Top 10 SUVs 2015 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best overall SUV of 2015 was the 2015 Toyota Highlander (2015 MSRP: $29,665), a three-row crossover that blended bulletproof reliability, a willing 270-hp V6, genuine family space, and a resale curve that has aged better than almost anything else in the class. The best value of 2015 was the 2015 Kia Sorento (2015 MSRP: $24,900), which delivered an available third row, a 290-hp V6 option, and a long warranty for thousands less than the Japanese establishment.

The 2015 model year sat squarely inside the crossover boom, and it also gave us the freshly redesigned full-size GM trucks — the Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon — so buyers in 2015 had a wider, better field to choose from than ever before. This retrospective ranks the ten that mattered most, then and now.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We graded every contender against six weighted criteria, leaning on period reviews from Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and Edmunds, plus J.D. Power dependability data, EPA fuel-economy figures, and Wikipedia model histories for spec verification. The weighting:

• Reliability and ownership cost — 25%. The single biggest factor over a decade of ownership; pulled from J.D. Power, Consumer Reports, and RepairPal reputations.
• Value in period — 20%. How much SUV the 2015 MSRP actually bought, in period dollars.
• Space and versatility — 15%. Seating count, cargo room, and folding flexibility.
• Efficiency — 15%. EPA combined MPG relative to size and capability.
• Comfort and tech — 15%. Ride quality, interior materials, and the infotainment of the era.
• Used value now — 10%. What a clean, well-kept 2015 example is worth on the used market a decade later.

No single number decided a placement; a truck-based off-roader and a car-based commuter were judged on what they were built to do.

1. Toyota Highlander 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2015 MSRP: $29,665 | Best for: Families who want three rows and zero drama

The 2015 Highlander was the class benchmark for a reason. Roughly 90 percent of buyers chose the 270-hp 3.5-liter V6, paired with a six-speed automatic and front- or all-wheel drive, returning an EPA-estimated 19/25 mpg with the V6 and AWD. A 280-hp hybrid was offered for buyers chasing 27/28 mpg.

Seating stretched to eight, the cabin was quiet and well-built, and the reliability reputation was close to spotless — Toyota's V6 and conventional automatic avoided the CVT and turbo gremlins that plagued rivals. A clean 2015 V6 AWD example today still commands strong used money, often plus several thousand over comparable competitors with the same miles.

Pros:

• Proven, non-turbo 270-hp V6 with a conventional automatic
• Eight-passenger flexibility in a manageable footprint
• Class-leading resale and dependability
• Available hybrid for high-mileage commuters

Cons:

• Third row is best for kids, not adults
• Base 2.7-liter four was underpowered and rare

Verdict: The safest, most complete family SUV of 2015 — and the one that has aged the best.

2. Honda CR-V 💎 (runner-up value)

2015 MSRP: $23,320 | Best for: The practical compact-SUV buyer

The 2015 CR-V got a mid-cycle refresh with a new direct-injected 2.4-liter four making 185 hp and a CVT that pushed efficiency to a segment-leading 27/34 mpg front-drive and 26/33 mpg with all-wheel drive. It out-sipped the RAV4, Escape, and Rogue. The CR-V won a 2015 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy among small SUVs, and owners rate the fourth-generation 4.4 out of 5 for reliability.

Cargo space and rear-seat room were class-leading, and resale remains strong a decade on.

Pros:

• Best-in-class combined fuel economy for the segment
• Roomy, flexible cabin with a huge cargo hold
• Excellent long-term reliability
• Strong resale value even now

Cons:

• CVT droned under hard acceleration
• Interior plastics trailed the Mazda CX-5

Verdict: The default-correct compact crossover of 2015, and still a smart used buy.

3. Mazda CX-5

2015 MSRP: $21,545 | Best for: Drivers who wanted a compact SUV that was fun

The CX-5 was the enthusiast's pick in a sea of appliances. SkyActiv engineering gave it a 155-hp 2.0-liter on the Sport or a 184-hp 2.5-liter on Touring and Grand Touring, with a manual base model hitting 35 mpg highway and the 2.5 returning a still-strong 24/30 mpg with the automatic.

The 13.0:1 compression engine ran on 87 octane, the chassis was genuinely engaging, and the cabin felt a notch above the price. It was the best-handling thing in the class.

Pros:

• Sharpest handling among compact crossovers
• Available manual and frugal SkyActiv engines
• Upscale interior for the money
• Strong reliability record

Cons:

• Base 2.0-liter felt slow when loaded
• Less cargo room than CR-V

Verdict: Buy this if you actually liked driving — it held up beautifully.

