Best Midsize SUVs

Hyundai has fully embraced electrification with hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles. The all-new 2026 Ioniq 9 takes its place at the top of the Hyundai EV model lineup, joining the Ioniq 5 compact crossover and Ioniq 6 premium sedan.

Built on Hyundai's E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), the new Ioniq 9 is the brand's largest EV with seating for up to seven passengers in a roomy, comfortable cabin. While the overall dimensions of the Ioniq 9 are similar to the gas-powered Hyundai Palisade, the electric powertrain allows for a much longer wheelbase, improving interior space and drivability.

The Ioniq 9 will be available with single-motor rear-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. A Performance version boasting 422 horsepower will also be offered, making it one of Hyundai's most powerful vehicles. Hyundai expects the Ioniq 9 to have a maximum range of 335 miles, with every trim getting at least 300 miles on a charge. Charging from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger should take about 25 minutes.

With only a handful of three-row electric vehicles available, the Ioniq 9 will be vying for a piece of a rather small pie. Rivals include the Rivian R1S, and the Hyundai’s cousin, the Kia EV9. While the new Volkswagen ID. Buzz also offers three rows of seats, it is more minivan than SUV, so it is an outlier but still could be considered an alternative to the Ioniq 9.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 goes into production in the Spring of 2025 at the Korean brand's new facility in Bryan County, Georgia.

For 2025, Audi fills in a notable gap in its electric vehicle lineup with the all-new Q6 e-tron. It's a compact SUV, which is somewhat rare among luxury EVs. While the Q6 is an excellent choice for most drivers, those who desire more performance and excitement have their own variant: the 2025 Audi SQ6 e-tron. Both models sit between the smaller Q4 e-tron and the larger Q8 e-tron, but the SQ6 makes a stout 483 horsepower compared to the Q6's 422 hp, and its sporty suspension is tuned for athletic cornering. In the next year or so, a raucous RSQ6 e-tron is expected with even more performance.

Among the new SQ6 e-tron's few rivals, there is one that was developed alongside it. The new Porsche Macan Electric shares a lot of the Audi's underpinnings but costs quite a bit more and offers more sporty variants. The Genesis Electrified GV70 offers decent performance, but doesn't match the Germans when it comes to luxury and refinement. Other competitors are larger and pricier alternatives: the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.

At least for now, the Audi SQ6 e-tron enjoys an advantageous position among luxury EVs. It returns a respectable amount of range, charges quicker than almost anything else, and is suitably practical for everyday use.

The Nissan Murano has always gone its own way when it comes to exterior design, beginning 20 years ago when it was introduced as the brand's first-ever crossover SUV. Now, Nissan has introduced a new fourth-generation Murano for the 2025 model year, and its exterior styling is as polarizing as ever before.

While the exterior certainly gets attention, the Murano's cabin has a premium vibe with a clean, high-tech design. A large display screen dominates the dashboard, and aside from the volume control knob, there are virtually no physical controls to be found.

With seating for five passengers, the Murano fits into the Nissan lineup between the Rogue and Pathfinder; however, its price makes it one of Nissan's most expensive SUVs, surpassed only by the newly redesigned full-sized Armada. But with an extensive list of standard equipment, the Murano does not seem overpriced.

The Murano gets a new powertrain for the 2025 model year, using Nissan's innovative variable combustion turbo (VC-Turbo) technology. Power output is slightly less than the outgoing version's V6, but Nissan has improved overall drivability by replacing the CVT with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on upper trims and available on the base-level SV.

The Murano's redesign was overdue, and with its updated features and modern cabin, the crossover should prove to be stronger competition against the Honda Passport, Mazda CX-50, and Chevrolet Blazer.

Look for the 2025 Nissan Murano to arrive in showrooms by the end of the year.

After more than 10 years without a major update, the 2025 Toyota 4Runner arrives with a top-to-bottom redesign that gives it an all-new look, more power, and more technology and features throughout. This midsize SUV now rides on the same underpinnings as the recently updated Toyota Tacoma, so that means it has a sturdy steel frame and an off-road ready suspension. The new 4Runner also shares the Tacoma's engine options, so the base offering is now a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The optional powerplant is a hybrid setup that combines the base gas engine with an electric motor to boost overall output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 4Runner will be available with rear-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive, or full-time four-wheel drive depending on the trim. One notable new feature for off-road enthusiasts is a stabilizer bar disconnect system for improved suspension articulation in rough terrain.

