18 Full-Size SUVs, Ranked From Worst To Best
Full-size SUVs don’t mess around. Big on space, heavy on power, and packed with presence, they promise everything from family road trip comfort to serious towing muscle.
But not all giants are created equal. Some soak up bumps like a dream while others lumber along like they never left the early 2000s.
Design, tech, performance, and practicality all play a part in separating the road kings from the driveway fillers. When it comes to these beasts, details make all the difference.
1. Nissan Armada
Thirsty for fuel and hungry for maintenance dollars, the Nissan Armada feels like it’s stuck in 2010 while the competition zoomed ahead.
The interior materials scream “I was designed when flip phones were cool!” Navigation systems from ancient civilizations might be more intuitive than the Armada’s infotainment setup.
Despite its ocean-liner proportions, third-row passengers will feel like sardines stuffed in a can that’s been left in the sun too long.
2. Chevrolet Tahoe (Older Models): Dinosaur on Wheels
Remember those clunky cell phones from the early 2000s? That’s what driving an older Chevy Tahoe feels like—functional but desperately behind the times.
Gas stations become your second home with its impressive ability to drain your wallet faster than a teenager with your credit card.
Handling corners? More like suggesting them to the steering wheel and hoping for the best.
Still, these old beasts refuse to give up, which explains why you still see so many rumbling along with 200,000+ miles on the odometer.
3. Ford Expedition (Early 2000s)
Driving an early 2000s Expedition is like piloting a small apartment building—with similar fuel economy.
These road mammoths were built when gas was cheap and environmental concerns were something only tree-huggers worried about.
Interior plastic panels crack if you look at them wrong, and the transmission has more drama than a reality TV show.
However, the cavernous interior could literally fit a small indie band and all their equipment, which might be its only redeeming quality besides the nostalgia factor.
4. Toyota Sequoia (Pre-2023)
Toyota seemingly forgot the Sequoia existed for about 15 years, leaving it virtually unchanged while competitors evolved.
Under the hood lurks a V8 with an unquenchable thirst that would make a camel nervous in the desert.
Built like a tank (and handles like one too), the pre-2023 Sequoia offers reliability that’s inversely proportional to its modern features.
The infotainment system feels like it was designed by someone who still uses a flip phone, but at least everything works—even after apocalyptic conditions.
5. GMC Yukon (Base Trims)
Essentially a Chevy Tahoe wearing a slightly fancier suit, base GMC Yukons suffer from a serious case of middle-child syndrome.
Not quite luxury, not quite bargain—just awkwardly hanging out in between with a higher price tag than its Chevrolet twin.
Hard plastics dominate the interior like it’s 2005. The ride quality can best be described as “you’ll feel every pebble on the interstate.”
That said, the V8 growl still satisfies that primal part of your brain that enjoys unnecessary power, even when you’re just picking up groceries.
6. Infiniti QX80
Slapping fancy leather on an aging platform doesn’t hide the QX80’s Jurassic underpinnings. Imagine putting a tuxedo on a T-Rex—impressive at first glance but fundamentally outdated.
The fuel gauge drops faster than your jaw will at the pump. Inside, a confusing dual-screen setup feels like Infiniti couldn’t decide on one infotainment system so they just used both.
Despite these quirks, the butter-smooth V8 and whisper-quiet cabin make highway cruising genuinely pleasant—when you’re not calculating the cost per mile.
7. Dodge Durango (V6 Trims)
Muscle car DNA trapped in a dad bod—that’s the V6 Durango in a nutshell. Without its rowdier V8 siblings’ charisma, it’s like attending a rock concert where the band only plays acoustic ballads.
The interior feels assembled by someone who had only a vague description of what “premium” means.
Handling surprisingly doesn’t induce seasickness like some competitors, a small victory for the Dodge engineers.
Fuel economy remains theoretical, as owners report numbers that seem to change based on the weather, alignment of the planets, and their mood that day.
8. Chevrolet Suburban
Longer than some New York apartments are wide, the Suburban remains the champion of “we need to bring EVERYTHING” road trips.
Soccer moms and secret service agents equally appreciate its blend of space and anonymity. Parking this behemoth requires either supreme confidence or complete disregard for spatial awareness.
The Suburban gulps fuel with impressive enthusiasm, making you wonder if there’s a small hole in the tank.
Yet there’s something undeniably satisfying about commanding this land yacht down the highway, knowing you could fit an entire Little League team inside.
9. Volkswagen Atlas (Cross Sport)
Volkswagen’s attempt to out-American the Americans resulted in the Atlas—a vehicle so obviously designed for US tastes it might as well come with a free apple pie.
German engineering meets American proportions in this surprisingly competent family hauler.
Handling defies its bulk with unexpected agility, though the base engine struggles like an out-of-shape dad at a kids’ soccer match.
The minimalist interior borders on stark, but everything’s where you’d expect it to be.
