5 Best Mid-size SUVs For All-Round Use (With Pictures)

Mid-size SUVs are a class of SUVs below full-size SUVs and above subcompact and compact SUVs.

They are great for off-roading and they usually have enough space for the average nuclear family to fit into. 

There are tons of mid-size SUVs on the market from several auto brands. However, some of them stand out for their quality, reliability, and all-round excellence.

Below is a list of mid-size SUVs perfect for all-round use:

1. Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride is a mid-size crossover SUV that debuted in 2019 for the 2020 model year. It got off to a flying start as it was named the World Car Of The Year and Motor Trend SUV of the year in 2020. 

The latest edition of the Kia Telluride is currently priced at $37,025 for the base variant and $54,120 for the highest trim.  Its most exquisite features include its roomy interior, ritzy cabin, nimble ride/handling, and a dime infotainment system. 

It is a three-row vehicle with eight seats and a seven-seat option is also very much available. The Kia Telluride also has three full sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats at the rear seats. 

An all-wheel-drive system and all-terrain tires are available which aids its movement on tricky roads and pavements. However, it’s not your go-to vehicle for off-roading, all things considered. 

The latest edition of the Kia Telluride comes correct with a 3.8-liter V6 engine which churns out 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Such specifications often makes drivers think about fuel usage so explore cheap mid-size SUVs with the best gas mileage.

With the Kia Telluride, you go from 0 to 60 mph in just about 7 seconds. This is all thanks to the punchy V6 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. 

It also sports a diverse list of driver-assistance features including standard lane departure warning and standard blind-spot monitoring. Additionally, the Telluride offers automatic high beams and a 360-degree camera system as available options. 

The Kia Telluride gets a bang average gas mileage with 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The numbers take a further dip for all-wheel drive models at 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. 

Overall, we would say the Kia Telluride is a spectacular mid-size SUV and gets much of the job done. Here’s what a notable auto publication has to say about the model:

Three years after its debut, the Kia Telluride remains one of the best choices in midsize SUVs. This big Kia can take up to eight occupants in comfort, tackle a dirt road, and help keep the family safe with a comprehensive set of standard driver assistance features.” – Kelley Blue Book

2. Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai greenlit production of the Hyundai Palisade in late 2018 for the 2020 model year. It is considered a “close relative” of the earlier-mentioned Telluride because of similarities in their wheelbase and engine configurations. 

The Hyundai Palisade is close to hitting sales of 200,000 units after three full years which indicates impressive market popularity. It also gets a lot of praise from critics thanks to its roominess(passenger/cargo) and variety of standard features. 

The base model currently starts at $36,545 for the base trim and $50,495 for the priciest trim.

Also, it does pretty well at 0-60 MPH. Here are the 0-60 MPH times for all Hyundai models.

Like most other mid-size SUVs, the Palisade can seat up to eight people for models with bench seats on the second row. However, opting for captain’s chairs instead drops the number to seven. 

For families with children, the Hyundai Palisade has three full sets of LATCH connectors for select seats in the second and third rows. Also, the third row notably comes with a tether anchor. 

All-wheel drive system and an eight-inch ground clearance give the Telluride just enough to tackle dirt/gravel roads. You don’t want to take it for a spin in serious off-road conditions though. 

As is the case with most mid-size SUVs, the Hyundai Palisade has unimpressive gas mileage. It gets 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway and AWD models get 19 in the city and 25 on the highway. 

The Palisade’s V6 engine churns out 291 horsepower and is set up alongside an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just about seven seconds which is pretty decent. 

The Hyundai Palisade can also tow up to 5,000 pounds of weight. It’s known for offering standard safety technologies including blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keep assist, etc. 

Very few SUVs can boast the Palisade’s all-round greatness and excellence. The vehicle is also one of the affordable family SUVs people love driving. Little wonder, Hot Cars calls it the “nearly perfect SUV”. Here is a glowing review about the Hyundai Palisade:

The Palisade remains one of our favorite SUVs in the segment. It’s usable every day, quiet on the highway, and loaded with tech you’d actually use. Even though it’s Hyundai’s priciest product, the 2023 Palisade presents as a great value for money.” – Edmunds

3. Honda Passport

The Honda Passport is a range of SUVs produced and marketed by Honda since 1993. It entered its third generation in 2019 and has achieved decent success commercially.

It also currently ranks #3 on U.S News’ list of the best mid-size SUVs and we are about to see why. 