After years of adding incremental feature updates, the 4Runner's cabin is now available with a full range of up-to-date technology. The main dashboard interface is an 8-inch touchscreen on base models or a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. It features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with numerous USB-C power ports and digital key functionality. The gauge cluster is also updated with a 7-inch standard screen and an optional 12.3-inch screen. All models are upgraded with Toyota's latest suite of safety technology.

The 4Runner has a small, but strong group of off-road-capable competitors. Chief among them is the Ford Bronco, which also offers four doors and powerful engines. Same goes for the Jeep Wrangler which has become far more comfortable in recent years, without losing its off-road prowess.

Cadillac continues pursuing General Motors’ EV agenda with its fourth all-electric model, the three-row, six- or seven-seat Vistiq SUV, slated to launch in the second quarter of 2025 as a ’26 model.

The powerful and spacious midsize vehicle is aimed at luxury buyers who prefer a domestic brand, or want to save a few dollars versus most competitive imports.

In Cadillac’s EV lineup, it follows the hulking Escalade IQ SUV and the built-to-order Celestiq ultra-luxury sedan, both arriving in late 2024, and the two-row Lyriq SUV, which launched in mid-2022.

Design-wise, the Vistiq is a fairly standard slab-sided two-box SUV, relieved with some interesting sculpting on the side panels and a slight rearward curve to the roofline. It has that familiar Cadillac face with thin vertical stacks of LED headlights flanking a shield-shaped grille that sports an illuminated Cadillac emblem.

Cadillac once again goes to its Ultium platform and battery for the Vistiq’s underpinnings and power pack. It uses a 12-module Ultium battery that Cadillac says will give it 300 miles of driving range despite its size. (Official numbers aren’t out yet). Caddy says all four trim levels will use the same dual-motor powertrain with electronic all-wheel drive, capable of delivering 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque when the red Velocity Max button on the steering wheel is engaged. Cadillac claims a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds for the Vistiq in Velocity Max mode, dropping to 4.7 seconds when that red button is left alone.

The Vistiq’s closest cousin in the Caddy pantheon is the internal combustion XT6 SUV, which has about the same passenger space but 20% less cargo space. The Vistiq is 6 inches longer than the XT6, can tow more, and deliver more than twice the maximum horsepower.

The luxury three-row electric SUV segment is a pretty small one, so the Vistiq doesn't have much direct competition. Pricing for all trims hasn’t been announced, but Cadillac says the base price, including destination fees, will be $78,790. We expect pricing will soar into the high $80,000s or even the low $90,000s. Most of the Vistiq’s probable competitors start in the low $80,000s although the Rivian R1S is a few thousand less and offers actual off-road capability.

Likely competition in size and price includes the Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S, Volvo EX90, and the aging Tesla Model X. While not a luxury brand, Kia fields a highly competitive three-row electric SUV with its EV9, and some shoppers might find a fully loaded version to be just as pleasing as the Vistiq at a lower cost. Likewise, the new three-row [Volkswagen ID.

Buzz](/overview/volkswagen/id-buzz/) doesn’t offer the luxury or power of the Vistiq, but the modern version of the iconic microbus makes a statement that shoppers might find hard to ignore. Mercedes-Benz offers a pair of three-row electrics in the EQB SUV and EQS SUV. But they bracket the Cadillac in size and pricing, so neither is directly competitive.

Cadillac’s come a long way in recent years and its EVs can compete with the best in the luxury and near-luxury segments. We’ve not yet been able to spend any time on the road with the Vistiq and will have to come back with driving and overall competitiveness impressions closer to its launch date.

The Vistiq is a global model. In the U.S., it will be available at Cadillac dealerships in all 50 states.

