Best large SUVs to buy 2024
Need a practical car? Look no further than the best large SUVs on sale today
Whether it's acres of interior space, imposing road presence or even off-roading capability, the best large SUVs offer a range of qualities that appeal to a wide variety of buyers. Unlike the clunky off-road-focused models of the past, modern large SUVs are much more refined and filled with tech and useful features, making them an ideal choice for families.
Our expert road testers have driven every large SUV that you can buy in the UK, and we’ve rounded up the very best models right here.
Top 10 best large SUVs
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Kia EV9
- Kia Sorento
- Nissan X-Trail
- SEAT Tarraco
- BMW X5
- Land Rover Discovery
- BMW iX
- Peugeot 5008
- Audi Q7
1. Skoda Kodiaq
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- Prices from £37,000
The first-generation Skoda Kodiaq was a solid all-rounder that offered plenty of value for money, and the brand has continued this winning formula with the Mk2 model while introducing some carefully thought out upgrades.
Just like before, the latest Skoda Kodiaq is comfortable, practical, well-built, affordable and even offers seating for up to seven people. This time around, though, this large SUV also has the option of plug-in hybrid power. Opt for this powertrain and you’ll have up to 62 miles of pure-electric range at your disposal.
Regardless of your chosen power source, the Kodiaq feels good to drive, and it handles corners with composure despite its bulky size. There’s a generous dose of standard equipment, too, including tri-zone climate control, wireless device charging and the signature Skoda umbrella.
By following the path of evolution rather than revolution for the Mk2 Kodiaq, Skoda has continued its Auto Express Large SUV of the Year winning streak. The Kodiaq has now held on to this title for three consecutive years.
2. Kia EV9
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- Prices from £65,000
- Best for practicality
Kia has been on a roll with its electric cars, the likes of the Soul EV, Niro EV and EV6 all proving popular with road testers and customers alike. The Kia EV9 is by far the brand’s largest EV yet, and it’s a very appealing one that’s packed with technology and space.
Due to its substantial size, the EV9 has seven seats fitted as standard, along with a 333-litre boot when all three rows of seats are in place. Fold the rearmost seats down, though, and the cargo capacity rises to a cavernous 828 litres. This means you can carry plenty of people and luggage without a single exhaust emission.
Powering this gargantuan electric SUV is an equally sizeable 99.8kWh battery. The Kia EV9 certainly isn’t the lightest nor the most aerodynamic electric car on the market, but it can still return up to 349 miles on the WLTP combined cycle.
3. Kia Sorento
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- Prices from £42,000
The latest Kia Sorento is a very different car to its predecessors. For your money you’ll get a seven-seater that’s filled with impressive yet easy-to-use features, a huge amount of cabin and luggage space and – perhaps most importantly for a family SUV – a plethora of safety tech as standard.
A refresh in 2024 saw the Kia Sorento get a front-end redesign that brought it closer in line with the fully-electric EV9. There’s no fully-electric option here but there is the choice of plug-in hybrid, full-hybrid or diesel power.
Step inside the Sorento and it’s clear that the cabin is finished to a high standard. Kia has also bucked an annoying trend by retaining some physical controls for the climate control. The infotainment system works very well, and the car can even park itself.
4. Nissan X-Trail
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- Prices from £35,000
While the Nissan X-Trail has a boxy and utilitarian heritage, the latest iteration is a much more refined and modern SUV. Everything feels well put together and all but the entry-level Visia trim feature plenty of on-board technology, too.
The latest X-Trail is much more comfortable to drive than previous generations, and it’s adept at cruising along the motorway. There aren’t exactly many thrills to be had, so if you’re after a sporty experience then it’d be best to look elsewhere. But if you want a calm and sensible family car, the Nissan is a solid choice.
All X-Trails are powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, but different variants use it in different ways. Standard models use the engine in a traditional sense, alongside mild-hybrid tech. Meanwhile, the X-Trail e-Power utilises the engine as a range-extending generator. Instead of providing drive, its purpose is to charge the on-board battery pack which then powers an electric motor. This helps to keep CO2 emissions down to a claimed 129g/km.
This powertrain doesn’t offer the same levels of efficiency as a plug-in hybrid, but it’s still good for up to 48.7mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, compared to regular X-Trails which are capable of returning around 40mpg at best. While this level of fuel economy isn’t particularly amazing, the Nissan’s safety is top-notch with its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Its suite of safety tech includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, and traffic sign recognition.
5. SEAT Tarraco
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- Prices from £33,500
- Best value for money
The SEAT Tarraco is a close relative of the Skoda Kodiaq, which means it’s a large seven-seat SUV engineered primarily for road use. That makes it a more fashionable alternative to a traditional MPV, although the Tarraco’s somewhat confined rear row of seats means it’s not ultimately as practical.
