Car and Driver’s 2023 rankings name the Genesis GV70 the top compact luxury SUV, the Genesis GV80, Porsche Cayenne, and BMW X5 as co-leaders among midsize SUVs, and the BMW X7 the top full-size pick. Those are source-attributed rankings, not a universal answer: the right choice depends on how much room you need and whether you prioritize comfort, driving enjoyment, utility, fuel economy, or price.
How Car and Driver ranked the 2023 luxury SUVs
Car and Driver says its rankings use a 10-point scale and roughly 200 data points covering acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and driving enjoyment. Its results combine instrumented testing with editors’ subjective impressions from real-world driving. The score helps identify strong candidates, but it does not decide which size or tradeoff fits a particular buyer.
Best 2023 luxury SUVs by size
| Size | Car and Driver rank and score | Best-supported strength | Source-stated caveat or tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | Genesis GV70, first; 10/10 | Driving enjoyment with a higher seating position and more cargo room than the related G70 sedan. | The ranking’s cited rationale does not identify a specific caveat for the GV70. The next-ranked Mercedes-Benz GLC was all-new for 2023, but Car and Driver found its infotainment less user-friendly than it should be. |
| Midsize | Genesis GV80, Porsche Cayenne, and BMW X5; each 9.5/10 | GV80: richly finished and well equipped. Cayenne: fun to drive. X5: versatile, refined, and enjoyable to drive. | The optional third rows in the GV80 and X5 are described as snug or cramped. The GV80 has no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option in Car and Driver’s 2023 feature. |
| Full-size | BMW X7, first; 9.5/10 | A posh people mover with satisfying driving manners. | The ranking emphasizes considering passenger accommodation, cargo needs, fuel use, and off-road priorities; it does not establish one full-size choice as best on every measure. |
Other options in the rankings help sharpen the choice. In the compact class, Car and Driver describes the BMW X3 as combining a sports-sedan-like character with luxury and practicality. In midsize, it calls the Volvo XC90 a leading three-row choice and lists 22–25 combined mpg; the X6 offers a sportier-looking alternative to the X5 with less practicality. In full-size, the Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade are also displayed among the leading entries, each at 9/10; the former is characterized as tailored and graceful, the latter as large, tech-rich, and luxurious. Car and Driver highlights the Lexus LX for off-road capability.
Choose by the job the SUV needs to do
If you need a third row
Do not treat the presence of a third row as proof that it will work for everyone who needs a seat. Car and Driver calls the optional rows in the GV80 and X5 snug or cramped. For a midsize three-row alternative, its ranking points to the Volvo XC90. The 2024 Associated Press comparison carried by Edmunds also says the then-current GV80’s available third row is small and suited only to small children. Check the exact vehicle and seating configuration in person before relying on the extra seats.
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If comfort and utility matter more than sporty handling
The GV80 is the clearest midsize candidate in this set for shoppers drawn to a luxury ambience and refined road manners: Car and Driver highlights its designer-chic interior, integrated technology, and refined ride. The AP/Edmunds comparison of then-current models likewise favors the GV80 for ride comfort and cargo utility. That comparison is useful context, not a direct 2023 model-year test, and configurations may differ by year.
If driving enjoyment is the priority
The Cayenne is Car and Driver’s most clearly emphasized midsize choice for fun behind the wheel. The X5 is another strong fit if you want performance with versatility and refinement; Car and Driver describes it as pleasurable to drive, while noting that it is more luxurious than sporty. In the compact class, the GV70 leads the ranking, with driving enjoyment central to its appeal.
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If fuel economy or powertrain choice matters
Car and Driver lists the 2023 Volvo XC90 at 22–25 combined mpg in its midsize ranking, making it a useful point of comparison for shoppers considering three rows and fuel use. The GV80’s 2023 Editors’ Choice feature says it has no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. For broader powertrain choice, the 2024 AP/Edmunds comparison favors the then-current Lexus RX, citing its range of powertrains, including hybrid choices. This is not evidence that the RX configuration or lineup is identical across model years.
If price is a deciding factor
Car and Driver’s overall 2023 luxury ranking page published starting figures of $56,925 for the Genesis GV80, $62,595 for the BMW X5, and $73,650 for the Porsche Cayenne. These are page-published model-year starting prices, not current used-market values or quotes for a particular configuration. The 2024 AP/Edmunds comparison also favors the then-current Lexus RX on starting price, but does not make that a same-year comparison against the 2023 models.
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GV80 or X5: which midsize leader fits better?
Both earned 9.5/10 from Car and Driver in its 2023 midsize ranking, so the useful distinction is their strengths and tradeoffs, not the identical score.
- Lean toward the GV80 if luxury ambience, equipment, and refined road manners are your priorities. Its optional third row is snug, and Car and Driver notes that the twin-turbo V-6 adds substantially to the price.
- Lean toward the X5 if you want a versatile, refined SUV with a broad range of powerful powertrains and intuitive infotainment. Its optional third row is cramped, and the turbo V-8 is a pricey option.
The 2024 AP/Edmunds comparison adds a different angle: against the then-current Lexus RX, it favors the RX for starting price and powertrain breadth, and the GV80 for comfort and utility. Because that comparison concerns then-current configurations, use it as buyer context rather than as a direct test of the 2023 vehicles.
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What to verify before buying a 2023 model
Rankings and original starting prices do not establish the value or condition of an individual used vehicle. Before choosing one, confirm its configuration, seating arrangement, condition, asking price, and availability; the cited rankings do not provide a current used-market valuation, comprehensive reliability ranking, maintenance-cost comparison, or warranty terms for every model.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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