Audi gained an advantage over its German rivals when it introduced the original e-tron SUV in 2019, beating the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE to market by almost three years. In the time since, Audi has kept its momentum strong. That initial e-tron, recently renamed the Q8 e-tron, is the largest all-electric SUV in Audi's lineup. It was joined in 2022 by the smaller Q4 e-tron, which is closely related to the Volkswagen ID.4. Audi uses even numbers in its EV names and odd numbers for its internal-combustion vehicles).

The newest all-electric addition, the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron, fills the size and price gap between the Q4 e-tron and Q8 e-tron. It's worth noting that the size differences between Audi's e-tron SUVs are more like half-steps than the typical jump from a compact to midsize SUV. The Q6 is built on an all-new platform shared with the Porsche Macan Electric.

Based on the specs, things are looking up for the 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron. It's estimated to return 307 miles on a single charge and is capable of some of the industry's quickest DC fast-charge rates. Audi's main competitors don't currently offer a direct rival; the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV are closer in size to the Q8 e-tron.

Toyota is not letting up on gas-electric hybrids. The 2025 Toyota Crown Signia is the newest and 13th in the automaker's lineup.

A midsize five-seater, the Crown Signia is neither the largest nor the fanciest, but for fans of Toyota crossovers and SUVs who find the Sequoia or Grand Highlander hybrid too big or pricey and the RAV4 or the outgoing Venza hybrids too small or unpolished, it may just do the trick.

The Signia — Toyota says the same derives from “insignia” and denotes a signature model for the company — won’t be in dealerships until summer of 2024, so Toyota hasn’t released many details about it. It debuted this week in Los Angeles, where powertrain and trim information was announced.

Appearing more like a lifted wagon than an SUV, the Crown Signia will be marketed as a premium model alongside the Toyota Crown sedan. While the sedan starts at just over $41,000, the Signia version begins at almost $45,000. Initially, it will be offered in just two trim levels: XLE and Limited. There won’t be a turbocharged performance-oriented version like the top-of-the-line Crown Platinum sedan, at least not for the 2025 model year.

With standard electronic all-wheel drive, we expect the Crown Signia to compete against the slightly smaller Subaru Outback as well as various trim levels of other midsize SUVs, including the Kia Sorento and Honda Passport. It may be a bit pricier, but as a hybrid it also is likely to be a lot more fuel-efficient, which could make up for the price difference over time.

The Genesis brand was introduced less than 10 years ago — barely a blink compared to Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Lexus — and in that short time, the luxury arm of the Hyundai Motor Group has become a significant competitor. It was just a few years ago that Genesis joined the lucrative midsize SUV market with the flagship GV80. This year, the Korean automaker is adding the sleek 2025 GV80 Coupe.

Front styling is similar to that of the revised 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV, but the Coupe features a special version of the familiar Crest grille with a dual-layered design and the brand's signature two-line headlights. However, the GV80 Coupe has a distinct profile with a roofline that smoothly flows from the top of the windshield to the custom rear spoiler. Available 22-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets add to the sporty look.

All-wheel drive comes standard on the GV80 Coupe, which gets two engine options: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that powers the top-level GV80 SUV and a version that adds a 48V electric supercharger, bumping output from 375 horsepower to 409 hp. The supercharged powerplant is now the most powerful engine in the Genesis lineup.

The GV80 Coupe's stylish cabin is highlighted by a 27-inch-wide OLED screen that houses the driver display and infotainment screen. Seats are trimmed in soft Nappa leather, and there's plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The GV80 Coupe is an excellent luxury SUV coupe option, bringing strong competition to a niche market dominated by established European brands. These include the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is a two-row, five-passenger SUV that fills a gap in Mazda’s lineup between the smaller CX-50 and the three-row seven-passenger CX-90. The big difference between the new model and the existing CX-90 is the CX-70 trades a third-row seat for a more efficient cargo area. These vehicles are so similar that it seems odd to market the CX-70 as a vehicle separate from the CX-90.

The CX-70 is based on the same mechanicals as the CX-90, and the two are twins in every dimension. The CX-70 offers a choice of three powertrains, two with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine (different horsepower levels) with a mild hybrid system for added boost and efficiency. The third is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model that adds a larger battery pack under the rear seat for the ability to travel about 25 fully electric miles on a charge. You can tell the two models apart at a glance by the wheel arch flares — black on hybrid models and painted body-color on the PHEV. Mazda says the CX-70 weighs within 100 pounds of the CX-90, so ride and handling between the two vehicles is similar.

