Best SUVs 2026
High quality SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers
Best SUVs of 2026
SUVs come in every size, shape, power source, and flavour imaginable. You can have a compact electric model perfect for nipping about town, a seven-seater for the run to netball practice or family holidays or a massive continent-crosser that cossets you like a luxury limo. The difficult part is sorting out which ones are worth your money.
The best SUVs make the most of their tall, boxy bodies with ample passenger space and a generous boot. They’re comfortable without feeling too heavy or unwieldy around town, and they have sensible running costs that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. A high driving position and chunky styling are built-in to the appeal.
Carwow’s expert reviews team has put together this list of the best SUVs you can buy, drawing on our own experience with combined decades of car testing. These are our favourites, which all deserve a place on your shortlist.
1. Volvo EX60
Volvo EX60 reviewThe Volvo EX60 takes the top billing here because it just gets so many things right. Its understated styling proves you don’t need a gigantic grille to stand out, while the comfortable, roomy and beautifully finished interior is a triumph.
Better yet, it’s an electric car that makes long journeys effortless. Claimed range is 385, 410 or a whopping 503 miles depending on which version you go for. We achieved 350 miles from the middle of these options during testing, an excellent real-world figure that should certainly cover all but the very longest drives. Plus, rapid charging means a 10-80% top-up takes less than 20 minutes.
The EX60’s interior delivers expensive materials and wonderfully comfortable seats, just as you’d expect from Volvo. It’s somewhere you could happily spend hours, especially if you opt for an Ultra model with the superb Bowers & Wilkins stereo.
It’s here the Volvo’s few negatives surface - the dashboard is minimal to the point of being barren, and if you’re touchscreen-phobic you won’t appreciate how everything from the climate controls to the door mirror adjustment lives on the central display. However, the Google-powered software is responsive and easy to use, so the annoyance is alleviated somewhat.
There’s lots of clever tech inside, too. Models with a sunroof don’t get anything so old-fashioned as a blind - instead you get a huge electrochromic panel that darkens at the touch of a button. The seatbelts detect the size of the occupant and adjust their restraint accordingly. All clever stuff with a purpose.
Practicality is another strength. Tall adults can really stretch out in the back, and for younger passengers there’s ample space for a bulky child seat. The boot is a good size and there’s a useful bit of extra storage under the bonnet, too.
On the road, the EX60 impresses. It’s quiet and relaxing on the motorway, so you can really make the most of that long range. Light controls and great suspension make town driving effortless too, though a BMW iX3 is more entertaining on a country road and a Mercedes GLC a lick quieter at speed.
None of this spoils the EX60’s overall package, which is exceptional. It’s a car that makes living with a family-sized EV easier, and happily it’s just as appealing in its lower trim levels as it is in the top model.
2. Chery Tiggo 8
Chery Tiggo 8 reviewThe Chery Tiggo 8 was our Car of the Year for 2026, a choice that surprised a lot of people - including us. It took the gong because it’s a car that makes you question why everything else is so expensive. For just over £33,500, you get a roomy interior, loads of standard equipment, and a brilliant plug-in hybrid engine. Take that sort of money to some car manufacturers and you’ll be lucky to get a wheel nut.
There’s a cheaper Tiggo 8 available, but it’s definitely better to choose the plug-in hybrid version. It’s smooth on electric power with up to 56 miles between charges, and when the engine joins in it doesn’t disturb the peace too much. Even if you don’t plug it in, fuel economy is good, especially on the motorway where 50mpg is totally possible. That’s not always a given with plug-in hybrids.
That feeling of more-for-your-money continues when you climb inside. The dashboard materials all feel posh, and the design is pretty slick. You don’t get much in the way of physical switchgear, but the touchscreen is easy to use with quick shortcuts to the most-used features just a swipe away.
There’s loads of space, too. Room for three adults across the middle row is impressive, and even seats six and seven are suitable for grown-ups - though children will be more comfortable on longer journeys. Luggage space is compromised with all seven seats up, but that’s par for the course - fold the back row away and the Tiggo 8 becomes a really roomy five-seater.
The driving experience isn’t as polished as the cabin. It’s fine around town, and smooth on the motorway, but the soft suspension feels wallowy over bumps and it leans a lot in the bends. Head out onto a country road and the steering feels like you’re piloting it via remote control, too.
If this doesn’t fuss you, though, the Tiggo 8 has space, equipment and affordability in spades. For family priorities, it’s top-notch.
