The best SUVs 2026 – driven, rated and ranked

The exponential rise of the SUV has been nothing short of an automotive phenomenon, with sport utility vehicles dominating UK sales charts.

Ten years ago, there was just one high-riding model in the top 10 best-selling cars list; in 2026, the same list contains seven SUVs, another indicator of this segment’s extraordinary ascension.

When you consider their clever mix of practicality, space, comfort, versatility and digital technology, it's easy to see why SUVs have had such an impact on the UK car market. And we can't ignore their generally impressive safety ratings either.

Pleasingly, the SUV class isn’t just formed of one-size-fits-all derivatives: you can have a plug-in hybrid SUV, an electric SUV, a small SUV, a large seven-seater and many more besides.

Trying to pare down a definitive shortlist of models isn’t an easy task given the abundance of choice. Thankfully our team of expert road testers – whose role it is to scrupulously evaluate every new SUV on sale – have done the hard work for you and crafted a list of the 10 best SUVs on sale today.

We think the Range Rover Sport is the best SUV, thanks to its engaging drive both on and off-road; lavishly appointed, practical interior; and broad range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

But there are other favourites in our list, including the super-spacious Hyundai Santa Fe, value-busting Dacia Duster and supremely versatile Kia EV9. Keep on reading as we rank the best SUVs available today.

The best SUVs at a glance

1. Range Rover Sport – Best luxury SUV

The Range Rover Sport earns a place on this list by being almost as comfortable and as good off-road as the Range Rover while also being cheaper and better on the road.

Both cars sit on the same platform now, but the Sport’s ability to control its mass helps distinguish it. Its damping is taut and sophisticated, yet its steering is tactile and communicative for something this size.

There's a wide-reading powertrain line-up consisting of turbocharged mild-hybrid diesels, plug-in hybrids and the petrol V8-powered SV, which pumps out a searing 626bhp.

The standard of material quality is virtually the same as in the Range Rover and there are near-endless possibilities in terms of fit and finish.

JLR’s excellent Pivo Pro infotainment system is easy to use, is lag-free and has one the most responsive touchscreens in the business.

2. BMW iX3 – Best premium electric SUV for drivers

We waited with great anticipation to drive the BMW iX3 having been wowed by its promise of a 500-mile range.

Indeed, this is a car that will travel hundreds of miles on a charge, but it proved to be far more than just a long-range SUV, arriving with a roomy cabin, suite of modern digital addenda and a sporting drive that has long been a hallmark of high-riding BMWs.

BMW’s first Neue Klasse model is easily one of the most desirable electric SUVs you can buy, thanks to its premium interior, which sports a host of new technologies and functions.

Despite a lack of physical buttons, BMW’s new touchscreen infotainment is logically configured and easy to get along with. It’s roomy enough for adults in the back and you get a decent 520-litre boot and frunk.

Adding to the iX3’s appeal is its agile, rear-driven chassis balance and poised handling. It can be firm-riding in places but deals with larger potholes and bumps with ease.

3. Dacia Duster – Best budget SUV

The Dacia Duster is now in its third generation and is one of the best SUVs on sale in the UK today.

Sitting on a new platform, the latest Duster features a far more modern and assertive look than the previous model.

The Duster recently adopted the Bigster’s engine line-up: the Hybrid 140 has been replaced by the Hybrid 155 (156bhp), while the entry-level 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol 130 has been ousted by the mild-hybrid 140 (138bhp). Regardless of powertrain, though, the Duster is simple, usable and economical.

Prices start from just under £22,000, making the Duster the value champion of the SUV class. Sure, it’s not as cheap as it once was, but it’s still considerably less than most of its rivals.

It provides a roomy four-seat cabin, a good-sized boot, good driving and cruising manners and a pretty healthy equipment specification, even in entry-level form.

4. Land Rover Defender – Best premium off-roader

The Land Rover Defender is a seriously versatile machine, as capable on the road as off it. It's a serious go-anywhere car, even if many examples will never leave the Tarmac.

Despite its size and its unmatched off-road capability, the Defender is easy to drive, with smooth steering, well-positioned pedals and great visibility. It feels supremely comfortable and controlled.

The Defender is offered with a host of powertrain options in varying states of tune, including a mild-hybrid six-cylinder diesel, a hearty V8 and plug-in hybrid options.

Our pick of the range is the diesel, which is packed with pace and feels particularly refined.