The biggest difference between Mazda’s two largest SUVs is that the CX-70 has two rows of seats instead of three. Removing the third row created more room in the cargo hold. In fact, Mazda carved out even more space by expanding the width slightly towards the rear with expanded side panels. There’s a new sub-trunk area for increased storage — away from prying eyes. The CX-70's cabin also has power-folding rear seats.

The CX-70 competes with a wide variety of two-row SUVs such as the more expensive BMW X5, Acura MDX, and Genesis GV80 at the upper end where it strikes us as a legitimate bargain. It also plays in the class a notch down in price and prestige with midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Mazda is known for producing vehicles with excellent twisty-road handling and the Hyundai and Jeep cannot match the CX-70 in that regard.

The Ford Explorer has been around for more than 30 years, and Ford says it has sold more than 8 million of these family-sized SUVs. Now in its sixth generation, the 2025 Explorer gets a major refresh with new styling, an upgraded cabin, and advanced technology.

The Explorer battles in one of the most competitive vehicle segments in the U.S.: the three-row SUV. The Explorer's strong rivals include the Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L. In 2023, the popular Ford outsold almost all of its competition, and there's every reason to believe that success will continue with the updated 2025 Explorer.

With seating for up to seven passengers and plenty of cargo space, the Explorer provides a high level of comfort and utility. Four trims are offered: Active, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum, all well equipped with a long list of standard features. Four-wheel drive is available on all versions, and Ford offers the Explorer with a choice of two powerful engines, including a 400-horsepower EcoBoost turbocharged V6.

Ford's infotainment system is greatly improved, with a new Google-based operating system. It integrates popular features such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, and is displayed on a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also comes with the latest advanced driver-assist features and, for the first time, is available with Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system.

Volvo is transitioning into an electric-only automaker, and the 2025 EX90 will be its new flagship. The three-row, seven-seat, full-size SUV sits on the company’s first EV-exclusive platform, and it is slightly bigger and has more technology than the present XC90 top model. The company plans to launch one new EV each year, with the goal of making all new Volvos electric by 2030. The EX90 can be pre-ordered now and goes on sale in early 2024. Next up will be the recently unveiled 2025 Volvo EX30, a subcompact crossover that will be Volvo’s smallest and least expensive SUV. It will hit dealerships in the last half of 2024.

The EX90, expected to start at just under $80,000, is truly a luxury SUV. It most likely will compete with other high-end, all-wheel-drive electric SUVs including the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, the upcoming Lucid Gravity, and three-row versions of the aging Tesla Model X.

The upcoming Polestar 3 SUV from Volvo’s sister all-EV company is smaller than the EX90, but it shares the same platform, albeit with different tuning and suspension set-up. The 2025 EX90 isn’t as big or powerful as most of its rivals, but it comes close and is priced lower than all but the Rivian. It also brings updated safety and driver-assist technologies, including software and hardware readiness for potential hands-free highway driving. Volvo says it will be the safest vehicle it has ever made.

A pair of dual-motor, all-wheel-drive systems will be available, and Volvo says the EX90 will be capable of 300 miles of range or more.

Inside it is somewhat Tesla-like, with a clean dashboard dominated by a large, vertically mounted touchscreen. Outside it is very Volvo-like, with signature Thor’s Hammer headlights, a big Volvo logo, vertical taillights, and slab-like sides with muscular rear haunches. One clue to its role as Volvo’s tech leader is in the bulge at the top center of the windshield. It holds an array of laser imaging, detection, and ranging (lidar) sensors that can “see” in total darkness and are used to improve the accuracy of the EX90’s lane and obstacle detection systems.

Deliveries begin in early 2024 and Volvo says pre-order customers can configure their cars later this year with priority delivery. We expect the EX90 to be available in all states but with initial supplies skewed toward EV-friendly areas such as Southern California, the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay areas, the Pacific Northwest, Eastern Seaboard, Colorado, and Texas. The EX90 will be built at Volvo’s South Carolina plant and those priced below $80,000 will be eligible for the federal clean vehicles tax credit of up to $7,500 — if their battery content meets requirements.

