To start with, shopping for an SUV nearly actually meant you had been going to be shopping for a midsize SUV. Early fashions just like the Explorer, Blazer, Grand Cherokee, Pathfinder and 4Runner are the rationale a distinct segment, off-roading car phase morphed into the bread-and-butter household transportation alternative after which spawned quite a few offshoot segments primarily based on measurement, functionality, efficiency and luxurious.
All these completely different instructions may be simply seen in immediately’s choice of midsize SUVs (most of that are technically crossovers), together with the present variations of these SUV pioneers. There are the three-row household haulers that customers fortunately gobble up as a substitute of minivans. These are greatest fitted to households, doubtless with multiple little one, who can use the additional cargo house and/or further row of seats — even only for occasional use. There are two-row, style-oriented selections just like the Chevy Blazer, Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport which might be resolutely supposed to remain good and clear on-road. These are nonetheless nice selections for households. On the alternative finish, there are the old-school, body-on-frame, definitely-not-a-crossover Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner. Whereas believable for household use (particularly the massive 4Runner), they’re much less environment friendly and comfy. After which you may have segment-bending oddities that do not precisely match right into a single class just like the Kia Sorento and Subaru Outback, plus the brand new choice of electrical SUVs which might be vaguely midsize in dimension and vaguely SUV in form. Oh, and much and many luxurious selections, which we cowl in our Greatest Luxurious SUVs checklist.
So listed below are our greatest midsize SUVs, listed alphabetically: Two-row midsize SUVs, Three-row midsize SUVs and Electrical midsize SUVs. You too can learn our checklist of the Greatest midsize luxurious SUVs.
Greatest three-row midsize SUVs of 2024
2024 Honda Pilot
Why it stands out: Distinctive storage and cargo house; distinctive second-row performance; refined experience; versatile and succesful TrailSport; superior AWDCould be higher: Subpar acceleration with lackadaisical transmission and engine response; so-so driver help tech
Learn our full 2024 Honda Pilot Evaluate
The Honda Pilot was fully redesigned for 2023. It maintains its predecessor’s household pleasant packaging and total focus, however it has injected a welcome sense of fashion (particularly within the TrailSport pictured above) that makes it stand out a lot better from the large crossover crowd. The Pilot’s restrained adornment and basic proportions are refreshing in comparison with the more and more busy Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Subaru Ascent. Let’s discuss practicality, although, which is finally the Pilot’s greatest attribute. Whereas each different three-row SUV makes homeowners select between a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs (and subsequently six-, seven- or eight-passenger capability relying on car), the Pilot’s detachable second-row center seat implies that each Pilot is usually a seven- or eight-passenger car. That center seat even matches underneath the cargo flooring in all trims however the TrailSport (its full-size all-terrain spare tire takes up an excessive amount of house). There’s additionally loads of considerate, family-friendly storage all through and a well-rounded driving expertise true to the Honda norm.
2024 Hyundai Palisade
Why it stands out: Extra third-row and cargo house; well-executed tech; high-style interiorCould be higher: No hybrid or efficiency model
Learn our 2024 Hyundai Palisade Evaluate and our long-term Palisade check
The Hyundai Palisade is mechanically associated to the Kia Telluride, and selecting between this pair of masterfully executed household haulers might mainly come right down to a coin flip. Or, extra realistically, which you assume seems to be higher. For its half, the Palisade has a extra luxurious vibe, which is most evident in its Restricted and Calligraphy trim ranges that might simply compete with precise luxury-brand SUVs. The primary cause for that is the fashionable, well-made cabin that not solely seems to be nice, however boasts helpful storage, user-friendly infotainment tech and extra space than almost each competitor — greater children and even adults will likely be completely comfy within the third row, and you’ll match extra stuff behind the raised third row. Hyundai’s driver help and security tech can be among the many best-executed within the business. If there is a main gap in its sport, it is the shortage of a hybrid powertrain or a extra highly effective model.
