129 BEST SUVs
AS cold conditions set in at the end of the year, drivers across the UK prepare for the inevitable plunging temperatures, heavy rain and potentially even icy, snow-covered roads that winter may bring.
These conditions can take some adjusting to, but your car can help, and there’s also never been a better time to buy an SUV. Over the next 34 pages, we’ll give our rundown on the 129 best models on sale right now. Whether you want a small crossover with a raised ride height or a full-blown 4x4 with go-anywhere capability, our all-encompassing list offers something for everyone.
If you do decide to buy – or even if you don’t – we’ve also got an in-depth guide on how to care for your car this winter to keep it in tip-top shape.
Even if you decide to stick with your current car, some new rubber can improve its ability as temperatures start to drop, so our all-season tyre test will give you a guide on what rubber to pick for your pride and joy.
PLUS
Winter car-care tips
PAGE 66
We ask a car-cleaning expert how to prepare your motor for the worst of the weather
PLUS
All-season tyres tested
PAGE 87
Which rubber is the best performer in every kind of winter driving?
1 Volkswagen Touareg
COULD the Touareg be one of the best-kept secrets in the large SUV market? Despite its relatively humble VW badge, it’s as luxurious, refined and good to drive as rivals costing thousands of pounds more.
Using the same underpinnings as the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, the Touareg is comfortable, beautifully built and delivers hushed refinement on the move. Its interior is spacious, while its widescreen Innovision TFT dials and infotainment look great and are intuitive to use.
The sophisticated four-wheel drive allows the VW to head further off the beaten track than many rivals, while its V6 diesels are smooth and powerful. The plug-in hybrid R flagship looks the part, but doesn’t deliver the sporty drive its badge promises.
Price range: £47,605-£73,215
Our pick: Touareg 3.0 TDI 286 SE L 4Motion (£54,580)
“The Touareg is as luxurious and refined as rivals that cost thousands of pounds more”
2 Volvo XC90
IT’S been around a while now, but the handsome and practical XC90 remains one of our firm favourites. Its spacious interior combines luxury with minimalist Scandinavian design while, unlike many, its seven seat layout can accommodate adults in all three rows.
On the move, comfort is the order of the day, and the range of mild-hybrid petrol and diesels blend effortless performance with decent efficiency. The plug-in hybrid T8 is surprisingly quick, while its battery allows an impressive 43 mile between charges.
The C90 isn’t rugged enough for proper off-roading, but the standard four-wheel drive delivers terrific all weather security. And while it’s not as engaging as a BMW X5, it always feels capable and composed.
Price range: £56,635-£76,950
Our pick: XC90 T8 Recharge Plug-in Inscription Expression (£67,140)
3 Skoda Enyaq iV
SKODA’S first crack at an electric car is also one of the best. It’s based on the same MEB platform as the Audi Q4 e-tron and VW ID.4, yet it’s the cheaper Czech that’s the pick of the bunch.
It’s perhaps no surprise they all drive the same, with punchy performance, accurate handling and a comfortable ride. Arguably more shocking is the fact that the Skoda feels the most upmarket inside, with plenty of cutting-edge tech.
There’se’s a choice of rear-wheel-drive models with 58kWh or 77kWh batteries, and ranges of 256 and 33636 miles, respectively. Skoda has also added a 295bhp twin-motor four-wheel-drive 80x model that undercuts the equivalent VW by £2,000.
Price range: £34,510-£46,610
Our pick: Enyaq iV 80 (£39,365)
4 Porsche Cayenne
TWO decades on from its launch, the Cayenne is still setting the standard for high-performance large SUVs. Rivals have tried to steal its crown, but the Porsche’s mix of agile handling, cosseting comfort and family-friendly practicality remains unbeatable. True, it’s not cheap, but rock-solid residuals mean you’ll lose less when you sell, plus the beautiful finish makes it worth every penny.
There’s a wide range of engines to choose from, including the efficient plug-in hybrid and the scorching Turbo. If you want something a little more stylish then there’s also a Coupé version, which is available in the wild 631bhp GT guise that holds the SUV lap record at the Nürburgring.
Price range: £63,260-£146,210
Our pick: Cayenne E-Hybrid (£71,110)
5 Peugeot 5008
DISTINCTIVE design and a versatile interior make the 5008 a top choice for growing families looking to turn on the style. Based on the same platform as the 3008, the larger, seven-seat Peugeot shares the same design cues. The third-row seats are a bit cramped, but they’re great for kids and fold away to leave a huge 952 litres of carrying capacity.
