By Rex Sanchez
Crossovers have quickly become the most popular cars of all time, pushing out hatchbacks and sedans, and even encroaching on the territory of their larger siblings - SUVs. They may not be as practical as a larger car, but their smaller size makes them ideal for the tighter streets of the city. A crossover SUV, or CUV, is a nice compromise for shoppers who want to maximize practicality without sacrificing mobility. In the USA, buyers want the best of everything, so vehicles that embody this philosophy are bound to sell. This explains the fierce competition as brands flood the US market with more models in various configurations. Thanks to our in-depth reviews and comprehensive scoring system, we have rated all the best crossovers of 2024 for you.
2023 Hyundai Kona N
9.4/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $34,950
- Fuel Economy
- 20/27 MPG
- Horsepower
- 276 hp
2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
9.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $32,575
- Fuel Economy
- 38/38 MPG
- Horsepower
- 226 hp
2024 Volvo XC40
9.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $40,500
- Fuel Economy
- 24/30 MPG
- Horsepower
- 247 hp
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,220
- Fuel Economy
- 45/38 MPG
- Horsepower
- 196 hp
2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $31,725
- Fuel Economy
- 41/38/39 mpg
- Horsepower
- 219 hp
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $42,995
- Fuel Economy
- 110/96 MPG
- Horsepower
- 266 hp
2024 Genesis GV60
9.1/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $52,000
- Fuel Economy
- 125/99 MPG
- Horsepower
- 225 hp
2024 Kia Soul
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $20,190
- Fuel Economy
- 29/35 MPG
- Horsepower
- 147 hp
2024 Kia Seltos
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $22,840
- Fuel Economy
- 28/34/31 mpg (2.0L/FWD) | 27/31/29 mpg (2.0L/AWD) | 25/27/26 mpg (1.6T/AWD)
- Horsepower
- 146 hp
2024 Mazda CX-30
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $24,995
- Fuel Economy
- 26/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 191-250 hp
2024 Hyundai Tucson
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $27,500
- Fuel Economy
- 25/32 MPG
- Horsepower
- 187 hp
2024 Lexus NX Hybrid
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $43,465
- Fuel Economy
- 41/37 MPG
- Horsepower
- 240 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35
2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge
9.0/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $57,200
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 455 hp
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $23,860
- Fuel Economy
- 31/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 169 hp
2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,590
- Fuel Economy
- 42/44 MPG
- Horsepower
- 227 hp
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $38,995
- Fuel Economy
- 115/99 MPG
- Horsepower
- 145 hp
2024 Lexus NX
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $39,455
- Fuel Economy
- 26/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 203 hp
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $39,800
- Fuel Economy
- 24/32 MPG
- Horsepower
- 221 hp
2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $43,845
- Fuel Economy
- 77 MPGe/29 mpg combined (PHEV)
- Horsepower
- 285 hp
2024 Genesis GV70
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $45,150
- Fuel Economy
- 22/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 300 hp
2024 Volvo XC60
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $46,900
- Fuel Economy
- 22/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 247 hp
2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $53,550
- Fuel Economy
- 92/79 MPG
- Horsepower
- 402 hp
2024 Hyundai Venue
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $19,900
- Fuel Economy
- 29/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 121 hp
2024 Mazda CX-5
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $29,300
- Fuel Economy
- 26/31/28 mpg (base) | 22/27/24 mpg (Turbo)
- Horsepower
- 187 hp (base) | Up to 256 hp (Turbo)
2024 Ford Bronco Sport
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $31,230
- Fuel Economy
- 25/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 181 hp
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $41,800
- Fuel Economy
- 127/94 MPG
- Horsepower
- 168 hp
2023 Tesla Model Y
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $43,990
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 272 hp
2024 BMW X3
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $46,900
- Fuel Economy
- 23/29 MPG
- Horsepower
- 248 hp
2024 BMW X4
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $55,000
- Fuel Economy
- 21/28 MPG
- Horsepower
- 248 hp
2023 Genesis Electrified GV70
