While hatchbacks used to be the most popular cars in the world, SUVs have subtly taken the title. Crossover SUVs may be smaller than traditional SUVs, but they offer the same level of comfort and practicality for daily use.
Despite being built for off-roading, you are more likely to find these compact SUVs around town than actually off-roading. Automakers have embraced the popularity of this form factor and have expanded their ranges to include even more crossover models.
Updated April 2023: Crossovers are the perfect compromise between an SUV and a sporty sedan. Therefore, there's no denying the fact that crossover SUVs are here to stay. They are among the most popular vehicles in the U.S. and other parts of the world. This updated list highlights ten of the best crossover SUVs on the American market.
Want to learn more about some of the most popular crossover SUVs on the American market right now? You’re in the right place. Here are some of the best crossovers you can get your hands on today.
10 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson is a popular, family SUV that comes with a modern design and an efficient powertrain. While Hyundai does offer a standard Tucson, the Hybrid model is leagues ahead of the rest of the range.
While the Hybrid model does offer you excellent fuel economy, the rest of the SUV is just as impressive. Hyundai went premium with the interior by covering the cabin with tons of leather and soft-touch materials. In addition to this, Hyundai also included two digital displays with an infotainment system that pairs wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For its hybrid lineup, Hyundai offers a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine producing either 226 hp in the hybrid or 261 hp in the plug-in hybrid. The powerplant makes the hybrids more powerful and quicker. While the Tucson is no sports car, it has an agreeable ride, crisp steering, and confident handling.
9 Kia EV6
Are you looking for a practical crossover that can also be economical? Then the Kia EV6 may be the perfect city car for you. The EV6 is an all-electric SUV that can be configured to come with 320 or 576 hp.
Even if you don’t go for the highest spec, the EV6 still looks great and is bound to turn heads wherever you go. The EV6 also includes a modern interior that can comfortably seat five adults. Despite being similar to the IONIQ 5 and the ID.4 from Volkswagen, the EV6 is much better at performance driving and handling.
The EV6 is available with either a single motor or dual motors. The single-motor variant is rear-wheel drive, while the dual-motor versions are all-wheel drive. The dual-motor EV6 also boasts a larger battery pack and either 320 or 576 hp. Owners can also opt for a larger battery in the single-motor EV6, boosting power from 167 ponies to 225 hp.
8 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mustang name has expanded over the last few years. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a dynamic crossover SUV that comes with an all-electric powertrain. Staying true to the Mustang name, the Mach-E comes with 480 HP.
The Mach-E is available in both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive. However, the all-wheel-drive model is by far the better option. The interior of the Mustang is leagues above the competition as it features some of the industry’s latest technology. The exterior manages to stick to the modern theme, creating something truly unique on the road.
The rear-wheel drive Mach E models produce 266 to 346 hp and 317 to 428 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive models have more power, producing 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque. The result is a quick 0 to 60 mph sprint of just 3.5 seconds.
7 Hyundai Kona N
The Hyundai Kona is a brilliant compact SUV. However, the Kona N builds on this and adds tons of impressive styling and performance. The Kona N has an impressive turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that can produce around 276 HP and 289 lb-ft of torque. The powerplant is similar to that in the sportiest Veloster, helping make the Kona N more enjoyable to drive. Hyundai ditches the Veloster N's manual transmission for an obedient 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. The automatic properly handles shifting duties while routing torque to the front wheels.
With a starting price of just $34k, the Kona N is a great deal. This is because the interior of the Kona N is just as premium as the exterior. The interior comes with a digital infotainment system that connects and syncs with your smartphone wirelessly. In addition to this, the SUV can still comfortably seat five adults, making it incredibly practical.
6 Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass has slowly become a classic. While the exterior of the Compass may look like a classic Jeep, the interior has been completely redesigned. This includes a modern, sleek steering wheel but also a massive touchscreen infotainment screen.
This technology is paired perfectly with a modern interior that’s covered in soft-touch materials. The new Jeep also includes a host of safety and security features to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. This helps make the Compass one of the safest models on the market today.
Under the hood of the Compass is a reasonably punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine sends power to all wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine offers more power and efficiency than its naturally aspirated 2.4-liter predecessor.
5 Chevrolet Trailblazer
If you’re looking for an affordable crossover that you won’t mind taking the kids to school in every day, the Trailblazer is the perfect SUV for you. This compact SUV is a modern, practical SUV that comes with everything you need.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer starts at just $22k. This makes it one of the most affordable options on the market today. The Trailblazer comes with a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine and tons of tech as standard. This includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
4 Hyundai IONIQ 5
While there are some powerful crossover SUVs on the market, there are also a few efficient models that would be perfect for daily driving around town. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is an all-electric SUV that comes with an impressive 320 HP powertrain for the top-spec model.
The IONIQ 5 comes in either a rear-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive configuration. While the rear-wheel-drive model may be more affordable, the all-wheel-drive version is the better option for people who do want an SUV with a little bit more off-road capability. However, with a starting price of around $44k, the IONIQ 5 is not exactly cheap.
3 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota is known for making some of the most advanced and reliable cars on the market. The RAV4 Hybrid is a step up from the rest of the range as it includes a modern, hybrid powertrain. This model is incredibly impressive since you can get one for a little over $30k.
The RAV4 Hybrid comes with electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive so that the car can send the right amount of power to each wheel when needed. In addition to this, the entry-level model comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that can produce 219 HP when combined with the hybrid components. This makes it a decent crossover SUV for everyday use.
2 Tesla Model Y
The biggest selling point of Tesla may be its owner, but the Tesla Model Y makes a compelling case for itself. This innovative crossover SUV can effortlessly cruise to a maximum range of around 330 miles, making it one of the most practical electric vehicles to live with.
In addition to this, the Tesla Model Y is incredibly sleek, modern, and powerful. The crossover can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds in its most powerful configuration. Better yet, the Tesla Model Y comes with all the technology needed to keep you safe on the road.
1 BMW X1
Listed by BMW as a sports activity vehicle, the BMW X1 is the smallest SUV in BMW’s range. This crossover SUV may be small, but it comes with everything you may expect from a modern BMW. The X1 comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that can produce around 241 HP.
With a combined fuel consumption of around 28 MPG, the X1 is decent to use around town every day. The best part about the X1 is the fact that the SUV comes with the option of a Motorsport Package. This package blacks out the front grille and gives the entire car a wider, stronger stance on the road. This makes it one of the best-looking crossovers money can buy.