As some of the most popular cars in the USA, sports utility vehicles are available in a variety of forms and configurations, with 5-seater SUVs considered the best in terms of practicality and city-centric convenience. An SUV in a 5-seat configuration is great for young single professionals who appreciate the value of practicality, but it’s just as good for growing families that know the necessity of it. Just about every automaker has a few entrants in the segment, from subcompact crossovers all the way up to full-size SUVs, though the latter often boast even more seating. To help you find the right one that suits your needs, we have ranked all the best 5-seater SUVs of 2025 in the USA. Our list includes both budget and luxury SUVs.
Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.
2025 BMW iX
- Base MSRP
-
$87,250
- Engine
-
Electric
- Horsepower
-
516-610 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
89/85/87 MPGe (xDrive40 with 22-inch wheels)
2025 Genesis GV80
- Base MSRP
-
$58,700
- Engine
-
2.5L Turbo Inline-4 | 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo V6
- Horsepower
-
300 hp (I4) | 375 hp (V6)
- Fuel Economy
-
19/24/21 mpg (I4) | 16/22/19 mpg (V6)
2025 Toyota RAV4
- Base MSRP
-
$28,850
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
203 HP @6600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
27/35/30 MPG
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.5L Dynamic Force I4 ICE
2025 BMW X5
- Base MSRP
-
$66,300
- Engine
-
3.0L I6 Turbo | 3.0L I6 Turbo PHEV | 4.4L Turbo V8
- Horsepower
-
375 hp (3.0L I6) | 483 hp combined (3.0L I6 PHEV) | 523 hp (V8)
2025 Buick Envista
- Base MSRP
-
$22,900
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
137 hp
- Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
-
28/32/30
2025 Subaru Forester
- Base MSRP
-
$29,695
- Engine
-
2.5L Flat 4 Gas
- Horsepower
-
180 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
26/33/29 mpg
2025 Buick Encore GX
- Base MSRP
-
$26,000
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.2L Turbo I3
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
137 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
26/28 MPG
2025 Hyundai Tucson
- Base MSRP
-
$28,355
- Engine
-
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
- Horsepower
-
187 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
25/33/28 (FWD) | 24/30/26 (AWD)
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV
- Base MSRP
-
$54,400
- Engine
-
2.5L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid
- Horsepower
-
323 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
56 MPGe
2025 Honda CR-V
- Base MSRP
-
$30,100
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
28/34/30 MPG
- Engine
-
1.5 L Inline 4 Gas, 2.0 L Inline 4 Hybrid
- Horsepower
-
190-204 hp
Characteristics Of The Best SUVs For 5 Passengers
Since you can find a 5-seater in just about every subsegment, from economical mainstream brands to the top names in luxury, defining traits can vary significantly. That said, there are some things the best SUV for 5 passengers shouldn’t skimp on:
- Power: Though high levels of performance are possible in an SUV, they are not necessary. However, these cars are heavier than your run-of-the-mill sedan, so they do need more power. Turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 engines are common, balancing effortless driving with a certain degree of fuel economy that only reinforces the all-rounder strength of the segment.
- Practicality: The primary reason SUVs sell so well is their superior levels of practicality. A decent length and a raised height give them excellent cargo capacity. The top models, however, take a broader view and need to ensure that there is enough head- and legroom and that getting in and out of the car is easy. All of this needs to be done without sacrificing on cargo space behind the back row.
- Comfort: Classic SUVs were rugged off-roaders, but the modern breed is all about urban living, and this is where comfort is king. Even entry-level models have superior ride quality, but premium models turn it up to eleven and also do a much better job of shutting out wind and road noise. High-quality materials and comfy seats are a must.
- Price and cost: Depending on the automaker and trim level, the price of a five-seater SUV can range from very reasonable to expensive.
What To Consider When Buying A 5-Seater SUV
Even the best 5-seater SUV may not be exactly what you’re looking for. That is to say, every car has its strengths and weaknesses. So, here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of buying one of these SUVs.
- Good head- and legroom
- Spacious cargo area
- Commanding driving position
- More affordable options than three-row SUVs
- Luxury models offer many comfort and safety features
- Limited rear-seat space in smaller SUVs
- Generally pricier than an equivalent sedan
- Larger models are unwieldy
Which SUV can fit the most people?
There are more than a few three-row SUVs out there that can seat as many as nine passengers across three rows. Even midsize SUVs may offer a 3rd row of seating, and when this row is folded down, they make for some of the most accommodating 5-seaters with immense amounts of cargo capacity.
