Best large SUVs 2023
The best large SUVs are practical, luxurious and good to drive, with sensible running costs. Here we count down the top 10 – and reveal the ones that we'd avoid...
For many people, large SUVs have replaced big saloons as the ultimate expression of modern motoring, and they make great family cars thanks to their spacious and practical interiors.
The best are also easy to drive, combining a calm ride with tidy handling, and a lofty driving position with user-friendly controls. But with so many models to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start, so here we count down our top 10 – and name the large SUV to avoid.
And the best large SUV to buy right now? With decades of experience in testing cars, our team of expert reviews agree that the Hyundai Santa Fe is the very best choice right now.
But competition is fierce, so below you’ll find the other large SUVs which deserve a place on your shopping list. And to help you get the best price, we’ve pulled together the best new SUV deals, too.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Just not quite as good as the closely related Santa Fe. This car combines everything a large SUV buyer is looking for – namely, lots of space, comfort and kit, along with the potential for low running costs. There are both regular and plug-in hybrid options on offer, with the latter making especially good sense for company car drivers, and our recommended Premium trim comes with everything you could want.
Read our Hyundai Santa Fe review
Pros
- Outstanding seven-seat practicality
- Plush interior
- Long warranty
Cons
- Pricing yet to be confirmed
- Hybrid engine not particularly inspiring
- Styling might be divisive
Kia Sorento
Another Kia takes second place, with the Sorento's hybrid tech combining good real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, despite this being a hugely spacious seven-seater. You get a forgiving ride and accurate steering, too, while the driving position is lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous. Throw in Kia’s superb seven-year warranty, and the Sorento is an excellent choice.
Read our Kia Sorento review
Pros
- Seven seats fit for adults
- A massive boot
- Well equipped
Cons
- Cheaper trims no longer available
- Hybrid engine isn't as fuel efficient as a Honda CR-V's
- Interior quality not as good as similarly priced premium rivals
Kia EV6
The fully electric EV6 combines a huge real-world range with the ability to charge at speeds that no rival can keep up with, addressing two of the biggest concerns that people still have about such vehicles. Add in outstanding refinement, loads of space for five and competitive pricing, and the striking EV6 doesn’t just look like the future – it feels like it too.
Read our Kia EV6 review
Pros
- Long range
- Fast-charging capability
- Long warranty
- Loads of rear legroom
Cons
- Shallow boot
- Not exactly cheap
- Slightly firm ride
Lexus NX
The latest NX is the most compelling plug-in hybrid we've yet seen, with a long electric-only range which should not only slash your running costs, but also makes for tempting company car tax rates. This large SUV is good to drive, too, and has an interior that's hard to fault in any respect.
Read our Lexus NX review
Pros
- Strong performance
- Promise of stellar reliability
- PHEV has an impressive electric range
Cons
- Petrol engine isn’t the smoothest
- Choppy high-speed ride on F Sport versions
- Takumi versions are pricey
Skoda Enyaq iV
Skoda's first bespoke electric car takes the form of a large SUV that's practical, good to drive, smart inside and well-equipped. Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is the sheer value it offers – the ‘60’ version is priced in line with much smaller models, such as the Kia e-Niro.
Read our Skoda Enyaq review
Pros
- Extremely practical
- 80 version has an impressive range
- Comfortable and easy to drive
Cons
- So-so performance by electric car standards
- You'll want to add options
- Infotainment isn’t as responsive as rival systems
Peugeot 5008
The Peugeot 5008 combines MPV-esque versatility with SUV looks, plus it handles tidily, the ride is comfortable and the interior is seriously plush. Our recommended 1.2-litre petrol engine might only have 129bhp, but it still pulls strongly even with all seven seats filled.
Read our Peugeot 5008 review
Pros
- Loads of interior space for the money
- Stylish and plush-feeling interior
- Competitive fuel economy
Cons
- Poor rear head room with the optional sunroof fitted
- Rivals have more diverse engine lineups
- Slow-witted infotainment system
BMW X3
The X3 is a great choice if you're looking for a prestige SUV and only need five seats. Keen drivers will like its strong engine range and top-notch handling, while passengers can enjoy the luxurious and spacious interior. You also get BMW's iDrive infotainment system, which is a real bonus because it's the best around.
Read our BMW X3 review
Pros
- Sharp handling
- Class-leading infotainment
- Strong engines
Cons
- Slightly firm ride in M Sport trim
- Popular 20d engine sounds relatively gruff
- Comparatively pricey PCP finance
Audi Q5
Audi's Q5 is a very quiet cruiser, but its biggest strength of all is its interior quality. For starters, the materials all look and feel great. However, it’s the details that really set the Q5 apart, such as switches that click so satisfyingly you could be forgiven for thinking they’ve been made by Rolex. Just bear in mind that the ride is firm unless you stick with entry-level Sport trim.
Read our Audi Q5 review
Pros
- Smooth and punchy engines
- Good to drive
- High-quality interior
Cons
- Plug-in hybrid battery range could be better
- No seven-seat option
- Firmer ride on S line and Edition 1 versions
Land Rover Defender
The new Defender is a rugged SUV that fuses fantastic off-road ability (especially if you add the optional locking rear differential) with decent on-road manners. If that's the blend of abilities you're after, it's effectively in a class of one.
Read our Land Rover Defender review
Pros
- Comfortable on the road, excellent off it
- Up to eight seats
- Slow depreciation
Cons
- Higher trim levels are very pricey
- Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are poor
- Tiny boot in 90 models
Ford Kuga
In our tests, the plug-in hybrid version of the Kuga went almost 50% farther on electric power than similarly priced rivals. Plus, it trounced them when petrol power took over, returning 52mpg. The Kuga also gives you a supple ride and a lofty view of the road ahead, but it's a shame the interior is no classier than that of a Ford Focus hatchback.
Read our Ford Kuga review
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Pros
- Competitively priced against rivals
- Plug-in hybrid offers a long electric range and low company car tax
- FHEV hybrid is cheaper than equivalent diesel, yet has similar economy
Cons
- Interior quality doesn't impress
- Relatively small boot
- Infotainment system isn't the slickest
And the large SUV to avoid...
If what you’re looking for is a beefy off-roader with seven seats, the Rexton is worth considering. However, it's far too flawed to recommend if you intend to use it predominantly on the road. Read our review
Best 7-seat cars 2023
Whether you're looking for a part-time seven-seater or a car to carry lots of people on a regular basis, check out our top 10 which shows the best cars to go for – and the cars to avoid
