Best Large SUVs of 2024 and 2025
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Also referred to as full-size SUVs, large SUVs meet some very specific needs. Built more like trucks, they’re powerful, rugged and able to tow heavy loads, while offering maximum interior space.
The higher cost of large SUVs, both upfront and ongoing, could be a downside for some car buyers. But if you’re willing to invest in the unique benefits of a full-size SUV, it’s important to choose a model that meets your expectations for best SUVs. Here are the large SUVs we determined stand out in their segment.
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Best Full-Size SUVs
Our ratings are based on safety, comfort, technology, driving features, fuel efficiency and — most important — cost and value within the large, gas-powered SUV segment.
#1 for full-size SUVs
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
420 @ 5200 hp
Horsepower
20
Combined MPG
Rear Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
27.4 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
8 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
420 @ 5200 hp
Horsepower
20
Combined MPG
🏆 Award winner: Vincentric Best Certified Pre-Owned Value in America.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Jeep Wagoneer has standard three-row seating for up to eight passengers. Among large SUVs, it gets decent gas mileage, rates high for safety and has a great resale value. With a powerful engine, it delivers up to 420 horsepower and a maximum towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds when equipped with the proper towing package. It also comes with features that aren’t standard in other large SUVs, such as heated and ventilated front seats and integrated navigation.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$89,044. This is middle of the range.
Based on AAA and Vincentric automotive data. Includes financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great. (87/100).
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#2 for full-size SUVs
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
380 @ 5000 hp
Horsepower
19
Combined MPG
Rear Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
380 @ 5000 hp
Horsepower
19
Combined MPG
🏆 Award winner: Kelley Blue Book Best Buy and Vincentric Best Certified Pre-Owned Value in America.
Our verdict: For a full-size SUV, the Ford Expedition has a low starting MSRP and five-year cost of ownership. It also has decent gas mileage among large SUVs. It comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite, which includes blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and lane keeping assist. The base trim Expedition seats up to five, while higher trims seat up to eight.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$83,352. This is on the low end.
Based on AAA and Vincentric automotive data. Includes financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Average. (77/100).
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#3 for full-size SUVs
3.0
NerdWallet rating
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
400 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
16
Combined MPG
Rear Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
16.5 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
8 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
400 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
16
Combined MPG
Our verdict: The Nissan Armada has standard third-row seating and many advanced safety features such as driver monitoring, front and rear collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control. The Armada’s starting MSRP and five-year cost of ownership is lower than some other large SUVs, but its fuel economy falls short.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$88,112. This is middle of the range.
Based on AAA and Vincentric automotive data. Includes financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Not rated.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
What to consider when buying a full-size SUV
When you’re shopping for a full-size SUV, here are some key aspects to compare.
Passenger and cargo space. Full-size SUVs offer generous seating, typically accommodating seven to eight passengers. Some models prioritize second-row comfort with captain’s chairs, while others maximize seating capacity with bench seats. The cargo area is usually generous, and flexibility can maximize space.
Look for:
☐ Power-folding third-row seats.
☐ Underfloor storage or split-folding rear seats for added convenience.
Performance, towing and fuel efficiency. Full-size SUVs are built for power, often featuring V6 or V8 engines, with some hybrid and turbocharged options available for better fuel economy. Towing capabilities can vary widely, with some models exceeding 8,000 pounds when properly equipped. If you plan to tow trailers, boats or campers, check:
☐ The tow rating.
☐ Available towing packages.
☐ Advanced towing assistance features.
If fuel economy is a concern, see our best electric SUV picks.
Ride comfort and handling. Ride quality for large SUVs varies. Some prioritize smooth rides, while others emphasize sportier handling or off-road performance.
☐ Air suspension systems and various drive modes can improve ride quality in different circumstances.
☐ Test the noise level inside — some large SUVs experience more road and wind noise, depending on insulation and design.
Safety features. Many full-size SUVs come with an array of advanced safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and automatic emergency braking. Compare:
☐ What comes standard versus optional.
☐ Crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for an added layer of confidence.
Technology and entertainment. Long road trips and family travel can make technology more important for owners of large SUVs. Larger SUVs often offer expansive infotainment screens, multiple USB ports, premium audio systems, rear-seat entertainment and features like built-in Wi-Fi. Check:
☐ Which features are standard.
