Built Like A Brick
Not every car wants to be sleek or aerodynamic. Some proudly stand tall, bold, and square. These rides turn heads without needing any flashy design accents. With plenty of room to spare and a charm all their own, these boxy rides still surprise us. Here are 20 standouts that make us think it's hip to be square.
Christopher Crouzet on Wikimedia
1. Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2025 Corolla Cross brings a boxy edge to Toyota’s crossover lineup. Its upright profile and tall roofline translate to 66.8 cubic feet of cargo space and comfortable seating for five. Offered with gas or hybrid powertrains, it balances practicality with efficiency.
2. Kia Soul
Think of it as the box that could dance. The Soul debuted in 2009, quickly earning praise for mixing quirky design with serious practicality. U.S. News ranks it highly among subcompact SUVs year after year. Despite multiple facelifts, it never lost its tall stance and square roots.
3. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Once a military workhorse in the late '70s, the G-Wagen climbed its way into the luxury stratosphere. Its bolt-upright body remains largely untouched, even after a 2018 redesign. It’s still hand-built in Austria and offers unmatched off-road capability with full locking differentials.
Fabien Tremoulinas on Wikimedia
4. Kia EV9 (2025)
Designed to stand out in the electric crowd, the 2025 Kia EV9 combines sharp edges with full-size functionality. This SUV seats up to eight and offers 81.6 cubic feet of cargo space. In short, it’s one of the most versatile EVs on the U.S. market.
5. Chevrolet Tahoe
Big, squared, and built for work or weekend escapes. The Tahoe’s slab-sided design enables best-in-class cargo space and excellent towing numbers. Moreover, the 2025 refresh adds even more tech, but the bones remain pure—a tall greenhouse and a face that doesn’t follow trends.
6. Jeep Wrangler
What defines a Wrangler? Solid axles and that iconic seven-slot grille sitting between squared fenders. Every generation since 1986 (and even its CJ ancestors) has embraced its boxiness. As of 2024, it’s still the go-to SUV for serious off-roaders and one of the most customized vehicles on the road.
7. Hyundai Santa Fe
Boxy is back, and Hyundai’s leaning in. The Santa Fe trades curves for sharp corners to deliver a bold new look that’s both modern and practical. Now seating seven, it offers up to 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space and an available hybrid powertrain.
8. Subaru Forester
Practicality takes on a boxier edge in the Subaru Forester. Known for its all-wheel drive and outdoorsy reputation, the latest generation embraces a more upright profile with sharper lines and increased cabin space. Its tall windows and squared rear end maximize visibility and cargo utility.
9. Land Rover Defender
British utility meets 21st-century refinement. The new Defender keeps its upright geometry and squared wheel arches, paying tribute to its 1948 roots. Yet beneath that boxy shell lies modern suspension tech and a unibody frame toughened to handle terrains the old ladder frame never could.
10. Ineos Grenadier
Built with purpose and shaped by heritage, the Ineos Grenadier revives the spirit of old-school off-roaders. Its upright, utilitarian design echoes classic Land Rover DNA, but everything underneath is brand new. A ladder frame and a 5-seat configuration make it a serious trail tool.
11. Jeep Gladiator
The Gladiator extends the Wrangler’s boxy DNA into pickup territory. With its flat panels and vertical tailgate, it’s one of the most overtly squared vehicles on the market. Plus, it still features removable doors and a roof, something no other truck offers.
12. GMC Yukon
Angular and built for scale, the Yukon continues to serve those who need room without curves. It offers up to nine-passenger seating, vast cargo space, and premium Denali trims. For buyers seeking a truly boxy full-size SUV with upscale comfort, this one’s a standout.
13. Chevrolet Suburban
Stretch a Tahoe, sharpen the lines, and you get the longest-running nameplate in automotive history. The Suburban debuted in 1935 and still serves families and fleets alike. Its boxy profile supports three rows and a commanding road presence that’s helped it dominate large SUV sales for years.
14. Toyota Land Cruiser
For decades, it’s gone where few dared: deep jungles, deserts, mountain passes. The Land Cruiser’s international reputation is built on durability and simplicity, and the 2024 model keeps that legacy with a squared-off, retro-modern frame. Its boxy shape is engineered for brutal, real-world reliability in the harshest conditions.
15. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse ditches its rounded past for a makeover that leans heavily into SUV territory. Now sporting a more upright stance and bold proportions, it offers three rows of seating and a redesigned cargo area. This car’s latest look brings it closer to the classic SUV boxiness.
16. Rivian R1S
Adventure meets angles in the R1S. Based on the same platform as Rivian’s R1T truck, this three-row SUV brings real off-road chops with quad-motor AWD and adjustable air suspension. Its square stance allows for a gear-focused design, including a front trunk and underfloor storage built for explorers.
17. Ford Bronco
Why did the Bronco vanish for 25 years? Simple: Ford couldn’t rush a legacy. When it returned in 2021, it brought a squared silhouette rooted in its 1966 origin story. Its removable roof panels and Baja-mode readiness turned it into a serious Wrangler rival overnight.
18. Nissan Pathfinder
Pathfinder brings back the boxy roots that made it a hit in the '90s. The 2025 model keeps its squared-off stance and angular rear to bring three-row seating and serious utility. Its upright profile and functional layout earn it a place among today’s most practical family SUVs.
19. Lexus GX
The GX shares DNA with Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado to give it genuine four-wheel-drive credentials under its squared proportions. The 2024 redesign modernizes the cabin while leaning harder into a more angular, upright shape. This mid-size SUV is one of Lexus’ most capable and boxy offerings.
20. VinFast VF9
Vietnam’s VinFast is new to U.S. roads, but the VF9 is aiming high. This all-electric, three-row SUV wears its boxy lines with pride. It offers up to 330 miles of range in the Eco trim and 291 miles in the Plus trim, both when fully charged.
