Best SUVs to buy 2024 - tested and rated
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Best SUVs of 2024
If you’re looking for your next family car then you’ve come to the right place. In fact, SUVs are a hugely popular option for anyone who needs lots of space for people and their things, and there are a few reasons why you might choose an SUV over other options such as a saloon, hatchback or estate.
Generally speaking, SUVs have more space in the cabin and the boot than other options, and because you sit higher it’s easier to put kids in the back seats. The raised driving position means you have a great view of the road ahead and it feels more safe and secure, too. Some models are even good off-road, which can be particularly useful if you live in a rural area.
They’re not perfect, though, because they tend to be a bit more expensive than other types of car, and less efficient too, meaning running costs can be a bit higher. It’s important to pick the right one, then, which is why our expert reviews team has put together this list of the best SUVs, covering a variety of budgets.
10 best SUV cars
1. Volvo EX30
Volvo EX30 reviewThe Volvo EX30 is a small, affordable electric SUV with all the style you'd expect of a Volvo with a cool, minimalist interior. It's also really good to drive, being comfortable over bumps and quiet on the motorway. If you go for the most powerful model, it's hilariously quick, too. The infotainment system isn't very intuitive to use though, and has caused some recall headaches, so make sure the relevant updates have been applied before buying.
2. BMW X5
Black Friday deal BMW X5 reviewThe BMW X5 is one of the best all-round SUVs you can buy. Sure, it ticks all the practicality boxes, but it also gets a high quality interior, so even though it's certainly not cheap, you feel like your money has been well spent. If you're a keen driver, the X5 is also more fun to drive than any SUV of this size has any right to be – and if this really appeals there are high-performance 'M' versions to go for, too.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
Black Friday deal Hyundai Santa Fe reviewIf you’re looking for a big, handsome, seven-seat SUV, then the Hyundai Santa Fe is tough to beat. It has sci-fi looks on the outside and an interior that feels more premium than anything we’ve seen from Hyundai before. It’s ludicrously practical – how do you like the sound of 17 cup holders? – and has a choice of hybrid engines. It’s a bit of a shame there’s no electric or diesel versions though, and it’s pretty unexciting to drive.
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4. Citroen C5 Aircross
Black Friday deal Citroen C5 Aircross reviewThe Citroen C5 Aircross is one of our favourite family cars, because it's just such good value. It's spacious inside and has a sliding rear bench that lets you open up a massive boot space – all for the price of cars half the size. It also helps that the C5 Aircross is really comfortable to drive. There are a few areas inside where it feels a bit cheap, but it's hard to complain at the price.
5. Citroen e-C3
Black Friday deal Citroen e-C3 reviewWhen it comes to value, Citroen is tough to beat right now, and the e-C3 is further proof of this by being one of the cheapest electric vehicles on sale today, yet it doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of quality. Sure, it’s small and not particularly practical, and its low range will be a pain on longer journeys, but it’s really comfortable to drive and has perky performance that makes it excellent around town.
6. Land Rover Defender
Black Friday deal Land Rover Defender 110 reviewThe other cars on this list are SUVs, but the Defender is not. It’s a proper off-roader, a 4x4, capable of climbing every mountain and fording every stream. Other SUVs tackle the school run. The Defender can tackle the school run when the school is on the other side of the Kalahari. Rugged and tough, but also comfy and refined on the road, with an excellent (but expensive) plug-in hybrid option that’s surprisingly frugal on long journeys. The three-door 90 is the stylish option, while the long-wheelbase 130 has the most space. The 110 sits between the two and is the sweet spot in the range for most people.
7. Kia EV9
Black Friday deal Kia EV9 reviewThe Kia EV9 is a massive electric SUV that's available with seven seats, or a six-seat layout with a pair of swivelling chairs in the second row. The interior is really spacious wherever you sit and the look and feel is generally top notch, minus a few cheaper materials here and there. The big battery version's official range is a useful 349 miles, and it has super-fast charge speeds if you do need to top up while out on a trip. It's very expensive for a Kia though, and while the EV9 is more spacious, a BMW iX feels a bit more special inside.
8. BMW iX
Black Friday deal BMW iX reviewLet's get this out of the way: No, the BMW iX is not much of a looker. However, inside this electric SUV you're treated to one of the coolest interiors of any car on sale today. You get all the usual stuff like big screens and high quality materials, but the design is just different enough from the norm to feel futuristic and a bit special. The iX is also great to drive, quiet and refined, and we've seen over 300 miles from a charge in the big battery version.
