Best mid-cars Suv's

Not too long ago, SUVs came in one size: large. But skyrocketing demand has ushered in a new era with seemingly endless variations on the SUV theme. Today, midsize SUVs, as the name suggests, slot neatly between compact and full-size SUVs, providing arguably the best of both worlds.

These SUVs typically offer more passenger and cargo space than compacts, without the land-yacht footprint of full-size SUVs. Many midsizers employ a V6 engine to provide extra power and torque, although turbocharged four-cylinder engines are increasingly common. Depending on model and specification, midsize SUVs can serve multiple purposes, from off-road adventuring to high-style boulevard cruising.

Best Midsize SUVs for 2018
Whether you're inclined to the tree line or the valet line, we've rated the top midsize SUVs to match your lifestyle. Let our expert vehicle ratings and evaluations help you find the right fit.

3-Row Midsize SUVs
If you can't stomach the idea of a minivan, the best alternative is a three-row midsize SUV. These utility vehicles provide much of the interior space of a minivan in a more stylish package with additional ground clearance. But not all three-row SUVs are built equal. Some offer genuinely adult-friendly space and legroom in the third row, while others have smaller third rows that are best-suited to children. Here are our top three-row midsize crossover and SUV picks.

2018 Dodge Durango
If the Dodge Durango looks familiar, it's because today's model has been on the road since 2011, an eternity in SUV years. That's a testament to the Durango's enduring strengths. Dodge's three-row ute boasts class-leading towing capacity, available V8 power and truly adult-friendly space in the third row, making it a unique value proposition in this price bracket. Like many of its rivals, the Durango is made for the long haul with comfortable seats, a quiet and cushy ride, top-notch infotainment and massive cargo space. This muscularity takes a toll on fuel economy, however, and there are certainly easier SUVs to maneuver. Overall, though, the Durango works as hard as it plays. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $31,090
Fuel economy: 15-21 mpg combined
Maximum cargo capacity: 84.5 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity: 8,700 pounds

2018 Dodge Durango Overview and Pricing

2018 Honda Pilot

2018 Honda Pilot - Interior
Every version of the Pilot provides copious rear passenger space, but your kids will love you even more if you spring for the rear entertainment system.
2018 Honda Pilot - Front Exterior
The 2018 Honda Pilot is a perennial all-star among three-row family SUVs.
2018 Honda Pilot - Rear Exterior
The 2018 Pilot has just enough style to avoid blending in with the crowd.
2018 Honda Pilot - Front Interior
The Pilot's spacious front cabin includes a distinctive push-button transmission interface on the center console.
2018 Honda Pilot - Interior
Every version of the Pilot provides copious rear passenger space, but your kids will love you even more if you spring for the rear entertainment system.
2018 Honda Pilot - Front Exterior
The 2018 Honda Pilot is a perennial all-star among three-row family SUVs.

 Edmunds Rating

A steady stream of upgrades since its debut 15 years ago has made the three-row Honda Pilot one of the best SUV combinations of performance, utility and technology. Comfortable on long drives, unruffled over broken city streets, and built solidly inside and out, today's Pilot speaks to drivers who want to ditch the minivan but still need three rows of seating. The Pilot features intelligent storage solutions, modern features and impressive fuel economy. It can even tow up to 5,000 pounds with the right equipment, making it a great alternative to bulkier truck-based SUVs. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $31,875
Fuel economy: 21-23 mpg combined
Maximum cargo capacity: 83.9 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity: 5,000 pounds

2018 Honda Pilot Overview and Pricing

2018 Mazda CX-9

2018 Mazda CX-9 - Steering Wheel
It's easy to forget you're piloting a sizable three-row SUV when you're ensconced in the CX-9's sporty cockpit.
2018 Mazda CX-9 - Front Exterior
Not many three-row SUVs look graceful in motion, but the 2018 Mazda CX-9 certainly fits the bill.
2018 Mazda CX-9 - Rear Exterior
The CX-9 manages to maintain a svelte appearance, but inside you'll find an airy cabin with ample cargo space.
2018 Mazda CX-9 - Interior
The CX-9's third row isn't the most spacious you'll find, but it's good for kids and adequate for adults if they're not too tall.
2018 Mazda CX-9 - Steering Wheel
It's easy to forget you're piloting a sizable three-row SUV when you're ensconced in the CX-9's sporty cockpit.
2018 Mazda CX-9 - Front Exterior
Not many three-row SUVs look graceful in motion, but the 2018 Mazda CX-9 certainly fits the bill.

 Edmunds Rating

With a just-right blend of size, style and class, the Mazda CX-9 delivers luxury without the luxury price. It comes standard with three-row seating, yet it retains a maneuverable character and even feels fun when hustled through curves and corners. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers prodigious pep without penalty, and we think the CX-9 is among the best-looking SUVs on the road. That goes for the interior, too, which you could mistake for an Audi effort. Overall cargo space isn't outstanding, but the usable space is still impressive. If a measure of sportiness in an SUV is important to you, the CX-9 delivers. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $33,105
Fuel economy: 23-24 mpg combined
Maximum cargo capacity: 71.2 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500 pounds

2018 Mazda CX-9 Overview and Pricing

2018 Toyota Highlander

2018 Toyota Highlander - Dash
Ergonomics are traditionally a Toyota strong suit, and the Highlander continues the tradition. Most controls are close by and right where you'd expect them to be.
2018 Toyota Highlander - Front Exterior
The 2018 Highlander represents a long-running platform, but recent updates have kept the exterior looking relatively fresh.
2018 Toyota Highlander - Rear Exterior
The Highlander's upright, angular body hints at the versatility within. You're looking at one of the most practical three-row SUVs in this class.
2018 Toyota Highlander - Rear Interior
Whether you're hauling people or cargo, the 2018 Highlander's roomy rear compartment should be up to the task.
2018 Toyota Highlander - Dash
Ergonomics are traditionally a Toyota strong suit, and the Highlander continues the tradition. Most controls are close by and right where you'd expect them to be.
2018 Toyota Highlander - Front Exterior
The 2018 Highlander represents a long-running platform, but recent updates have kept the exterior looking relatively fresh.

 Edmunds Rating

The Toyota Highlander is a perennial three-row SUV favorite. It offers an optional V6 engine that's both powerful and fuel-efficient (the base engine is a forgettable non-turbocharged four-cylinder). Meanwhile, the ride is comfortable and quiet, and the cabin provides above-average passenger and cargo room. There's even a hybrid model for drivers seeking maximum fuel economy, and every Highlander now gets a standard suite of advanced safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking. The Highlander's infotainment tech lags behind that of some competitors — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable, for example — but as an overall package, it ranks among the best. Read Full Review

Starting price (including destination fee): $32,025
Fuel economy: 22-23 mpg combined (non-hybrid models)
Maximum cargo capacity: 83.7 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity: 5,000 pounds