A white Mazda CX-90 on the road.

12 SUVs getting attention for their looks

April 1, 2026
Marlyne and Patrick Curtet for Mazda USA

12 SUVs getting attention for their looks

To the eyes of many drivers, the Mazda CX-90 is one of the best-looking SUVs on sale today. Of course, looks are subjective, and this is by no means the end-all, be-all of aesthetics. But here, shares its picks for some particularly attractive SUVs you can buy today. Just because you need an SUV with cargo and passenger space doesn't mean you should sacrifice style.

Mazda CX-90

Why the ? The CX-90 gets a lot right, but more than anything, it's about that long hood. If you want clean lines that scream luxury and give off some real curb appeal, look no further than the CX-90.

Mazda gets a lot of other aspects right, too, including sporty handling to back up that athletic stance. The CX-90 really nails the budget luxury SUV by bringing attractive styling together with an upscale interior at a strong price point.

Aston Martin DBX

The combines all the aspects drivers love about Aston Martin's design language with serious athletics in a practical package. The DBX's haunches and ducktail wing give off that mean British sports car vibe. Aston also offers an even sportier S variant with an extra 20 horses for an astonishing 700-plus horsepower.

Polestar 3

Polestar's first electric SUV is just starting to hit the road, but it's already making a splash — mostly for its design. Edmunds senior news editor Nick Yekikian praises the for its "clean lines and strong stance." Overall, Yekikian says the Polestar 3 has "real presence." More than that, Polestar manages to deliver on luxury EV essentials like smooth ride and sporty handling.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The has timeless looks that have changed very little since the SUV made the move from military transport to civilian plaything. That goes double for the ‘80s-throwback Stronger Than Time edition pictured here, which adds a bit of old-school flair the new G needed. The G is an attractive off-road SUV, but drivers will pay for it at the dealership and with a narrow (but plush) cabin.

Mazda CX-50

The is a relatively new addition to Mazda's lineup. One of the best things, according to Edmunds senior vehicle test editor Kurt Niebuhr, is that it shows Mazda can make a handsome car without going over the top.

"It's a tidy design but still distinctive," Niebuhr says. "Taut lines and wide fenders give it some muscle definition, and it looks vaguely adventuresome without kidding itself. Shows good restraint." Like the winning CX-90, the CX-50's just-luxurious-enough balance of pricing, premium looks and features, and sporty handling is the key to success.

Land Rover Range Rover

"The Range Rover exudes luxury like no other SUV on the road," says Jonathan Elfalan, Edmunds director of vehicle testing. And indeed, after all these years, the full-size still manages to turn heads.

"It's boxy and a bit slab-sided," Elfalan says, "but somehow the design still works and looks purposeful. I particularly like the simple vertical taillights that are smoked out and connected at the top by a black crossbar that runs the width of the hatch. Just looks so clean."

Lexus GX

The Toyota Land Cruiser's corporate cousin, the new , does what just about every off-roader does these days, leaning into the boxy shape rather than thinking outside it. Lucky for the Lexus, it works great: "The GX looks authoritative, imposing, and purposeful without using a retro vibe to borrow its credibility from an old nameplate," says Edmunds script writer Duncan Brady. Its Overtrail trim is astoundingly capable, and it still brings meaningful luxury to the table, striking the same balance as the G-Class at a lower price point.

Rivian R1S

"The Rivian R1S has such a charming and friendly face despite it being a massive SUV," says Edmunds editor Jake Sundstrom. Indeed, the is a full-size three-row SUV — and one of the only fully electric seven-passenger sport-utility vehicles on the market. It also, cleverly, doesn't fall victim to a trope many others do: The R1S is built for life off-road, but it doesn't look mean or aggressive, and the SUV's pleasant face is more inviting than shouty.

Sundstrom also praises the R1S for its raft of "killer paint choices." There's definitely a lot to be said for that: Paint is a game-changer when it comes to the look of a car. Color, as it turns out, is king.

Genesis GV70

"Genesis managed to do something that most automakers these days fail to: Design an SUV that's both impressively unique and attractive," says Edmunds social media content strategist Ryan Greger. "The proportions are fantastic, there are super-cool design elements (like the trim around the rear quarter window), and everything is totally cohesive, playing off the brand's two-line design ethos."

The is available with a traditional gas engine or a fully electric powertrain. No matter which engine you choose, Greger says, "It's true design harmony — avant-garde yet sporty and elegant."

Mazda CX-5

Mazda appeared earlier on this list, but many of the same virtues can be found in the more conventionally styled , and for less money, too. Ronald Montoya, Edmunds manager of consumer advice, weighs in: "The third-generation Mazda CX-5 is one of the best-looking SUVs on the road. It's sleek, modern and not overdone with styling flourishes. While I prefer the headlight design from the previous generation, this CX-5 looks better than other compact SUVs costing tens of thousands more (I’m looking at you, BMW X3)."

Mazda made one critical decision that may or may not pay off, at least inside the CX-50, says Montoya. "The only thing keeping the CX-5 from earning my highest praise is Mazda's choice of ditching the control knob in favor of a large touchscreen. As a two-time Mazda owner, once you took the short time to acclimate, the control knob was much less distracting and the superior user interface."

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The is the perfect example of how design can really hide a vehicle's overall size. Looking at this SUV in photos, you'd think it was a compact hot hatch, yet it's the same size as a Tucson crossover and has a wheelbase as long as the Hyundai Palisade's. Of course, neither has the retro-futuristic looks that the Ioniq 5 does.

"The retro-ish 1980s hatchback vibe stands out on the road," says Brent Romans, Edmunds senior manager of written content. It's tough to get a totally unique SUV in your garage for under six figures, but Hyundai's bold styling department has made that a reality. There's plenty of substance besides the styling, and the Ioniq 5 is one of .

Buick Envista

Speaking of unique, Romans says it best: "Looks like a Lamborghini at one-tenth the price." Price is certainly one of the selling points, but its strongest argument remains its premium looks. Buick is a luxury brand, after all, and this is about as premium and sporty as Buicks get these days. The overall package is only helped by a palatable sub-$26,000 starting price point.

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