3. Omoda 7
OMODA 7 reviewIf you like the sound of the Chery Tiggo 8 but can’t get on with its sensible looks, consider the Omoda 7 instead. Though it lacks the Tiggo’s third-row seating, it makes up for it with the design, which stands out from the growing crowd of affordable Chinese SUVs.
There’s a hint of Lexus about the borderless front grille, and the sharp nose and sleek silhouette work well. The interior isn’t as distinctive but does feel pretty upmarket, and it’s another car that proves you don’t need to spend luxury-car money to get lots of toys.
With no third row of seats, the five that remain are incredibly roomy, with space for tall adults front and back. The boot is huge, too, so family holidays won’t be an issue.
The design is a bit plain, following the usual playbook of massive infotainment screen and slim driver display. There are a few neat features, though - the central display can slide over to the passenger side on certain models, so if you’re parked up having lunch you can take the comfier seat and watch Netflix. There’s even a built-in fragrance diffuser to cover up the smell of your tuna sandwich.
There’s a petrol engine available, but as with the Chery you should forget about that and opt for the c.£32k plug-in hybrid instead. With 56 miles of electric range you should be able to cover all but the most gruelling commutes on electric power alone, with about 50mpg possible on longer journeys.
The suspension is a bit firm, so you feel lumps and bumps around town. The payoff is that it feels pretty agile on a twisting country lane - even enjoyable at times, which is something you can’t say about many SUVs.
Other annoyances include the button-free interior and that discounts aren’t typically as generous as the Chery. But these issues aside, the Omoda 7 is a very accomplished family car.
The Skoda Elroq is a car that makes total sense from the moment you first see it. It takes everything that’s good about the larger Enyaq and puts it in a smaller, more city-friendly and more affordable package.
As with all Skodas, the Elroq is packed with useful and thoughtful touches that make everyday life a bit easier. There’s an umbrella hidden in the door, for example, and a storage net beneath the parcel shelf that provides the most sensible charging cable storage we’ve ever seen. There’s no front boot, but that’s a small gripe when the actual boot is so big.
The interior has some cheap plastics which are forgivable but not particularly welcome at this price. The layout is sensible though, with some handy shortcut buttons alongside the large touchscreen. Usability has definitely been considered, though the software can be a bit glitchy at times.
On the road, the Elroq is quiet and relaxing rather than particularly exciting. Top models with adaptive suspension are very comfortable indeed, but even the standard models are good with only a little bit of a wobble over bigger bumps. There are a few battery options, with the largest capable of up to 370 miles. We didn’t quite achieve that in our testing, but 300 should be possible with a light right foot.
There are plenty of more glamorous electric SUVs, but the Elroq’s space, comfort and sensible details are difficult to argue with.
5. Chery Tiggo 4
Chery Tiggo 4 reviewThe Chery Tiggo 4’s headline feature is the price - it starts at less than £20,000, making it comfortably the cheapest hybrid SUV you can buy in the UK. It’s one of the cheapest SUVs, full stop, and for something with enough space to be a small family’s only car that’s seriously impressive.
It’s roughly the size of a VW T-Roc, giving you enough rear space for adults to sit comfortably and a whopping 430-litre boot. An awkward hump in the floor makes loading bulky items a bit of a pain, but it’s no issue with soft bags or shopping.
The interior is pretty smart, especially for the money. There are soft-touch plastics in the places you touch, and a nice bank of separate controls so you don’t have to do absolutely everything through the slightly fiddly touchscreen. You can find some cheap-feeling areas, but it’s way more upmarket than a Dacia Duster.
The self-charging hybrid engine is powerful, and pretty smooth if a bit noisy under acceleration. Fuel economy is good but not exceptional - at around 55mpg in the real world, it’s less than you’ll get from a Duster, but similar to an MG ZS Hybrid+.
The steering is the main disappointment of the Tiggo 4; it feels numb and oddly sticky. The body leans a lot through the bends, too, so keen drivers should look elsewhere. Anyone who’s just after an affordable, economical car with enough space for the family, though, should definitely consider the Chery Tiggo 4.
6. Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y reviewThe Tesla Model Y is one seriously useful SUV. Even this cheaper version has a colossal boot, lots of storage under the load floor and another capacious compartment under the bonnet. Three adults can fit across the back seats, too.
That makes it a particularly good choice for families burdened with big car seats, a pushchair and all the paraphernalia involved with kids. Wide-opening rear doors make loading them up and strapping them in easier, too.
The Tesla’s minimalist interior still feels quite nicely finished, though it’s totally bereft of buttons - you even have to select Drive or Reverse from a slider on the touchscreen, which is where you’ll find basics like your speed readout. It takes some getting used to. You don’t get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, either, though Tesla’s interface is so good you’re unlikely to miss them.
