What makes a midsize SUV the best? A variety of factors are taken into consideration, including safety, performance, comfort, pricing, space, and even resale value. With so many midsize SUVs on the market, it may feel overwhelming trying to figure out which is the right one for you. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular midsize SUVs to help you choose.
What is the best midsize SUV? According to Cars.com, it’s the Jeep Wrangler, which was named the Best SUV for 2024. The Wrangler starts at $31,995 MSRP and is available in seven gas engine trims and six plug-in hybrid trims. This midsize SUV is available with a 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter engine or a V8 engine. The hybrid provides up to an all-electric range of an EPA-estimated 22 miles, and all Wranglers have four-wheel drive. The 2024 best SUV seats up to four or five passengers, depending on trim level with plenty of space for passengers and storage. The Jeep Wrangler has a selection of standard and available safety features, including child-seat upper-tether anchors if this will be a family SUV.
The Mazda CX-5 has a starting price of $29,300 MSRP. This midsize SUV is Consumer Reports recommended thanks to its comfortable, quiet interior, responsive handling, and reliability. The 2024 Mazda CX-5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top safety pick, and it received a 5-star overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making it a good family SUV. The CX-5 is available in eight trim levels and is equipped with a SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter engine and standard i-ACTIV AWD® (all-wheel drive). There’s seating for up to five passengers, and it comes with a range of standard safety features, including smart brake support.
Looking for a midsize SUV with a little more room? The Mazda CX-9 is available in five trim levels and provides three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. This Mazda SUV starts at $38,750 MSRP. Like the CX-5, the CX-9 also provides a quiet, comfortable interior, smooth ride, and plenty of standard safety features like blind spot warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The Mazda CX-9 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter 4 turbo engine with standard i-ACTIV AWD®. Behind the third row, there’s 14.4 cubic feet of storage for groceries, sports equipment, or other cargo.
Another one of the most popular midsize SUVs is the Dodge Durango. This powerful SUV comes with two rows of seating for five passengers, and higher trim levels offer a third row with seating for up to seven. It has a starting price of $41,670 MSRP. This midsize SUV is powered by a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, or for even more power, a V8 engine is available. The Dodge Durango provides an EPA-estimated 22 combined MPG. It has a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds when properly equipped and a payload capacity of 1,400 pounds. Inside, the seats are comfortable and spacious with plenty of room for all passengers.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an IIHS top safety pick and starts at $36,495 MSRP. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best midsize SUVs with its standard safety features, interior comfort, off-road capabilities, and five trim levels to choose from. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is powered by a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine and provides a 6,200-pound towing capacity when properly equipped. This midsize SUV seats five passengers across two rows. For additional seating, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers three rows with seating for up to seven. When it comes to safety, standard features include blind spot detection warning, predictive brake assist, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control with anti-rollover. There’s also an available surround-view camera system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system and smartphone integration are standard.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is also available in a plug-in hybrid model: the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Combining innovation and sustainability, this SUV offers best-in-class torque* and the lowest estimated annual fuel cost** of any Grand Cherokee. The starting price is $60,490 MSRP. As one of the best midsize hybrid SUVs, it provides a manufacturer-estimated 25-mile all-electric range and an estimated total driving range of 470 miles. It delivers 56 MPGe. The Grand Cherokee 4xe provides slightly less towing capability than the gas engine model, but it still tows up to 6,000 pounds. In hybrid mode, this SUV combines the 2.0-liter turbo engine with the electric motor, and in electric mode, there are almost no tailpipe emissions.
The Mazda CX-90 starts at $37,845 MSRP. It offers a class-leading EPA-estimated 25 combined mpg*** and provides three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. As an IIHS top safety pick+, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best midsize SUVs. You have 11 trim levels to choose from, all of which come with a standard e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L Turbo Inline 6 engine. This Mazda SUV offers sport and off-road modes and tows up to 3,500 pounds with the base trim or 5,000 pounds with higher trims. For convenience, you get the Mazda advanced keyless entry system and a push-button start. Passengers ride comfortably on leatherette-trimmed seats, and the MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment system comes with a 10.25-inch full-color center display.
Looking for a Mazda hybrid SUV? Consider the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, which starts at $49,945 MSRP. It’s an IIHS top safety pick and provides standard i-Activ AWD® that responds to all driving terrains. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV provides an EPA-estimated 26-mile all-electric driving range, an EPA-estimated 490-mile total driving range, and an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe. It’s powered by an e-SKYACTIV®-PHEV 2.5-liter engine and a 68-kW electric motor. Inside, the driver and front passenger can enjoy leather-trimmed heated front seats. Depending on which trim you choose, you’ll get a 10.3-inch or 12.3-inch infotainment display. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Shopping for one of the most popular midsize SUVs near Chester, Petersburg, or Charlottesville, Virginia has never been easier. Explore our Dodge, Jeep, and Mazda SUV inventory online then contact us or visit one of our showrooms to take a test drive. Our Sales Advocates can help with any questions you have and help you choose which of the best midsize SUVs is the right fit for you.