The 5 Best New SUVs of 2025
SUV sales now account for more than 60 % of all new-vehicle purchases in the U.S., making this segment the unmistakable mainstream of motoring. Hybrids and plug-ins are the fastest growing slices, up about 28 % in 2025 alone. If you’re not in an SUV, you’re in the minority – and these five models show why change isn’t coming any time soon.
How does it compare to rivals?
First up is the Audi Q5 (2025), the benchmark for tech-savvy luxury. Built on Audi’s new combustion platform, it offers a 14.5″ curved OLED display, 268 hp turbo-4, and a cabin that rivals high-end German sedans. The credible sources confirm it uses a 2.0-litre engine producing 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. (https://www.audiusa.com/en/models/q5/all-new-q5/2025/overview/)
Next is the Ford Expedition (2025): a full-sized hauler from Texas muscle country. The 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 produces up to 440 hp in Tremor trim and can tow up to 9,600 lb when properly equipped. (https://tfltruck.com/2024/10/2025-ford-expedition-updates-debut-news-video/)
Then comes Toyota 4Runner (2025), now all-new after 15 years, riding on the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform with a 2.4-litre turbo-hybrid that delivers 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque in the off-road trims. (https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2025-toyota-4runner/)
For smart money the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2025) remains America’s best-selling hybrid SUV for a reason: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with Toyota’s 5th-generation hybrid system, with FWD at 226 hp and AWD at 236 hp, plus a plug-in variant delivering 320 hp and ~50 miles EV-only range. (https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2025-toyota-rav4-hybrid/)
And finally the Volkswagen Tiguan (2025), reborn on the MQB-Evo platform in the U.S., with up to 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the SEL R-Line Turbo trim, and a grown-up interior with available 15″ infotainment. (https://media.vw.com/releases/1834)
Who is this for and who should skip it?
If you’re shopping for a luxury compact with tech-edge and everyday polish, the Q5 is your daily driver pick. If you haul heavy loads or tow trailers and need full-sized interior space, the Expedition is your power trip on wheels. For those whose weekend is about rocks and dirt rather than board-rooms, the 4Runner is the rugged escape plan. If you care about efficiency, hybrid tech and low running costs, the RAV4 Hybrid is your smart-money move. And if you want a dependable, good-looking compact SUV that doesn’t shout “look at me”, the Tiguan is the underdog you’ll secretly enjoy driving when no one’s looking.
On the flip side: if you don’t need luxury finesse the Q5 might feel too polished. If you don’t tow often the Expedition’s size becomes a burden. The 4Runner, while refined, still wears off-road build and may ride firmer. The RAV4 Hybrid appeals to the sensible, but you may miss V8 drama. The Tiguan is solid, but serious buyers might dismiss the missing third-row or ultra-sport trims.
What is the long-term significance?
These five models aren’t just paper champions of their categories. They represent where the SUV segment is today and where it’s heading. The Q5 brings luxury tech and premium feel into broader reach. The Expedition shows that large SUVs still matter even as electrification advances. The 4Runner honors traditional body-on-frame capability while embracing hybrid propulsion. The RAV4 Hybrid reflects the hybrid wave sweeping through crossovers and mainstream marques. And the Tiguan demonstrates that even value-oriented models are raising their game in materials, design, and platforms.
Together they underline that SUVs remain the dominant choice for new-vehicle buyers, and that the drive for efficiency, tech integration, and capability won’t slow. If you’re buying a new SUV in 2025 or 2026, these five deserve your serious attention.
