Size, space, and comfort all in one.
If you're after a stylish exterior with serious presence and a spacious comfortable cabin that'll turn bumpy roads into a smooth ride, consider a midsize SUV. With no shortage of choices, you're bound to find one the fits your busy lifestyle.
To help you narrow down your choices, we've compiled a list of the 10 best midsize SUVs for 2020 shoppers, based on customer reviews, select vehicle specs, and RepairPal reliability ratings.1 All of these midsize SUVs would make a great pick for you and your family.
Toyota Verza
If you prefer a wagon-style body over the traditional SUV but still want all that a five-seat midsize SUV has to offer, consider the Toyota Venza. Its low-slung body is as practical as it is stylish; you'll find the combination of a low step-in height and tall doors makes the 2015 Venza very easy to get in and out of. And it still provides a spacious interior once you get inside with 108 cubic feet of passenger volume and 30.7 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the rear seats. Plus, those rear seats have the ability to easily fold down with the pull of a lever, opening up more room. And with that spacious cabin inside 2015 models, you can expect lots of features too, including:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 6.1-inch touchscreen display
- Eight-way power driver seat
- Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity
- Cruise control
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX's robust exterior is matched with three-row seating inside, space enough for you and six other passengers, and a cargo volume that starts at 14.9 cubic feet but can be expanded up to an enormous 90.9 cubic feet with second- and third-row seats folded down. If it's space and comfort you're after, the 2017 Acura MDX delivers. And should you want all that size without regular trips to the pumps, the Sport Hybrid model features a 3.0L V6 engine with three electric motors and a seven-speed automatic transmission, capable of an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined.2 On all trims from 2017–2019, you'll also get a great selection of tech features, including:
- Power liftgate
- Heated and power-adjustable front seats
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Two dashboard display screens: a seven-inch touchscreen and an eight-inch regular display
- Bluetooth® and Siri® Eyes Free compatibility
First introduced in 2009, the Dodge Journey is a great choice if you're after sporty performance and handling. Standard on the GT trim and upwards are both all-wheel drive, which will keep you confident behind the wheel, and a 3.6L V6 engine, capable of 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That engine and all-wheel drive combination make the 2017 Journey a strong contender for when you're highway cruising, getting you an EPA-estimated 24 mpg highway.2 Additional standard features on 2017–2019 GT models and upwards include:
- Heated front seats and steering wheel
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- 8.4-inch touchscreen display
- Dashboard-mounted DVD player
- Premium sound system with subwoofer
For a midsize crossover ready to tackle your highway drive with ease, take a look at the Nissan Murano. With the launch of its third generation in 2015, 2015–2019 Muranos offer you a potent powerplant and an ultra-comfortable interior. The former is provided courtesy of a 3.5L V6 engine producing 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque and is likewise capable of an impressive EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined and 28 mpg on the highway when equipped with a continuously-variable transmission and all-wheel drive.2 Couple this with comfortable seating inside for five passengers and 28 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the split-folding rear seats, and you've got a midsize SUV that's ready to take you and your family where you need to go in comfort. And on 2015–2019 models you can expect features like:
- Cruise control
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Rearview camera
- Bluetooth and Siri Eyes Free voice-command integration
- Seven-inch touchscreen display
Looking for a crossover SUV that is just as adept off-road as it is on-road? Check out the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a rugged SUV that lives up to its sport utility name in every sense of the word. There are three engines available on 2017–2019 models: the base 3.6L V6, a formidable 5.7L V8 producing 360 hp, and a turbocharged 3.0L diesel V6 capable of 420 lb-ft of torque and an estimated towing capacity of 7,400 lbs. when properly equipped and in two-wheel drive configuration.3 Four-wheel drive is also an option on all trims, and if you want maximum off-road capabilities, check out the Trailhawk trim which includes these features on 2017–2019 models:
- Adjustable air suspension
- Electronic limited-slip differential
- 8.4-inch touchscreen with voice controls
- Hill ascent and descent control
