The engines roar to life—6 upcoming SUVs, each engineered for performance, efficiency, and capability beyond today’s standards. Their designs bring forward proven powertrains: plug-in hybrid efficiency meets performance tuning, while all-electric powertrains enable off-road adventure.
From hybrid family haulers to all-electric off-roaders, these vehicles aren’t just about getting from point A to point B—they’re about setting new benchmarks in their segments. As these models arrive over the next three years, here’s why each one deserves attention.
1. 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV GR Sport delivers 324 horsepower with standard all-wheel drive and a performance-oriented GR Sport trim.
This plug-in hybrid model combines everyday practicality with responsive handling—available at mainstream SUV prices. With an estimated 48-mile electric range, drivers can handle daily commutes on battery power alone.
Why Toyota’s Performance RAV4 PHEV Raises the Stakes
Toyota is betting on making a family SUV both practical and performance-driven with the RAV4 PHEV GR Sport. By pairing plug-in hybrid efficiency with performance-focused tuning, it’s delivering a hybrid experience that balances eco-friendly operation with engaging driving dynamics.
If Toyota delivers on the electric-only range and refines the suspension tuning, it will force compact crossover competitors to match this capability level.
The RAV4’s Market Position
The RAV4 is one of America’s best-selling vehicles, becoming the most-purchased vehicle in the U.S. in 2024 with over 475,000 registrations—surpassing the F-150 pickup truck. When Toyota makes a major change to its best-seller, the impact ripples across the SUV segment.
With the entire RAV4 lineup shifting to hybrid powertrains and the addition of a sportier GR PHEV trim, Toyota is bringing electrification directly into the mainstream family segment. This could introduce millions of households to plug-in hybrid technology for the first time.
2. 2026 Jeep Recon
Jeep is committing to electrification with the 2026 Recon, an all-electric off-road vehicle engineered for extreme terrain. With removable doors and trail-rated off-road capabilities, the Recon challenges traditional perceptions of electric vehicle capability.
Delivering 650 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of instant torque with 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.6 seconds, its zero-emissions powertrain proves performance and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive.
The Recon’s Market Impact
The Jeep Recon represents a strategic pivot: demonstrating that hardcore off-roading doesn’t require gasoline engines.
This electric trail machine targets enthusiasts who demand both ruggedness and acceleration, signaling a shift in the electric SUV category toward adventure capability. Early reservations suggest strong buyer interest in this segment intersection.
Recon As A Bridge to EVs for Jeep Fans
For long-time Jeep owners, the Recon is more than a new model—it’s a practical introduction to electric vehicles. With its recognizable boxy design, focus on instant torque delivery, and trail-ready engineering, the Recon will appeal to off-road enthusiasts curious about EV technology.
It offers Jeep fans a path to electrification without sacrificing the rugged performance they know and expect.
3. 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid
The Kia Telluride has established itself as a leader in the large SUV segment, and its 2027 hybrid variant will expand its appeal. The 2027 Telluride Hybrid pairs the three-row space and luxury features of the original with a 329-horsepower hybrid powertrain.
With an estimated 35 mpg combined rating and up to 600 miles of total driving range, the Telluride Hybrid delivers improved fuel economy without compromising the comfort and capability that defined the original.
The Telluride Balances Power and Efficiency
The Telluride Hybrid demonstrates the practical balance between large SUV capability and real-world fuel economy. The 329-hp hybrid system and estimated 35 mpg combined rating make extended road trips more economical than traditional large SUVs.
With up to 600 miles of range per tank, families can handle long drives with fewer fuel stops. The trade-off remains the higher initial purchase cost, which Kia must justify through fuel savings and resale value.
4. 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma
Genesis is establishing performance leadership in the electric SUV category with the 2027 GV60 Magma. This performance variant delivers 640 horsepower and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, positioning it alongside premium performance brands in acceleration metrics.
With aggressive aerodynamics, enhanced cooling systems, and sport-tuned suspension, the Magma proves that electric powertrains enable thrilling performance.
The Magma Performance Sub-Brand
Genesis is building a performance tier that challenges luxury gas counterparts on their strongest metrics: acceleration and handling. The GV60 Magma launches what Genesis intends as an ongoing performance line, pushing electric SUVs toward sports car territory.
