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Other than pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicle type in America is the crossover. You can’t go very far without seeing a Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Tesla Model Y on the road, three of the most popular crossovers in America. With a raised, SUV-style design but the underpinnings of a normal passenger car, crossovers look the part but are comfortable and efficient enough to live with every day. They also offer more interior space than an equivalent sedan or hatchback, and there are a ton of gas, hybrid, and electric models to choose from. These are our best crossovers for the 2025 model year.

1

Toyota Grand Highlander

One of the top crossovers on our list with a BuzzScore of 8.6 out of 10 is the Toyota Grand Highlander. There are a handful of trims to choose from, some with lower prices than the last model year, with the base model front-wheel-drive LE starting at $40,860.

Among those trims, there are three powertrains: a 2.4-liter turbo-four-cylinder that makes 256 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, a 2.5L hybrid that makes 245 hp, and a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid that makes 362 hp. This SUV is slightly larger than most others on our list, which means it can fit up to eight passengers and hold up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats.

2

BMW iX

2025 BMW iX

Base MSRP

$87,250

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

516-610 hp

Tying the Highlander with another score of 8.6 is the BMW iX. There are two versions of the iX to choose from, and both are impressive in performance and luxury. The first trim is the xDrive50i, which starts at $87,250. While both trims have dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, the xDrive50i’s motors have a total of 516 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. The next level up, though, is the M60, which starts at $111,500. This performance-based version makes 610 horsepower and 749 lb-ft. With that much power, the iX M60 is capable of a 3.6-second 0-60 mph sprint. On the inside, the iX can fit five people and up to 77.9 cubic feet of cargo.

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3

Toyota RAV4

2025 Toyota RAV4

Base MSRP

$28,850

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Dynamic Force I4 ICE

Base Trim Horsepower

203 HP @6600 RPM

The Toyota RAV4 isn’t just one of the most popular crossovers, it was the best-selling vehicle in the United States last year—taking the decades-old title away from the Ford F-150. The RAV4 is one of the best crossovers for a few reasons. To start, it has a base price of only $28,850. It also has a wide range of trim levels, plus hybrid and plug-in hybrid options to choose from.

The base powertrain is a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, but you can also choose a trim with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid that makes a combined 219 hp. Cargo volume reaches 69.6 cubic feet behind the front seats, and the RAV4 can seat up to five people comfortably.

4

Mercedes-AMG GLA 35

Mercedes-Benz does well enough in this category to have three models ranked on our list. The first, and highest-scored, is the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35. This is a higher-performance version of the standard GLA-Class, and starts at $58,050. This GLA gets the AMG treatment of various sportier styling changes inside and out, and more power. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That means it’s good for the zero-to-sixty sprint in about 5.1 seconds. The GLA 35 can hold up to five passengers, and overall, it’s a decent entry point into AMG SUV ownership.

5

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

The standard Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a comfortable CUV with all the expected Mercedes luxuries. The base model starts at $45,800 for an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but you could spend a minimum of $47,800 for the GLB 250 4Matic, which has all-wheel drive. Either way, the GLB-Class has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mild hybrid that makes 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base model can hold five people, but seven seats are optional, making it one of the smallest SUVs to offer three seating rows.

6

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35

If the standard GLB 250 is too slow for your liking, Mercedes-Benz has another option: the AMG GLB 35. Like the previous AMG we mentioned above, this is a more performance-focused version of the GLB. The base price tag for a GLB 35 is $60,100. For that much money, you get the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood as the GLA 35, and it’s still tuned for 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. It’s slightly slower than the GLA 35, though, with a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. Interior dimensions do not change from the base GLB-Class, so you can seat up to seven people or 62 cubic feet of cargo.

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7

Buick Envista

2025 Buick Envista

Base MSRP

$23,800

Base Trim Engine

1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder

Base Trim Horsepower

137 hp

The smallest and most affordable crossover on this list is the Buick Envista. While it’s small and cheap, it’s still a relatively nice car, and it looks more upscale than many other models at its price point. The Envista has three trims—all starting under $30k— and starts at $23,800. With that kind of price, you can’t expect thrilling performance, though. It’s one of the slowest cars for sale since it has a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes just 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Envista can hold up to five passengers, and even though it’s small, the rear passengers have 37.3 inches of headroom and 38.7 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity maxes out at 42 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

8

Subaru Forester

A practical, relatively roomy, and reliable crossover option is the Subaru Forester. With all-wheel drive as standard, a durable interior, and a reputation for reliability, this is also one of the more adventurous crossovers for sale today. Another appealing aspect of the Forester is its base price of $29,995. There are five trims to choose from; they differ in features and materials used throughout the interior, but all of them are powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Forester can seat five people, and the base model can fit 29.6 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk, or up to 74.4 cu. ft. behind the front seats.