Volvo debuted the EX90 months before production starts, and has been vague about what features will be standard versus optional. It also hasn’t provided any models for driving evaluation. We’ll wait to evaluate the EX90's overall competitiveness until we drive it and get more details.

Acura’s first all-electric SUV, the 2024 ZDX is a competent and comfortable luxury crossover. Powering the ZDX is a 102 kWh battery that’s paired with one or two electric motors. With the single-motor setup, the ZDX optimizes range, offering an EPA-estimated 313 miles between charges. With the dual-motor configuration and in the high-performance Type S trim, the ZDX offers less range but much more power, faster acceleration, and a more dynamic driving experience. It’s the most powerful SUV Acura has ever produced. With sleek, modern styling, lots of room on the inside, and a comfortable ride, the ZDX has a lot to offer.

The ZDX has a quiet cabin and is enjoyable to drive, but its rivals have a significant advantage in some areas. The ZDX is pretty large, which means it easily holds five adults. But rival EV SUVs, such as the Kia EV9, have similar exterior dimensions and provide three rows of seating. Then there’s the issue of luxury, where the ZDX isn’t quite a class leader. Cabin materials, even on the top-trim ZDX Type S, are a bit underwhelming. There’s plenty of modern tech and a long list of standard safety features, but competitors like the BMW iX and Genesis Electrified GV70 feel a bit more upscale inside. Finally, range, especially on the high-performance Type S model, is below what we’d want in a big family SUV like the ZDX. None of these issues are deal-breakers, though, and we’d still advise shoppers to take a close look at the 2024 Acura ZDX.

Built on General Motors’ Ultium platform, the 2025 Blazer EV is one of several new electric vehicles available from Chevrolet. With the Blazer EV, there are two choices for battery size and the choice between rear- and all-wheel drive. Depending on which model you choose, the Blazer EV has a maximum range of either 279 miles or 324 miles — both of which are respectable for the class.

The Blazer EV’s midsize dimensions give it a spacious interior with lots of legroom and headroom, but cargo room isn’t much improved over its compact rivals. The interior of the Blazer EV has a sleek design, with the 17.7-inch infotainment screen directed towards the driver and a number of aesthetically pleasing materials. The Blazer EV also comes standard with built-in Google, but smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable.

If you’re not a fan of the GM user interface, but you like what the Blazer EV offers on paper, you’re in luck. The Ultium platform that the Blazer EV rides on is also used for the production of vehicles Honda Prologue, which has similar range estimates and performance numbers, but different styling and interior flourishes. The Prologue also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Blazer EV is classified as a midsize SUV so it’s direct competitors are limited, but we’d recommend also taking a look at smaller EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6, or larger three-row EVs like the Kia EV9.

No one really buys a three-row SUV looking to carve tight corners on open back roads. But with the 2025 Mazda CX-90, it's nice to know you can. Or at least the Mazda makes the possibility more exciting than its competitors, even if it's only the occasional cloverleaf interchange with a cabin full of nervous passengers. With its sport-tuned steering and suspension, standard all-wheel drive, and cracking turbo engines, the CX-90 is a lithe wide receiver in a class of SUV linebackers.

An impeccable interior is another of the CX-90's standout traits, with a refinement and quality that rivals many European and other luxury alternatives. Settling into any of its seats, it's easy to see why the CX-90 costs a little more than some competitors, but still rates as a bargain compared to the next price tier. Class-leading fuel economy and an available plug-in hybrid that can cover up to 26 miles on battery power round out some of the Mazda's attributes.

The CX-90 can't match its peers in overall utility, though. The interior, while refined, is smaller than most. That goes for the cramped third row and limited cargo space. The infotainment is serviceable, but dated software and the lack of a touchscreen fall short of the smoother interfaces and cloud-based operating systems in other SUVs.

The Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, and the Toyota Highlander and larger Grand Highlander all offer more space and more modern tech. Even if they're not as fun on a 270-degree on-ramp.