Increasing the ride height doesn’t lower the thrills
Just because you might need a crossover doesn’t mean you have to settle for something that’s boring to drive. Yes, there are plenty of models that err on the side of ride comfort and soft handling, but not everyone wants a tall boulevardier. Crossovers typically blend practicality with a higher driving position and versatile cargo space, but the knock against them has always been that they aren’t particularly exciting when it comes to the driving experience.
For enthusiasts, fun has usually been reserved for sports cars or sports sedans. However, in 2025, there are several crossovers that buck that stereotype, proving you can enjoy spirited driving without giving up space or everyday usability. Here are five crossovers that stand out for their driving dynamics, performance, and ability to put a smile on your face.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 ($67,600) has long been one of the most engaging midsize luxury SUVs to drive, and the 2025 version does not disappoint. Despite its size, the X5 feels athletic, nimble, and engaging. Even in its base configuration, it’s taut and responsive, with BMW’s trademark balance between comfort and sharp handling.
BMW
What really elevates the X5 into enthusiast territory, though, are its higher-performance trims. The X5 M60i has 523 horsepower, and the full-blown X5 M Competition comes with a twin-turbocharged V8 with mild hybrid assist, delivering 617 horsepower. Paired with an adaptive suspension, performance-tuned steering, and optional rear-wheel steering, these versions seemingly shrink the SUV’s size on winding roads. Acceleration is ferocious, but it’s the chassis balance and precision that make the X5 fun to toss around.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio ($48,995) doesn’t just drive well for a crossover; it drives well, period. Built with Italian flair and a focus on driver engagement, the Stelvio feels lighter and more agile than most crossovers. Quick, direct steering gives it a sports-car-like character, while a firm but compliant suspension keeps body roll in check. Our time behind the wheel proves that Italian DNA runs through it and pays driving dividends like mad. Even though the monster Quadrifoglio trim is gone, the Stelvio lineup remains true to driving passion.
The Stelvio is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 280-horsepower feels like more, and the Stelvio also gets a quick-ratio steering setup, a semi-virtual steering axis, and double-wishbone front suspension. Chassis dynamics and a spirited exhaust note make it feel every bit the performance machine, just with a higher seating position and usable cargo space. While Alfa Romeo’s reliability reputation may throw up a caution flare, few crossovers offer this much fun baked into the driving experience.
Porsche Macan
The gas-powered Macan ($64,895) was killed off earlier this year to usher in the electric version, but, just like Lazarus, it has been brought back to life thanks to customer feedback and market signals. Who knows how long it will last, but we’re thankful. The Macan stands as the driving enthusiasts’ benchmark when it comes to the crossover segment. It might as well be a sports sedan instead of a crossover. It’s just that good to drive and to look at.
Porsche engineers infused the Macan with the DNA of the venerable 911 Carrera and 718 Cayman, giving it sharp steering, near-perfect chassis balance, and a confidence-inspiring driving feel. It’s near telepathic in its reflexes, and the payoff is smiles for miles. The lineup includes several trims, from the four-cylinder Macan to the V6-powered Macan S and Macan GTS, each progressively quicker and more agile. The GTS is particularly thrilling, with 434 horsepower, an adaptive air suspension, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. The Macan excels in feedback through the steering wheel, the way the suspension communicates road conditions, and the precision of every input.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
James Riswick
You didn’t see this coming, did you? Yes, this electric crossover from Korea is an absolute hoot of a performance crossover, and it’ll give sports cars a run for their money. Electric crossovers aren’t typically associated with driving excitement, but Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N ($66,200) changes that narrative completely. As the performance version of Hyundai’s award-winning EV, the IONIQ 5 N brings track-ready thrills to the world of electric mobility.
Hyundai
With dual electric motors producing 601 horsepower in N Grin Boost mode, the IONIQ 5 N rockets from 0–60 mph in an astounding 3.0 seconds. Torque feels immediate, and the power is no joke. But speed alone isn’t what makes it fun. It’s the engineering that Hyundai’s N division poured into the details. Features like N Drift Optimizer, Torque Kick Drift Mode, and simulated gearshifts with engine sound deliver an experience that feels closer to a rally car than a family EV. The suspension and brakes are beefed up for track duty, while the steering has been tuned for sharper responses. It’s the enthusiast’s crossover EV, and for good reason.
MINI Countryman John Cooper Works
MINI might not come to mind immediately, but it’s hiding in the shadows of the performance crossover world. MINI has always been about injecting fun into small packages, and the Countryman John Cooper Works (JCW) is no exception. While it’s larger than the classic MINI Cooper hatch, the Countryman JCW ($46,900) still brings entertaining performance and agile handling to the crossover space while remaining family-practical.
The 2025 Countryman JCW comes with a turbocharged engine producing an almost shocking 312 horsepower, paired with all-wheel drive and a sport-tuned suspension. It’s quick off the line (0-60 in about 5 seconds) and eager in corners, with the kind of playful steering response that makes the drive very entertaining. The higher ride height and added space give it practicality for families, but it hasn’t lost the go-kart-like fun that defines the MINI brand.
Final thoughts
We get that crossovers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Families need them, and the market just wants more of them. They’re practical, versatile, and increasingly efficient, but for enthusiasts, the real question is whether they can also be fun. These five models deliver the driving engagement goods and are ready to take on the track and the route to school. For anyone who thought practicality meant sacrificing joy behind the wheel, these crossovers are proof that you can have your cake and eat it, too.
About the author
Amos Kwon
Contributing Writer, Autoblog