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $65,850
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 429 hp
2024 BMW iX
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $87,100
- Fuel Economy
- 83/82 MPG
- Horsepower
- 516 hp
2024 Subaru Forester
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $27,095
- Fuel Economy
- 26/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 182 hp
2024 Kia Sportage
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $27,190
- Fuel Economy
- 25/33 MPG
- Horsepower
- 187 hp
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $27,800
- Fuel Economy
- 125/104 MPG
- Horsepower
- 200 hp
2024 Toyota RAV4
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,675
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 203 hp
2024 Audi Q3
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $37,400
- Fuel Economy
- 22/29 MPG
- Horsepower
- 184 hp
2024 Lincoln Corsair
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $38,830
- Fuel Economy
- 22/30 MPG
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
2024 BMW X1
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $40,500
- Fuel Economy
- 25/34 MPG
- Horsepower
- 241 hp
2023 Volvo C40 Recharge
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $55,300
- Fuel Economy
- 94/80 MPG
- Horsepower
- 402 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45
2024 Audi Q5 Hybrid
8.6/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $58,500
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 362 hp
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $28,395
- Fuel Economy
- 24/31 MPG
- Horsepower
- 181 hp
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35
2024 Porsche Macan
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $60,900
- Fuel Economy
- 19/25 MPG
- Horsepower
- 261 hp
2024 Buick Envista
8.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $22,400
- Fuel Economy
- 28/32/30 mpg
- Horsepower
- 137 hp
2023 Honda HR-V
8.3/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $23,800
- Fuel Economy
- 26/32 MPG
- Horsepower
- 158 hp
2020 Volvo XC60 Hybrid
8.9/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $53,950
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 400 hp
2021 BMW X3 Hybrid
8.8/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $49,600
- Fuel Economy
- TBC
- Horsepower
- 180 hp
2021 Porsche Macan Turbo
8.5/10
What is Buzzscore?
- Base MSRP
- $84,600
- Fuel Economy
- 17/21 MPG
- Horsepower
- 375 hp
Characteristics of Top-Rated Crossovers
Even as new crossovers hit the market in greater numbers, the differences between each model are not as big as you may think. These are vehicles designed to fill a specific niche, so they naturally need to tick certain boxes. As such, you can expect to see a lot of similarities in any comparison between the top crossovers. The qualities you will most likely see extolled, or criticized, in our ratings include:
What to Consider Before Buying a Crossover
Despite their popularity, crossovers are not perfect. Just like any other body style, they have certain strengths and flaws that you should be aware of. Even models at the top of our crossover ratings share many of these qualities. So, before you commit yourself to five to seven years behind the wheel of one, carefully weigh the pros and cons:
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Better-than-average mpg figures
- Nimble around town
- More practical than a sedan
- Comfortable, featureful cabins that are easy to live with
Cons
- Generally not very powerful
- Limited towing capacities
- Low price often means low-quality materials
- Lack the utility and versatility of larger SUVs
FAQs about CUVs
What is the difference between a crossover and an SUV?
It all comes down to the frame. Traditional SUVs are built on pickup truck platforms, which explains their ruggedness, high weight, and ability to go just about anywhere. Crossovers, on the other hand, make use of sedan platforms, which means they have a much smaller footprint and handle far more dextrously. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses to impart.
What are the best crossover brands on the market?
There are plenty of great options out there to be sure. However, our personal opinions draw us more towards brands like Kia and Mazda for value and dependability or Mercedes-Benz and Tesla for luxury and comfort.
What are the top-rated 2022 crossovers?
Everyone has their own take on which car comes out on top, and even we have a hard time picking a winner in this segment. The Kia Soul is impossible to dismiss for its extremely low asking price, great warranty, and great fuel economy, but it lacks features at base level as its looks are not for everyone. The Telsa Model Y is more modern and has the added benefit of being all-electric. However, it is one of the most expensive crossovers out there.