Ford Edge
Part of the second generation introduced in 2015, the 2015–2019 Ford Edge can seat you and four other passengers and provides a very useful 39.2 cubic feet of luggage volume in the rear. There's also a good selection of engines, including a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive which is good for an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined.2 Running about the city or journeying a little further for business or pleasure? The 2017–2019 Ford Edge has you covered and provides you with a great selection of equipment inside, too:
- Cruise control
- Ford Sync® system with voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity
- Rear parking sensors (SEL trim upwards)
- Dual-zone automatic climate control (SEL trim upwards)
- 4.2-inch central display
If you're someone looking for an SUV that can keep pace with your adventures, here's the ideal companion—the Toyota 4Runner. A midsize SUV based on a truck platform, the 4Runner doesn't just look rugged and ready for action, it is both of those things and more. A potent 4.0L V6 engine producing 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque gives the 2017–2019 4Runner excellent pulling power to tackle tough terrain—and when combined with the five-speed automatic transmission, it has a towing capacity of an estimated 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped.2 The 2017–2019 Toyota 4Runner is available in both five-seat or seven-seat configurations, and trim levels like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro include plenty of features geared towards tackling rough paths, like:
- Locking rear differential
- Crawl control
- Revised front springs with Bilstein dampers (TRD Pro only)
- Nitto Terra Grappler off-road tires (TRD Pro only)
- Front skid plate (TRD Pro only)
If you want a Toyota midsize SUV with three-row seating that's geared more towards everyday driving, here's your pick: the Toyota Highlander. A three-row SUV with an imposing frame, the 2017–2019 Highlander is a great all-around practical vehicle, especially if you're driving with a family or larger group. Inside, you get space for up to either seven or eight passengers, 42.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with third-row seats folded down, and a whopping 83.7 cubic feet with the second and third row folded flat. A 3.5L V6 comes standard on most trims and is capable of 295 hp while also managing an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive on 2017–2019 models.2 And alongside all that space, you and your passengers can enjoy all the features 2017–2019 models come with, such as:
- Toyota's suite of driver-convenience features
- 6.1-inch touchscreen interface
- Height-adjustable power liftgate (LE Plus models up)
- Tri-zone automatic climate control (LE Plus models up)
- Driver Easy Speak (XLE models up)
For a great three-row midsize SUV with plenty of equipment to offer even from standard, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe. Able to seat up to six or seven passengers, the 2017–2019 Santa Fe's power comes from a 3.3L V6 engine producing 290 hp and is good for an EPA-estimated 25 mpg on the highway when mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.2 The 2017–2019 Hyundai Santa Fe also offers a generous amount of equipment even on standard trims:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Rearview camera
- Seven-inch touchscreen display
- Hyundai Blue Link® system
- Android Auto™ integration
Kia Sorento
Topping our list is one of the most practical, versatile, and comfortable midsize SUVs around, the Kia Sorento. The theme of the 2017–2019 Sorento is choice, meaning a choice of two or three-row seating layouts and a selection of three engines, including a base 2.4L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and capable of an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined in front-wheel drive form.2 There's also up to 146.4 cubic feet of passenger volume on five-seat Sorento models and 154.2 cubic feet on seven-seat models, ensuring you and all your passengers ride in comfort. And you can expect a wide range of standard features throughout the range of trims on 2017–2019 models including:
- 4.3-inch touchscreen interface (LX models and up)
- UVO eServices with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto (LX models and up)
- Rear parking sensors (LX models and up)
- Adaptive cruise control (LX models and up)
- Blind-spot monitor (EX models and up)
Whether you're looking for a spacious family car, an ultra-comfortable highway cruiser, or an all-terrain SUV for adventures and excursions, there's a midsize SUV waiting for you.
Looking to learn more about SUVs? Check out these related articles:
1RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2010–2019 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. Learn more at www.carmax.com/repairpal-reliability.
2Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.
3Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.