Best SUVs of 2022

Looking like a taller, more rugged Mazda 3 hatchback, the 2022 CX-30 snuggles up next to the CX-5 on the small end of the brand's SUV lineup. Its curvaceous exterior design and near-premium cabin give the CX-30 an upscale appearance that almost puts it in contention with subcompact luxury crossovers such as the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1, but its pricing is more aligned with mainstream subcompact SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona and the Volkswagen Taos. The entry-level engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which delivers tepid acceleration; hot-shoe drivers will find the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter far more desirable. Handling is agile and the CX-30's on-road demeanor is reminiscent of Mazda's sportier offerings, which we greatly appreciate; so much so, that we gave it an Editors' Choice award. A generous helping of infotainment and driver-assistance features is standard and, starting this year, so is all-wheel drive.

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When an SUV delivers as crisp a driving experience as the 2022 Hyundai Kona, it's hard to get hung up on the usual anti-crossover sentiment—so we won't. The subcompact Kona is, simply put, a great package that blends carlike on-road behavior with bold styling, a dose of practicality, and an elevated driving position; we like it so much we gave it an Editors' Choice award. Two four-cylinder engines are offered: a 2.0-liter four, which is admittedly pretty poky, and a more desirable turbocharged 1.6-liter four that delivers a lot more punch. Sticking to Hyundai's value-forward approach, the Kona comes with a long list of standard features which only grows as you move through the more expensive trims—the top few of which get downright posh. The Kona is one of the smaller offerings in the subcompact SUV segment, so it gives up cargo and passenger space to some of its larger rivals, but we think the trade-off for the Hyundai's compact package and fun-to-drive nature more than makes up for those shortcomings.

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Turns out that the subcompact Hyundai Kona SUV is a fine basis for an electric vehicle, as the 2022 Kona Electric retains everything we like about its gas-powered counterpart. Instead of a four-cylinder engine, the Kona Electric is powered by a 201-hp electric motor, and its large battery pack is good for up to 258 miles per charge. That's key because an EV's range number is the most important factor in the revved-up electric vehicle marketplace. Chevrolet's new Bolt EUV carries a claimed 250-mile range while the Tesla Model Y is good for up to 326 miles per charge. On top of its competitive estimated driving range, the Kona Electric delivers perky acceleration, spry handling, and an unbeatable standard warranty and complimentary maintenance package, making it worthy of an Editors' Choice award.

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When it comes to toaster-shaped vehicles, the Kia Soul reigns supreme, having outlasted the Honda Element, the Nissan Cube, and the Scion xB. Today it competes with more traditionally styled subcompact crossovers, including the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Jeep Renegade, and the Kia Seltos, but it hasn't given in to those proportions. It remains a quirky cube and we like it so much that we gave it an Editors' Choice award. A 147-hp four-cylinder engine comes standard, but Kia offers a powerful 201-hp turbocharged four, which makes the Soul extra perky. The boxy shape provides plenty of room for four adults to cruise in comfort and a suitably large cargo area to hold their gear. If you need all-wheel drive, you'll have to look elsewhere, as the Soul doesn't offer it. Nor does it provide standard driver-assistance features.

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Shoppers are clamoring for affordable crossovers and SUVs, and the new 2022 Volkswagen Taos is yet another entry to choose from. While it's smaller than the compact VW Tiguan, the subcompact Taos has a surprisingly roomy back seat and a sizable cargo hold; its practicality even earned it an Editors' Choice award. Taking design cues from both the Tiguan and the mid-size VW Atlas, it's not as stylish or rugged as rivals such as the Mazda CX-30 and Chevy Trailblazer, but the smallest and least expensive VW SUV is still handsome. The Taos also boasts a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Add its assortment of available driver assists and desirable features and the 2022 Taos is a satisfying option in a popular segment.

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Among the already fashionable lineup of Volvo SUVs, the even more chic 2022 XC40 is a hip and youthful one. The entry-level model is powered by a 184-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that wears the T4 badge, but the spunkiest version is the T5, which offers 248 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. The XC40 brings with it plenty of tech, too, including available driver assists that are borrowed from higher-end Volvo models, including the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode. Still, the XC40 isn't all flash. Its cabin is thoughtfully designed with clever storage opportunities, and its cargo area is generously sized, earning it a spot on our Editors' Choice list. Plus, when compared to German rivals such as the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-class, the Volvo's higher seating position will appeal to SUV enthusiasts. If you're looking for an electrified SUV with similar traits, Volvo also offers the XC40 Recharge, which we review separately.

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Don't get hung up on the 2022 BMW X1's bread-box shape. It's actually a small, playful SUV that just happens to be practical and easy to live with. All models come with the same 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and it's perky enough to haul the little X1 around town with alacrity. At the same time, it's fairly efficient and delivered 29 mpg highway in our testing. Handling is crisp and the ride is refined, exactly what we expect from the BMW brand. Not only does the X1 deliver on-road enjoyment, but its large cargo area also provides plenty of room for cargo and the rear seats are easy to fold flat to make room for bulkier items. Its well-rounded nature has earned it a place on our 2022 Editors' Choice list. BMW also sells the more stylish X2, which is admittedly even sportier to drive, but we think the X1 offers a better blend of driving fun and practicality.

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While it shares its underpinnings with the more sedately styled X1 SUV, the 2022 BMW X2 distinguishes itself with a fastback roofline and a hot-rod variant that really hustles. With spry handling, the X2 is easy to drive quickly on twisty roads—in fact, some may argue it's more of a hot hatch than an SUV. Base models come with the same 228-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that sits under the X1's hood, but we favor the M35i's more powerful 302-hp engine. That sloping roofline cuts into passenger and cargo space, but we're not bothered; in fact, we even gave the X2 an Editors' Choice award. Because of its driving attitude, the X2 ranks among our favorite small SUVs on sale today.

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More than any other mainstream compact crossover, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 makes its driver feel special. With a price tag that's much closer to a Honda CR-V’s than a Porsche Macan’s, the Mazda is accessible to the same demographic group as the former, but it's also able to impress those who fall into the latter's tax bracket. The CX-5's base four-cylinder engine doesn't highlight its dynamic driving personality as well as the optional turbocharged four, but all models have a ride-and-handling balance that's unrivaled in this segment. There are more practical alternatives, especially when it concerns cargo space, but no competitors can match the Mazda's elegantly styled and richly appointed interior. The 2022 CX-5's transcendent traits simply outpace all of its classmates, so we put it on our 2022 Editors' Choice list.

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Volkswagen's Tiguan is a European take on an American classic—the SUV. It offers more athletic handling than many of its rivals, and its cabin has a restrained vibe with plenty of trendy technology features, earning it a spot on our Editors' Choice list. While the Tiguan hasn't proved to be particularly quick at our test track, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine performs dutifully, sounds refined, and will pass muster with most buyers. Although the Tiguan is sold in global markets, U.S. dealerships only peddle the long-wheelbase model, which means a third row of seats is available for those who need it. That kind of cabin flexibility is something that rivals such as the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, and the Toyota RAV4 don't offer.

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Previewed by the Vision T concept at the 2019 LA auto show, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson sports a daring new design that seems destined to shake up the compact-SUV marketplace. The entry-level Tucson is powered by a more conventional 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine shared with the Sonata family sedan but a both hybrid and a plug-in hybrid are offered; those two use a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder augmented by an electric motor. All models are fairly well-equipped and the Tucson is among the most stylish options in the segment. It goes head-to-head with several strong rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, and the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the new Tucson has brought its A-game and earned an Editors' Choice award for 2022.

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The 2022 Honda CR-V won't accelerate anyone's heart rate, but its capacious interior and fuel-efficient powertrains make it a compelling compact crossover. In fact, it's one of our favorites, earning a spot on our 2022 Editors' Choice list. The Honda isn't necessarily fun to drive, and neither its standard turbocharged gas engine nor the hybrid model qualifies as quick, but it steers and stops without any fuss. Its ride is also relaxing on long hauls, just go easy on the gas to avoid the base engine's noisy drone. Family road trips will also require fewer fill-ups than many other SUVs thanks to the CR-V's noteworthy fuel economy. A host of standard active safety features and popular tech options help it compete with newer rivals. While the 2022 CR-V isn't the flashiest or classiest in this hotly contested segment, it's still one of the most satisfying and talented entrants.

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The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is one of the better compact crossovers for mixing urban living and outdoorsy weekend adventures, earning it a spot on our Editors' Choice list. Styled like a baby version of the full-size Ford Bronco—itself is a retro rendition of classic Broncos—the smaller Sport attracts attention. Its truck-like shape pays dividends inside where headroom and cargo space are generous. While the cabin is marred by some unattractive materials, and its back seat isn't very big, the incorporation of useful features such as hidden storage compartments and a slide-out workbench are unique touches. All-wheel drive is standard, but the potent turbo-four engine is reserved for the top-of-the-line Badlands trim—a legit off-road rival to the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. The standard three-cylinder engine is pokier but it's way more fuel-efficient, too. The big-brother Bronco has greater capabilities, but the 2022 Bronco Sport is more than just a superficial spin-off.

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While the 2022 Toyota RAV4 isn't the most entertaining compact SUV from a driver's standpoint, its practicality and efficiency bolster its value and make it worthy of an Editor's Choice award. The entry-level model is affordable but very basic, but mid-range trims offer plenty of features that buyers in this segment will appreciate. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder is standard as is an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available, but you won’t see even the most rugged model in the RAV4 lineup sidling up to a 4Runner or a Tacoma at the trailhead. Toyota bundles a host of standard driver-assistance features into the RAV4, including adaptive cruise control. Upscale trims come with luxury features such as faux-leather upholstery, heated seats, and a JBL stereo system. Those who want even more efficiency can go with a RAV4 Hybrid.

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Toyota hybrids have come a long way since the original Prius, and that growth is most apparent in the 2022 RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid compact SUVs. These electrified utes deliver the same practicality and roominess of a standard RAV4 but add one of two available fuel-sipping powertrains. Both are quicker than the nonhybrid RAV4—especially the Prime, which even beat the four-cylinder variant of Toyota's Supra sports car in our 5-to-60-mph rolling start acceleration test. The RAV4's uninvolving handling is outdone by rivals such as hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V and the Hyundai Tucson, and its high starting price of around $30,000 doesn't include much more than basic features. Still, the RAV4 Hybrid is a well-rounded package with plenty of value, so we put it on our 2022 Editors' Choice list.

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The 2022 Porsche Macan can dice it up with sports sedans on a racetrack and carry a reasonable cartful of groceries home from Costco. Offering a trio of turbocharged engines, the lineup culminates in the performance-oriented GTS model with a 434-hp twin-turbo V-6. But no matter which engine you choose, the Macan's chassis is an athletic partner that goads you to hit apex after apex. All models come with all-wheel drive as standard, and those who want to enhance the crossover's handling can do so via several options, including summer tires, an adaptive suspension, a torque-vectoring differential, and tungsten-carbide-coated rotors. Yes, it's an SUV, but it's also very much a Porsche. It fulfills its mission beautifully and earned an Editors' Choice award for 2022.

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It may share a platform with the Benz-branded model, but the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLC-class is a beast in its own right, with a trio of powerful engine choices. The entry-level GLC43 comes with a 385-hp twin-turbo V-6, but those who want even more power can opt for the GLC63 or GLC63 S, both of which are powered by a twin-turbo V-8 with either 469 or 503 horsepower. To match its blistering acceleration performance, the GLC-class delivers sharp handling, but the compromise is a ride that's nowhere near as smooth as the regular GLC300 offers. But the cabin is just as refined, and a host of modern infotainment and comfort features will make luxury buyers feel right at home. The GLC-class has impressed us so much that we gave it an Editors' Choice award for 2022.

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Based on the excellent G70 sports sedan, the 2022 Genesis GV70 compact-luxury SUV provides similar driving enjoyment with a higher seating position and extra cargo room. Engine choices will include a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6; all-wheel drive is standard and all GV70 models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It employs the usual Genesis model of pumping even base models full of luxury features, making the GV70 a value player in the crowded compact-luxury SUV market and earning it an Editors' Choice award. Save for a few ergonomic critiques, we found the GV70's cabin to be comfortable and well-made, although rear-seat passengers may wish you'd sprung for the larger and more spacious GV80 SUV.

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While delivering luxury and practicality, the 2022 BMW X3 SUV also channels sports sedans from BMW's past to blend driving fun into the equation. Its balanced chassis and well-tuned steering make it a surprisingly willing partner on a twisty road, and both of its available turbocharged powertrains—either a four- or six-cylinder—provide plenty of power. The X3's cabin is comfortable and upscale if conservative in its design. It's a nice place to spend time, even if some rivals, including the Mercedes-Benz GLC-class and the Volvo XC60, have it beat on style. BMW has incorporated plenty of tech into the X3, including two digital dashboard displays as well as a host of driver-assistance features. Overall, the X3 is well-rounded, but it's the agile handling and gutsy turbo engines that make it one of our favorite BMWs and an Editors' Choice winner for 2022.

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Volvo's unique Swedish perspective is evident in every one of the brand's products, including its top seller, the stylish and thoughtfully-designed 2022 XC60 SUV. Clean lines and tasteful embellishments help the XC60 strike a stylish pose in traffic while the cabin serves as an upscale oasis from the perils of the modern commute, earning it an Editors' Choice award. Three different powertrains are offered here, including a plug-in-hybrid variant with strong performance. Cargo space isn't as generous as in rivals such as the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, or Mercedes-Benz GLC-class, but we think most buyers will find it practical enough. Technology is integrated throughout, including a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, and a host of driver-assistance features to help keep the XC60's shiny side up.

Review, Pricing, and Specs