The 10 best luxury SUVs for 2026: Consumer Reports

Luxury SUVs occupy a large and expensive slice of the new-car market, with prices that routinely start above $40,000 and climb past $200,000 for top trim levels. Many are built on the same platforms as mainstream models, so the premium has to be justified by something beyond badge recognition. Hybrid and plug-in powertrains have also entered segments that were once gasoline-only, giving buyers more efficiency options without sacrificing space or capability.

Consumer Reports evaluated luxury SUVs on road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety to identify the 10 best.

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Priced from $68,300 to $131,000, the BMW X5 earned an overall score of 92 and a road-test score of 96. The standard 375-hp, 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder delivers 23 mpg overall, a figure Consumer Reports called quick and smooth for a vehicle in this class. CR says the ride is comfortable, impressively steady, and composed, while the luxurious cabin is whisper-quiet with all-day comfortable seats. The interior centers on a wide, 14.9-inch curved touchscreen running BMW's iDrive 8 infotainment system, and a plug-in hybrid version is also available with 39 miles of electric range.

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The BMW X7 earned an overall score of 86, with pricing that runs from $87,500 to $156,000. The xDrive40i configuration uses a turbocharged inline-six paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic that Consumer Reports says delivers ample acceleration at 22 mpg overall. CR notes the X7's air suspension keeps the body composed over rough surfaces, and the handling is remarkably responsive for a three-row SUV of this size. The interior is incredibly quiet and richly furnished, with a wide curved screen housing gauges, climate controls, and infotainment, though the optional second-row captain's chairs take a long time to slide forward for third-row access.

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The Lexus NX Hybrid ranges from $41,955 to $57,805 and earned an overall score of 84. At 38 mpg overall, fuel economy is the standout number here, and Consumer Reports calls the NX 350h the best version of the NX line for exactly that reason. CR notes the hybrid is very quiet at low speeds on electric drive, with responsive handling and a mostly comfortable ride, though the brake pedal is a bit touchy. The cabin is impeccably furnished but narrow, and outward visibility is limited by thick roof pillars, a consistent trade-off in this generation of the NX.

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Available from $43,200 to $52,400, the BMW X1 is among the more attainable entries on this list, with an overall score of 83. Consumer Reports describes it as one of the better entry-level luxury SUVs, with a turbo four-cylinder engine that is very responsive and fuel-efficient at 28 mpg overall. CR says the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic shifts smoothly, though initial takeoff is abrupt, a known trait of dual-clutch transmissions at low speeds. Handling is agile and the seats are very comfortable, but most climate and media controls route through the touchscreen, with no physical buttons for those functions.

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The Lexus TX Hybrid is priced from $56,740 to $80,610 and earned an overall score of 82. The TX 500h F Sport's 366-hp turbo four-cylinder hybrid is smooth and powerful, and a 404-hp V6 plug-in hybrid with 33 miles of electric-only range is also available, with all-wheel drive standard across the lineup. Consumer Reports found the TX500h possesses some handling agility, with a ride that is firm but steady and controlled. All three rows are spacious, and CR notes there is tremendous cargo space when the third row is folded.

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The Porsche Cayenne starts at $89,900 and tops out at $214,800, earning an overall score of 82. Consumer Reports says few SUVs can match the Cayenne's handling agility, though an underlying firmness in the ride means some bumps punch through. CR notes the base 3.0-liter turbo V6 exhibits some initial hesitation off the line, but acceleration is robust once up to speed, and a rough stop/start system undermines smoothness at low speeds. Interior fit and finish is top-notch, with very comfortable and supportive seats, and a recent refresh brought a curved display screen with an updated infotainment system.

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With an overall score of 80, the Lexus NX is priced from $45,175 to $63,130. The NX350's 275-hp turbocharged four-cylinder returned 25 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' road tests, with responsive handling and a firm but comfortable ride. CR notes the cabin is impeccably furnished but narrow, with outward visibility hampered by thick roof pillars and small rear windows. The infotainment touchscreen, electronic door releases, and unintuitive gear selector are minor faults CR flags consistently across the NX lineup.

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The BMW X3 ranges from $51,300 to $66,500 with a road-test score of 92 and an overall score of 79. Consumer Reports describes the fourth-generation X3 as one of the best compact luxury SUVs, crediting a spirited powertrain, nimble handling, and comfortable seats as the reasons it holds that position. The X3 30 xDrive's 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder returned 29 mpg overall, and CR says the ride is composed and absorbent with a hushed cabin. Screen-based climate controls are distracting to use in motion, and the touch-capacitive door panel housing the lock, seat memory, and vent controls drew criticism from CR testers.

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The Lexus RX scored 79 overall, priced from $50,825 to $71,860. Consumer Reports says the RX's 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic is powerful and returns 24 mpg overall, though it isn't particularly refined. CR describes the ride as comfortable with standard 19-inch wheels, and the well-finished cabin has padded surfaces, exposed stitching, and a generously sized rear seat. The infotainment touchscreen, electronic door latches, and unlabeled steering wheel buttons are recurring complaints in CR's assessment.

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Rounding out the list, the Lincoln Aviator scored 77 overall at a price range of $56,910 to $85,910. Consumer Reports says the 3.0-liter turbo V6 provides effortless thrust, with handling that is remarkably agile for a three-row vehicle of this size. CR describes the interior as lavishly furnished with chrome, wood, and leather, with plush and supportive seats, though push-button gear selector and electronic door latches are unintuitive. Lincoln recently gave the Aviator a new infotainment system and updated styling, and made the BlueCruise active driving assistance system standard.