2025 MotorTrend SUV of the Year: The Finalists

Whittling down a field of nearly 40 SUVs—representing 29 nameplates!—to a batch of finalists we think could go on to win MotorTrend's Golden Calipers and be named the 2025 SUV of the Year is an arduous task. We spend days in the dusty, sweltering heat of the Mojave desert in Southern California evaluating the latest SUVs' off-road acumen, road manners, and cabin flexibility, and more. These ten SUVs stood out as finalists, any of which could have a solid shot at SUV of the Year as determined by our OTY criteria—Advancement in Design, Engineering Excellence, Performance of Intended Function, Value, Efficiency, and Safety.

Read on to see which SUVs made the finalist cut (and check out the ones that didn't here), then tune in tomorrow, October 24th, for our winner:

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

At last year’s SUV of the Year test, we were charmed by the Chevrolet Trax. This year, it was the larger Equinox that arrived with a value play in the competitive compact SUV segment, and we were charmed once again. The fourth-generation Equinox is a bread-and-butter vehicle for GM, even with the addition of the fancier 2025 Equinox EV to the menu. (The two share neither a platform nor sheetmetal.) To feed the appetite of those who want an affordable SUV with a gasoline engine, the 2025 Equinox got bigger and more rugged looking, reshuffled its trim offerings, and maintained a starting price under $30,000, as promised. Head here for the full 2025 Chevrolet Equinox SUVOTY review.

2025 Hummer EV SUV

The GMC Hummer EV SUV is the vehicle we hate to love. Corner almost any SUV of the Year judge, and alone they’ll whisper the praises of this bonko-ridiculo Hummer SUV. Put us all in a room together, however, and the hand wringing begins.

“An egregious waste of precious resources, not to be encouraged,” technical director Frank Markus bellowed. Features editor Scott Evans observed, “It’s gigantic and hard to find parking for, it’s grossly inefficient, and it’s all power and no brakes, which just feels like a recipe for disaster.” Head here for the full 2025 Hummer EV SUV SUVOTY review.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe makes a statement. With Hyundai’s launch of this new generation, the Santa Fe SUV received a new look, a standard third row, and tons of tech for an attractive price. Indeed, Hyundai turned around its midsize crossover, going from an average-looking SUV to a boxy and cool crossover. The new Santa Fe became an instant favorite of MotorTrend SUV of the Year judges, and it quickly earned a spot in the finalist round for its many nice attributes.

Most judges were pleased with the performance from both the hybrid and gas engines. The 277-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four felt peppy for a family SUV, and the 231-hp 1.6-liter hybrid felt more refined, though it missed some punch. Head here for the full 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVOTY review.

2024 Kia EV9

The 2024 Kia EV9 won a lot of awards last year, which might lead you to wonder why it is competing for our top accolade now. Timing is everything: Kia scrambled to get us an early build of the three-row electric SUV in 2023, but corporate red tape meant it could not be driven on public roads. Rules are rules, so although we were intrigued driving the first mainstream three-row EV around the proving ground last year, we had to disqualify it as a contender. Head here for the full 2024 Kia EV9 SUVOTY review.

2024 Lexus GX

Some of us questioned the wisdom of building a cheaper North American Land Cruiser using the same bodywork as the Lexus GX. But this range-topping GX550 Luxury+ strikes us all as a giant leap forward for the GX brand in terms of panache and refinement, and darned if it didn’t give us Geländewagen feelz. To ensure we weren’t just hallucinating, we brought both the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX550 forward as SUV of the Year finalists, along with the Mercedes-Benz G550. Here’s how the Lexus fared. Head here for the full 2024 Lexus GX SUVOTY review.

2024 Lincoln Nautilus

The Nautilus takes the Lincoln badge to another level and gives us hope for the future of American luxury. The third-generation Nautilus does not try to be German or overly sporty. It is comfortable in its American skin as a dynamic cruiser with off-road capability when needed, plus a hybrid option to improve efficiency.

We appreciate the Lincoln’s attention to detail, from the illuminated logo up front to the gorgeous big glass volume button. There is an unexpected wow factor when you step inside. This Black Label trim has rich saddle brown Alcantara and leather seats with perforations to showcase the white layer below and match the stitching and piping. They are comfortable and well-bolstered, offering top-notch massages, but the mechanism is a bit loud. Lincoln uses an impressive amount of high-end, soft materials and lighting to create a soothing atmosphere, enhanced by the scents that waft through the cabin and the excellent Revel sound system. Head here for the full 2024 Lincoln Nautilus SUVOTY review.

2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

There was a bit of handwringing when Mercedes-Benz announced the engine in its entry-level G-Class SUV would only have six cylinders. Gone is the old G550’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, now replaced by a 3.0-liter supercharged and inline-six. Like most things on the internet these days, those fears were almost totally unfounded. Power with the mild-hybrid I-6 is up to 443 hp from 416, though torque is down to 413 lb-ft from 450. Sure, everyone (supposedly) wants a V-8, but as buyer’s guide director Zach Gale pointed out: “There will come a day when the owners won’t have a V-8 reference point. They may just see it as noise and vibration.” Head here for the full 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUVOTY review.

2025 Rivian R1S

Man, Rivian is not screwing around. The Cyberbeast version of the Tesla Cybertruck makes 845 hp you say? Bam! The new Rivian R1S Tri Motor makes 850 hp. What’s that? Model X Plaid makes 1,020 hp? The refreshed R1S Quad Motor makes 1,025 hp. The knives, so to speak, are out. The 10-cent overview of the second-generation Rivian platform is this: There are now three motor configurations to choose from in Dual, Tri, and Quad, and all of them use the brand’s own motors.

Efficiency, especially in cold weather, is up across the board thanks to the inclusion of a heat pump, among other enhancements. Updated cameras offer eight times better resolution than before, and the latest version of Rivian’s advanced driver assistance system, powered by a new chipset, is a major improvement. Head here for the full 2025 Rivian R1S SUVOTY review.

2025 Toyota Crown Signia

OMG, a wagon! Can’t you just feel the excitement? Exactly one wagon-shaped vehicle has truly broken through in the U.S. over the past couple decades, and it’s called the Subaru Outback.

Now picture a design that’s everything the rugged and chunky Outback isn’t, and you have the new 2025 Toyota Crown Signia.

It feels like we’ve seen this story before. Toyota’s midsize two-row SUV journey met with failure first with the Venza in the 2010s and then another Venza-badged SUV that’s just now ending production. The 2025 Crown Signia is Toyota’s latest attempt to break through, and would you just look at it? Head here for the full 2025 Toyota Crown Signia SUVOTY review.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was an instant favorite at MotorTrend’s 2025 SUV of the Year. The iconic off-roader has a lot going for it, making it a compelling finalist. Judges were impressed with its retro design and liked its hybrid powertrain and off-road charisma.

Every judge praised Toyota for designing the Land Cruiser with a charming face, evoking the original models from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. The First Edition model we got drew high praise from our judges for its round headlights and the Toyota name spelled out across the grille, though we wished its interior also got some of the exterior’s charm. Head here for the full 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVOTY review.