At one point in time, the station wagon was the coolest car you could buy. Seriously. Now that it’s the 21st century and we’ve come to our senses a bit, SUVs are the most popular vehicle on the road. Offering all of the utility of a station wagon without any of the embarrassment, SUVs represent the spirit of driving culture: ultimate freedom. On or off-road, the modern SUV does just about anything you need it to, with style to spare.
Every major automaker has at least one SUV in its lineup, too, which makes narrowing down the seven we think will be worth your money in 2026 difficult. Many worthy SUVs will go unmentioned. A few on this list might surprise you, too.
7: The Volkswagen Tiguan
If you’ve ever driven a Tiguan and thought to yourself, “meh,” you’re not alone. That’s why VW remodeled the Tiguan for 2025, pretty much gutting the vehicle entirely to reframe it as a proper SUV rather than a crossover. The older Tiguan felt more like a small station wagon – not that there’s anything wrong with that! – while the 2025 and 2026 Tiguan is much more of a proper SUV.
For 2026, VW added a top-end SEL R-Line Turbo for power-hungry buyers, producing 268 horsepower. All-wheel drive is also standard now. The Tiguan now sits more upright, which helps its already spacious cabin feel even more expansive. Base-level trims are good, and top-end trim lines (like the R) have plenty of upgrades to make the nearly $50,000 sticker price feel appropriate.
6: Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport
When soccer moms in station wagons ruled the roads, cool dads had a Bronco or Bronco Sport. Bringing the Bronco back was a smart move by Ford, and reintroducing it with retro styling was a stroke of genius. The Bronco and Bronco Sport are distinct yet familiar, and both entice drivers to leave the pavement and see what their SUVs can really do.
There’s a bit too much plastic inside, and the Bronco in particular has quite a bit of wind noise. Both could use some refinement, and the Bronco Sport needs an upgrade beyond its standard three-cylinder engine. We could make the same claims about many SUVs, though. The upside is that the Bronco’s noise issues are due to its modularity, and the Bronco Sport’s entry-level engine is still plenty to get you around town. The Broncos aren’t flashy, but they’re incredibly cool.
Kristen Brown
5: The Mazda CX-50
One thing is perpetually true about a Mazda: it punches above its weight. The CX-50 is no exception. A touch larger than its CX-5 stablemate, the CX-50 is a more proper SUV in both stance and styling and has quite a few features you might be surprised to find in a sub-$50,000 SUV. A large 10.3-inch center-mounted screen, rear-seat alerts, better pedestrian detection, wireless charging, and much more are offered across trim levels.
A touch cramped in the rear seats, the CX-50 is nonetheless spacious enough for four adults unless it’s a road trip. The CX-50 is incredibly fun to drive and is constantly in production. You might have a bit of trouble finding the exact trim and color you want, as Mazda dealerships don’t have any control over the inventory they receive, but the CX-50 of your dreams is worth hunting down.
Porsche
4: Porsche Macan
Like the Bronco, the Macan can creep up to around $77,000, but we’ll give it a pass because it’s a Porsche. Like its larger sibling, the Cayenne, the Macan is an absolute blast to drive. It’s pure Porsche, through and through. Though small, the Macan is relatively roomy for the driver and front passenger, which is where it matters most. It sets the benchmark for the compact luxury SUV market, besting rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 thanks to its oh-so-Porsche driving experience.
With all-wheel drive standard, the 2.0-liter engine on the base model and T trim offers 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. If you really want a thrilling ride, the top-end S trim packs a 375-horsepower engine capable of 383 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains are incredible; if you prefer an all-electric version, Porsche has made a Macan EV, but it starts at $80,000.
Tesla
3: The Tesla Model Y
Most of us see so many Model Ys on the road, we’re just plain tired of looking at them. But there’s a good reason for that: the Model Y is pretty dang good, y’all. Tesla cracked the range code long ago, and the Model Y has a far more approachable price point than rival EV SUVs from other automakers. Pricing for 2026 is a touch higher than past model years, but it tops out at about $62,000. The base model is just north of $41,000. For an EV SUV with 300-plus miles of range, that’s impressive.
The generous among us will call the Tesla Model Y interior “minimalist,” shorthand for saying that controls are all hidden behind its center-mounted screen and the dashboard lacks buttons for AC and other controls. We expect Model Y sales to jump now that Tesla has ended its cold war with CarPlay, too. Overall, the Model Y is quick, has excellent range, is reasonably comfortable, and offers enough features to keep most owners happy.
Honda
2: Honda CR-V
The most lovable thing about the Honda CR-V is its reliability. It isn’t flashy, it’s not powerful, and it doesn’t really lead in any one category for SUVs. It’s just a rock-solid SUV. Honda doesn’t take many chances – the CR-V still has a tall gear shift, after all – but its vehicles are reliable and sturdy.
Inside, the CR-V is roomy and well-equipped. Outside, Honda revamped the CR-V to be a bit more square and proud. A 1.5-liter, 190-horsepower four-cylinder engine is standard, and hybrid options are available. You get enough with any CR-V trim, and it tops out at just under $40,000—incredible value for an excellent SUV.
1: The Toyota RAV4
Of course, the RAV4 is on our list. If you have a list of SUVs without the RAV4, the internet crashes. Luckily, the RAV4 deserves to be on every list – it’s just that solid. Where the CR-V is known for reliability, the Toyota RAV4 meets it and adds features and far more competence than a CR-V.
Redesigned inside and out for 2026, the RAV4 is now available only as a hybrid, a powertrain that more buyers are eyeing now that federal EV tax credits have expired and are likely never to return. You can get the 2026 RAV4 as a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and you’ll be able to choose from six different trim levels. The top-end Limited starts at $43,300.
Outside, it’s a lot more like a Grand Highlander with its squared, upright stance that doesn’t slope at the rear hatch like previous generations. Inside, the RAV4 seems roomier and takes cues from the Crown for driver and passenger; it’s got a low-slung, wider aesthetic that retains the RAV4’s truck-like feel while adding a touch more class. We’re typically hesitant to include ground-up refreshes on our lists, but the RAV4 is battle-tested, and its changes are all inspired by existing, popular Toyota models.
Honorable mentions
There are plenty of vehicles worth mentioning. The BMW iX3 is exciting, but simply too fresh to recommend until we have more time with it. We’re enticed by BMW’s Neue Klasse vehicles, but it’s a massive pivot for the company. The Kia EV9 is also great, but we’re not fans of the interior trim, which leans far too much into plastic and is overall underwhelming. Jeep Wranglers are cool, but not an SUV we can recommend as a daily driver for most buyers.
BMW
Final thoughts
2026 is a pivotal time for SUVs. We expected to see far more EVs from more brands, but many automakers are pivoting to hybrid powertrains to meet buyer demand. That’s a big reason the RAV4 tops our list, and why we didn’t “force” EVs onto the list. The market has spoken, and it’s saying now is not quite the time for EVs en masse. We respect that, and we’re sure in five years this list will include more EVs, even if those electrified SUVs carry the nameplates we see here.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog