SUVs are the staple of car companies today – the market can’t get enough of them. Every automaker has them – in fact, some automakers like Buick offer only SUVs and crossovers – the Enclave, Envista, Encore, and Envision models are all the automaker sells these days. That’s because next to pickup trucks, crossovers and SUVs are what Americans buy most.

And since this popularity isn’t waning, there are a few exciting models on the horizon in 2025 and beyong. These are some of the most crucial models that automakers will be bringing out. The automotive industry is tough today with many whose share prices have taken a huge hit. Some of the models below could be possible lifesavers for their respective brands.

To be eligible for this list, cars need to be all-new and arriving in 2025 or 2026; the list was whittled down based on discussion with experts in the industry. They are ranked according to the potential impact they would have on the market, as well as how important they are to the marque producing them.

10

2025 Audi Q5

Expected Starting Price: Around $48,000

With the Q5 being Audi’s most popular model, in terms of global sales, the new, third-generation model will be keenly watched. Just like the Audi A5 business sedan (we drove the new S5 recently), the new Q5 is based on the Ingolstadt-based marque’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. The new Q5 will initially be offered with a 48V mild-hybrid turbocharged gas powertrains, with PHEV derivatives to be added later. The new Audi SUV sports a sharper look front the front, alongside a tech-laden cabin full of digital screens and the latest technology.

“As the second model of our new generation of highly efficient combustion engines, this new edition of the successful model marks the next important step in the rejuvenation of our portfolio.”

– Gernot Döllner, Audi CEO

As the big, traditional automakers are coming under pressure from cheaper Chinese imports into their core markets, it will be interesting to see how its customers will react to the new Q5. The compact SUV is smack bang in the middle of where most of the Chinese are competing. The European automakers need to keep their sales volumes up, and in this regard a successful roll-out of the new Q5 is crucial for Audi. Pricing has yet to be confirmed on the third-gen models.

9

2025 Buick Electra E5

Starting Price: From $50,000

Buick is pulling out all the stops for its first foray into the electric vehicle range. With Electra – a name from its gas-powered past – as the new umbrella brand for all its new EVs, the E5 will be the first Electra model to be launched into this segment. The E5 is a midsize SUV running on General Motors’ Ultium platform specially designed for EVs. The E5 will also be made and sold in China.

The new-gen Buick will have a modern cabin complete with a wrap-around digital screen from where you will access all the car’s infotainment and user functions. Considering the E5 is technically similar to Cadillac’s Lyriq, we expect an e-motor producing around 340 horsepower and a driving range of 300 miles on a full charge. Not only is an expanded portfolio vital for this automaker that only has four models on sale in the US at present, but a move to electric is important as the world slowly evolves to EVs.

8

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Starting Price: $127,900

The electric version of the big daddy Caddy, the Cadillac Escalade, costs nearly $130k to start, but will form the top-of-the-range model for Cadillac, sitting atop the two-row Lyriq and the three-row Vistiq. Thanks to two e-motors, each on one axle, it will have all-wheel drive as standard. GM says a range of 460 miles is possible, and makes a big deal of this being the “longest range on any SUV”.

It will be interesting how the Escalade IQ performs on the road. The Escalade has always been associated with opulence and poor fuel economy, but the new IQ aims to address its lack of green credentials by being a battery-driven vehicle. The Caddy EV shares its platform with the Hummer EV and Chevy Silverado EV, but has its own distinct styling. Caddy has done a lot to move to electrification – and seeing how the brand pulls of electrifying an icon will be very important; it’s also one of just a small niche of full-size electric SUVs on the market at present.

7

2026 Honda Passport

Starting Price: Mid-$40,000

A redesigned Honda Passport will make it to dealerships this year, again featuring an unibody architecture, which it shares with the Pilot SUV. The Passport remains a two-row offering with seating for five, but thanks to a longer wheelbase, the Passport will add extra legroom in the rear, though. Another bonus is that it gets the revised, more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine. The engine sends its power to all four wheels permanently thanks to a new ten-speed automatic gearbox, up from the previous 9-speed ‘box.

The big news is the new TrailSport model – the first in Honda’s stable to be truly off-road ready, with forged steel suspension, skid plates, recovery hooks and 8.3 inch ground clearance. This model puts Honda on a much more even footing with rivals that offer true off-roaders.

“The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport is the most off-road capable Honda SUV ever, with standard rugged features, including off-road tuned suspension, expanded all-wheel drive system capabilities, robust steel skid plates, bright orange heavy-duty recovery hooks, specially engineered all-terrain tires and more, to get weekend adventurers even farther down the trail or up the mountain.”

