Some of the best SUVs to buy in 2026 are already available, but with so many choices, which one matches your lifestyle? SUV (sports utility vehicle) popularity has surged, with more automotive brands offering an expanded range of specifications, sizes, powertrains, and price points, proving just how much choice you get with the versatile SUV.
Whether you’re after a compact SUV for your daily commute or something larger and more luxurious for an expanding family, there's always a new or used SUV to complement your lifestyle.
But with a plethora of SUV options comes endless hours, days, or even weeks spent deciding which is right for you. Fortunately, we've selected several of the best SUVs to buy in 2026 to make that decision easier.
So whether you've got a compact SUV in mind, you're leaning towards a hybrid, or you're considering a combination of both, read on.
- MG HS
- BYD SEAL U DM-i
- Jeep® Compass
- Kia Sorento
- Ford Kuga
- Hyundai IONIQ 9
- Citroën C3 Aircross
- Nissan Qashqai
- Škoda Kodiaq
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
MG HS
- Pros: Excellent value for money in the hybrid SUV and a decent amount of standard tech and equipment across all trims
- Cons: Brand image not as strong as some competitors
Family-sized with a nice-looking interior, the MG HS SUV gives us the best of both worlds. From the outside, it's got smooth lines that define the new MG look, while the inside offers plenty of room for five reasonably sized adults or a barrage of children. The boot space isn't bad either, with 507 litres available, which makes the SUV a go-to for family holidays or long weekends.
This SUV offers multiple powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a petrol option. The hybrid is the more efficient choice. The petrol engine is lively, but the Hybrid+ model, which pairs it with a powerful motor, is where it really sings. MG HS Hybrid+ seamlessly switches between EV, Hybrid, and Petrol modes based on your driving environment, optimising performance.
With plenty of tech and a solid drive, the MG HS is a great SUV for first-time hybrid buyers and budget-conscious families.
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- Pros: Large cabin and sizable boot for families, and an excellent electric-only range
- Cons: Brand is still relatively new in the UK, with a driving experience that prioritises comfort over driver experience
At first glance, the BYD SEAL U DM-i could be mistaken for a Porsche Cayenne. While it isn’t, it certainly channels some of the German brand’s spirit.
This family SUV is available in multiple trims including Boost, Comfort, and Design. All trims feature a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an all-electric motor. The Design features AWD and a turbocharger, giving it a bit more power at 319bhp.
The electric-only range is about 50 miles for Boost and Design, and 78 miles for Comfort. Combined, the range across all trims reaches 699 miles. The spacious interior and 425-litre boot (up to 1,440 litres with seats down) make it suited for families and travel.
For those wanting lots of standard kit and plenty of range, the BYD SEAL U DM-i is a compelling alternative option to the norm and should definitely be on your radar.
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- Pros: Distinctive Jeep styling and plenty of boot space for the class
- Cons: Not a true off-roader
If you appreciate Jeep's rugged DNA and styling, the Jeep Compass is an excellent SUV crossover. Its iconic Jeep look creates a recognisable silhouette, while spacious seating welcomes your off-road companions.
Currently, you can opt for a mild hybrid with a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and motor, producing a sprightly 143bhp, or go fully electric with more torque and a 310-mile range from a 74kWh battery. A PHEV is on the horizon, but few details are available. The ride height is suitable, as expected, but it isn’t a true off-roader. While it can handle country trails, tackling the Sahara would be ambitious.
The interior offers excellent driver and passenger comfort and an easy-to-use interface, which can feel like sitting in a fighter jet for those upgrading to a newer car. Thankfully, the Jeep makes it simple.
The boot space is exceptional, with 550 litres available for all your big things. It comes in various trims, including the Altitude and First Edition, with the latter having more toys to play with, such as a rear-view camera and wireless charger. Both trims can be hybrid or electric, so you can configure them to your liking.
You'll love this Jeep SUV for its rugged Jeep branding, included equipment, and overall performance.
Search New Jeep Compass Search Used Jeep CompassKia Sorento
- Pros: Authentic seven-seat usability and a smooth ride for families, plus a good towing capability
- Cons: Larger size can feel chunky in urban driving
A formidable choice, the Kia Sorento is a true seven-seater family SUV offering AWD and a wide selection of powertrains. The base model features a 2.2-litre diesel engine, delivering ample power for motorway cruising, even when fully loaded. Alternative options include a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, both paired with 1.6-litre petrol engines, providing strong performance to move the Sorento’s substantial frame.
The touchscreen is user-friendly, and the seven seats actually fit seven people, with the rear seats featuring cupholders, air conditioning, and USB. Nobody gets left behind with comfort in this SUV. And if you have a dog, it can keep its coffee safe without spilling it while also keeping cool in summer, thanks to air conditioning.
