Credit: Hyundai
SUVs now account for a majority of new vehicle sales in the U.S., and the non-luxury segment has grown more competitive and more capable than ever. Automakers have packed features once reserved for premium brands into mainstream models, making the choice harder for buyers.
Consumer Reports tested and scored every major SUV on road performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety to identify the best options at each size. Here are the 10 highest-scoring non-luxury SUVs you can buy right now.
1 / 10
Credit: Toyota
Scoring 89 overall from Consumer Reports, the highest on this list, the 2026 Toyota $TM Crown Signia starts at $44,490. Its 240-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder pairs with an electric drive and a continuously variable transmission, and CR measured 37 mpg overall in testing. At low speeds, the Crown Signia can move without the gasoline engine, though flooring the accelerator summons it loudly. The suspension is well-tuned, the interior polished, and the front seats plush, though the driver's instrument cluster takes more effort to read than the infotainment touchscreen.
2 / 10
Credit: Honda
At $44,950 to start, the 2026 Honda $HMC Passport scores 89 overall and earns a perfect reliability rating of five out of five from Consumer Reports. The 285-horsepower V6 delivers willing power, but CR found the 10-speed automatic can be reluctant between gears. The Passport achieved 21 mpg overall, and physical buttons and knobs handle climate and audio instead of touchscreen menus, which CR flagged as a usability advantage. The rear seat and cargo hold are both spacious, and buyers who want trail ability can spec the TrailSport, which adds underbody protection, extra ground clearance, and all-terrain rubber.
3 / 10
Credit: Hyundai
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid's overall score of 89 is backed by a road-test score of 95 out of 100, the highest on this list, with a base price of $44,160. A turbocharged four-cylinder working alongside two electric motors and a six-speed automatic produces a combined 329 horsepower, and Consumer Reports' AWD test unit averaged 26 mpg. Acceleration is notably stronger than the standard Palisade, sprinting to 60 mph in seven seconds versus 8.4 in the nonhybrid. The Calligraphy trim's interior reads like a luxury SUV, with a roomy second row and generous seat adjustability, though the third row suits children better than adults and the climate controls are less intuitive than the infotainment system.
4 / 10
Credit: Toyota
Priced from $41,860, the 2026 Toyota $TM Grand Highlander Hybrid scored 88 overall and gives buyers a choice between a 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain and a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid. Fuel economy came in at 35 mpg overall with the 2.5-liter engine in Consumer Reports' Highlander Hybrid testing. The Grand Highlander seats seven or eight passengers, and its third row is considerably more spacious than the one in the standard Highlander. Ride quality is comfortable, handling is adequate and unexciting, and the 12.3-inch Toyota infotainment screen handles most functions without significant friction.
5 / 10
Credit: Subaru
The most affordable entry on this list, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $26,995 and scored 88 overall. Its 2.5-liter flat-four engine pairs with an electric motor and an electronic CVT, producing 194 horsepower and returning 35 mpg overall in Consumer Reports testing, six more than the standard Crosstrek. Improved low-speed drivability is the most meaningful upgrade over the nonhybrid, because the electric motor's smooth initial shove eliminates the flat-four's characteristic hesitation off the line. The cabin is easy to enter and exit, the driver's seat has standard power adjustments, the front buckets are supportive, and the rear bench fits adults despite the vehicle's smaller footprint.
6 / 10
Credit: Subaru
A score of 87 overall and a base price of $34,730 make the 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid the top-ranked compact SUV on this list. Its lithium-ion battery-assisted flat-four produces 194 horsepower, up from 180 in the nonhybrid, and fuel economy came in at 34 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing, a five-mpg gain over the standard model. The Hybrid is noticeably quieter at low speeds, where the electric drive provides a smoother initial takeoff, and it can propel itself briefly on electric power alone. Excellent outward visibility, a roomy rear seat, and a comfortable ride carry over from the standard Forester, and blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning come standard across all trims.
7 / 10
Credit: Subaru
For buyers who don't need the hybrid, the 2026 Subaru Forester starts at $29,995 and scored 85 overall. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder has an abrupt initial launch and can feel underpowered, and fuel economy came in at 29 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing, commendable but below what the Hybrid achieves. The Forester's outward visibility is among the best in any class, the rear seat is roomy, cargo space is generous, and handling is stable without being sporty. Blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts don't come standard on the entry-level Base or the second-tier Premium, where they're only an option, a caveat CR flags for safety-focused buyers.
8 / 10
Credit: Hyundai
With a road-test score of 94, tied for the highest on this list, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid scores 83 overall and starts at $36,400. Its turbocharged four-cylinder pairs with electric drive and a six-speed automatic, producing noticeably smoother low-speed behavior than the nonhybrid version while returning 34 mpg overall. Handling is responsive and the ride steady, with the dual 12.3-inch curved display integrating the instrument cluster and infotainment into a single wide screen, according to Consumer Reports. Cargo capacity is competitive for the segment, and the tailgate opens wide for easier loading.
9 / 10
Credit: Hyundai
Despite a second-generation refresh, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade scores 83 overall and starts at $39,435. Zero to 60 mph took 8.4 seconds in Consumer Reports' testing, among the slowest times in the three-row class, and fuel economy slipped one mpg to 20 overall. The Calligraphy trim's interior earns consistent praise from CR, with thoughtful details and a cabin feel that punches above the Palisade's price point. Towing is rated at 5,000 pounds, the second row offers generous space and adjustment range, and the third row works better for occasional use than as a regular third seat.
10 / 10
Credit: Hyundai
Tied with the Santa Fe Hybrid for the highest road-test score on this list at 94, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid scored 82 overall and starts at $30,950. The hybrid powertrain delivers 35 mpg overall and significantly more accessible power than the nonhybrid at low speeds, where the electric drive's immediate torque is most noticeable. The plug-in hybrid variant takes that advantage further with a larger battery and an EPA-estimated 33 miles of all-electric range, Consumer Reports noted. The ride is firm but composed, the cabin is well-trimmed and relatively quiet, and the rear seat and cargo area are both generous for a compact SUV.
