Not every good SUV is necessarily a good buy. As we head into 2027, shoppers have more choices than ever, but rising prices and increasingly expensive trim levels mean the difference between getting a great SUV and simply paying for more capability than you need can be substantial.

In my latest Everyman Driver video, I put five SUVs on my BUY list and five on my AVOID list—not because the vehicles on the avoid side are necessarily bad, but because I question whether they deliver enough value for the money.

Before you buy, enter your ZIP code HERE and compare actual dealer pricing in your area, because discounts, incentives and dealer pricing can completely change the value equation.

My choices range from affordable compact crossovers to expensive off-road SUVs approaching $70,000 and beyond, with pricing, powertrains, fuel economy, equipment and real-world usefulness all factoring into the rankings.

There are even Toyota SUVs on both sides of the list, which illustrates the bigger point: sometimes choosing the right model—or simply the right trim—can save you tens of thousands of dollars without sacrificing what you actually need.

Watch the video below to see the five SUVs I’d buy with my own money and the five I’d think twice about before signing the paperwork.