These 10 Crossovers Deliver More Sportiness Than You’d Think

Crossovers have lengthy been seen as sensible household haulers, however a brand new technology is proving they are often simply as thrilling as they’re versatile. Beneath their everyday-friendly designs lie highly effective engines, sport-tuned suspensions, and responsive steering that make driving them genuinely enjoyable.

These fashions break the stereotype that SUVs can’t be participating to drive, providing an ideal mix of efficiency and practicality. From turbocharged powertrains to adaptive all-wheel-drive programs, they create stunning pleasure to day by day commutes and weekend adventures alike.

Whether or not you’re in search of a compact crossover with agile dealing with or a midsize choice with critical punch, these ten fashions present that sporty driving dynamics aren’t reserved for sports activities vehicles. They’re proof that practicality and efficiency can coexist, and that enjoyable behind the wheel doesn’t have to come back on the expense of household consolation.

10

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Zero to 60 MPH: 6.3 Seconds

Credit score: Hyundai

The Hyundai Santa Fe was redesigned for the 2024 mannequin 12 months, and we now have actually grown to like its new design. It is without doubt one of the most affordable three-row family SUVs that you would be able to purchase proper now and it comes completely stacked with options from the get-go. Whereas consolation is certainly its most important precedence, it’s also able to getting of the road fairly rapidly.

Efficiency Specs

Beneath the hood of each new Santa Fe is a fairly highly effective turbo-four which pairs with both front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It comes with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which sadly is usually a bit laggy at occasions. The Santa Fe delivers a easy journey and retains most noise out of the cabin, however it’s also able to getting in control faster than you’d count on.

9

2026 Mazda CX-30

Zero to 60 MPH: 6.2 Seconds

Credit score: Mazda

Mazda has slowly however certainly been pushing to maneuver barely extra upmarket. The CX-30 is a superb instance of those efforts, with a nicely crafted inside and trendy traces that make it extremely good to have a look at. What Mazda has all the time been good at, although, is delivering a driving experience that is more engaging than what’s on supply from any of its direct rivals.

Efficiency Specs

The Mazda’s finest celebration trick is its agility, with a finely tuned chassis and unimaginable steering that makes it an absolute pleasure to drive via twisty sections of highway. The bottom powertrain is probably not fast, however that does not imply it is not enjoyable to drive. Nonetheless, if pace is what you are after, the Turbo trims kick issues up greater than a notch. Each mannequin will get a six-speed computerized and all-wheel drive as normal.

8

2025 Mazda CX-70

Zero to 60 MPH: 6.2 Seconds

Credit score: Mazda

Whereas the CX-30 was a style of Mazdas push into the entry-level luxurious realm, the CX-70 is a fair higher showcase for the model. This mid-size SUV comes plastered with high-quality supplies and top-notch expertise. Its secret weapon, although, is the six-cylinder engine that sits under the hood.

Efficiency Specs

Normally you’ll discover a turbocharged inline-six underneath the hood of a BMW or a Land Rover, not a Mazda. The CX-70, nevertheless, encompasses a silky easy engine that places down both 280 or 340 horsepower relying on the trim you go for. The latter makes the massive SUV impressively fast off the road. On high of this, regardless of its dimension, it nonetheless delivers that signature Mazda dealing with.

7

2026 Kia Sorento

Zero to 60 MPH: 6 Seconds

Credit score: Kia

Kia has been killing it recently by way of worth. Nearly each one among their crossovers competes to be the most effective in its phase. The Sorento is the brand’s smaller mid-size, three-row SUV, sitting underneath the Telluride within the lineup. Whereas perhaps just a little unassuming, when geared up correctly it might probably pack a fairly spectacular punch.

Efficiency Specs

The Sorento is a little bit of a sleeper. The bottom fashions are exceptionally sluggish by trendy requirements, however improve to the turbocharged powertrain, and you will be leaving various issues in your rearview mirror. Whereas dealing with is not as sharp as what you’d get from the likes of Mazda or Volkswagen, it’s fairly good, and the steering is fairly participating too.

