit tight in the third row, so yeah, it’s very much a “buy it for the next decade” kind of SUV.

Honda Pilot

The Pilot is the minivan‑in‑disguise that refuses to admit it’s a minivan. Three rows, lots of storage solutions, and a very “we just need something that works” vibe, usually landing in the low‑$40,000s to upper‑$40,000s range depending on spec. It doesn’t shout for attention, but if you want something that can do family road trips, school shuttles, and occasional towing without feeling like a bus, it’s a very safe, if slightly vanilla, bet.

Nissan Kicks (budget pick)

Okay, this one’s not “best SUV ever,” but as a budget option it deserves a little shoutout. The Nissan Kicks is more like a tall hatchback with SUV marketing, but with a starting price just over about $23,000 in the US for a base 2025 Kicks, it’s one of the cheapest ways into something that looks like a crossover. It’s not fast, not fancy, but if someone just wants new car warranty, good fuel economy, and higher seating without spending RAV4 money, it’s a “yeah, that actually makes sense” kind of choice.