2024 Kia Sorento
Why it stands out: Distinctive measurement; environment friendly engines together with two hybrid selections; high-end cabin; well-executed techCould be higher: Much less normal energy than equally priced midsize fashions; hybrids are extra-hard to return by
Learn our 2024 Kia Sorento Evaluate or particularly our Sorento PHEV assessment
The Kia Sorento mainly has the outside dimensions of a two-row midsize SUV, however manages to sandwich in a 3rd row for many who might foresee needing one occasionally, however not steadily sufficient to warrant driving round a much bigger, thirstier and pricier car like Kia’s Telluride. It is mainly for many who do not essentially assume that greater is healthier. And for its half, the Kia Sorento is interesting for myriad different causes. Inside supplies high quality is elevated, the designs are good-looking and expertise is superb. The identical well-executed driver help and security options that so impress within the Palisade and Telluride are additionally obtainable within the Sorento. Maybe most importantly, nonetheless, is that the Sorento is without doubt one of the only a few three-row SUVs supplied as a hybrid. Its 37 mpg blows away the V6-powered competitors, and there is an distinctive plug-in hybrid alternative (pictured above proper). You will need to notice, nonetheless, that 2024 is an odd yr for the Sorento. The gas-only variations get revised exterior and inside design, and new infotainment tech. The hybrids get these updates for 2025, that means the 2024 variations carry over from final yr. The Sorento is advisable no matter these updates.
2024 Kia Telluride
Why it stands out: Extra third-row and cargo house; well-executed tech; well-made inside; would not appear like a household haulerCould be higher: No hybrid or efficiency model obtainable; X-Professional’s agency experience
Learn our full 2024 Kia Telluride Evaluate
When you’ve already learn the above description of the Hyundai Palisade, you’ve got been briefed about its mechanical commonalities with the Telluride and that they share the identical elementary sturdy factors: house, expertise, high quality and worth. In addition they accomplish that to an extent that outpaces their opponents. Of the 2, the Kia Telluride has acquired the higher share of accolades, largely as a result of its styling appears to resonate with extra individuals. Principally, type is the tie breaker. There’s greater than a whiff of Vary Rover to its blocky proportions and restrained detailing. Heck, “Telluride” is even written throughout the hood, very like a Vary Rover can be. Principally, the Kia Telluride would not appear like a three-row household hauler regardless of being among the finest three-row household haulers. Win-win.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrids
Why it stands out: Distinctive gas financial system for a three-row SUV or big-time energy for a three-row SUV; tons of house behind the third rowCould be higher: Some infotainment irritations; costly
Learn our full 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Evaluate
Whereas the Toyota Highlander has beforehand been on this checklist, it was nearly completely due to its hybrid mannequin that gives distinctive gas financial system none of its opponents might match. We at all times included the caveat that you simply’d be sacrificing third-row and cargo house for that gas financial system. That isn’t the case with the brand new Toyota Grand Highlander, a separate mannequin regardless of its title, that is considerably bigger the place it counts: within the third row and behind it. It too is offered with a conventional, fuel-sipping Toyota hybrid powertrain that achieves a sky-high (for a three-row household car) 33-36 mpg mixed, but in addition provides the performance-oriented Hybrid Max powertrain that will get above-average gas financial system whereas additionally boasting 362 horsepower — an quantity few rivals method. Add it up, and the Grand Highlander is a straightforward alternative right here for its non-grand sibling. The hefty price ticket does give us pause, however you are at the very least getting an terrible lot of household hauler.