6

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

Zero to 60 MPH: 5.9 Seconds

Credit score: Ford

The Bronco Sport is basically a baby Bronco. It’s smaller and fewer highly effective, and it rides on the identical platform that underpins the Escape crossover. Whereas its strengths undoubtedly lay in its off-road prowess, Ford’s compact SUV is impressively competent on pavement as nicely.

Efficiency Specs

The bottom powertrain within the Bronco Sport is a small 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, however you could have the choice of upgrading to the bigger two-liter four-cylinder unit in some fashions. What’s so spectacular concerning the Bronco Sport is that it’s such a profitable jack-of-all-trades, delivering spectacular off-road functionality and nimble on-road efficiency.

5

2025 Ford Escape

Zero to 60 MPH: 5.8 Seconds

Credit score: Ford

The Ford Escape generally struggles to face out within the crowded and aggressive compact SUV phase, going up towards barely extra refined and value-oriented fashions. Nonetheless, in the event you’re prepared to climb the trim ladder just a little bit, you will discover that it will also be a punchy little crossover that’s able to some sporty endeavors.

Efficiency Specs

The powertrain choices within the Escape are, unsurprisingly, similar to what you get within the Bronco Sport. Base trims get a three-cylinder, whereas greater trims get the choice of the turbocharged four-cylinder. Entrance-wheel drive is the usual setup right here, although the turbo-four fashions get all-wheel drive normal.

4

2025 Dodge Hornet

Zero to 60 MPH: 5.7 Seconds

Relying on the way you take a look at it, the truth that the Hornet is a near-clone of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is both a very good factor or a foul factor. Alfa Romeo and Stellantis generally haven’t got the most effective fame relating to high quality and reliability. Nonetheless, the Hornet additionally delivers the identical agile and perky driving expertise because the Alfa for a significant low cost.

Efficiency Specs

As normal, the Hornet comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder, all-wheel drive, and a slick nine-speed computerized transmission. There may be additionally a plug-in hybrid mannequin that will get as much as 60 miles per hour just a little faster, however we might keep far-off. Dealing with is competent, however does not fairly match what you’d get from the likes of Mazda or Volkswagen.

3

2026 Acura MDX

Zero to 60 MPH: 5.5 Seconds

Credit score: Acura

The MDX is Acura’s flagship mannequin. This mid-size luxurious SUV goes up towards a fairly stacked phase, having to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Its greatest weapon on this battle is the truth that it’s far more inexpensive. The Japanese luxurious model additionally does not skimp on the driving expertise.

Efficiency Specs

Regardless of being a three-row SUV that weighs shut to five,000 kilos, the MDX can hustle. Even the bottom powertrain is able to shifting the SUV off the road with some urgency. The Sort S is the best way to go in the event you’re an fanatic, although, with a extra highly effective powertrain and various different efficiency upgrades.

2

2026 BMW X1

Zero to 60 MPH: 4.7 Seconds

Credit score: BMW

Whereas BMW is certainly identified for his or her sporty vehicles, their most affordable crossover usually flies underneath the radar. Whereas not as flashy or as closely loaded as a number of the model’s dearer choices, the X1 delivers the identical mix of luxurious and efficiency that the German automaker is so nicely regarded for.

Efficiency Specs

Identical to the remainder of BMW’s lineup, the X1 is able to switching between plush consolation and tight efficiency in a break up second. The bottom xDrive28i delivers loads of pep for many and is assured to place a smile in your face via twisty sections of highway. The M35i will get extra energy, however it comes on the sacrifice of consolation, with a firmer suspension, that means it’s best suited to fans solely.

1

2026 Mini Cooper Countryman

Zero to 60 MPH: 4.6 Seconds

Credit score: Mini

The Countryman is a little bit of a paradox. Regardless of being a Mini, it is not all that mini. The reality is, although, that it manages to encapsulate the quirkiness and the character that makes a Mini what it’s, all whereas offering a spacious and opulent inside that helps it compete with far more costly luxurious SUVs. Regardless of being giant, it’s also impressively agile and fast to get going.

Efficiency Specs

Beneath the hood of the Countryman is a BMW powerplant, a perky turbocharged four-cylinder that helps it get shifting at an pressing tempo. It comes solely with all-wheel drive and will get a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Upgrade to the JCW and also you get a extra highly effective model of the turbo-four, which can price a fairly a bit extra however is quite a bit faster.