The 5 Best New Suvs You Can Buy In 2026, According To Consumer Reports

With SUVs and crossovers accounting for astir 60% of new-vehicle income successful nan U.S., immoderate database of apical picks from Consumer Reports (CR) featuring this class is apt to pull attention. The group's latest announcement of nan champion cars for 2026 is simply a acquainted formed of characters, but pinch a twist. All 5 SUV models are besides disposable arsenic hybrid versions. They person thing other successful common: precocious scores successful CR's testing and nan coveted "CR Recommended" status.

Detroit fans will beryllium disappointed that nary home automakers made nan list, but astatine slightest astir of nan group is built successful nan U.S. Meanwhile, Subaru had nan astir entries from a azygous brand, pinch nan Crosstrek and Forester. Two Toyotas besides made nan roster, divided betwixt nan Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus NX. At nan aforesaid time, nan BMW X5 completed nan ranking.

For those who don't support way of these sorts of things, past year's Consumer Reports database of champion SUVs included nan Crosstrek, Forester, NX, and X5. This year, nan Grand Highlander replaced nan Toyota RAV4 PHEV and Highlander Hybrid from past year's list. The Tesla Model Y, which was besides a Consumer Reports apical SUV prime for 2025, didn't make nan trim this year.

With a starting value of $28,415 (including a $1,420 destination charge), nan 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is nan cheapest SUV connected nan list. The 180 horsepower generated by nan 2.5-liter boxer-style four-cylinder engine, on pinch a continuously adaptable transmission (CVT), whitethorn not excite enthusiasts, but nan modular all-wheel thrust (AWD) will support nan Crosstrek connected nan pavement successful bad weather. EPA-estimated mixed substance system is 29 mpg. Regardless of what's nether nan hood, nan Crosstrek is Subaru's champion seller successful nan U.S. Last year, nan institution sold complete 190,000 examples.

Consumer Reports gives nan newest Crosstrek above-average prediction scores for reliability and proprietor satisfaction, and moreover amended ratings for roadworthy trial manners. It besides ranks arsenic nan champion subcompact SUV among nan 16 successful its class. Unlike nan different models connected this roster, CR didn't see nan hybrid variant. The statement typically doesn't supply a ranking if there's insufficient information aliases if a exemplary has been redesigned. While nan existent type of Subaru's entry-level SUV has been astir since 2024, nan 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid has a caller electrified powertrain and is presently successful testing for a CR review.

The 2026 Subaru Forester is 1 rung up nan exemplary ladder, truthful nan value tag people follows pinch a guidelines MSRP of $31,445 (the $1,450 freight complaint is included). Given that it shares a powertrain pinch nan Crosstrek, it's unsurprising that nan Forester offers nan aforesaid substance system (29 mpg combined). While nan Forester gets a beardown roadworthy trial people and above-average projected proprietor satisfaction, predicted reliability is successful nan mean range. Subaru's second-place apical U.S. seller (about 175,000 units successful 2025) besides takes a metallic badge among nan 33 compact SUVs tested by Consumer Reports.

The apical spot successful nan compact class belongs to nan Forester Hybrid that made its U.S. debut successful 2025, giving CR capable information to rumor ratings. Predicted reliability moves to supra average, and nan model sticker increases to astatine slightest $36,180 (including a $1,450 destination fee). The value bump increases full horsepower to 194 ponies and mixed substance system to 35 mpg.

The Grand Highlander (and its hybrid counterpart) has only been portion of Toyota's lineup since nan 2024 exemplary year, but nan three-row crossover has steadily risen successful nan income charts. In 2025, nan Grand Highlander was nan company's second-best seller successful nan U.S., pinch complete 136,000 examples hitting nan streets (the RAV4 was tops). The once-mighty Toyota Highlander has been relegated to all-electric position opening successful 2027. In its summary, CR calls nan 2026 Grand Highlander a "near-perfect group mover."

A guidelines version pinch front-wheel thrust (FWD) starts astatine $43,155 (with nan $1,495 transportation charge), but a loaded Platinum trim pinch modular AWD climbs northbound of $56,000. Motivation for nan non-hybrid Grand Highlander comes from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor making 265 horsepower. Combined substance system is 22 mpg. The Grand Highlander earns above-average position from CR for predicted reliability and proprietor satisfaction. Interestingly, it's nan only exemplary connected CR's champion SUV database pinch an above-average wide score, while each nan others person an moreover higher standing (let's telephone it very good).

Horsepower drops to 245 for nan guidelines Grand Highlander Hybrid, while substance system rises to 35 mpg (combined), an accomplishment CR calls "stunning." There are 2 hybrid powerplants, pinch astir trims having an electrified 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit. The apical Hybrid Max editions person a turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid four-cylinder that produces 362 full horsepower and delivers a mixed substance system standing of 27 mpg. The value of introduction for this Toyota hybrid originates astatine $46,505 (including nan $1,495 freight fee), but AWD is standard. A top-tier Hybrid Max Platinum is complete $61,000.

The 2nd portion of Toyota's one-two punch lands pinch nan 2026 Lexus NX, nan only introduction connected this database not to beryllium made successful nan U.S. (it's built successful Canada). Toyota uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor successful nan non-hybrid NX. It makes 275 horsepower and has a mixed EPA substance system standing of 25 mpg. While CR gives this NX respectable roadworthy trial (very good) and predicted reliability (above average) ratings, proprietor restitution is forecast to beryllium mean owed to mediocre perceived value. A Lexus NX without immoderate bells and whistles (AWD is standard) starts astatine $46,720, which includes a $1,295 destination charge.

The NX Hybrid gets somewhat amended scores, owed to above-average predicted proprietor satisfaction. This type is CR's number 1 prime among each nan 22 luxury compact SUVs it evaluated (the gas-only NX ranks second). The guidelines MSRP, pinch nan $1,295 freight fee, and modular FWD is $46,070. AWD is simply a $1,550 upgrade. Toyota's ubiquitous 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid motor sits nether nan hood. In this application, it makes 240 full horsepower. Combined substance system ratings are 40 mpg (FWD) and 39 mpg (AWD). The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of nan NX didn't make nan champion list, but it's still CR Recommended.

Consumer Reports sums up nan X5 pinch 1 elemental statement: it "remains 1 of nan champion luxury SUVs we've ever tested." In fact, nan gas-only X5's wide people is nan highest of immoderate exemplary successful this comparison and puts this Bimmer up of nan 17 luxury midsized SUVs reviewed by nan statement (the PHEV is second). Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder motor delivers 375 horsepower and an estimated mixed substance system of 23 mpg. Yet, excellence comes pinch a costs of astatine slightest $69,750 (the $1,450 destination interest is included), and that's for nan guidelines rear-wheel-drive trim. All-wheel thrust adds different $2,300.

Despite mean predicted reliability, nan X5 Plug-In Hybrid besides measures up (it's nan only PHEV connected nan list). BMW embeds this AWD-only X5 pinch nan aforesaid twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine, but an electrical centrifugal boosts output to 483 horsepower. All-electric driving scope is 38 miles. Before checking immoderate of nan options boxes, nan X5 PHEV will group you backmost $77,450.