The automotive industry continues to innovate, and the 2025 lineup of SUVs demonstrates this with a blend of technology, design, and performance. Among the top contenders, the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Crown Signia, Toyota Land Cruiser, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Lexus TX each offer distinct strengths catering to various needs and preferences. Buyers looking for efficiency, style, off-road capability, or premium features have plenty of options to explore.
This summary focuses on nine notable SUVs, detailing their positives, considerations, and standout characteristics. Each vehicle offers unique appeal, showcasing the advances in hybrid technology, interior comfort, and driving performance. Here’s a closer look at these models to help inform potential buyers.
2025 Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson continues its reign as a popular choice in the compact SUV market, boasting a refreshed design and updated interior. For 2025, the Tucson offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. It features a spacious five-seater cabin with a premium vibe enhanced by a large curved screen encompassing both driver and infotainment displays. The Hybrid SEL Convenience AWD, starting at $37,760, provides impressive fuel efficiency with city and highway ratings of 37 MPG and 36 MPG, respectively.
The Tucson’s flexibility shines with three powertrain options: internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. Practical touches like adjustable regenerative braking and Baby Mode, which optimizes driving for parents with infants, make it a versatile choice. Despite its positives, the Tucson faces stiff competition from the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Kia Sportage. Its trim lineup may be a bit overwhelming, and some rivals outshine it in efficiency. Nonetheless, its roomy interior and tech-focused updates solidify its status as a strong contender.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia
The Toyota Crown Signia hybrid SUV is a stylish midsize vehicle blending wagon-like practicality with advanced fuel efficiency. With its sleek design, the Crown Signia targets drivers seeking a premium hybrid experience. Offered in two trims starting at $45,040, it features a 2.5L hybrid engine and AWD, delivering a combined mileage of 38 MPG.
Though not the most affordable in its segment, the Crown Signia fills a niche for buyers who find Toyota’s larger hybrid SUVs too imposing or smaller hybrids lacking refinement. The Crown Signia competes with models like the Subaru Outback and Kia Sorento, emphasizing efficiency and design over cost. While its cargo space may not be the most generous due to the sloped roofline, it is a strong addition to Toyota’s extensive hybrid lineup.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser remains a beacon of off-road capability and retro-inspired design. Revived with modern engineering, this iconic SUV features a 2.4L hybrid engine producing 326 horsepower, paired with a robust 4WD system. Starting at $57,900, it delivers 23 MPG combined while maintaining its rugged heritage.
The Land Cruiser’s updated construction and advanced off-road systems, like Crawl Control and electronic swaybar disconnect, make it adept in challenging terrains. The interior is functional and modern, with features like an 8-inch touchscreen on base trims and a 12.3-inch version on higher grades. However, it is limited to five passengers, with no third-row seating, and lacks some luxury features offered by competitors. Despite this, its affordability compared to previous models expands its appeal to adventure-focused buyers.
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
Redesigned for 2025, the Hyundai Santa Fe combines distinctive styling with practicality, making it a standout in the three-row SUV category. Starting at $50,465 for the Hybrid Calligraphy AWD trim, it offers a hybrid powertrain with an impressive 36 MPG in city driving. The Santa Fe is shorter than Hyundai’s Palisade, improving maneuverability while providing ample passenger space.
Though cargo capacity is reduced compared to larger rivals, the Santa Fe compensates with comfort, a spacious third row, and a generous warranty. Competing against models like the Toyota Highlander and Mitsubishi Outlander, it excels in balancing cost, fuel efficiency, and usability. Its only notable drawback is a slightly rough engine sound during aggressive acceleration.
2024 Lexus TX
The Lexus TX is a luxurious newcomer to the three-row SUV market, providing premium features and multiple powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. With a starting price of $69,350 for the TX 500h F SPORT Premium AWD trim, it offers sophisticated interiors and advanced technology. Estimated fuel efficiency ranges from 23-29 MPG, with an electric range of 33 miles for the plug-in variant.
Designed to compete with high-end midsize SUVs like the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90, the TX addresses issues found in previous Lexus models, such as limited third-row space. Its extended wheelbase ensures generous room for passengers and cargo. Standard features include a 14-inch touchscreen, with luxury upgrades available. While pricing for some trims is yet to be announced, the Lexus TX is poised to appeal to families seeking refinement and practicality.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
Toyota expands its SUV offerings with the spacious 2024 Grand Highlander, a midsize model boasting three-row seating for up to eight passengers. Its standout features include generous cargo capacity, modern tech like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and three powertrains, including a 362-horsepower performance hybrid with 27 MPG.
With trims starting at $45,000, the Grand Highlander blends Toyota’s hallmark reliability with family-friendly versatility. Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas match it on size but can’t rival its hybrid efficiency. However, towing is capped at 5,000 pounds, and connected services may add ongoing costs. Still, it’s an excellent choice for families seeking space, comfort, and eco-conscious performance.
2025 Kia Niro
The 2025 Kia Niro packs impressive fuel efficiency and practicality into a compact SUV. Available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric model, it offers versatility for eco-conscious buyers. The hybrid delivers up to 53 MPG, while the plug-in hybrid provides 33 miles of electric range. Starting at $31,165, its affordability and spacious cabin make it ideal for small families.
Though higher trims lose some value, and AWD isn’t an option, the Niro remains competitive against rivals like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V. For urban dwellers or first-time SUV buyers, the Niro strikes a great balance between efficiency, functionality, and price.
2025 Toyota Sequoia
The 2025 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV offering rugged off-road capabilities and family-friendly features. Powered by a 437-horsepower hybrid V6 engine, it delivers both towing prowess (up to 9,000 pounds) and respectable efficiency at 20-22 MPG. Seating up to eight, the Sequoia blends a tough exterior with a modern cabin dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen.
However, tight third-row space and limited cargo capacity detract from its appeal in comparison to rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. For buyers seeking a powerful, off-road-ready family SUV, the Sequoia delivers, but comfort compromises may make others worth considering.
2025 Mazda CX-50
Mazda’s CX-50 combines sleek design, engaging driving dynamics, and a new hybrid powertrain for 2025. Its compact size makes it ideal for urban adventures, while its sporty performance appeals to driving enthusiasts. With AWD standard and a hybrid delivering up to 39 MPG, it balances style and efficiency.
However, its higher price and limited cargo space make it less practical than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The infotainment system’s restrictions also limit user convenience. For those prioritizing aesthetics and performance over maximum utility, the CX-50 offers a distinctive alternative in the compact SUV segment.
These six SUVs illustrate the diverse options in today’s market, from the luxurious Lexus RX to the efficient Kia Niro. Buyers can find models tailored to their needs, whether prioritizing space, hybrid efficiency, off-road capability, or engaging performance. As innovation in technology and sustainability continues, these SUVs reflect how manufacturers are addressing varied consumer demands.