If you’ve a bit more money to spend, the Tesla Model Y Premium has a few extras this car misses out on - a bigger battery, fancier styling and more sophisticated suspension. But as a value proposition, the standard Model Y is very hard to beat.
7. Jaecoo 8
Jaecoo 8 reviewThe Jaecoo 8 offers a taste of luxury SUV ownership but without the luxury SUV price. From the eye-catching exterior styling to the Mercedes GLE-esque interior, there’s a lot to like on the face of things.
Dive deeper and you’ll find really generous equipment, plus an excellent plug-in hybrid engine with more than 80 miles of electric range. Performance is remarkable for such a larger car, too, and the 8 feels comfortable on a long journey. Though it’s not quite as polished as the best European SUVs, it’s one of the best Chinese cars to drive.
The biggest drawback is practicality. Though there are three rows of seats, the 8 isn’t much cop as a family bus. Luxury trim has seven seats while Executive models swap the middle bench for two individual chairs, leaving six seats overall. But they don’t move out of the way, making access to the very back extremely awkward.
Neither layout provides enough third-row room for adults to travel comfortably, and even children will find it a squeeze. Fold them away and you get a useful boot, though, so the Jaecoo 8 is best treated as a four- or five-seater with plenty of luggage space.
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8. MG S9
MG S9 reviewLike the other Chinese-brand entrants on this list, the MG S9 delivers a startling amount of car for your money. Its particular speciality is the space available, though - this is one seven-seater SUV where even adults can get comfy in the third row of seats, and there’s room for most of their luggage in the boot too.
There’s plenty to like besides this, too. The interior’s loaded with features, and the infotainment largely makes sense - though it’s a bit slow in operation. The 62-mile electric range available from the plug-in hybrid system is impressive considering the size of the car, and there’s plenty of performance on tap too.
Bumpy roads do show another weakness - the suspension is a bit thumpy and clunky, with some pricier alternatives feeling rather better resolved. None of them can really match the MG’s combination of passenger space, equipment and price though.
9. Dacia Duster
Dacia Duster reviewFew SUVs these days are capable of going off-road - even the four-wheel drive ones. But the Dacia Duster is a properly rugged little car, with ground clearance and prowess on the rough stuff that shames many much more expensive SUVs.
The chunky cyber-punk styling makes it look much more expensive than it is - on the outside at least. Step into the cabin and the illusion continues only until you start touching stuff - it all feels hardwearing and well screwed-together, but cheap plastics dominate.
You get some very nicely straightforward controls, though. The infotainment system is intentionally light on features to make it easier to use, and there’s a nice row of physical air-con switches plus a button to quickly silence annoying beeps and bongs.
Engine choices include a two-wheel drive full hybrid capable of over 50mpg, or a 4x4 model capable of some surprising feats when you get off the beaten track. It’s good to drive on-road too, but its main appeal is that it does the practical stuff so well without pretending to be posher than it is.
10. Geely EX5
Geely EX5 reviewThe Geely EX5’s plain styling doesn’t give off the best first impression, but thankfully it’s steeply uphill from there. It’s a fully electric SUV that prioritises luxury in the cabin and a generous helping of standard equipment.
Rear passengers get a particularly good deal, with tons of legroom and headroom, a great view out, and comfortable seats. The trade-off is the boot isn’t the largest, though the underfloor storage area adds some useful extra capacity.
The EX5 is comfortable and easy to drive, with more grip than you’d expect from a cheap electric SUV - Geely also owns sports car manufacturer Lotus, and it’s had a hand in tuning the EX5 for British roads.
Top models get big-car kit such as massaging seats, a premium stereo and a head-up display, but no version gets a big-car battery. Even the top model can only manage 280 miles on a charge (on paper) though in our testing the lesser 255-mile model got impressively close to its official figure. Charge up at home and don’t need to cross the country in one go? The Geely EX5 is a great option.
Factors to consider
Cost
Naturally, how much you have to spend will dictate what you can buy. There are always great deals on Carwow, so while you might think you’re limited to smaller cars, you might find your budget can stretch to something bigger or posher.
Space
Do you need seven seats? Do you need a big boot? Can you get away with something smaller that might be cheaper to buy and run? Every car offers something a little different, so think about what you really need and find the cars that fit the bill.
Engine
Electric SUVs can be a great option if you have a home charger, in which case you could consider plug-in hybrids, too. But if not, self-charging hybrids can be great if you spend a lot of time driving around town, while diesel still makes sense if you do huge mileage.
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