The best mid-sized, full-sized, luxury and electric crossovers for 2025
In today’s market, crossovers and SUVs rule the sales roost. So, of the available choices which is the best buy? Here’s a breakdown of the best mid-sized, full-sized and electric crossovers and SUVs. All have one thing in common — the space to carry multiple passengers in comfort and the flexibility to accommodate large amounts of cargo. From a growing family to those with a trailer to tow, these vehicles have the wherewithal to deliver.
Best Midsize Crossover: 2025 Kia Telluride
Under the hood there’s a 3.8-litre V6 that twists out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, which is enough power to match its capability — it can tow up to 2,268-kilograms. The engine works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a solid all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The Active On-Demand system proactively distributes the drive torque between the front and rear axles to improve traction over a wide range of conditions. On-road it works to haul the Telluride out of a corner with more authority. Throw in the ground clearance, AWD Lock, which brings better low-speed traction on muddy and sandy terrain, along with decent approach and departure angles and Telluride has some real off-road ability — the X-Pro includes all-terrain tires. The Telluride’s average fuel consumption is 11.7 L/100 km, which gives it an annual fuel cost of $3,627.
Inside, the Telluride has a roomy and upscale cabin with easy access to all three rows. The space is above average in the second and third rows. The last row has 798-mm of legroom and 961-mm of headroom, which makes it acceptable for a pair of adults. The middle row bumps the numbers to 1,077-mm and 985-mm, respectively. Part of the reason for the feeling of space is the large greenhouse and the airy feel it imparts — the double moonroof on all but the base LX certainly helps things. Up front, the 12.3-inch multimedia screen houses the navigation and gives access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although not wirelessly. As for the rest of it, the controls are clearly marked and logically arranged.
Best Alternative: 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander is offered with a lively 2.4L turbo-four that pushes 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Next up is the Hybrid. It features a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that combine to produce 243 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It works with an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission. The Grand Highlander Max uses the 2.4L turbo-four and an electric motor to produce 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It works a six-speed automatic transmission. All models feature all-wheel-drive. The Hybrid can tow up to 1,588-kg; the gas-powered and Max models up that to 2,268-kg.
Inside, the cabin is tech rich. While the XLE makes do with a seven-inch instrumentation screen, all others get a proper 12.3-inch screen. All also feature a 12.3-inch multimedia screen that works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen graphics are sharp and the response to input is fast. The system also works with one of the best voice control systems available.
Best Full-Size SUV: 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
The Tahoe has three engine choices. The standard engine on all trims except the High Country is Chevy’s 5.3L EcoTec3 V8. It cranks out 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque and drives the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive is optional on the LS and standard on all other models. Standard on the High Country and available on the RST, Z71 and Premier, is the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8. It ups the ante to 420 and 460 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there’s the Duramax 3.0L diesel, which it is available on all models except the base LS. The reworked diesel now twists out 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, which is up 10% and 7.6%, respectively. This gives it the brawn to tow up to 3,720-kg. When the Z71 package is in place, the Tahoe gets a two-speed transfer case (optional on other models) along with improved approach and departure angles, which makes it the off-road boss. Finally, there’s a Four-Corner Air Ride Adaptive suspension that’s an option Z71 and standard on the High Country. It helps both the ride and roll control aspects.
Inside, this rework gives the driver two large and clear screens. The 11-inch digital instrumentation is supported by a massive 17.7-inch multimedia screen. It arrives complete with Google maps and Google voice assistant. The latter can be used place calls, as well as make vehicle-based commands. The top High Country also works with an oversized 15-inch head-up display. Move rearward and there’s 970-mm of headroom and 886 mm of legroom in the third row, so it adult ready. The middle row brings 980-mm and 1,067-mm, respectively. With all seats up there’s 722L of cargo space and 2,053L with the third row folded. Drop the middle row and there’s 3,475L!
Best Alternative: 2025 Ford Expedition
The Expedition features an oversized 24-inch display that sits higher up than usual, so the driver looks over the top of the steering wheel rather than through it. This large screen replaces the traditional instrumentation on the left side and allows the mapping to be displayed on the right with widgets between. The wide-screen works with a 13.2-inch central display that allows wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both the regular-length and Max versions have 1,044-mm of legroom in the middle row and 927-mm in the third row. The regular-length Expedition has 612L of cargo space with the third row up and 1,960L when folded flat. It has 3,072L of space with the middle row folded. The Max ups those numbers to 1,022L, 2,135L and a substantial 3,486L, respectively.
Best Large Luxury SUV: 2025 Lexus TX
The main difference between the two TX models is power. The TX 350 uses a 2.4L turbo-four that twists out 275 hp and to 317 lb-ft of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. The TX 500h hybrid uses the same turbo-four and an electric motor to develop a net output of 366 hp and 409 lb-ft. It works with a six-speed automatic and Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system. It determines the best power split between the front and rear axles by looking at wheel speed, acceleration and steering angle. Firsthand experience says it works very well. The system brings much sharper handling, especially when pushed. The TX 500h’s advantage boils down to more than just power. It sips an average of 8.6 L/100 km and has an annual fuel bill of $3,182. The TX 350 has an average consumption of 10.3 L/100 km and an annual cost of $3,811. Both models can tow 2,268-kg.
