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These past several years have really been the time of the crossover SUV, with new models, new technologies and new designs coming out from both domestic and foreign manufacturers, giving us some of the best crossovers of all time.
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With so many of them on the market, it can be hard for you to even begin narrowing down your search when shopping for your next crossover, which is why we put together a list of 20 crossovers that you definitely don’t want to skip over. On this list, you’ll find the crossovers with some of the best values, best performance and even the best price.
So, without any more delay, here are some of our picks for best crossovers of 2016!
The Value Leaders
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These are the good all-around crossovers that deliver a lot in exchange for relatively little.
Hyundai Tucson
The full redesign did the 2016 Tucson lots of good, pushing it into the top layer of the compact crossover world. It has plenty of space, solid power and solid safety features while still being fun to drive.
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You might not be getting a lot of frills with it, but if you are after something functional then the price and the warranty make this car a must-see.
Ford Explorer
There is nothing wrong with an American classic, especially when you need a big engine, lots of space and the ability to leave the beaten path for something more adventurous.
And updated exterior is a draw for 2016, as is the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, if you want to save a little on gas.
Honda Pilot
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Spacious, versatile, well-built. You could describe any generation of Honda’s three-row SUV this way, but this one comes closest to offering you a luxury-brand experience without the badge and the price tag.
The full redesign rolled out in 2016 focuses mainly on safety and economy, both of which the new car excels at, but it also came with a really impressive upgrade in material quality as well.
Volvo XC90
Another car with an all-new design this year, the XC90 is famous as being Jeremy Clarkson’s pick for taking the kids to school. In this iteration, you get practically everything that you could expect from a luxury car while still paying a lot less than a comparable Mercedes, BMW or a Rover would set you back.
The Performers
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These are the crossovers with great handling and plenty of horses hiding under the hood.
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
One of America’s most versatile crossovers comes with an engine for every driver which, if you are an enthusiast, means the 6.4-liter V-8 on the Grand Cherokee SRT. At 475 horsepower, 470 pound-feet of torque and under 5 seconds to 60 mph, this is not your parents’ sleepy ute.
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Porsche Macan Turbo
A good car in its own right, the Cayenne never felt like a real Porsche, but the Macan certainly does. It is smooth, quick and feels uncannily like a 911 when you push down the gas pedal and let its 400 horses out.
Mazda CX-5
The 2016 CX-5 is a lesson in how you don’t need power for great performance.
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With 155 horsepower on the low end and 184 on the high end, it is weaker than many competitors, but makes up for it with its light weight, direct steering, amazing stability and perfect throttle response.
Nissan Juke Nismo RS
Take a tiny car, add a manual transmission and a high-compression turbo engine and you get a monster.
That is exactly what Nissan’s new high-performance Juke is. Beneath the quirky exterior hides a truly unique high-power subcompact crossover.
The Luxury Liners
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These are the cars that spoil you and your passengers, inside and out.
BMW X1
While its larger siblings are more well-known, this hidden gem takes all the BMW luxury you’re used to and crams it into a beautiful subcompact package. If you need a small car with big-car amenities, the X1 is right up your alley.
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Nissan Murano
While not technically a luxury vehicle, the Murano comes incredibly close. It is upscale, comfortable and powerful without ever sacrificing driver and passenger comfort.
If looking for an entry-level luxury crossover, you may find the Murano is not only nicer than some luxury options, but cheaper too.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
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Don’t be fooled by the new name; the GLE is essentially the M-class in disguise.
The GLE is luxurious, powerful and very customizable, with six options for the engine alone. If you do not need more than two rows of seating in your crossover, the GLE’s various options will easily satisfy your every need.
Acura MDX
With impressive power, seating for seven and the innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, there are few things you can fault the Acura MDX for. It is one of the biggest and most spacious luxury crossovers available, so if you need space but don’t want to move up to something like the Cadillac Escalade, this is your car.
The Off-Roaders
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Here are the cars to take you out into the unknown and bring you back safely.
Jeep Cherokee
Sometimes looked down on as the baby of the Jeep family, the Cherokee is surprisingly effective when it comes to off-roading, especially in the Trailhawk trim. Armed with skid plates, a tow hook, winch and Jeep’s Active Drive Lock all-wheel drive system, this Jeep is just as trail-ready as you would expect a Jeep to be.
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Subaru Forester
It may not look it, but this composed little all-wheel drive compact crossover from Subaru has 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a fairly aggressive angle of approach and departure for a daily driver. Opt in for the turbocharged 2.0XT model, and you even have some turbo power to charge up the hills as well.
The Hybrids
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These are the cars that save money and the environment while still providing ample utility.
Lexus RX Hybrid
At over 30 miles per gallon, over 300 horsepower and the luxury features expected from a Lexus, the RX Hybrid is uniquely uncompromising. There are more efficient cars, more luxurious ones and more powerful ones, but few that can match the new RX Hybrid across all three categories.
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Toyota Highlander Hybrid
One of the largest hybrid crossovers on the market right now, the Highlander Hybrid is definitely a unique entry on this list. Its large cabin is very practical if you have kids, a lot of gear to carry or both, and its city fuel efficiency makes for a lot of saved gas if you spend a lot of time in suburban traffic.
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
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Subaru’s quirky little crossover is a unique take on the genre – it is essentially a lifted compact hatchback with a hybrid engine. It is the least expensive of the hybrid crossovers and the smallest, making it the crossover hybrid to choose if you value the high seating position and all-wheel drive more than utility space.
The Wagons
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These cars are not quite your conventional crossovers, blurring the line between passenger car and SUV, but still provide plenty of utility space and all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
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If you wanted a Golf that you can pack for a camping trip and confidently take down a dirt road, your wish has been granted with the 2016 Golf Alltrack.
It is slightly raised from the basic Golf Sportwagen and armed with all-wheel drive. With a passenger-car cabin layout, its great for those not ready to make the jump to a full SUV.
Subaru Outback
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One of the best-selling crossovers, the Outback is often left out of the category due to being called a wagon. But it sits higher than many of the other cars on this list and is just as rugged, thanks to its high ground clearance and always-on all-wheel drive. Combine that with its ample storage space, and it out-SUVs many of the ‘real’ crossover SUVs.
The Outlier
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Tesla Model X
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This all-electric SUV does not fit into any of the above categories neatly, but just couldn’t be omitted. It is fast, spacious and is probably the most hi-tech vehicle available on the market right now. The only thing keeping it from sweeping every category is its battery-limited range and its very high price tag.