9

Honda CR-V

2025 Honda CR-V

Base MSRP

$30,100

Engine

1.5 L Inline 4 Gas, 2.0 L Inline 4 Hybrid

Horsepower

190-204 hp

Another relatively affordable option with great reliability ratings is the Honda CR-V. For many years, it has trailed only the RAV4 in terms of sales for gas-powered SUVs. There are six trims to choose from, including three regular internal combustion engine options and three hybrids.

The cheapest of the bunch is the LX trim, which starts at $30,100. The cheapest hybrid, however, is the Sport Hybrid, which starts at $34,650. The ICE options are powered by a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and the hybrids have a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder hybrid that makes a combined 204 hp. The CR-V is a five-seater crossover, and can fit up to 76.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats.

10

Hyundai Tucson

The last crossover on our list that starts under $30k, and ranks in the top ten with a score of 7.3, is the Hyundai Tucson. There are five trim levels ranging from the SE to the Limited, with the cheapest option starting at $28,705. All trims are front-wheel drive as standard, but have AWD optional. The Tucson is powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Most of the differences between trims include styling and some convenience features, but the XRT trim is an off-road-inspired version designed to take on Toyota’s off-road-capable models. All versions can seat five people, and up to 80.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats turns this into a surprisingly practical compact crossover.

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Best Of The Rest

2025 BMW X3

Base MSRP

$49,500

Engine

2.0L Inline 4 Mild hybrid, 3.0 L Inline 6 Mild hybrid

Horsepower

255-393 hp

Characteristics Of The Top-Rated Crossovers

Even as new crossovers hit the market in greater numbers, the differences between each model are not as big as you may think. These are vehicles designed to fill a specific niche, so they naturally need to tick certain boxes. As such, you can expect to see a lot of similarities in any comparison between the top CUVs (crossover utility vehicles).

• Maneuverability: Naturally, due to their smaller dimensions and lower weight in comparison to SUVs or pickup trucks, the top crossovers are generally easier to drive.
• Affordability: With less emphasis on towing or hardcore off-roading, crossovers are more affordable than true body-on-frame SUVs. However, there are a number of larger luxury crossovers that cost far north of $50k.
• Customization: As one of the fastest-growing segments in the world, it should come as no surprise that there are numerous crossover models on offer. This gives buyers a great deal of choice when it comes to customizing their purchases. Furthermore, most automakers aim to hit as many different demographics as possible, so they present each model in a wide array of trims.
• Safety: High-riding sport utility vehicles are among the safest cars on the road, and while they may not be as bulky, crossovers inherit much of this peace of mind. They do still suffer from slightly poorer rollover scores, due to their height, but their added weight over sedans ensures that crossovers keep their footing and their crumple zones are top-notch. Furthermore, since these vehicles are largely targeted at families, almost all new models come equipped with a whole slew of advanced driver-assistance features as standard.

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What To Consider Before Buying A Crossover

Despite their popularity, crossovers are not perfect. Just like any other body style, they have certain strengths and flaws that you should be aware of. Even models at the top of our crossover ratings share many of these qualities. So, before you commit yourself to five to seven years behind the wheel of one, carefully weigh the pros and cons:

Pros

• Affordable compared to body-on-frame SUVs
• Better-than-average mpg figures
• Nimble around town
• More practical than a sedan
• Comfortable, feature-packed cabins that are easy to live with

Cons

• Limited towing capacities
• Some cheaper options have lower-quality interiors
• Lack the utility and versatility of larger SUVs

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What is the difference between a crossover and an SUV?

It all comes down to the frame. Traditional SUVs are built on pickup truck platforms, which explains their ruggedness, high weight, and ability to go just about anywhere. Crossovers, on the other hand, make use of sedan platforms, which means they have a much smaller footprint and handle better. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

What are the best crossover brands on the market?

Multiple automakers have strong crossover lineups. It’s hard to look past legacy brands like Toyota and Honda for sheer reliability, while the Germans produce some of the best luxury crossovers.

What are the top-rated 2025 crossovers?

The Toyota Grand Highlander and BMW iX – although vastly different vehicles – are currently our top-rated crossovers for the 2025 model year.

Sources: Toyota, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Buick, Subaru, Honda, Hyundai