The Peugeot rides deftly and handles precisely, while there’s a range of torquey petrol and diesel engines, but not its little brother’s plug-in hybrid powertrains. Niggles are few and far between, but the touchscreen infotainment is fiddly.
Price range: £30,010-£41,340
Our pick: 5008 1.2 PureTech GT EAT8 (£35,520)
6 Toyota Highlander
TOYOTA’S latest SUV combines the space and rugged appeal of the larger Landcruiser with the efficient hybrid powertrain of the smaller RAV4.
Already a hit in Japan and Australia, the Highlander packs a spacious seven-seat interior in a bold-looking body. Four-wheel drive is standard, but the Toyota is tuned for tarmac use. The 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor deliver 244bhp and brisk acceleration, yet emit just 160g/km of CO2. There’s plenty of kit, and the fit and finish of the cabin are first rate, but the car lacks the premium appeal a £50,000 price tag demands.
Price range: £50,610-£52,590
Our pick: Highlander 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid Excel (£50,610)
7 SsangYong Rexton
PUT aside your badge snobbery and there’s lots to like in the latest version of the rugged Rexton. Ssangyong’s cut-price alternative to the Land Rover Discovery is a practical and capable large seven-seat SUV with plenty of standard kit and surprisingly refined driving manners. Its interior quality still lags behind mainstream rivals, but it’s well built and the large 9.2-inch infotainment screen and TFT dials addd a touch of class.
Being built on an old-school ladder-frame chassis means the Rexton doesn’t ride as well or handle as neatly as more costly models, but it’s not far off and refinement is good. Even so, the 199bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine does let the side down; it’s not particularly efficient, meaning business and private owners face higher running costs.
Price range: £37,995-£40,665
Our pick: Rexton 2.2 Diesel Ventura (£37,995)
8 SEAT Tarraco
JUST how good is the Tarraco? Well, this spacious and stylish seven-seater has won Best Large SUV in our New Car Awards for the past three years.
Using the same MQB platform as the Skoda Kodiaq, the SEAT delivers similar space, yet is even better-looking and better to drive. It’s also comfortable and refined on the motorway, while the optional four-wheel drive is a winter warmer in slippery conditions. As you’d expect, there’s loads of kit, too, including brilliant touchscreen infotainment and hi-tech digital dials. This is a family car that appeals to the head and the heart.
Price range: £30,080-£43,350
Our pick: Tarraco 1.5 TSI EVO 150 FR (£35,835)
9 SEAT Ateca
IF you place driving pleasure at the top of your family car shopping list, then the Ateca is well worth a look. It’s been around since 2016, but a facelift has kept it looking fresh, while the neat handling and eager engines remain unchanged.
Inside, there’s lots of space and kit. The quality of the materials can’t quite match the best in the class and the ride is on the firm side, but overall the SEAT’s interior is comfortable and relaxing.
And if you want to make sure you get to your destination whatever the weather, then there’s the option of four-wheel drive, although it’s only available with the most powerful engines.
Price range: £24,560-£36,570
Our pick: Ateca 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE Technology (£27,260)
10 Toyota RAV4
THE RAV4 is still going strong 25 years after arriving in the UK. It has grown from a compact soft-roader into a large and family-friendly 4x4. All Mk5 versions are petrol-electric hybrid-powered, with a choice of “self-charging” or plug-in systems, the latter providing an impressive 46 miles of EV range.
The smart-looking RAV4 has composed handling and a plush ride, yet isn’t that fun to drive and its CVT gearbox can send revs soaring high. And while the cabin is well equipped and solidly built, the clunky infotainment trails the best. It’s a sensible and dependable choice, but it looks expensive compared with rivals such as the Skoda Kodiaq.
Price range: £31,120-£46,150
Our pick: RAV4 2.5 VVT-i Hybrid Design AWD (£35,050)
11 Vauxhall Mokka
VAUXHALL turned on the style for its Mk2 Mokka, which has dumped its predecessor’s frumpy lines for a trendier look. One of the first models to get Vauxhall’s sharp-edged Vizor design language, the brand’s entry-level SUV combines typically tough off-roader touches with sleek coupé cues.
The sloping roofline does mean those in the back will feel a little cramped, but overall the cabin is smartly styled, well equipped and comfy. It’s not the most exciting car to drive, but