We have gathered the 0-60 times for ALL Honda models here.

The latest edition of the Passport starts at $39,665 for the base trim and $47,225 for the priciest trim. Some of its most acclaimed features include its spacious cargo and myriads of standard features. 

Unlike many of its competitors with three rows, the Honda Passport is a two-row SUV that only seats five people. Despite the low number of seats, however, there is sufficient head/leg room for adults in the front and rear seats. 

For child car seats, it also sports three sets of LATCH connectors at the rear seats as well as tether anchors for support. 

The Passport’s V6 engine produces 280 horsepower and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is pretty great in this model and you can go from 0-60 in about 6.2 seconds. 

An all-wheel drive option and 8.1 inches of ground clearance allow it some success on gravel pavements and tricky roads. However, the 2023 Honda Passport just isn’t the best for serious off-roading. 

Gas mileage is pretty average as one would expect for a typical Mid-size SUV. 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway is the best the Honda Passport can do in terms of fuel economy. 

The Honda Passport has a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety tech features include front/rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure, and automatic high-beam headlights to mention a few. 

For a vehicle with an estimated weight of about 4,229 pounds, the Passport can tow up to 5,000 pounds of weight. 

The Honda Passport is a true all-rounder and has earned its place on this list fairly. How about a review excerpt from a well-known auto publication? 

The Honda Passport is one of the most versatile SUVs on the market. It exudes an athletic character from both a design and performance standpoint, but it also delivers a comfortable ride, plenty of cargo space, and decent fuel economy. It also comes with a good number of standard features, excellent smartphone integration, and plentiful interior storage.”- Edmunds

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a line of mid-size SUVs manufactured by Jeep since 1992. It entered its fifth generation in 2021 and has achieved immense commercial success with no less than 200,000 units sold yearly. 

It is also considered one of the best mid-size SUVs on the market with excellent ratings and reviews from pundits. 

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at $42,830 for the base trim and $78,880 for the top trim. Some of its most defining features include composed ride/handling, a ritzy cabin as well as simple infotainment features. 

It is however a two-row SUV with five seats although the “L” variant offers up to seven seats. The rear seats have two complete sets of LATCH connectors as well as a tether anchor for the middle seat. 

A punchy V6 engine comes standard on the base trim while an even better V8 engine is available for higher trims. The V6 engine churns out 293 horsepower while the V8 engine produces 357 horsepower. 

It takes all of seven seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph which is indicative of pretty good acceleration.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has four-wheel drive on all its models which makes for impressive off-roading. Some trims even offer special features like an off-road camera, skid plates, and adaptive air suspension, all of which help smoothen off-road drives. 

It can tow up to 7,200 pounds which is more than we can say for many of its most notable competitors. However, it does get lackluster gas mileage with 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway plus even worse numbers for V8 models. 

A slew of safety features come standard including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors amongst others. It’s also one of the SUVs with the highest driver seating position. 

Without a doubt, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an outstanding SUV and its place on this list is as valid as it gets. Have a look at what a renowned publication had to say:

The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn’t just a good choice for buyers attracted to its unique mix of ability, heritage, and comfort. In some regards, it’s the only choice.” – Kelley Blue Book 

5. Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 hit the auto market in 2006 as a mid-size crossover SUV. Now in its second generation, it has several awards to its name and has consistently cemented itself as one of the best in its class. 

Prices start at $40,025 for the base trim and $49,735 for the priciest “Signature” trim.  Top features include a nimble ride, a classy interior, and a plethora of standard equipment. 

The CX-9 seats no less than seven people with three-person bench seat options for higher trims. It features two full sets of LATCH connectors perfect for the outboard seats on the second row as well as a tether anchor. 

Gas mileage is pretty decent at 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. All trims feature a preppy turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating about 227 horsepower. Seven seconds is all it takes to go from 0 to 60 mph. 

It also comes standard with all-wheel drive and will do just fine on icy terrains and pavements. Although we will admit it’s not the best for serious off-roading.

Also, its towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds which puts it a tier below many competitors. 

The CX-9 grabs a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA with blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, and lane-keep assist as part of its numerous standard safety technologies. This car is one of the SUVs with parking sensors in the front and back.

A gorgeous exterior and a ritzy interior will have many people confuse it for a luxury SUV. 

Given its greatness in almost every department, we just couldn’t leave the CX-9 off this list.

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