10 Most Fun-to-Drive SUVs

The term “fun-to-drive SUV” might sound like an oxymoron to those with a narrow view of what makes a vehicle fun to drive. Of course, quick acceleration, hard cornering, and face-stretching stops will qualify. But it’s just as fun to rocket up a sharp embankment, traverse a steep incline, or carefully place the tires to navigate the pile of boulders in front of you. In other words, there are many kinds of fun-to-drive SUVs. We’ve compiled a good cross-section for you with an eye toward value, assuming you’re on a relatively standard budget; if $100,000-$200,000 and up sounds reasonable, there’s another whole world of fun-to-drive SUVs out there. 

These are 10 of the most fun-to-drive SUVs. 

1. 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio 

The 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio packs poise, pep, and panache at the base level, which is good, because for 2025, the breathtaking 505-hp Quadrifoglio has been retired from the lineup ahead of an all-new generation’s expected arrival in the near future. Even the entry-level Stelvio gets a 280-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, however. No matter the spec, you’ll get a luxurious, nimble SUV with Italian styling and a surprisingly reasonable price tag.

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2. 2026 BMW X1

The BMW X1 is as engaging as you’d expect of any car wearing the Roundel, whether you choose the base xDrive28i model or the punchy M35i xDrive spec, which boosts output from the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder of the xDrive28i from 241 hp to 312 hp. The result is an X1 that accelerates to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. It’s electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph. The X1 M35i also gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, BMW’s Adaptive M Suspension, speed-sensitive sport steering, 19-inch M-brand alloy wheels, and unique appearance elements. The X1 M35i is the first BMW M Performance model to offer the option of M Compound brakes. These have 4-piston fixed calipers grabbing 15.2-inch drilled front rotors at the front and single-piston floating calipers braking 13.0-inch rotors at the rear.

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3. 2025 Ford Bronco 

The Ford Bronco is a standard bearer for the idea that there’s more than one kind of “fun to drive.” Eschewing quick acceleration figures in favor of ground clearance and off-road traction, the 2025 Bronco is available in many trims, and they’re all fun. For the 2025 model year, the Base trim returns, and a Stroppe Special edition gives a nod to the original Baja Bronco. There’s also the borderline-bonkers Bronco Raptor. It packs a 418-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, 4-wheel drive (4WD), massive 37-inch all-terrain tires, and many other off-road upgrades. Even the base 2-door model is ready to hit the trails, so you don’t have to break the bank to have fun in a Bronco.

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4. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Based on the familiar and fun, yet more family-oriented Ioniq 5, the 2025 Ioniq 5 N is an all-new performance entry. Rated for 601 hp all the time and 641 hp in boost mode, the Ioniq 5 N’s powertrain is closely related to that found in the Kia EV6 GT below. Here, it also drives all four wheels, and it comes with adaptive suspension as standard equipment. Even the tires were specifically developed for the Ioniq 5 N to ensure they’re as fun to drive as they are quiet. With all that power and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Ioniq 5 N is supremely quick, running from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

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5. 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

A plug-in hybrid Jeep on a most-fun-to-drive list? No, this isn’t Upside-Down Day. The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a genuinely fun vehicle to drive, especially when the pavement ends and you’re in the Trailhawk trim. Opting for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant of the Grand Cherokee is the only way to get the Trailhawk model these days. The Trailhawk gets the most off-road-capable and rugged equipment list. So, for maximum fun, this is the model you’ll want.

The Trailhawk trim includes Quadra-Trac II 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case, Quadra-Lift air suspension with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, and a range of appearance upgrades. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s PHEV system is good for 26 miles of all-electric range, 375 hp, and 470 lb-ft of torque. It has a tow rating of up to 6,000 pounds.

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6. 2025 Kia EV6

Based on the same EV architecture as the Genesis GV60, the 2025 Kia EV6 is a striking EV with a solid range and performance even in base form. For ultimate performance, upgrade to the range-topping EV6 GT. You go from rear-wheel drive (RWD) to all-wheel drive and get nearly quadruple the power over the base 167-hp California-only EV6 Light trim. That’s right, the EV6 GT is rated at 601 hp (641 hp in Launch Mode) and 545 lb-ft of torque from its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive, 77.4-kWh battery powertrain.

With all that power on tap, the EV6 GT accelerates quickly, hitting 60 mph from a stop in just 3.4 seconds. It charges just as quickly, going from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes with DC fast charging. While the less potent variants of the EV6 score up to 310 miles on a charge, the EV6 GT’s prodigious power output shaves that figure down to 206 miles per charge.

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7. 2025 Mazda CX-50 

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 carries into the new model year essentially unchanged from its debut for the 2023 model year. It’s still among the best-driving SUVs, especially considering the $38,000 starting price of the CX-50 2.5 Turbo. That nets you a 227-hp, 320-lb-ft-of-torque, 2.5-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. The CX-50 has the handling of a sports sedan, an upscale cabin with premium materials and design, smart daily-use features, lots of rear-seat legroom, and a dashing, sporty look. If you don’t need power to have plenty of fun behind the wheel, even the base model gets Mazda’s signature steering tune, excellent ride, and well-controlled body motion.

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8. 2026 Nissan Kicks

All-new last year, the 2026 Nissan Kicks is the least powerful, slowest, and least expensive vehicle on this list, but it’s still fun to drive. Sure, there’s only 141 hp on tap, and all-wheel drive is optional, but it’s not thrust or rock-crawling that makes the Kicks such a hit. What is clearly a hit is the Kicks’ dramatic exterior style and interior design. Futuristic, new, and special in a way that few cars four times its price can manage, driving the Kicks is a fun, rewarding experience, even if you’re just making the weekly grocery run.

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9. 2026 Porsche Macan

Ease up, Porschephiles; the Macan is only this far down the list because it’s alphabetical. The Macan would be at the top if this list were ordered by merit. From the base Macan to the 434-hp GTS, every trim and spec is engaging, tactile, and fun, even at non-ridiculous speeds. There’s every reason to choose the potent 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6s in the Macan S (375 hp) and GTS. But the Macan T makes a case for being the enthusiast’s choice, even though the 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder of the base Macan powers it. Why? The Macan T also receives many upgrades from the S and GTS. These include an adaptive air suspension (PASM), Sport Chrono package, Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+), and upgraded anti-roll bars. Yes, there’s also an all-electric version of the Macan, which is also fun to drive. However, unless you absolutely must have an EV, the regular Macan is a better value.

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10. 2025 Subaru Forester 

All-new for 2025, the new Subaru Forester is as capable and enjoyable as the previous model, even straight off the lot in base trim. The pinnacle of Forester fun is the off-road-focused Wilderness. In addition to more rugged looks, the Forester Wilderness gets increased ground clearance (from 8.7 inches to 9.2), off-road tires, and an upgraded dual-function X-Mode all-wheel-drive system with deep snow and mud settings.

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10 Most Fun-to-Drive SUVs

1. 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
2. 2026 BMW X1 
3. 2025 Ford Bronco 
4. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
5. 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
6. 2025 Kia EV6
7. 2025 Mazda CX-50 
8. 2026 Nissan Kicks
9. 2026 Porsche Macan 
10. 2025 Subaru Forester