Greatest two-row midsize SUVs of 2024
2024 Ford Bronco
Why it stands out: Off-road functionality; wide selection of fashions; higher to drive on highway than Wrangler; compelling designCould be higher: Very loud; very arduous to get one
Learn our Ford Bronco Evaluate
We had been tempted to exclude the Bronco from this checklist just because it is so troublesome to get, and even should you might, vendor markups might critically scale back its enchantment. That mentioned, provide constraints are easing, so welcome to the checklist Bronco! Ford’s iconic off-roader makes its long-awaited return, and it is simply pretty much as good as all of us would’ve hoped after we first noticed its cool, retro seems to be utilized to each two- and four-door physique types. Past these selections, it provides a beautiful array of trim ranges that transcend a easy escalation of kit to incorporate differing type, functionality and areas of experience. We have examined lots of these mixtures at this level and have loved all of them, together with the Black Diamond (pictured above), the brand new Everglades, the insane Bronco Raptor and something with the obtainable handbook. Many will ask is the Bronco higher than the Wrangler? As a each day driver, sure. As one thing to assault a path or barren panorama, maybe not. Would you be pleased with both? Most undoubtedly, and that is why they’re each right here on this checklist.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Why it stands out: Off-road functionality; towing capability; user-friendly tech; luxurious inside; number of modelsCould be higher: Meager efficiency from base V6; inside house
Learn our most up-to-date Jeep Grand Cherokee Evaluate
After a decade of valiant service, the fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee has lastly been retired. Lengthy reside the fifth technology. It’s extremely a lot an evolution of its predecessor when it comes to design and total idea, however key upgrades embrace a lovely new inside filled with well-executed expertise. In top-end trim ranges, the leather-lined inside can simply compete with luxury-branded SUVs. Though each Grand Cherokee is extra off-road succesful than the standard crossover SUV (which the JGC technically is given its unibody building), the rugged Trailhawk mannequin can go even additional because of its further floor clearance (its air suspension, obtainable elsewhere, can go even greater), digital sway bar disconnect (shared with the Wrangler Rubicon), all-terrain tires and extra Selec-Terrain drive modes. If there’s one space of disappointment (and lack of development), it is underneath the hood the place Jeep returns the previous V6 and V6 engines with inconsequential modifications. One is iffy on energy, the opposite gas financial system. That is the primary cause why the Grand Cherokee L fails to climb above the opposite three-row SUVs on this checklist. There are fewer two-row midsize opponents, although, and the two-row Grand Cherokee provides one thing the L doesn’t, at the very least for now: the plug-in hybrid 4xe.
2024 Jeep Wrangler
Why it stands out: Off-roading legend; huge number of fashions and choices; it is actually coolCould be higher: On-road dealing with; experience consolation; inside noise; gas financial system; cargo house; cabin safety
Learn our most up-to-date Jeep Wrangler Evaluate, plus our particular critiques of the Wrangler 4Xe, the Rubicon 392 and the 2022 Xtreme Recon
The Wrangler is not actually a competitor for any of the above midsize SUVs, and we undoubtedly do not suggest it as a household car. In truth, we’re fast to level out the Wrangler’s innumerable sensible drawbacks: dealing with, experience consolation, inside noise, security scores, gas financial system, cargo house, home windows that come undone with a zipper. … Principally, assume lengthy and arduous about whether or not you possibly can reside with these drawbacks to what’s in any other case a masterful off-roading SUV. Accessible in two- and four-door physique types, 5 engine choices (together with the plug-in hybrid 4xe and 470-horsepower Rubicon 392), a number of hard- and soft-top roof types, and quite a few trim ranges and particular type packages, there’s certain to be a Wrangler for everybody. Heck, there’s additionally the Jeep Gladiator pickup. Finally, we suggest the Wrangler as a result of regardless of these many drawbacks, this newest technology is actually way more refined and livable than previous generations. A Honda Passport it is not, however it’s now unlikely to beat up your backbone, blow out your ears and confuse your arms with spooky steering.
2024 Subaru Outback
Why it stands out: More room and floor clearance than different midsize crossovers; gas financial system; easy-to-load roof racksCould be higher: The droning CVT; boring to drive; hyper-vigilant driver help tech
Learn our full 2024 Subaru Outback Evaluate
You are proper, the Outback is not technically an SUV. However then, every little thing else on this checklist besides the standard, body-on-frame Wrangler and 4Runner aren’t technically SUVs, both. They’re crossovers that function car-like unibody building — similar to the Outback. And regardless of wanting like a wagon, it has extra floor clearance, extra cargo capability, extra again seat house and higher gas financial system than most different midsize crossovers. It is a genuinely wise and usable car, particularly for many who really wish to take their automobiles off the overwhelmed path (versus those that similar to to venture the looks of such weekend adventures). The Outback Wilderness, pictured above, helps you to go even additional off that path. Throw in its abundance of security and infotainment tech, normal all-wheel drive, stable reliability scores and improved inside high quality with its most up-to-date redesign, and you’ve got a car that is straightforward to suggest.
