AutoGuide's 2024 Wrapped: Top 10 Best SUVs We Drove This Year

We here at AutoGuide test a lot of vehicles.

During the 2024 calendar year, we conducted well over 100 road tests as well as dozens of quick drives. For each of our longer, more encompassing reviews, we scored each vehicle based on a series of categories. As we enter the new year, we’ve gone back to look at the 10 best SUVs we drove this year. 

Well, it actually became the best 11 SUVs we drove this year, since there was a three-way tie for ninth place. Below is a recap of each vehicle that scored highest this year. 

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Cars We Drove In 2024

The new Mini Countryman is larger than the previous model by a good bit. This means the not-so-mini-Mini is even less so now. But that’s a good thing. It is now right sized for the segment while still offering Mini style inside and out. In fact, the interior is one of the funkiest currently on the market. 

The Countryman still has a bit of that Mini toss-ability, but with even more BMW-sourced refinement. Best of all the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces a lot more power this year, making the Country S blast off when hammering the accelerator. 

The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is great choice for customers that want a small SUV, but also plan to do some moderate off-roading. Unlike a lot of its competitors’ so-called rugged trims, the Crosstrek actually has the substance to back up its aggressive looks. 

Despite the off-road ability, the best part of the Wilderness is the fact it barely detracts from the Crosstrek’s on-road performance. Even with a raised body-height and all-terrain tires, it is still more responsive than many competitors. The already excellent ride quality is further enhanced, and terrific sightlines remain. 

It’s rare for a new brand to be competitive right out of the gate, but Wagoneer is doing just that. With help from other Stellantis divisions, the Grand Wagoneer L burst onto the scene has a wholly competent, well executed, full-size luxury body-on-frame SUV.

Nearly two years later, our impressions haven’t changed. The 2023 Grand Wagoneer Series III 4X4 has its quirks, but it also excels at luxury, has an abundance of power, and can still perform the tasks asked of these behemoth SUVs.

This is easily the Mazda CX-50’s best all-around trim. It’s the second-most affordable way to get the turbocharged engine, yet still has a very well-appointed, feature-rich interior. The exterior isn’t hard on the eyes either.

The real selling point for us though is the mix between response and comfort. The Meridian has it dialed in. It is more fun to drive than nearly all the competition, but with the all-terrain tires, also offers good ride comfort. The Meridian is the golden child.

Another Genesis on this list? Yes, and another SUV no less. The smaller GV70 is one of our favorite small luxury SUVs, with punchy powertrains and a truly special cabin. Yet it’s the Electrified option that might be the best of the bunch. It’s quick of course, but the slightly more laidback suspension tuning of the Electrified makes it a more pleasant daily driver too. Don’t underestimate how the hush-hush nature of EVs seriously improves the premium feel from behind the wheel. 

We put the Electrified GV70 up against the Cadillac Lyriq earlier this year in what was one of the most difficult comparisons to judge. Both of these all-electric models impressed in very different ways. While the GV70 felt livelier and has that push-to-pass Boost button, the Lyriq has more power. Both are stylish as all get out too, inside and out.

The Lyriq’s strengths are its space, range and efficiency, and the superior tech suite. Super Cruise remains an industry leader, a true USP for any GM model. We preferred the Caddy in that comparison, but on points alone, it was a dead heat.

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is a conservative small SUV, accomplishing most tasks in a straight-forward, no pizazz manner. The suspension soaks up lumpy roads better than most competitors and although the engine can feel coarse and industrial when pushing hard, the extra torque from the electric motors makes it one of the quicker small SUVs. Oh, and it’s easily one of the most efficient as well. A recipe many buyers in this segment are looking for.

There’s a lot to recommend the Kia Seltos for. It has great showroom appeal, is one of the most spacious SUVs in its class and comes full of features and options. It acts like a larger SUV but retains the small SUV footprint. 

With a choice of powertrains, the Seltos is a jack of all trades. Although it may not be a standout class leader in most regards, it’s right near the top in virtually every category. Its appeal is far reaching for a variety of demographics.

The 2024 Range Rover SV has one mission: take on the absolute best SUVs in the world. As Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maybach are now firm players in the uber-luxury sport utility segment, Range Rover looks to meet them head-on with the exclusive SV trim.

For 2024 the Range Rover SV gets a generous bump in power while retaining all the refinement, luxury, and opulence one should expect in a vehicle costing well over $200,000. It’s a dream to drive, divine for passengers, and stuffed full of opulence. 

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe succeeds in giving Hyundai’s original SUV a new lease on life. With boxier, rugged styling and a very usable third row, it should handle the needs from most buyers just fine. It’s simple to drive and offers a choice of drivetrains. 

That squared-off look also translates to plenty of practical space for passengers and cargo. Chock full of smart, family-friendly features, the Santa Fe should appeal to those looking for a right-sized three-row.