With enhanced power delivery, upgraded suspension, and bold styling, Genesis is signaling that performance excellence is achievable with zero emissions.
What Genesis is Promising
Genesis has provided detailed production specifications for the GV60 Magma, previewing a model set for market arrival in 2026 (as a 2027 model year).
Unlike most concept vehicles, the Magma’s engineering details—from enhanced thermal management to aerodynamic refinements—transfer directly to production. This transparency gives buyers a clear window into Genesis’s electric performance vision.
5. Rivian R3X
Rivian is scaling down its adventure SUV platform with the R3X, a compact electric SUV designed to deliver the same off-road engineering as its larger R1S sibling in a city-friendly package.
With available single, dual, and tri-motor powertrains, the R3X targets mainstream buyers seeking compact size with adventure capability—positioning Rivian beyond the luxury niche.
Compact Adventure EVs for Broader Markets
Rivian’s pivot toward mainstream pricing with the R3X marks a significant shift for the brand. The R3X is engineered to compete with established compact crossovers, offering electric powertrain technology matched to proven off-road features.
Its market reception will shape how mainstream automakers approach compact, adventure-ready electric vehicles—signaling whether rugged capability is viable at mainstream price points.
Familiar but Electrified
The Rivian R3X applies proven adventure DNA—off-road engineering, fun handling, durability focus—to an electric platform. By combining familiar SUV expectations with modern electric performance, Rivian is positioning EVs as natural successors to traditional adventure vehicles.
For buyers new to electric vehicles, the R3X bridges conventional adventure SUVs and the EV future through a familiar product category.
6. 2028 Volkswagen’s Scout Traveler
Volkswagen is reviving the Scout nameplate with an all-electric SUV positioned in the rugged off-road segment. The 2028 Scout Traveler will deliver up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque and start under $60,000, directly competing with Jeep and Rivian in the electric off-road category.
Built at a new South Carolina manufacturing facility, the Scout Traveler merges heritage branding with current-generation EV technology.
Can It Live Up to Its Legacy?
The Scout nameplate revival has generated enthusiasm among enthusiasts while raising practical questions.
While many Jeep and Ford competitors recognize the Scout heritage, questions remain whether Volkswagen can capture the durability and simplicity of the original Scout in a modern electric package.
With strong competition from established Jeep Recon and Rivian R3X offerings, the Scout Traveler will need to prove its value proposition in an increasingly crowded segment.
Is the Scout the Next Major Player in Off-Road EVs?
The Scout Traveler enters a competitive field of electric off-roaders. By the time it launches in 2028, Jeep’s Recon and Rivian’s R3X will have established market presence and consumer feedback.
The Scout’s success depends on its ability to differentiate through pricing, capability, or brand loyalty—or it risks becoming a niche alternative in a category rapidly gaining mainstream competitors.
The Next Wave of SUV Evolution
From the RAV4 PHEV GR Sport’s hybrid performance to the Scout Traveler’s heritage revival, these six upcoming SUVs represent distinct strategies for the evolving market.
Toyota targets mainstream hybrid adoption, Jeep and Volkswagen lead the electric off-road push, Genesis establishes EV performance credentials, Kia addresses three-row efficiency, and Rivian expands into mainstream pricing. The next three years will reveal which approaches resonate with buyers and which segments expand fastest.
What’s Coming: Timing and Availability
If you’re considering an SUV purchase, these upcoming models warrant close attention. Whether you prioritize hybrid efficiency, all-electric capability, performance, or off-road adventure, these vehicles represent substantial engineering investments from major manufacturers.
Each demonstrates a distinct interpretation of where SUVs are heading—and together, they show the market is splitting into multiple viable directions rather than moving toward a single solution.
Sources:
“2027 Genesis GV60 Magma Has 640 HP and Drift Mode.” The Drive, November 19, 2025.
“The 2027 Kia Telluride Adds a 35 MPG Hybrid, Kills the V6.” Edmunds, November 19, 2025.
“Toyota RAV4 Takes Best Selling Crown From Ford F-150 In 2024.” Ford Authority, February 2025.
“Introducing the All-new, All-electric 2026 Jeep Recon.” Stellantis Media, November 18, 2025.