Unlike its European cousins, the Atlas prioritizes cup holders and cargo space over driving dynamics—and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
10. Hyundai Palisade
Whoever said “you get what you pay for” never sat in a Palisade. This Korean upstart delivers near-luxury amenities at mainstream prices, making premium SUV owners question their financial decisions.
Materials inside feel plucked from vehicles costing $20,000 more. The tech interface is so intuitive even your technology-averse uncle could master it without calling you for help.
While not exactly exciting to drive, the Palisade handles family duties with quiet competence, like that reliable friend who always remembers everyone’s birthdays.
11. Kia Telluride
Few vehicles have generated as much buzz as the Telluride—the automotive equivalent of that indie band that suddenly tops the charts. Waiting lists and dealer markups tell you everything about its popularity.
Boxy and proud of it, the Telluride wears its squared-off styling like a fashion statement. The interior could easily pass for a luxury vehicle if you covered up the Kia badge.
Driving dynamics won’t excite enthusiasts, but the smooth ride and thoughtful family features hit the sweet spot for buyers who prioritize real-world usefulness over bragging rights.
12. Ford Expedition (Latest Generation)
Ford’s decision to put the Expedition on an aluminum diet transformed this former lumbering behemoth into something surprisingly agile.
The EcoBoost V6 performs magic tricks, delivering V8 power while occasionally remembering to sip fuel instead of gulping it.
Interior space rivals some Manhattan studios, with a third row adults won’t actually curse you for assigning them to. Tech features hit the sweet spot between useful and overwhelming.
While still undeniably massive, the latest Expedition drives with unexpected poise—like watching a 300-pound linebacker perform ballet and actually nailing the routine.
13. Jeep Wagoneer
Reviving a legendary nameplate could have gone terribly wrong, but Jeep stuck the landing with the new Wagoneer.
No wood paneling here—just massive proportions wrapped in tasteful sheet metal that somehow manages to look expensive without shouting about it.
Inside feels like a modern luxury hotel lobby, spacious and filled with screens that would make a Best Buy employee jealous. The ride quality achieves that elusive balance between comfort and control.
While technically capable off-road, most Wagoneers will never see anything rougher than a country club gravel parking lot—and that’s perfectly fine.
14. GMC Yukon Denali
Forget subtle luxury—the Yukon Denali proudly announces its premium status with a grille visible from space.
This is American luxury in its most unapologetic form, appealing to successful contractors and country music stars alike.
The magnetic ride suspension performs technological wizardry, somehow making this massive box handle with unexpected composure.
Inside, genuine open-pore wood and leather surfaces create an atmosphere that feels properly premium.
The Denali manages to feel special without trying too hard—like someone confident enough in their success that they don’t need to constantly remind you about it.
15. Lincoln Navigator
Entering a Navigator feels like walking into an exclusive club where they already know your name.
Lincoln’s flagship SUV embraces American luxury without trying to imitate European competitors—a refreshing approach that pays dividends.
The 30-way adjustable seats might require an engineering degree to fully master, but once dialed in, they’re throne-like.
Road noise is as distant as your worries after the third cocktail at a beach resort.
While the Navigator can’t match some competitors’ driving dynamics, it compensates with an atmosphere of serene comfort that makes every journey feel like a mini-vacation.
16. Lexus LX 600
Built like it needs to survive both apocalyptic conditions and valet parking at five-star hotels, the LX 600 is engineering excess in the best possible way.
Toyota’s Land Cruiser platform gets the full luxury treatment here, without sacrificing any capability.
The interior features materials that will likely outlast human civilization. Off-road technology borders on supernatural, conquering terrain that would make mountain goats nervous.
While the infotainment system requires a learning curve steeper than Everest, the LX 600’s combination of indestructibility and opulence creates a unique proposition—a vehicle equally at home in war zones and outside Michelin-starred restaurants.
17. Cadillac Escalade
Nothing says “I’ve arrived” quite like an Escalade—the vehicular equivalent of a designer logo bag but with 420 horsepower.
The latest generation finally delivers an interior worthy of its price tag, abandoning the rental-grade plastics of its ancestors.
The curved OLED display spanning the dashboard looks straight out of a concept car, yet remains surprisingly intuitive. Super Cruise hands-free driving makes highway journeys almost relaxing.
Despite its bulk, the Escalade carries itself with unexpected grace, like a linebacker in a perfectly tailored suit—imposing yet sophisticated, with moves that belie its size.
18. Toyota Land Cruiser (Latest Generation)
After a brief hiatus that left enthusiasts panicking, the Land Cruiser returns with a back-to-basics approach that perfectly captures what made it legendary.
Toyota wisely abandoned the bloated luxury pretensions of the previous generation for something more authentic and purposeful.
Built to last several apocalypses, the Land Cruiser combines go-anywhere capability with just-right modern amenities.
The new turbocharged engine provides ample power while delivering previously unimaginable fuel economy.
What sets the Land Cruiser apart isn’t just its capability or reliability—it’s the unshakable confidence it instills, knowing it will never leave you stranded, whether in suburban America or the Australian Outback.