With the seats out, the boot space is huge, with a tremendous 813 litres as standard and 1,996 litres with all seats folded down. The drive on all three powertrains is competent, with plenty of poke for overtaking and motorway use, plus enough for towing.
If you've got a large family or three Bernese Mountain Dogs, and you want a well-rounded SUV that ticks all the boxes, the Kia Sorento is one of the best SUVs around.
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- Pros: Plenty of powertrain choices and a comfortable motorway performance
- Cons: Interior materials are ok, and the aesthetics are safe rather than lively
Everyone loves a Ford, and the Ford Kuga is no exception, with the latest generation offering a plethora of variations to ensure it perfectly matches almost any family's lifestyle. The line-up consists of a perky 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, as well as full hybrid and plug-in hybrid options for improved performance and efficiency. All powertrains perform well and will pull generously along the motorway. It's a really great SUV that lets you whittle down to your personal preferences.
Inside, alongside its touchscreen, it has plenty of tactile control with knobs and buttons for those who like a balance of the two. It's got plenty of room for four adults, five at a squeeze, and of course, it's a winner for a family. The boot space measures 412 litres, and if you slide the rear seats forward a bit, you'll get an extra 140 litres.
In terms of SUVs, the Ford Kuga is a solid all-rounder. A nice gateway family SUV for those who haven't owned a SUV before. And you never know, you might even stay with it.
Search New Ford Kuga Search Used Ford KugaHyundai IONIQ 9
- Pros: Spacious six- or seven-seat layout, with strong electric performance, especially AWD versions
- Cons: Large size may not suit all.
For seasoned SUV owners, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 is an obvious top pick. This premium all-electric option targets drivers seeking a sophisticated, spacious family SUV.
It comes in various trim levels, including the Premium, Ultimate, and Calligraphy, with the latter having the most bells and whistles added to it.
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 also has numerous powertrains. The Long-Range RWD model has a 160kW rear motor, while the Long-Range AWD model has a 66kW front motor and a 160kW rear motor. Finally, the Performance AWD version is powered by 157kW motors front and rear, making this particular setup a hot-rodded tank, if that's your thing.
It can be configured with six or seven seats and, like all Hyundai models, it has a very user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system. That's especially useful with the amount of tech loaded into this SUV. It’s also gadget-friendly. There are six USB-C ports along all three rows of seats, so that everyone can remain occupied by their smart devices and be less of a distraction to the driver.
This is one of the best SUVs to buy that's all-electric with plenty of space and comfort, power, and a lot of range for those faraway family weekend excursions.
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- Pros: Affordable entry point into the SUV world with an optional seven-seat layout.
- Cons: Limited performance, especially with a petrol engine.
The thing about the Citroën C3 Aircross is that the standard spec comes with five seats, but for a little extra, you can upgrade the interior to a seven-seater, which, for an affordable and compact SUV, is a great addition.
Its SUV boxy shape might not appeal to everyone, but what it lacks in super-smooth styling it makes up for with simple options: two trims (Plus and Max), three powertrains, and, of course, the seven-seat add-on. The three powertrains available are a perky little petrol kicking out 99bhp, a self-charging hybrid, and an all-electric version. On all trims, suspension is good, which you would expect from a Citroën.
The interior is simple (although it's not going to win any fashion awards), with a fairly easy-to-use infotainment screen and enough room for the family to relax. The seven-seater option is surprisingly roomy, but you will lose some boot space. The standard C3 Aircross comes with 460 litres of boot space, which is great for trips away with the whole family.
This compact SUV is another option for those entering the SUV market, and with its seven-seat option, it is one of the most affordable with a large cabin at the lower end of the market.
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- Pros: Proven reliability and a comfortable, spacious cabin for families
- Cons: Conservative styling and a competent performance
When discussing the best SUVs to buy in 2026, you can't miss off the old favourite, the trusty Nissan Qashqai. This mid-size SUV has been around since 2007 and has grown in popularity, attracting repeat buyers across the UK.
The latest Nissan Qashqai models, with six trims and lots of extras to choose from, come with two mild-hybrid powertrains and an unusual e-Power hybrid drivetrain. The latter combines a petrol engine that isn’t connected to the wheels. Instead, it can either power an EV motor or charge a compact 1.8kWh battery. So, unusual, yes, but it's one of the most economical SUVs available at around 64mpg.
The interior is roomy with plenty of space for the family or five adults, without feeling squashed, and the tech is simple, with lots of physical knobs and buttons for the traditional driver. The boot space is a good 479 litres, and with the seats folded down, you get 1,415 litres. Enough for plenty of large-sized dogs and/or suitcases.
