Best Crossover SUVs of 2024
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Finding the best crossover SUV for your needs can be a challenge. Crossovers are popular, and auto manufacturers have met that demand with a long list of makes, models, trims, sizes and options to choose from. So, where to begin? NerdWallet has done some of the work for you, by assessing top crossovers and selecting those we think stand out.
Our ratings are based on safety, comfort, technology, functionality, fuel efficiency and — most importantly — cost and value.
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Best Small Crossover SUVs
Our top picks for small crossovers include both subcompact and compact SUVs.
#1 for small crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
147 @ 6200 hp
Horsepower
31
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
25.5 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
147 @ 6200 hp
Horsepower
31
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
🏆 Award winner: Kelley Blue Book Best Buy.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Our verdict: The Hyundai Kona offers exceptional value with a starting MSRP of $25,625. It delivers a fuel-efficient 31 miles per gallon for combined city/highway driving, and it’s backed by Hyundai’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty. Packed with advanced safety features, it’s a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious buyers. We used the SE Auto FWD for our rating, but the Kona comes in four trim levels.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$48,341. This is on the low end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#2 for small crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
152 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
29
Combined MPG
All Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
19.9 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
152 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
29
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
🏆 Award winner: Consumer Reports Top Picks.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: Subaru's Crosstrek offers great value with a starting MSRP of $26,540 and a low five-year cost of ownership. Its combined fuel economy of 29 MPG makes it an affordable choice for both city and highway driving. With up to 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard AWD, the Crosstrek has more off-road capability than other subcompact SUVs. We’ve rated the base AWD model, but four additional trim levels are available.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$43,950. This is on the low end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Best.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#3 for small crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
190 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
30
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
39.3 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
190 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
30
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
🏆 Award winner: Kelley Blue Book Best Buy.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Honda CR-V is an excellent value. With a combined fuel economy rating of 30 MPG and numerous standard safety features, it offers a balanced blend of efficiency and security. A low five-year cost of ownership, as determined by AAA, adds to its appeal. Our rating is based on the LX 2WD, but the CR-V comes in six trim levels — all with optional all-wheel drive.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$48,602. This is on the low end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fueling, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
This is J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#4 for small crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
187 @ 6100 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
38.7 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
187 @ 6100 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Hyundai Tucson excels in both safety and value. With an array of advanced safety features and a starting MSRP of $28,875, it provides strong protection for drivers and passengers without breaking the bank. Our rating is based on the Hyundai Tucson SE FWD. The Tucson comes in a total of four trim levels, with standard FWD and available AWD.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$51,517. This is middle of the range.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#5 for small crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
187 @ 6100 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
39.6 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
187 @ 6100 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Kia Sportage offers an excellent balance of cost and value, starting at $28,565. It’s backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty and a lower five-year cost of ownership than similar SUVs. It’s a good choice for buyers looking for affordability and reliability. For our rating, we used the Kia Sportage LX FWD, but the Sportage comes in seven different trims.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$49,544. This is on the low end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
Best Midsize Crossover SUVs
Our top picks for best two-row midsize crossovers offer a good combination of passenger and cargo space without the bulk of larger three-row SUVs.
#1 for midsize crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
277 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
24 (Est)
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
14.6 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
7 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
277 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
24 (Est)
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Hyundai Santa Fe offers peace of mind with its industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. It comes well-equipped with many advanced safety features and provides plenty of passenger space, seating up to seven. We base our rating on the Hyundai Santa Fe SE FWD. The Santa Fe has five trim levels, with AWD as an option.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$59,572. This is on the high end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Best.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#2 for midsize crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
182 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
All Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
32.6 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
5 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
182 @ 5800 hp
Horsepower
28
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Subaru Outback shines for safety and off-road capability, just as it has since it was introduced as one of the earliest crossover SUVs. With standard AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback can go from snowy city pavement to muddy backroads. With a starting MSRP of $30,240, it’s an affordable option when compared to many other midsize SUVs. Our rating is of the base AWD Outback, but there are nine trims to choose from.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$49,018. This is on the low end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
Best 3-Row Midsize Crossover SUVs
While three-row crossovers meet the need for extra space, they come with higher ownership costs. We’ve chosen models that are feature-packed at a competitive MSRP when compared to similar SUVs.
