Minivans are out and SUVs are in. Modern American car-buyers have been flocking to utility vehicles in search of attractive and capable alternatives to the classic, sliding-door kid hauler, and the midsize segment is the sweet spot with its Goldilocks appeal (not too big, not too small). And as such, automakers have stuffed their lineups with midsize SUVs that satisfy the many. Another upside to the growth of the segment: less compromise. Fuel-conscious buyers can have efficiency and space with the engineering of less thirsty powertrains and a slew of standard driver assistance tech and bird’s eye-view cameras make larger, high-riding vehicles more livable. The best midsize SUVs on the market stand out for their distinct propositions, including surprising value, unmatched off-road capability, fashionable styling, outrageous power or just plain versatility. These are the best midsize SUVs available for purchase in 2021 and include a mix of 2020 and 2021 model year vehicles.
- 2022 Genesis GV80
- 2021 Kia Telluride
- 2021 BMW X5 XDrive45e
- 2021 Porsche Cayenne
- 2021 Honda Pilot
- 2021 Hyundai Palisade
- 2022 Subaru Outback
- 2021 Subaru Ascent
- 2021 Lincoln Aviator
- 2021 Cadillac XT5
- 2021 Toyota 4Runner
- 2021 Audi Q7
- 2021 Mazda CX-9
- 2021 Toyota Highlander
- 2021 Kia Sorento
Methodology
Our evaluation covers five areas:
1. Styling (20 points) An assessment of the car’s overall design, styling and build quality, inside and out. Looks and styling are largely subjective, but a reviewer can still make general observations that hold a degree of objectivity. If the vehicle’s interior trim panels are loose, the switchgear feels cheap and the fitment and gaps of the panels are big and inconsistent, the rating will reflect these observations.
2. Performance (20 points) An assessment of a car’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality and other qualitative performance measures like horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 times and top speed. Towing capability for trucks and SUVs also is a consideration. Reviews also thoroughly consider the manufacturer’s data when comparing similar vehicles within the competitive set. While driving, reviewers also look for a melding of attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer about the specific vehicle and by consumer expectations of the segment.
3. Comfort and Convenience (20 points) An assessment of the car’s interior comfort, features and cargo space. Comfort can be subjective, but the reviewer also considers passenger space measurements compared with the segment and competitive vehicles. Cargo space also is based on measurements relative to segment and competitive set as well as functionality and usability. Features are objective and compared against the number and type of standard and available features in segment and competitive set. Price also is a consideration as is execution and efficacy. Extra points may be awarded for exceptional available or standard features or user-friendly infotainment setups. Cars may also lose points for substandard features, or for making certain features only available on pricey option packages of poor relative value.
4. Safety (20 points) The safety score is based on three elements: crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; the number of standard advanced driver-assistance safety technology features, such as blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, emergency automatic braking, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control; and visibility. Cars with official crash data gain points for a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA, or Top Safety Pick/Top Safety Pick+ status by the IIHS. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency will not lose points.
5. Fuel Economy (20 points) The fuel economy score is based on the combined mpg estimate for the model’s base trim with an automatic transmission, according to the Environmental Protection Agency or the manufacturer if EPA has not confirmed data. Some models will get extra points for offering a hybrid or other more fuel-efficient powertrain within the model lineup. Scoring for pure electric vehicles will be based on range and charging time.