The TX’s cabin has the space for a six or seven in three rows. Access to the third row is easy, thanks to the 500h’s Captain’s chairs and the 350’s release lever that sees the middle row slide forward and out of the way. There’s 945-mm of headroom and 851-mm of legroom in the third row. The middle row has 981-mm and 1,003-mm, respectively. As for cargo space, there’s 572L behind the third row and 1,625L with it folded flat. With middle row folded there’s 2,747L.
Up front, a 14-inch touchscreen takes centre stage. The crisp graphics are easy-to-read and it responds quickly to input. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; however, the navigation becomes a cost item after the free trial expires. On the safety front, the TX comes with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. It includes just about every advanced driver aid offered, so you’re covered.
Best Alternative: 2025 Porsche Cayenne
Power starts with the base Cayenne’s 3.0L turbo-V6 with 348 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne E-Hybrid gets the same turbo-V6, but adds a 174 hp electric motor to the mix. With the two working together, it twists out 453 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne S moves up to a 4.0L turbo-V8 that makes 468 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid uses the same 3.0L turbo-V6 and electric motor, but gets a boost in power to 512 hp and 553 lb-ft. The new GTS gets the 4.0L turbo-V8 with 493 hp, 487 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo E-Hybrid uses the 4.0L turbo-V8 and the 174 hp electric motor. When the two are pulling together the Turbo E-Hybrid cranks out a mighty 729 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne Coupé uses the same engines, but is slightly quicker than its boxier sibling. Where the Coupé differs is the Turbo GT. It uses the 4.0L turbo-V8, but it now makes 650 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, so it romps to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds making it the quickest of a big bunch! All models use an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive all four wheels. The Cayenne SUV and Coupé have a maximum tow capacity of 3,493-kg with trailer brakes.
Inside the revamped Cayenne GTS is where luxury meets driver-oriented cockpit. The focus features the Porsche Driver Experience, which includes a curved digital instrument cluster and an optional passenger screen. Finally, the gas models have 772L of cargo space with the rear seat upright and 1,708L when folded flat. The hybrid models drop slightly to 627L and 1,563L. The Coupé has noticeably less rear seat head room and cargo capacity because of the plunging roofline. The cargo space drops to 592L with the seats up and 1,502L seats when folded; the hybrids accommodate 434L and 1,344L, respectively.
Best Large EV Crossover: 2025 Kia EV9
The starting point is the RWD Light. It has a 76.1 kilowatt-hour battery and a rear-mounted motor that delivers 215 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque and a driving range of 370-km. All other EV9 models use the larger 99.8-kWh battery. The Wind RWD has 201 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque and a driving range of 489-kilometres. The rear-drive models have a limited towing capacity of 907-kg.
Move up to the two-motor Land and along with AWD comes 379 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The Land and Land Premium (a package) have a driving range of 451-km. Adding the GT-Line package to the Land drops the range slightly to 435-km. The two-motor format sees the tow capacity rise to 2,268-kg. The average fuel consumption ranges from 2.6 to 2.9 Le/100 km with the annual charging cost ranging from $850 and $940.
The EV9’s 800-volt architecture allows the 76.1-kWh battery to be charged from 10 to 80% using a 350-kW DC fast charger in 20 minutes. A Level 2 charger takes 6 hours and 45 minutes. Move up to the larger 99.8-kWh battery and the 10 to 80% time comes in at 24 minutes and it takes 8 hours and 45 minutes using a Level 2 charger.
The EV9’s cabin is luxurious with the focal point being the combined instrumentation and infotainment screen — two 12.3-inch screens sit under a single piece of glass. The highlight is the way the driving range is displayed and the fact the number shown is an accurate reflection on how far the EV9 can drive. Both the six- and seven-seat versions qualify as roomy plus. There’s lots of space in the front and middle rows; the third row is capped at 783-mm. The cargo measures 573-litres with the third row upright and 1,233L when folded. Dropping the middle row opens up a generous 2,314L.
Best Alternative: 2026 BMW iX
New battery technology increases the energy density of the iX’s battery. The iX xDrive45 battery has 94.8 kWh of usable power, which delivers an expected range of up to 502 kilometres. That’s up by about 150-km when compared to the outgoing xDrive40. The 109.1 kWh found in the iX xDrive60 has an estimated range of up to 547 km, while the 108.9 kWh used in the iX M70 xDrive gives it the wherewithal to romp to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and deliver an estimated range of 486 km. Another of the improvements is found in the charging. The DC fast charging speeds are up to 175 kW for the iX xDrive45 and 195 kW for the xDrive60 and M70.
Inside, it is all BMW with new available M multifunction seats, a panoramic sunroof with electrochromic glass, heated rear seats and armrests, and Bowers & Wilkins sound system. A Highway Assistant feature allows hands-free driving on limited-access highways and a Parking Assistant Professional feature allows the driver to park the vehicle remotely using a smartphone.
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