#1 for 3-row midsize crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
291 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
22
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
21 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
8 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
291 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
22
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
🏆 Award winner: Kelley Blue Book Best Buy.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
Our verdict: The Kia Telluride earned our only five-star rating among midsize crossover SUVs. The Telluride is a family-friendly SUV with a compelling mix of features and value. It includes plenty of standard safety and tech features, third-row seating and a large cargo area. It’s also known for holding its value and received the 2024 J.D. Power Resale Value Award. For our rating, we used the LX FWD trim, but the Telluride is available in ten different trim levels.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$59,125. This is on the high end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Best.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#2 for 3-row midsize crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
291 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
22
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
18 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
8 passengers
Seating Capacity
5 / 60,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
291 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
22
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: Hyundai's Palisade is a practical choice among midsize crossovers, and for all it offers it’s reasonably priced starting at $38,045. With third-row seating and a spacious cargo area, the Palisade is an excellent option for families. And if family adventures include hauling trailers, boats or other recreational vehicles, the Palisade has a robust towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Our rating is based on the SE FWD trim, and the Palisade offers six trim levels.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$60,585. This is on the high end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Great.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
#3 for 3-row midsize crossovers
on TrueCar's website
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
265 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
25
Combined MPG
Front Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
16 cu ft
Cargo Capacity
8 passengers
Seating Capacity
3 / 36,000
Basic Warranty
Gasoline Fuel
Engine Type
265 @ 6000 hp
Horsepower
25
Combined MPG
⭐ NerdWallet rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
🦺 Safety winner: IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Our verdict: The Toyota Highlander has been a popular pick among three-row SUVs for years. It compares well with many advanced safety features and seating up to eight passengers, but both its third row and overall cargo capacity are a touch smaller than others in the category and it lacks a few of their conveniences.
💸 5-year cost of ownership
$62,080. This is on the high end.
This comes from AAA and considers six categories: financing, fees, fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation.
🔄 Resale value
Best.
J.D. Power's assessment based on the vehicle's expected depreciation over the next three years.
What to look for when shopping for a crossover SUV
Crossovers, or CUVs, are built on a car platform, called a unibody frame, making them lighter with more car-like handling. In comparison, traditional SUVs use a body-on-frame design, making them heavier and more durable like trucks.
Technical definition aside, crossovers blend passenger car driveability with the functionality and appearance of traditional SUVs. You may hear people use the words “crossover” and “SUV” interchangeably, but not all SUVs are crossovers.
You’ll also want to be aware of the four SUV categories when you’re shopping for a crossover. Subcompacts are the smallest SUVs, followed by compact SUVs. Midsize SUVs typically provide more cargo and passenger space, and full-size SUVs are the largest. You will find crossover SUVs in each of these categories.
How to know what crossover SUV is best for you
Think about your specific needs to ensure the SUV you buy is a good match. Here are some aspects to think about:
Seating capacity. Will a compact SUV that seats five be sufficient or would three rows be better?
Cargo area. Will you be hauling large items and how much space will you need?
Fuel economy. Is most of your driving done in the city, on the highway or a combination, and what is the fuel economy rating of each SUV you’re considering?
Safety ratings and features. Which crossovers have the highest safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)? Which SUV safety features are important to you?
Towing and hauling. Will you be pulling a trailer, boat or camper, and how much towing capacity will you need?
Performance. How will you be driving your crossover, and will you need a more powerful engine or AWD or 4WD?
Technology. Do you want just the basics or a vehicle loaded with the latest technology?
To narrow your crossover choices and ensure you pay a fair price, take advantage of the usual car-buying resources: online buying guides and valuation tools (like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds), owner reviews and test drives.
Financing your purchase ...
Even the most affordable SUVs come with a big price tag, so you’ll want to take certain cost-cutting measures up front.
Don’t just take dealer financing without shopping other lenders and comparing interest rates.
Take time to get a preapproved auto loan, so you have an idea of the rate and maximum loan amount you can qualify for. If you're buying from a car dealer, ask if they can beat your preapproved rate.
Use an auto loan calculator to see the estimated monthly payment and total loan cost for different interest rates and loan terms.
Look into auto deals and incentives offered by car manufacturers and dealerships to help you save.
If eventually owning the crossover isn’t important to you, look into auto leasing for a lower monthly payment.
.. and don’t forget insurance and maintenance
When shopping for your new crossover, think in terms of balancing your needs with your budget. If you don’t need the largest crossover available, it doesn’t make sense to pay for it. Also, consider your budget beyond the vehicle’s MSRP or sticker price. Factor in long-term expenses like fuel, insurance and maintenance. Using a total cost of ownership calculator, you can see which crossovers fit your monthly budget before you buy.
How we rate and rank vehicles
Our car rankings are based on a thorough review of more than 3,400 makes and models, with upwards 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 (25%) includes metrics like starting MSRP, warranties, five-year cost of ownership and resale value.
Safety (20%) includes safety features and industry safety awards.
Fuel efficiency (15%) includes combined, city and highway MPG for gas vehicles and MPGe for electric vehicles.
Driveability and functionality (10%) combines data points such as horsepower and drivetrain options, along with cargo and towing capacity.
Comfort and interior (10%) covers metrics related to head and leg room, seating and temperature control.
Tech and convenience (5%) 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.
Other (15%) includes industry awards from Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports and Vincentric. Cars can also lose points in this category for the number of recalls.
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+. The difference is mainly down to their "moderate overlap front" test, which simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles. A TSP+ rating means the vehicle met the standard on the group's tougher version of that test.
About the 5-year cost of ownership
Our five-year cost of ownership estimate is based on information provided by 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 a gas price of 3.346 cents per gallon.
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.
