Best Crossover SUVs [Top Rated Models]
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer, John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.
Searching for an SUV with a more car-like ride? Here are the best vehicles in the most important crossover SUV segments.
If you are searching for a new crossover SUV, we don’t have to tell you that compared to sedans, they offer easier entry and exit, a superior view of the road, much better cargo capacity, and better all-weather and all-road capability.
This list includes the more modern crossover-type vehicles that many shoppers find meet their needs.
Check out all our picks for the best SUVs by size >>
- Best Crossover SUVs
- Best Small SUVs
- Best Midsize SUVs
- Best Full-Size SUVs
Table of Contents
Best Crossover SUVs Comparison
| Price Range | Passenger Volume | Max Cargo Volume | |
| Acura MDX | |||
| Toyota RAV4 Prime | |||
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | |||
| Ford Bronco Sport | |||
| Mazda CX-30 | |||
| Kia Telluride |
*Qualifies for federal income tax incentives
Best Premium Crossover SUV: Acura MDX
The Acura MDX rides on a new platform for this model year, yet retains its silky-smooth and much-loved V6 engine. In our recent testing of the MDX, we found it raises the bar in the premium crossover SUV segment in three ways.
First, the MDX is a joy to drive. Though it has three rows, it drives smaller, meaning you can really enjoy a back-roads blast in it. The MDX is smooth, relaxing, and silent on the highway. We also found it was not too big for an inner-city parking spot when we parallel parked it.
Second, the MDX has the best in-vehicle audio of any vehicle we have tested. The ELS STUDIO Premium Audio system has speakers everywhere, even in the roof. More importantly, it allows you to listen to compressed music formats like Pandora and Sirius XM at a higher quality level than any system we have ever heard.
Third, Acura didn’t forget the MDX was an SUV in its latest redesign. Our Advanced trim had a spare tire, massive cargo capacity, and the MDX can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Current Acura MDX Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Acura | MDX | ||||
| 2023 | Acura | MDX | ||||
| 2024 | Acura | MDX | $589/month for 24 months, $5,999 due at signing | 4/30/24 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Acura deals here.
Best Green Crossover SUVs: Toyota RAV4 Prime & Ford Mustang Mach-E
Those looking for a crossover SUV that leaves a green footprint behind have more choices than ever. First up is the Toyota RAV4 Prime. This plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a 94 MPGe rating and can travel up to 42 miles on electricity alone before reverting to 38 MPG in hybrid mode. The RAV4 Prime has a whopping 300 horsepower, every trim is all-wheel drive, and every one Toyota builds has a spare tire. No vehicle impressed us more in our past year of testing than the Toyota RAV4 Prime. It is no surprise that the RAV4 Prime is America’s second-fastest-selling automobile.
Those shoppers who want a high-performance green crossover and don’t mind sacrificing towing and a spare tire to get it will find the Ford Mustang Mach-E is the choice. The Mustang Mach-E is battery-electric, meaning it uses only electricity. In our winter testing, it was composed, practical, and our mid-trim tester displayed performance that would match many highly-rated sports sedans.
The Mustang Mach-E proved to us that Ford’s EV technology has equaled Tesla when we drove it back to back with Model Y. Those who want an ultra-modern, green, two-row crossover need to look no further.
Current Ford Mach-E Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals here.
Current Toyota RAV4 Prime Deals & Incentives
You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals here.
Best Off-Road Crossover SUV: Ford Bronco Sport
If you have read our Best Small SUVs or Best SUVs for families articles, you will find that the Ford Bronco Sport tops those lists. It also earns a place on our 5 Best Crossover SUVs list because it simply has a mix of features no other vehicle does.
The Bronco Sport has the most off-road capability of any vehicle on this list, matches any of them for overall utility, and was also recently awarded the Top Safety Pick Plus designation by IIHS.
We like the 2.0-liter turbocharged Bronco Sport Badlands most of all. It packs a full-size matching spare tire and comes ready to tackle any off-road adventure you can imagine.
Current Ford Bronco Sport Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals here.
Best Small Crossover SUV: Mazda CX-30
We had to do a lot of soul-searching to pick a favorite in this segment. After much consideration, our choice is the Mazda CX-30. We particularly like the top trims with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Those looking for a great-looking small crossover with car-like handling and a premium vibe should start with the CX-5.
Honorable mention goes to the Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, and Hyundai Kona. There are many great offerings in this segment, but having driven all of them, we were most impressed by the CX-30.
Current Mazda CX-30 Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mazda | CX-30 | ||||
| 2024 | Mazda | CX-30 | 0.00% | $259/month for 36 months, $2,999 due at signing | 4/30/24 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Mazda deals here.
Best Large Crossover SUV: Kia Telluride
Unlike the small crossover segment, one large crossover SUV does stand apart from the crowd, and that is the Kia Telluride. This comfortable three-row crossover SUV was designed from scratch by Kia and entered the market a couple of years back with a bang. Kia has had its factories working overtime since to meet the overwhelming demand from adoring consumers.
The Kia Telluride has a low beltline that makes it feel more satisfying to drive than the older brute utes in its size class. Like a well-tailored suit, this large crossover SUV’s attractive design makes it look athletic and handsome from all angles.
Inside, the Telluride is Kia at its best. Everything you need falls to hand, the infotainment system isn’t a hassle, and the fit and finish is a step above its peers. Those who need a three-row crossover SUV with more space than the MDX offers should check out the Telluride.
Also, check out how the Telluride compares against the Hyundai Palisade.
Current Kia Telluride Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kia | Telluride | $419/month for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing | 4/30/24 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals here.
