Best towing minivan

Practical and affordable: Honda CR-V

Honda's best-selling compact CR-V crossover SUV is all-new for 2017 with two engine options and a solid drive character.

Practical and premium: Volvo XC90

Volvo takes aim at German luxury and hits its mark with well thought-out Sensus Connect tech, clever amenities and Swedish style.

Sport driving: Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar sport sedan-like handling in a more practical and still stylish crossover SUV package.

High capability: Chevrolet Tahoe

An old-school SUV fit to handling big hauling and towing jobs thanks to its rugged body-on-frame construction, yet also able to transport passengers in comfort.

SUVs, defined

Without a doubt, the fastest growing segment in the automotive industry is crossover SUVs. Their booming popularity stems from the versatility to carry people and cargo, with many offering third-row seating making them ideal for family errands and tackling road trips. The availability of all-wheel drive on many crossover SUVs also makes them enticing to people who live in areas that experience real winters. And there's also the anti-minivan crowd who see crossovers as the cooler people-mover alternative.

Sub-compact crossover SUVs like the Honda HR-V are becoming more common.

For families of all sizes and needs, there's bound to be a fitting crossover SUV. The number of options available now rivals the ever-popular sedan, with entries that range from a recent onslaught of sub-compacts, to extended wheelbase models big enough to carry an army of children. And there are even some niche style-statement models if you want to stick out from the crowd.

Typically, crossover SUVs feature four doors and a rear liftgate to provide easy access to the cargo area. The engine sits in front to power the front, rear or all four wheels through an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system. SUVs traditionally sat on full-frame platforms from pickup trucks, but most of today's entries use more compliant unibody structures from cars that give up some towing and hauling capabilities in exchange for more comfortable ride quality.

Those shopping the segment have numerous points to consider including size, power, fuel economy, creature comforts, cabin technology, safety and overall capability. Here's a rundown on what you'll encounter in the market today.