There was no single best SUV of 2023 for every driver. The strongest choice depended on size, passenger and cargo needs, powertrain, ownership costs, safety evidence, and how each ranking judged vehicles. For a useful historical shortlist, compare picks within their categories and treat each award as the result of that publisher’s own method—not a universal verdict or a current used-car recommendation.
How to interpret the best SUVs of 2023
The rankings below refer to the 2023 model year and awards published for that year. They are editorial comparisons, not a combined score: Car and Driver’s segment list, its 10Best selection, and Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards used separate methods and recognized different strengths.
Car and Driver says its 2023 SUV ranking considered roughly 200 data points, including acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and driving enjoyment. It also describes instrumented testing and editors’ real-world impressions as inputs. Its list is useful for comparing vehicles within size and luxury segments, but its category leaders should be understood as Car and Driver’s picks, not objective winners for every buyer. See Car and Driver’s 2023 SUV rankings.
Car and Driver’s 10Best Trucks and SUVs was a distinct recognition. For its 2023 feature, published January 17, 2023, eligible vehicles cost less than $110,000. Staff evaluated vehicles on a week-long 10Best loop, compared notes, voted individually, and averaged scores. Its stated ideal balanced refinement, practicality, value, satisfying performance, and enjoyable dynamics. Read the 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs feature.
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- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Premium die-cast metal body with plastic trim details and rubber tires ensures long-lasting quality and authentic appearance
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Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy program covered 19 categories. Its editors spent months evaluating more than 300 new models, conducting head-to-head comparisons and considering performance, capability, affordability, consumer reviews and ratings, sales information, and five-year cost-to-own data. That cost-to-own analysis included depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees, and taxes. See Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy Awards.
Best SUVs of 2023 by category
These category leaders and award recipients are a starting point for a shortlist. Each reflects a different publisher’s criteria, so a model’s appearance on one list does not imply that it won every comparison.
Rank #2
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| Category or recognition | 2023 pick | Publisher and meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Subcompact SUV | Mazda CX-30 | Car and Driver’s top-ranked subcompact in its 2023 segment list. |
| Compact SUV | Honda CR-V | Car and Driver’s top-ranked compact in its 2023 segment list. |
| Midsize SUV | Kia Telluride | Car and Driver’s top-ranked midsize in its 2023 segment list. |
| Best New Model and Best Electric Vehicle | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy Awards selected it for both recognitions. |
| Best Subcompact SUV | Kia Seltos | Kelley Blue Book’s 2023 Best Buy Awards pick. |
Subcompact: Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos
For a smaller footprint, Car and Driver named the Mazda CX-30 its top subcompact SUV, while Kelley Blue Book selected the Kia Seltos as its Best Subcompact SUV. These are not contradictory results: the publications applied different evaluation frameworks. Compare the particular model-year trims you are considering for passenger and cargo fit, fuel economy, price, comfort, and equipment rather than treating either award as a universal ranking.
Compact: Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V led Car and Driver’s compact-SUV list and was also included in Car and Driver’s 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs. That gives it recognition in two separate Car and Driver formats, but not a single combined award. Compact-SUV shoppers should still compare actual cargo and passenger needs, driving comfort, operating cost, and the exact safety equipment on the vehicle in question.
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Rank #3
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Midsize: Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride led Car and Driver’s midsize list and appeared on its 2023 10Best selection. The midsize category is often a better fit when passenger capacity and utility matter more than a smaller exterior footprint; check the seating layout and cargo space for the configuration being considered rather than assuming all trims meet the same needs.
Electric SUV: Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kelley Blue Book named the Hyundai Ioniq 5 both Best New Model and Best Electric Vehicle for 2023. Its award page reports more than 300 miles of range and charging from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes; these are KBB’s vehicle claims, not independent results established here, and the applicable configuration and charging conditions matter. Verify the specific trim’s official range and charging details before comparing it with another EV.
Rank #4
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The Ioniq 5 also appeared in Car and Driver’s 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs. Car and Driver’s list additionally included the Ford Bronco, Genesis GV70, Honda CR-V, Kia EV6, Kia Telluride, and Porsche Macan. That is a cross-category 10Best selection, not a separate “best electric SUV” ranking or a category-by-category table.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which 2023 SUV is safest?
These award lists do not establish one universally safest 2023 SUV. IIHS’s award pages list vehicles by category and can include multiple model years, production-date conditions, and other qualifiers. Its 2023 small-SUV list includes the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4; its 2023 midsize list includes the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, and Toyota Highlander. Check the exact model year and build date against the award conditions before applying a Top Safety Pick label to a particular vehicle.
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Best Value
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- 2. High-Quality Materials and Strong Pull Back: Diecast automobile model, zinc alloy, plastic parts, rubber tires, detailed interior and exterior decoration. Install a strong pull-back device，Place the car on the ground, hold down the car body and pull it back, the model car will drive forward
- 3. Function: Side doors, hood and tailgate can be opened movably; Then press the two wheels of the front vehicle or open the front door to trigger the sound of engine and lamp
- 4. Best Gifts Toys: This 1 / 32 toy car is very suitable for children. The paint is fine and feels good. It's very heavy to carry. It is also very suitable for car model lovers as decoration
- 5.Accessories and collections: This product is very suitable for static accessories and can be used as an accessory next to a computer. For those who are passionate about collecting model car models, this is a great art collection.
Crashworthiness ratings and active-safety performance are related but different questions. A MotorTrend comparison of seven compact SUVs used IIHS and NHTSA crash ratings for passive safety and separately tested active-safety features, reporting variation in driver-assistance behavior. A crash rating does not tell you how well a specific lane-centering, braking, or adaptive-cruise system behaves in everyday use. Check IIHS’s 2023 small-SUV award list, its 2023 midsize-SUV list, and MotorTrend’s compact-SUV comparison.
How to choose among the 2023 SUV winners
Use awards to identify candidates, then compare vehicles against your own priorities. A 2023 award does not establish present-day inventory, used prices, recall status, or the condition of an individual car.
Quick Recap
- Choose the right size first. Decide whether a subcompact, compact, or midsize footprint fits your parking, passenger, and cargo needs. Compare the actual seating and cargo configuration, especially if you regularly carry several passengers or bulky items.
- Match powertrain to your driving. For a gasoline SUV, compare fuel economy for the specific trim and drivetrain. For an EV such as the Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6, verify the exact trim’s range, charging capability, and whether charging access suits your routes; quoted range and charging times depend on configuration and conditions.
- Compare ownership cost, not only the award label. Consider purchase price alongside depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel or electricity, fees, and taxes. Kelley Blue Book explicitly included five-year cost-to-own data in its Best Buy process, but that historical award does not establish what a used example costs today.
- Assess comfort and driving character. Rankings weigh factors such as handling, ride comfort, acceleration, and driving enjoyment differently. Drive the specific vehicle if possible, including the roads and passenger load you expect to encounter.
- Verify safety for the exact vehicle. Look up the model year, trim, and production date in the applicable IIHS or NHTSA material. Then assess driver-assistance features separately, because their behavior is not captured by crashworthiness ratings alone.
- Inspect any used example on its own merits. Check current local pricing, vehicle history, maintenance records, open recalls, and condition. None of the 2023 editorial rankings can substitute for those vehicle-specific checks.
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.
