The Highest-Rated SUV For 2026 Is Not The One You'd Expect
Choice can be a real curse sometimes. And when it comes to the crowded SUV marketplace, it can be almost impossible to sift through every make and model, looking for the perfect one. So we decided to save you tons of time and frustration by finding the five highest rated SUVs currently available for sale.
But who do you trust for the most unbiased info? Manufacturers are clearly out, as are anecdotal stories from friends who heard about some guy who once owned a car you may be considering. Then there are the professional reviewing platforms, they have all the knowledge and the expertise to know what to look for, but if they are being sponsored by an auto manufacturer, or need advertising revenue based on criteria that doesn't align with transparent assessments, then their information may be biased, too.
That's why we focused our search on information gathered by Consumer Reports (CR). A high score from CR isn't just a dubious badge of honor; it's a reflection of rigorous, independent testing that spans months and takes into account real-world data from actual owners. To qualify for their top-rated lists, a vehicle must excel across four key pillars: CR buys every car they test anonymously from dealerships to ensure they experience the same vehicle a consumer would.
We arranged our list in ascending order of CR's Overall Score metric. This comprises road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. Crash test results are from the IIHS and NHTSA, and all vehicle pricing and data are from the relevant manufacturer. To say that the overall results were close is a massive understatement, four of the top five arrived at the same overall score, but the devil is in the details, and as you shall see the differences between their other measured metrics tells the real story.
5. Hyundai Palisade Hybrid | 89/100
- Model Years: 2026-on
- Base MSRP:$44,160
- Road Test Score: 95/100
- Predicted Reliability: 48/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 75/100
The Palisade is one of the best value three-row SUVs around, but its great pricing is only part of why it is so popular. It looks and feels like a far more premium product, and scored the second highest road test score of all the vehicles here. Tech features are also up there with the best, and the interior space is simply huge.
So much so that it comes with a Passenger Talk system, an in-car intercom that allows the driver to speak clearly to third-row passengers through the audio system's speakers. The one area that it lags the others in is predicted reliability. With a score of just 48/100, it is more likely to have mechanical and electronic issues than the other SUVs in the top five.
4. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid | 89/100
- Model Years: 2026-on
- Base MSRP:$33,995
- Road Test Score: 92/100
- Predicted Reliability: 78/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 74/100
The Crosstrek Hybrid does not boast tire-shredding power, sumptuous interior fittings or cutting-edge tech. What it does offer is a level of capability and overall competence that make it the ideal daily driver. That's not to say it doesn't excel in certain areas, the impressive ground clearance allied with Subaur's renowned AWD system make this family SUV perfect for weekend trips off the beaten path.
The hybrid system is also a big plus, offering slightly better performance than the regular gas-powered Crosstrek, but with improved fuel efficiency. It scores well in all metrics here, and when you consider the attractive base MSRP and solid reliability score, it is no wonder that the Crosstrek Hybrid makes this list.
3. Toyota Crown Signia | 89/100
- Model Years: 2025-on
- Base MSRP:$44,490
- Road Test Score: 91/100
- Predicted Reliability: 77/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 73/100
The Crown Signia was a new addition to the range in 2025, and has quickly climbed the ranks by combining SUV utility with sedan-like refinement. Its standard hybrid powertrain delivers decent performance allied with good fuel economy and it's a quiet and capable cruiser.
This is not a sporty SUV, but it is perfect for the sort of driving conditions we face in the real world, and its road test score reflects this. The 77/100 predicted reliability score is another strong point here, as is the upmarket interior which would be right at home in a Lexus.
2. Honda Passport | 89/100
- Model Years: 2026-on
- Base MSRP:$44,950
- Road Test Score: 82/100
- Predicted Reliability: 97/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 78/100
The Honda Passport has been around for years, but 2026 brought with it a complete redesign, and thankfully many of the key components that made its predecessor so popular have remained. Key among these is the 3.5-liter V6 powerplant that has been refined and enhanced for decades.
Its practical interior design, solid fuss-free layout and impressive (and enhanced for 2026) off-road capabilities make it the ideal do-it-all family vehicle. But the one thing that stands out above all else here is the Passport's amazing predicted reliability score. It may not be the most high-tech or most powerful offering here, but when it comes to durability and long-term dependability, nothing comes close.
1. BMW X5 | 92/100
- Model Years: 2019–present
- Base MSRP:$68,300
- Road Test Score: 96/100
- Predicted Reliability: 65/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 79/100
The BMW X5 may be a surprising winner considering that many German SUVs tend to be more complex and less reliable overall than their counterparts from Japan and South Korea. But this luxury SUV bucks the trend thanks to a long production cycle that has resulted in mostly glitch-free electronic system and superb build quality. However, the 65/100 predicted reliability score is still well below its Japanese rivals here.
Where it really shines is in the road test and predicted owner satisfaction ratings, where it scored the highest of all the entrants here. The combination of a plush ride, sporty handling, and plenty of performance make it a great all-rounder, and the highest rated SUV for 2026.
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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 12:30 PM.