While it shares much of its hardware with its Skoda stablemate (that’s the VW Group ‘stable’ to which SEAT and Skoda both belong), the Tarraco rides a couple of centimetres closer to the ground than the Kodiaq, part of an engineering package that makes its handling responses just that little bit sharper. It’s arguably more sharply styled too, and generally a bit nicer to drive, although the 1.5-litre petrol engine can feel a bit strained compared with the 2.0-litre diesel.
You won’t be wanting the Tarraco for serious off-roading, so the two-wheel-drive version will satisfy most owners. Those who want to tow trailers or live in areas where extreme weather is commonplace can choose four-wheel drive.
6. BMW X5
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- Prices from £71,000
- Best driving experience
BMW took a bit of a gamble when it launched the original X5 in 1999, but it paid off handsomely. The German machine was one of the first models to prove that SUVs could be good to drive on the road, and it continues to set the class standard for driver satisfaction.
Today, it’s still undeniably a big car, but the combination of quick, well weighted steering, tight body control and strong grip means the X5 feels remarkably light on its feet. It’s also powered by a range of silky-smooth six-cylinder engines. However, it’s the xDrive50e’s plug-in hybrid powertrain that best suits the BMW, thanks to its blend of effortless power and up to 67 miles of electric range.
Adding to the car’s appeal, the interior is vast, lavishly appointed and crammed with tech, plus there’s also a versatile seven-seat option, and every model comes as standard with four-wheel drive. Factor in hushed refinement and a plush ride, and the X5 is an SUV with very few chinks in its armour.
7. Land Rover Discovery
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- Prices from £63,000
The latest Land Rover Discovery marked a shift of emphasis for the model, away from the uncompromisingly rugged appeal of its boxy predecessors and closer to the more softly styled mainstream of luxury SUVs.
That’s not to say the Disco is any less proficient off-road than its predecessors, because it’s still all-but-unbeatable when the going gets tough. But it does mean the Discovery is more car-like, more refined and more luxurious than ever before. This should make it an alluring choice for those buyers who value looks, image and seven-seat practicality above go-anywhere credentials.
In other words, the school-run drivers who were put off by the last Discovery’s macho style should find the current model less challenging. It’s also a bit more efficient thanks to an entry-level 3.0-litre mild-hybrid diesel option offered next to the 300bhp+ top models.
All Discovery variants come with electronic air suspension, eight-speed automatic gearbox and Land Rover’s Terrain Response system that optimises the car for any surface it encounters. On tarmac, the Discovery is tuned for comfort rather than speed, but easy, relaxed manners and a cavernously practical, well-equipped cabin make it the ultimate family-hauler.
8. BMW iX
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- Prices from £71,000
You should never judge a book by its cover – and when it comes to cars, no model proves this point better than the BMW iX. Controversial looks mean the BMW stands out for all the wrong reasons, but on the move, the brand’s flagship EV is a class act.
As you’d expect of a range-topping BMW, refinement is first rate, while the twin-motor all-wheel-drive set-up delivers strong performance, especially in the hot 610bhp M60 edition.
Despite its high 2.5-tonne kerb weight, the iX handles with surprising precision and agility, while the supple ride takes the sting out of bumps and potholes. Other highlights include the spacious and luxurious interior, along with cutting-edge tech and a claimed range of up to 382 miles.
9. Peugeot 5008
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- Prices from £48,000
The Peugeot 5008 is a stylish, more luxurious alternative to rivals such as the SEAT Tarraco and Skoda Kodiaq. It’s a sharp, handsome SUV with a dramatic interior that feels special. It’s well equipped, too, with Peugeot’s digital i-Cockpit, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, and a safety pack that adds blind-spot detection and lane-keeping assist to make motorway journeys a painless experience.
The Peugeot rides smoothly and is just as comfortable as its closest rivals. It doesn’t offer the last word in driving dynamics, but few SUVs of this size can; instead, the 5008 concentrates on comfort and practicality.
10. Audi Q7
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- Prices from £68,500
The Audi Q7 shares its engineering platform with the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, taking advantage of the very best of the VW Group’s technical know-how, yet retaining its own distinctive brand ‘DNA’ – from behind the wheel it feels very much an Audi.
In spite of its bulk, the Q7’s advanced chassis engineering (with optional four-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension) means it’s a rewarding and fun car to drive. It’s manoeuvrable around town yet has bags of grip and stability when you’re out on the open road and handles with surprising agility thanks in part to its relatively low weight. It’s comfortable, too, but the relatively sporty feel means it’s not quite as forgiving as a Range Rover when it hits the bumps.
A pair of smooth, powerful and efficient diesel engines and a standard eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox all help to make the Q7 a compelling choice for luxury SUV buyers.
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