☐ Which features require an upgrade.
☐ Whether any subscriptions are necessary for services like navigation or streaming.
Drivetrain and terrain capability. Most full-size SUVs come with standard rear-wheel drive (RWD), which is beneficial for towing. All-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) options enhance traction in snow, rain and off-road conditions. If you plan to go off-roading, check:
☐ Ground clearance.
☐ Available skid plates.
☐ Specialized drive modes for rough terrain.
Brand reputation and reliability. Full-size SUVs are long-term investments, so reliability and resale value are important. Some brands are known for durability, while others offer more extensive warranty coverage. Before making a decision, check:
☐ Owner reviews.
☐ Dependability ratings.
☐ Manufacturer warranties.
Full-size SUV costs to consider
Before purchasing a full-size SUV, factor in ongoing costs and ways to minimize them.
Fuel, insurance and maintenance all tend to cost more for large SUVs. So compare fuel economy ratings, insurance premiums and estimated maintenance costs for the various models you’re considering. Our SUV cost of ownership calculator can help.
If you’re financing, shop around for lenders to secure the best auto loan interest rates. An auto loan calculator can help you estimate monthly payments and overall loan costs. Vehicle leasing may also be an option if lower monthly payments are a priority.
Securing auto loan preapproval before visiting a dealership helps define your price range and can give you leverage when negotiating financing.
Look for cashback offers, low-interest financing and lease specials from SUV manufacturers to reduce your overall cost.
A full-size SUV is a major investment, but careful research and planning can help ensure you find the right model for your needs and budget.
How we rate and rank vehicles
Our car rankings are based on a thorough review of more than 3,400 makes and models, with upward of 500 data points for each, as well as inputs from respected third-party automotive resources. Within specific vehicle segments, we select 60 or more data points that matter most to buyers and owners of those vehicles. We then score the vehicle with the heaviest emphasis on helping you make a smart financial decision.
Review and rating process
NerdWallet’s overall car ratings are weighted averages in seven categories.
Cost and value includes metrics like starting MSRP, warranties, five-year cost of ownership and resale value.
Safety includes safety features and industry safety awards.
Fuel efficiency includes combined, city and highway mpg for gas vehicles and MPGe for electric vehicles.
Driving features and functionality combines data points such as horsepower and drivetrain options, along with cargo and towing capacity. Cars can also lose points in this category for the number of recalls.
Comfort and interior covers metrics related to head and leg room, seating and temperature control.
Tech and convenience includes things like smartphone integration, wireless phone charging and infotainment. We get that these are must-haves for some people, but our methodology focuses most on cost and value factors.
Awards includes industry awards from Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports and Vincentric.
Subcategories within each of these categories vary slightly based on vehicle segments and what’s important to drivers in that group.
About outside-award winners
Consumer Reports and Kelley Blue Book each have a history of evaluating vehicles and delivering useful information to consumers. Their awards reflect well-rounded assessments and, we think, are worth noting.
About safety winners
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit group with decades of experience performing crash tests and other safety evaluations on vehicles. Top performers are issued one or both of two designations: Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. To earn a TSP+ rating, vehicles must meet additional criteria for a higher level of safety performance related to front and side crash tests, headlight performance and pedestrian front crash prevention.
About the five-year cost of ownership
Our five-year cost of ownership estimate is based on information from AAA and Vincentric and includes the categories of financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation. For comparison purposes, our cost of ownership estimate is based on the national average for a new, base-model vehicle driven 15,000 miles annually, with equal amounts of city and highway driving, and figured gas costs using the current national average price per gallon at the time
About resale value
We base resale value on J.D. Power's forecast of a vehicle’s depreciation over the next three years. J.D. Power uses their industry-leading valuations data for this assessment and ranks each vehicle on a 100-point scale: Best (91-100), Great (81-90), Average (70-80) and Fair (0-69).
Who we are
Our autos team is made up of writers and editors who cover a wide range of auto industry and financial topics. We have more than 30 years of combined experience in finance and autos. Each team member adheres to NerdWallet’s strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Our writers’ bylines have appeared in Nasdaq, MSN, MarketWatch, Yahoo! Finance and other national and regional media outlets.