9. Skoda Karoq
Black Friday deal Skoda Karoq reviewThe Karoq might just be the most sensible car you can buy. It’s massive inside — there’s a whopping 588-litre boot back there, and you can get Varioflex rear seats that come out altogether to make even more space. It’s well-built and given Skoda’s reputation, should be reliable, too. You can even get it with a frugal 1.0-litre engine that sounds way too small to shift something like a Karoq around, but proves to be anything but. Exciting? not really. Refined, comfortable and all the car you'll likely ever need? We'd say so.
10. Nissan Qashqai
Black Friday deal Nissan Qashqai reviewBuying a Nissan Qashqai is as inspired a choice as ordering water at the pub or filling your wardrobe with black T-shirts, but there’s a reason it’s consistently one of the best-selling cars in the UK. That’s because it does all the family car jobs really well – it’s practical, has an interior that can stand up to the rough and tumble of family life, and it’s comfortable to cruise around in. You won’t love it, you won’t hate it, but you will appreciate how fuss-free it is. An update in 2024 has improved things with a new Google-powered infotainment system, too.
SUVs to avoid
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How to choose the best SUV for you
There are a baffling array of SUVs on sale - coupe-SUVs, off-roaders, small SUVs, electric SUVs, jacked-up hatchbacks that pretend to be SUVs, the list goes on. Choosing one can be intimidating, especially when almost every manufacturer offers at least two or three to pick from. So let's round up everything you shoudl take into consideration when buying a new or used SUV.
Size
Like regular cars, SUVs come in a variety of sizes. The smallest, such as the Suzuki Ignis, are true city cars with tiny footprints - while the likes of the Range Rover, Bentley Bentayga or BMW X7 fill up the road and can be a full-sized family bus or a luxury limo depending on how the mood takes them.
Think carefully about your needs, remembering that things like car seats and pushchairs can often take up more room than you'd expect. But also consider where you'll be using the cars most - a large SUV can be a pain to park, and might not even fit in your garage or on your driveway.
Fuel type
Petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric... all have their advantages disadvantages depending on the type of driving you do.
Petrol
Petrol-powered SUVs are usually either the base models, or the highest-end performance ones - not much in between. Entry-level petrols are usually the cheapest engines in the model range, and the best if you do frequent short trips or low distance driving. They're not as efficient when fully-laden or on a long run. High-performance petrols are still the most exciting way to power your vehicle, though the size and weight of an SUV means you'd have more fun in the equivalent sporty saloon.
Diesel
Diesel cars are falling out of fashion but they're still a fantastic choice if you do a lot of long-distance driving. They're the most fuel-efficient way to cruise on the motorway, and the best diesel SUVs will go 600+ miles on a tank of fuel, minimising fillups. They also have the low-down power you need for activities like towing. They're not very efficient on short journeys and without regular long runs their emission control systems will get clogged up, leading to expensive repairs. They're also more expensive to buy than petrol engines.
Hybrid
A self-charging hybrid (that is, one that you don't plug in) is typically a little more expensive than a petrol or a diesel alternative, but can offer great economy regardless of what kind of driving you do. The ability to run on electric power at low speeds really improves fuel economy around town. They're not much fun to drive, though.
Plug-in hybrid
PHEVs can be charged from the mains, and are typically capable of running between 20-70 miles on purely electricity before needing to use their engines. This can be great if you're abel to charge at home and use electricity for your commute, for example, saving petrol for longer jaunts. They're also very cost-efficient on company car tax. When the batteries run out, though, they're typically less efficient than even a regular petrol-powered car, so not ideal for regular long distances.
Electric
Owing an electric car could make your life much easier, or the total opposite. If you're able to charge at home and you get an electric SUV with enough range for your regular driving, they can fit into your life really easily - but even the best models aren't ideal if you're going to rely on public charging or regularly do mega-mileage. Electric SUVs are more expensive than combustion-engined ones, too.
Four-wheel drive
Back in the day, it wasn't an SUV if it didn't have four-wheel drive. That's not so much the case any more, though, and in fact the vast majority of SUVs on sale are front-wheel drive only. Consider if you're ever going to use your SUV to actually go off-road, and remember that for slippery conditions a set of winter tyres is usually more effective than four-wheel drive.
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