<p>Slope stability analysis is a fundamental component of geotechnical engineering, ensuring overall structural integrity and serviceability of engineered slopes and various earth structures. The estimation of the Factor of Safety (FoS) forms the cornerstone of such modeling; however, the traditional deterministic approaches failed to capture the complex slope behavior, non-linear interactions, and responses of natural slopes during rainfall. Over the years, slope stability modeling has evolved from simplified two-dimensional limit equilibrium methods to advanced three-dimensional, coupled-dimensional (multi-scale geometric integration-1D, 2D, 3D), coupled hydro-mechanical (hydraulic-mechanical interaction), and hybrid frameworks. This study performs a PRISMA-based systematic review and quality assessment of 164 peer-reviewed articles published in the time range of 1990–2025. Extracted studies are classified into two variable frameworks: model dimensionality and methodological framework. Statistical analysis of these two independent variables showed a significant correlation. This indicates that as the dimensionality increases, more advanced methodological approaches are adopted in the modeling. Descriptive analysis showed an emergence of hybrid, data-driven, 3D models, however, 2D models are still prevalent in the analysis. As a result, persistent gaps are identified, and a practical, oriented model selection framework was proposed. Thus, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the dimensional evolution and hybridization in slope modeling and offers critical insights into future directions for developing robust, multi-scale slope stability frameworks in geotechnical engineering.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>