Being a Nissan, the Qashqai is a solid choice. A family SUV that doesn't spark any flashes, but will be a reliable partner for your family for many years to come.
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- Pros: Outstanding boot space, especially the five-seat version, with excellent value compared to premium rivals
- Cons: Large size can be awkward for country roads and urban manoeuvring
Remember the days when the name Škoda brought shame and finger-pointing? Well, that has been well and truly buried. Especially with the Škoda Kodiaq, a family SUV that seems to get everything spot on. And its grill gives you tough nut vibes.
Firstly, you can choose a five- or seven-seater, making it an easy decision depending on who or what you're ferrying. There are several trims available to match your needs, in both seat configurations.
Surprisingly, there are also many options for powertrains, with two petrols (one with mild-hybrid tech), two diesels, and a PHEV (only in the five seater), apart from the vRS, which has a quick 265bhp if you want to haul this huge tank of an SUV slightly quicker along the motorway.
Let's face it, you don't buy a seven-seater SUV to outgun anything along the motorway. You buy it so you can take your large family in comfort from A to B. Inside, it's comfort all around, and Škoda goes hard on sustainability, with some seat fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles.
For the five-seater, the boot space is huge, being 900 litres standard and 2,000 litres with seats down. You get a little less with the seven seats, but it's still admirable.
The Škoda Kodiaq is a brilliant large SUV option you'll love, whichever trim or powertrain you choose. It drives firmly and has plenty of tech to keep you happy. A value alternative to more premium rivals.
Search Used Škoda KodiaqMercedes-Benz GLC
- Pros: Premium choice with high-quality interior and comfort, and a strong range of powertrains
- Cons: Expensive compared to rivals and more compact boot space in PHEV powertrains
For premium SUVs, look no further than the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz GLC. As ever, it looks great and comes in multiple trims, plus a Mercedes-AMG variant; and they all look smart.
Landing with mild hybrid-assisted petrol and diesel powertrains, plus a couple of PHEVs, you get plenty of choice that suits your driving style. Plenty of power for cruising and towing is also available, ensuring the car doesn’t feel sluggish.
Notably, the Mercedes-AMG option comes with a whopping 640bhp, which, of course, is still perfectly suitable for a family SUV. If you want an SUV that can move your large family about in comfort, and then have some driving fun on twisty roads.
Inside, you get all the usual premium features you'd expect from a Mercedes-Benz, including an easy-to-navigate infotainment touchscreen. Comfort is paramount, with room for the whole family and adults in the back. Although the central positioned human has to straddle a sizable transmission tunnel. The boot space is 620 litres, except on PHEVs, which drop to 400 litres due to the battery.
A new Mercedes-Benz is a premium purchase with equipment and style to match. Sure, there are plenty of other great SUV options in a lower price bracket that will meet your requirements and surpass your expectations, but if you want a Mercedes-Benz SUV, you can't go wrong with the GLC.
Search Used Mercedes-Benz GLCFrequently Asked Questions
Simply put, an SUV is a sports utility vehicle. It blends car features with off-road details. SUVs usually offer plenty of seating options, a higher ride height, and ample boot space, making them a go-to for families.
There isn’t a single best SUV in 2026, but there will always be one that’s best suited for you. Larger SUVs such as the IONIQ 9 offer bundles of space and a tonne of tech, while smaller SUVs such as the Kia EV3 and Vauxhall Frontera are more economical to run while still being plenty practical for most. We'd recommend test driving a couple of your favourites to ensure you enjoy what they offer before making your final decision.
Because of their size and weight, some SUVs can have poorer fuel efficiency than standard cars. However, with improved powertrain options, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full-electric, poor fuel economy is becoming a thing of the past.
Some of the best SUVs for sale in the UK are all-electric. With better charging infrastructure across the UK and ongoing advances in electric motor tech, owning an all-electric SUV in 2026 is certainly viable.
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Choosing the right SUV comes down to personal preference and what matters most to you. Whether you're strictly after a PHEV, have your heart set on a specific brand, or you want something large, but affordable, there's always an SUV that'll match your lifestyle. We’d recommend considering your driving style, who your travelling companions are, and where your adventures usually take you. Explore trims, different powertrains, and what equipment means the most to you. All of these details will help you narrow down your search to find the perfect vehicle.
Ready to take the next step? Our extensive range of new and used SUVs is home to a variety of models from the world's best-known manufacturers. Alternatively, if you're not quite ready to decide, we have a plethora of helpful buying guides to help make your decision easier.
