We Tested 10 Popular SUVs: Here’s the Best One in 2025
In the crowded world of compact and midsize SUVs, figuring out which model truly stands out can feel like sifting through a jungle of options. We locked down 10 of the most popular offerings on the market and put them through their paces. The lineup:
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Subaru Forester
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Nissan Rogue
- Mazda CX‑50
- Honda CR‑V
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Toyota RAV4
- Kia Sportage
- Hyundai Tucson
After performance, comfort, tech, value, and overall driving experience were all factored in, one rose to the top. Let’s dive into what we found and why it wins.
What We Tested & What Matters
When you’re buying an SUV, these are the questions that keep you up at night:
- How does it drive? (Acceleration, handling, ride comfort)
- How practical is it? (Space, visibility, cargo, family-friendly)
- How much tech and safety are baked in?
- How good is the value? (What you get vs what you pay)
- Does it feel long-term reliable and easy to live with?
We ran each of the ten through the same battery of tests: mixed urban/highway driving, a longer weekend road trip, family-load cargo test, and usability of infotainment and driver-assist systems. The winners are the cars that didn’t just perform well they stood out.
The Standouts: What Each Did Best
Chevrolet Equinox
Solid all-rounder, but nothing truly leaps out. Comfortable ride, decent space but the engine and transmission feel a little behind the class.
Subaru Forester
Top-tier for practicality and visibility (great for family use, outdoor gear). Standard all-wheel drive is a plus. On the downside, the interior feels a bit plain, and it lacks some of the more glamorous tech features other brands offer.
Ford Bronco Sport
Fun-to-drive, rugged styling, and decent off-road chops for a segment SUV. Real advantage if you’ll take it off-pavement. On-pavement refinement doesn’t quite match some rivals.
Nissan Rogue
Well‐rounded, comfortable, and clever tech features (e-power option in some markets). But not quite the “wow” factor when you push harder or compare to the very top models.
Mazda CX-50
Handles beautifully, premium feel, excellent interior materials. It feels more upscale than many in the segment. However, pricing edges up quickly, and cargo space isn’t class-leading.
Honda CR-V
Big on space and practicality. Efficient, reliable, great visibility. Its styling and driving dynamics are safe rather than bold but for many buyers that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Volkswagen Tiguan
European driving feel, high-quality interior, lots of tech. But some markets get only 5-seaters (while rivals offer 7), and the value proposition is weaker in some trim levels.
Toyota RAV4
Huge popularity for a reason: reliability, resale value, excellent hybrid options, strong all-round performance. The ride leans toward firm, and the styling is polarizing—but it delivers where it matters.
Kia Sportage
Excellent value, good tech, strong design. It sits near the top when you factor what you get for the money. Some question about long‐term driving refinement compared to premium rivals.
Hyundai Tucson
Arguably the best “bang for buck.” Strong tech list, bold styling, generous rear seat and cargo space, comfortable ride. It checks almost all the boxes for most buyers.
And the Winner Is...
After scoring each vehicle across a broad set of criteria (drive experience 25%, practicality 25%, tech & safety 20%, value 15%, long-term appeal 15%), the car that edged out the rest is the Hyundai Tucson.
Why the Tucson stands above the crowd
- It delivers near premium driving dynamics and comfort without the premium price.
- Rear-seat space and cargo room are generous great for families.
- Tech and safety suite is top tier in the segment.
- Value for money is hard to beat.
- It doesn’t have obvious weak points: it’s refined, modern, and ready for daily use.
Runner-ups to watch
- The Toyota RAV4 remains a very strong choice if resale value and hybrid options top your list.
- The Mazda CX-50 offers a premium feel that some may prefer if budget allows.
- The Kia Sportage is almost as compelling as the Tucson at an often lower price.
What Should You Consider Before Buying?
- Budget vs Trim: How much you spend affects how much of the value you realize. A fully-loaded trim may cost way more but might bring incremental value less dramatically.
- Usage: City driving vs highway vs some off-road? If you’ll go off-road, the Bronco Sport is interesting.
- Family / Cargo Needs: How many people and how much stuff do you carry regularly?
- Tech & Safety Preferences: Do you want the latest gadgetry, driver-assist features, infotainment?
- Resale & Reliability: Toyota scores high here; newer brands still proving their long-term track record.
- Driving Feel: Sporty vs relaxed some SUVs lean one way or the other.
Final Thoughts
If I were picking one SUV for nearly anyone reading this, the Hyundai Tucson is the safest, smartest, all-round choice. It doesn’t necessarily excite you the way some premium SUV might—but it delivers where it counts and offers fewer compromises.
Of course, if your specific priorities lean more toward ruggedness (Ford Bronco Sport), pure resale reliability (Toyota RAV4), or upscale feel (Mazda CX-50) then there are strong alternatives worth considering.