4. Subaru Outback

2015 MSRP: $24,895 | Best for: Foul-weather commuters and gear haulers

The fully redesigned 2015 Outback paired a 175-hp 2.5-liter boxer (or a 256-hp 3.6-liter six) with a CVT and standard symmetrical all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder returned an excellent 25/33 mpg, and the Active Torque Split AWD plus generous ground clearance made it a year-round all-rounder.

Period reviewers praised the refined ride and quick steering. Watch for boxer head-gasket and oil-leak histories on higher-mileage examples, but a well-kept one is a used-market favorite.

Pros:

• Standard AWD and real ground clearance
• 28 mpg combined from the four-cylinder
• Wagon practicality with SUV capability
• Devoted, high resale following

Cons:

• CVT not to every taste
• Boxer head-gasket and oil-leak reports over time

Verdict: The do-everything choice for snow-belt buyers — and it still is.

5. Lexus RX 350

2015 MSRP: $40,970 | Best for: Luxury buyers who valued reliability over flash

The 2015 RX 350 closed out its third generation as the most dependable luxury crossover money could buy — owners rated it a remarkable 4.8 out of 5. A 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 drove front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic, returning 18/25 mpg front-drive. It rode quietly, the materials were Lexus-grade, and depreciation was gentle.

AWD started at $42,370. It was not sporty, but it was serene and nearly unbreakable.

Pros:

• Best-in-class luxury reliability (4.8/5)
• Quiet, plush ride and quality materials
• Strong resale for a luxury vehicle
• Smooth, proven V6

Cons:

• Numb, uninvolving to drive
• Aging infotainment by 2015

Verdict: The luxury SUV to own long-term — a used one is still a low-risk buy.

6. Jeep Grand Cherokee

2015 MSRP: $30,090 | Best for: Buyers who wanted capability with comfort

The Grand Cherokee was the rare midsize SUV that paired genuine off-road hardware with a near-luxury cabin. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 made 290 hp, and the standout option was the 240-hp, 420-lb-ft 3.0-liter EcoDiesel ($4,500 option) that returned 21/28 mpg with 4WD and towed 7,400 pounds.

Air suspension and serious 4x4 systems were available. Reliability trailed the Japanese field, so a documented service history matters, but few rivals could match its blend of trail ability and on-road polish.

Pros:

• Real off-road capability with available air suspension
• EcoDiesel torque and economy for towing
• Near-luxury interior at a midsize price
• 7,400-lb towing with the diesel

Cons:

• Reliability behind the segment leaders
• Diesel and air-suspension repairs can be costly

Verdict: The most capable comfortable SUV of 2015 — buy on service records.

7. Chevrolet Tahoe

2015 MSRP: $45,890 | Best for: Big families who tow

The 2015 Tahoe headlined the year's biggest news: GM's full-size SUVs were completely redesigned. A stronger frame, a new 5.3-liter V8 making 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, a quieter cabin, and a clever power-folding flat third row modernized an icon. Fuel economy was modest at 16/23 mpg rear-drive, but towing, seating for up to nine, and trade reliability of the V8 made it the default for buyers who needed maximum capability.

A clean redesigned 2015 Tahoe still holds value strongly today.

Pros:

• All-new 2015 redesign with 355-hp V8
• Power-folding flat third row
• Heavy towing and nine-seat capacity
• Strong full-size resale

Cons:

• Thirsty at 18 mpg combined
• Big and pricey to buy and run

Verdict: The full-size benchmark after its 2015 overhaul — capable and durable.

8. Toyota 4Runner

2015 MSRP: $33,210 | Best for: Off-roaders who keep vehicles forever

The 4Runner was the analog holdout — a body-on-frame truck in a crossover world. Its 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic were dated but legendarily durable, sending power rearward or to available 4WD. Fuel economy was poor at 17/21 mpg with 4WD, and the ride was trucky.

But for trail capability and the kind of longevity that runs past 250,000 miles, nothing else here came close. That reputation is exactly why used 4Runner values are sky-high today.

Pros:

• Body-on-frame durability and real 4WD
• Bulletproof 4.0 V6 with a proven reputation
• Extraordinary used-value retention
• Genuine off-road capability

Cons:

• Poor fuel economy and dated five-speed
• Trucky, less refined daily ride

Verdict: The keep-forever off-roader — and the resale king of this list.

9. Kia Sorento 💎 BEST VALUE

2015 MSRP: $24,900 | Best for: Value shoppers who wanted a third row

The 2015 Sorento delivered the most SUV per dollar of any vehicle here. Built on a heavily updated platform, it offered a 191-hp 2.4-liter four or a strong 290-hp 3.3-liter V6, plus an available usable third row, all under a long warranty and at a price that undercut the Highlander by thousands.

AWD V6 models returned 19/25 mpg. KBB rated it 4.3 out of 5, praising its roomy, well-equipped, well-mannered package. It was the smart-money family pick.