Greatest electrical midsize SUVs of 2024
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Why it stands out: Distinctive type; compelling efficiency; user-friendly tech; high-quality cabinCould be higher: Again seat is mounted a bit low; cabin design is a bit nameless; arduous to get
Learn our full Ford Mustang Mach-E Evaluate
One of the vital talked about (and controversial) new vehicles can be among the finest electrical vehicles you should buy. No, this isn’t “the brand new Mustang” (that is). The Mach-E is a brand new factor, not a alternative, that successfully makes “Mustang” a Ford sub-brand by creating an electrical crossover with styling cues and a performance-oriented driving character impressed by the still-very-much-on-sale Mustang coupe and convertible which might be nonetheless powered by gasoline. That is an enormous a part of the Mach-E’s enchantment: It seems to be cooler and drives higher as a result of it is a Mustang. Plus, its crossoverish physique type gives usable backseat and cargo house, its big Sync 4A touchscreen has impressed our editors with its clear simplicity, and its broad number of drivetrain and battery combos makes Ford’s first from-scratch electrical automotive open to a variety of wants and style. Though there at the moment are further crossoverish EVs obtainable for roughly the identical value, the Mach-E stays firmly entrenched on this checklist of favorites even when it is awfully arduous to get one.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Why it stands out: Ethereal and versatile cabin house; distinctive infotainment and security tech; enjoyable to driveCould be higher: Sci-fi hatchback styling will not be for everybody; initially obtainable in few states; not as fast as Tesla Mannequin 3
Learn our 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Evaluate and our comparability check versus the Mach-E
We’re unsure if the Ioniq 5 seems to be prefer it got here from the long run or from a “Again to the Future Half II”-style imaginative and prescient of the long run, however both manner, it certain is completely different. Though it seems to be like a compact hatchback, in actuality, it is so long as the quite-large Hyundai Tucson with a wheelbase longer than the very-large Hyundai Palisade. It is not very tall or excessive off the bottom, however inside, its misleading dimensions present a surprisingly ethereal, spacious and versatile cabin. We additionally love its user-friendly and well-executed expertise, each when it comes to infotainment and security, plus the clear, minimalist look that also maintains some bodily controls. Sure, that is a knock on Tesla. The bottom Ioniq 5 features a 58-kWh battery, 220 miles of vary and a single rear motor with modest energy. The higher trim ranges get a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a alternative of a single rear motor good for 303 miles (RWD) and 225 horsepower, or a dual-motor AWD setup good for 256 miles and 320 hp. That is as large of a efficiency bounce because it appears (7.3 seconds with RWD vs 5.1 with AWD). Importantly, each Ioniq 5 has 800-volt electrical structure, making it doable to cost from 10-80% at a 350-kW charger in simply 18 minutes. It’s going to velocity issues up at much less highly effective chargers as nicely.
2024 Kia EV6
Why it stands out: Cool and well-made inside; distinctive infotainment and security tech; enjoyable to driveCould be higher: Some complicated inside controls; different EVs provide extra complimentary charging
Learn our 2024 Kia EV6 Evaluate and our long-term EV6 check
Though primarily based on the identical platform because the Hyundai Ioniq 5, together with its 800-volt electrical structure, the Kia EV6 is its personal factor. You undoubtedly cannot inform they’re mechanically associated by taking a look at them inside and outside. The EV6 is equally formed and sized because the Mustang Mach-E, itself an uncommon “what’s it precisely?” physique type that is someplace in between SUV, wagon and hatchback. The time period “crossover” has by no means been so apt. Just like the Mach-E, the EV6 skews towards the sporty finish of the spectrum — particularly the brand new 2023 EV6 GT that boasts 576 horsepower and 0-60 time of three.4 seconds. The Ioniq 5 would not provide such a high-performance mannequin (but). The EV6 begins issues off with a 58-kWh battery pack with a spread of 232 miles and modest efficiency; the 77.4-kWh pack kicks it as much as 310 miles with RWD and 274 miles with AWD. All of this mainly means the EV6 is totally aggressive on the EV entrance, however merely seen as a automotive, we love its design, its well-executed tech, comfy and interesting driving expertise, and properly crafted cabin that is additionally fairly cool to take a look at.