6

2024 Jeep Wagoneer S

Starting Price: $70,200

Despite being a 2024 model, the Jeep Wagoneer S took its time arriving on the scene, so it’s been included on this list as 2025 will finally have these models delivered to buyers. This is Jeep’s first battery-powered SUV and it arrives sporting a body that’s slightly bigger than the current gas-powered Grand Cherokee. Built on the Stellantis STLA Large platform, the Wagoneer S is claimed to deliver a composed driving experience. This is down to a new driving mode system which utilizes torque vectoring between the front and rear axles for instant torque response. The system can also disconnect the drive to the front wheels to save battery power when cruising.

Why is it so important? Well, Jeep’s mission is to have a fully electrified portfolio within the next couple of years, and to ensure that 50% of its vehicles on sale in the US are EVS by 2030. That’s not so far off, and with only the Grand Cherokee 4xe and Wrangler 4xe electrified (which are plug-in hybrids, not electric), this is the logical next step. As the first fully electric Jeep, the Wagoneer S is crucial.

5

2026 Kia EV3

Starting Price: Mid-$30,000

Kia is gradually growing its EV lineup with the addition this year of the new subcompact, the 2026 Kia EV3. It will slot in below both the three-row EV9 and two-row EV6. Styling wise, it borrows more from the bigger EV9’s boxy appearance than the smaller sibling’s more rounded looks.

It’s an important model for Kia as the Korean company is hoping to corner a bigger slice of the market, and since it already has numerous other entrants in the market, the slight-sized EV sits right where margins are lower but sales volumes are potentially bigger. It will also hopefully be eligible for tax credits, bringing its cost right down. This could be the stepping stone for many car buyers wanting to get into EV ownership.

4

2026 Tesla Model Y

Expected Starting Price: Upper $40,000

As competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Cadillac Lyriq, and Ford Mustang Mach-E continue to improve, Tesla can’t hang around doing anything. The brand is known for making minimal changes in the middle of the year, so it’s nice to see a substantially changed model on the horizon. Especially when it pertains to the popular Model Y. It debuted in 2019 and has remained relatively similar throughout its lifespan, so this decent update, code named ‘Juniper’ is highly anticipated You’ll recognize the updated version by the trendy, full-width light bar in the grill, and the reshaped bumpers front and rear.

Inside, the seats sport more comfort and support along with ventilation. The dashboard has a new design, and the indicators are now integrated into the steering wheel. We’re not fully aware of specs just yet, but we assume an improvement on all fronts – from performance to efficiency. We’ve been shown some global specs, but nothing concrete for the American versions just yet. Either way, the update will make the Model Y even more competitive in the segment.

3

2025 Toyota 4Runner

Starting Price: $40,770

It’s been a while since the new 4Runner was announced, but it’s finally here – and it’s all new. The new model, which shares its platform with the new Tacoma, is slightly bigger than the previous one, and looks much more modern inside and outside than before. Two engines will be available to choose from, a turbocharged 2.4-liter and a hybrid version.

Optional tech features include a touchscreen, a head-up display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The off-road trim will also come standard with four-wheel-drive and a low-range gearbox, available in different guises. With this new 4Runner, Toyota has one of its youngest off-road-ranges in a long time, with several of its other models also being revamped in the past two years. This bring the popular model into modern era.

2

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

Expected Starting Price: $35,000

Following the launch of the new Subaru Forester this year, Subaru is gearing up for its first hybrid model in the States in the shape of the new Forester Hybrid, due at the end of 2025 – sooner than we’d originally thought. The previous Forester was already available as a hybrid in Europe, but this is a first for the US market. The Japanese brand does have some catching up to do here. Its biggest rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson all offer hybrids that sell well. With the market still cautious towards the practicality of full-on electric vehicles, automakers are investing a lot of time in the development of hybrid power trains, so this is a big step forward for Subaru here.

1

2025 Nissan Murano

Starting Price: $40,470

The difficult times Nissan finds itself in currently is widely known, so the arrival of a new Nissan Murano for 2025 could quite possibly be just what the automaker needs. The Murano simply has to be popular as a midsize SUV, and to do that, it has to come guns blazing. We drove it to find out if it does actually do enough to be life-saving, and we think there’s something in it.

The new Murano has a stylish, elongated design focusing on a lifestyle experience and comfort, with a lineup that promises more premium accouterments. The powertrain also offers some improvement and its pricing is competitive. Let’s cross fingers tht the new, fourth-generation Murano can make some inroads in a busy market and give Nissan new life.

Sources: Nissan, Audi, Subaru, Toyota, Audi