Pros:

• Available third row at a low price
• 290-hp V6 option for real power
• Long warranty and generous standard kit
• Strong value retention for the segment

Cons:

• Third row tight for adults
• Resale trails Toyota and Honda

Verdict: The value champion of 2015 — maximum SUV for minimum outlay.

10. Toyota RAV4

2015 MSRP: $23,680 | Best for: No-fuss compact-SUV buyers

The RAV4 rounded out the crossover boom's core with a sensible 176-hp 2.5-liter four, a six-speed automatic, and 26 mpg combined front-drive (24 with AWD). It was not the quickest or most engaging, but it was roomy, well-equipped — even the base LE included a backup camera and Bluetooth — and rated an excellent 4.5 out of 5 for reliability by RepairPal.

It was the dependable, broadly-good compact crossover that sold in enormous numbers, and a clean one remains a low-risk used buy.

Pros:

• Excellent reliability reputation
• Roomy, practical compact-SUV packaging
• Solid 26 mpg combined front-drive
• Strong, steady resale

Cons:

• Slow and uninspiring to drive
• Conventional automatic without the CR-V's mpg edge

Verdict: The dependable everyman compact of 2015 — boring in the best way.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2015 SUV (Then and as a Used Buy Now)

A decade on, these vehicles are used buys, so the inspection list matters more than the original brochure:

• Known issues by model: Subaru boxer head-gasket and oil-pan leaks; Jeep EcoDiesel and air-suspension repair costs; any CVT (CR-V, Outback) service history; GM 5.3 V8 oil consumption on early examples.
• AWD and 4WD service: Confirm transfer-case and differential fluids were changed, and that AWD couplings engage smoothly without noise — neglected systems are expensive.
• Mileage and use: A 4Runner or Tahoe at 150,000 well-kept miles can be a better buy than a 90,000-mile example with a sketchy history; service records beat the odometer.
• What matters less than nostalgia implies: The exact infotainment screen and a few MPG between rivals fade fast in importance — drivetrain condition, rust, and maintenance documentation determine whether a 2015 SUV is a good buy far more than the trim badge or the original sticker price.

FAQ

What was the best overall SUV of 2015? The Toyota Highlander, for its blend of a proven 270-hp V6, three-row family space, top-tier reliability, and class-leading resale that still holds today.

What was the best value SUV of 2015? The Kia Sorento, which offered an available third row, a 290-hp V6 option, and a long warranty for thousands less than the Highlander, starting around $24,900.

Were the 2015 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban redesigned? Yes. The 2015 model year brought a full redesign of GM's full-size SUVs — a stronger frame, a 355-hp 5.3-liter V8, a quieter cabin, and a power-folding flat third row.

Which 2015 SUV holds its value best used? The Toyota 4Runner, thanks to its body-on-frame durability and bulletproof 4.0 V6, retains used value better than nearly anything else on this list, with the Highlander and Tahoe close behind.

What was the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid 2015 SUV here? The Honda CR-V, at 27/34 mpg front-drive, led the mainstream crossovers; the Highlander Hybrid topped the field overall at 27/28 mpg.

Is a 2015 SUV still worth buying used? Yes, if you buy on condition and service records rather than the badge. The Toyota, Honda, Lexus, and Mazda entries in particular remain low-risk used buys a decade later.

Bottom Line

The 2015 model year captured the crossover boom at full strength while delivering the freshly redesigned full-size GM trucks, giving buyers an unusually deep field. The Toyota Highlander earned best overall for its proven V6, family versatility, and durability, while the Kia Sorento took best value by undercutting the establishment without giving up a third row or power.

Around them, the CR-V, CX-5, Outback, RX 350, Grand Cherokee, Tahoe, 4Runner, and RAV4 each won a clear use case. A decade later, the Toyota and Lexus entries remain the lowest-risk used buys, the 4Runner is the resale champion, and the smart move on any of them is to buy on condition and service history rather than nostalgia.

Sources

• 2015 Toyota Highlander Review & Ratings — Edmunds
• 2015 Honda CR-V Reliability, Ratings & Pricing — J.D. Power
• 2015 Mazda CX-5 Review, Specs, Prices — The Car Connection
• 2015 Subaru Outback Reliability & Pricing — J.D. Power
• 2015 Lexus RX 350 Specs, Prices, MPG — Cars.com
• 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review & Ratings — Edmunds
• 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Review & Ratings — Edmunds
• 2015 Toyota 4Runner Review, Specs, Prices — Cars.com
• 2015 Kia Sorento Review, Pricing, and Specs — CARFAX
• 2015 Toyota RAV4 Review & Ratings — Edmunds

*SUV review — 2015 SUV reviews, rating, best SUV 2015, and a retrospective review of the top used SUV picks for buyers.*