It's one of the most versatile SUVs you can buy today, and the burly Defender is a great option for drivers who crave space, usable performance and a luxury feel.

5. BMW X5 – Best premium sports SUV

The BMW X5 is one of the largest SUVs on our list and can be equipped with up to seven seats, depending on the powertrain you choose.

Speaking of which, the powertrain palette is one of the best around, consisting of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options.

Even the diesel is a 3.0-litre straight six with 282bhp, while the petrol straight six comes with 347bhp. Step up to the PHEV for 483bhp and a 0-62mph sprint of 4.8sec – plus 62 miles of electric-only range, which is decent for the class.

In diesel form, the only engine available with seven seats, the X5 gets 650 litres of boot space. That increases to 1870 litres with the seats folded down but drops to 500 litres in the PHEV, due to the addition of a drive battery.

6. Kia EV9 – Best electric seven-seater

Big, square cars have a lot of car-park presence. That’s why people notice SUVs in the first place – and you will certainly notice the Kia EV9.

Roughly the size of a Range Rover Sport or Mercedes-Benz GLE, the EV9 takes Kia into the full-sized premium SUV segment for the first time - and with some impact.

Chunky, square-cornered, sharply drawn and sternly detailed, it has a boldness about its appearance of the kind that inspired the smaller EV6 and that makes passers-by double-take and say things like: “That’s a Kia? Really? Wow!”

Available with both six- and seven-seat cabin layouts, it’s also as spacious as any other three-row SUV on the market.

Mind you, quality isn't the best in some areas inside. The car’s 99.8kWh battery endows a real-world range of between 260 and 320 miles, depending on how and where you’re driving.

Performance is strong from the dual-motor version, while the ride and handling are a little soft but contained.

7. Skoda Kodiaq – Best all-round family SUV

Lots of drivers just want a more practical, versatile and convenient family car for their money, and the Skoda Kodiaq is an SUV that fulfils that brief nicely.

The Kodiaq has a lot going for it, including a vast interior. The boot measures 910 litres in the five-seater or 745 litres in plug-in hybrid versions.

Plus, if you have a larger family, the Kodiaq can be selected in a seven-seat configuration, with decent levels of space for those in the third row.

You can select the Kodiaq with petrol, diesel or PHEV power. Our pick of the bunch is the 1.5-litre petrol, but the PHEV also has its merits, with an excellent 71 miles of electric-only range.

8. Hyundai Santa Fe – Best family SUV for practicality and styling

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical SUV with room for up to seven people, but its standout feature is its interior.

It's genuinely cavernous and Hyundai has retained an intuitive and accessible layout with dual touchscreens and buttons.

Two of those buttons can be customised, and we would recommend using them to quickly disable the annoying ADAS features.

The Santa Fe gets mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, both based around a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The PHEV gets a 13.8kWh battery with a slightly meagre 33-mile electric-only range.

It might be a bit too big for many, but the Santa Fe is otherwise a great option if you're after an SUV with a pleasant interior and a standout design.

9. Skoda Elroq – Best value electric SUV

Sometimes taking the simple approach can glean the best results, and this could not be more true of the, ahem, simply clever Skoda Elroq. Here we have a modest electric crossover with a neat design, broad range of powertrains and an appealing list price that makes it eligible for the Electric Car Grant (ECG).

Our pick would be the 85 model which has the largest battery and a 282bhp single-motor drivetrain. This version starts from closer to £40,000 as opposed to the entry-level model, which costs from £32,000, but we think it's well worth the extra outlay for a car that offers up to 372 miles of range.

It’s as spacious and versatile as any other compact SUV in its class, and you can add extra practicality features should you need them. This isn’t the most exciting or fun EV to drive, but it doesn’t need to be. The Elroq shines above the rest for its comfortable and quiet ride, efficient powertrain, seamless driveability and everyday usability.

10. Nissan Qashqai – Best everyday compact SUV

The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-selling car in the UK in 2022, outselling the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Puma, and it's still the ideal SUV for many drivers.

It's practical, spacious and comfortable, but it's also solid enough to handle everyday wear and tear at the hands of families and young children.

Nissan's popular SUV is available with a range of electrified powertrains, including the four-wheel drive hybrid e-Power version, which is dependably petrol-powered but propelled by electric motors.

Perhaps its biggest selling point is how easy it is to drive. It will suit most drivers and is an appealing option for families on the hunt for a reasonably priced crossover.