Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.SUVs are starting to change. Rounded and sleek will always be around, but the trend isn't the same as it was ten years ago. Unibody SUVs are starting to take the form of their body-on-frame counterparts, and squared-off looks are no longer reserved for the largest members of the segment. The new design language is upright, boxy, and unapologetically SUV-like—complete with tall hoods, sharp fender flares, and big vertical lighting signatures.2027 Kia SeltosKiaIt is not just styling drama, either. It translates to improved practicaliy, not just rugged looks. A boxier profile allows for a more usable cabin, better outward visibility and off-road trims that don't look like compromises. Chunky is in, sleek is out. This is the way. The latest crop covers the full market, from compact daily drivers to electric three-row family haulers. It's not even just the off-roaders doing it today. These are four of the strongest examples of the blocky-SUV revival.2027 Hyundai TucsonHyundaiHyundai has never been shy about a design reset, but the 2027 Tucson is a particularly dramatic change after an already dramatic predecessor that pushed the envelope of what an affordable compact SUV could look like. The fifth-generation compact SUV replaces the previous model's polarizing angular surfacing with a broader-shouldered, chunkier, and much more upright form. Pronounced fenders, squarer body sides and an assertive, near-vertical face give it a look that is closer to a scaled-down Santa Fe than a conventional compact crossover.HyundaiThe new Tucson is not simply playing dress-up. Hyundai has increased its footprint, with the new model measuring roughly 185 inches long, 75 inches wide and riding on a 109.6-inch wheelbase. Rear headroom rises by about 1.1 inches, and rear doors now open to 83 degrees—welcome changes for parents loading child seats or adults climbing into the second row.HyundaiAdvertisementAdvertisementInside, Hyundai moves toward a cleaner, more screen-led dashboard, but the appeal is still the vehicle's functional shape. The Tucson is increasingly a compact crossover for people who want the ease of a smaller vehicle without looking as though they compromised on SUV presence.2026 Honda PassportHondaThe 2026 Honda Passport may be the most convincing traditional SUV in this group, despite its unibody construction. Gone is the shrunken last-gen Pilot look in favor of something that looks trail-ready off the showroom floor. Honda has given the two-row Passport a blunt front end, broad stance and tough, squared-off rear section that make it look ready to leave the pavement—even if it's not the model's tougher TrailSport trim shown here.HondaUnlike some ruggedized crossovers, the Passport backs up the attitude with useful hardware. Every version gets all-wheel drive, a 285-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while standard equipment includes descent control and center and rear limited-slip differentials. That is a credible specification sheet for buyers with boats, small campers or regular trips to trailheads.HondaThe proportions also serve its core mission as a spacious two-row adventure vehicle. At 191.5 inches long, 79.4 inches wide and 73.1 inches tall, it has genuine road presence, but its boxier body allows for 44 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row and 83.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.2027 Kia SeltosKiaAdvertisementAdvertisementFresh on the heels of the impressive Telluride three-row comes Kia's redesigned 2027 Seltos demonstrating that the boxy trend does not require a big budget or a big body. The subcompact crossover grows 1.8 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider and gains 2.4 inches between the axles, but its visual change is even more significant. Even more impressive are its smaller Telluride looks with the same level of visual drama and squarish goodness.KiaThe Telluride vibes come by way of a blackened grille and trim pieces, vertical DRLs and taillights, body cut lines and contours, and angular fenders. It has the squared-off silhouette shoppers increasingly associate with modern SUVs, without crossing into cartoonish faux-off-roader territory. The X-Line treatment should intensify that effect with darker exterior pieces and a more adventurous look.KiaKia will offer two gas powertrains, including a 190-hp engine available with all-wheel drive and an enhanced traction system. A Seltos Hybrid is also slated to join the lineup, adding an efficiency-minded option to the model's practicality-first appeal. The Seltos is for buyers who want a more distinctive, roomy-feeling crossover but do not need the footprint, price or fuel consumption of a midsize SUV. Its blocky styling also makes it look more substantial than its segment suggests.2027 Toyota HighlanderToyotaBoxy isn't just reserved for gas or hybrid SUVs. Case in point, the successor to the legendary Highlander. Toyota's 2027 Highlander EV takes the blocky-crossover formula into the electric three-row era. The redesigned Highlander moves to a battery-electric powertrain, but it preserves the nameplate's central job: carrying families, gear and luggage without requiring a full-size SUV. The solid front end contributes to the blocky look, and though the windshield is steeply raked, the rest of the new Highlander is upright goodness.ToyotaAdvertisementAdvertisementIts long 120.1-inch wheelbase and nearly 199-inch overall length give it a planted, substantial profile, while a squared-off cabin allows seating for up to seven and 45.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded. It is a clean-sheet EV, but it is not trying to look like a sci-fi appliance despite its clearly contemporary move from a swoopier design. Crisp lines and cleans surfaces make the electric Highlander embrace a wholly new look.ToyotaThe XLE starts with front-wheel drive, a 77.0-kWh battery and 221 horsepower, with an estimated 287 miles of range. All-wheel-drive versions use dual motors for 338 combined horsepower; the available 95.8-kWh battery raises Toyota's estimated range to 320 miles. A NACS charge port adds access to a broad DC fast-charging network. The Highlander's new aesthetic helps communicate what the vehicle actually is: a practical, versatile, family-focused SUV built for the realities of modern electric life.Final ThoughtsThe blocky-SUV boom works because it gives crossovers a freshness that also taps into the past. These designs look more capable, create more usable interior space and diverge dramatically from sleek, coupe-like shapes that have become far too commonplace. Mainstream SUVs have even pushed ahead of premium brands in the push for boxiness. Expect the squared-off look to continue to permeate this segment. In a category where buyers still value room, visibility and a more capable look, being boxy is beautiful.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.