Summary

• Buying an SUV can be challenging due to the overwhelming number of choices, but there are top contenders in the mid-size segment.
• The Dodge Durango, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota 4Runner are among the best mid-size SUVs available.
• The upcoming Toyota Grand Highlander is expected to be the best all-around three-row mid-size SUV with its diverse engine options and premium features.

Buying an SUV these days may be one of the most challenging purchases you can make as they are the most popular vehicle type today. Because of this, just about every manufacturer makes one. They come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s an overwhelming amount of choice. Of the staggering 172 models currently on sale, about 75 can be had with three rows and can seat between six / seven passengers. From luxury SUVs to more affordable ones and everything in between, choosing one can be quite a challenge.

As you can imagine, the competition is huge, particularly in the mid-size segment. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best models in the mid-size space and why an upcoming model has the potential to take the crown for the best one out there. Now, of course, not everyone will judge an SUV on the same features, so when choosing the top dog of the segment, it is crucial to take a step back and analyze the overall qualities of the vehicle and not narrow in on the one specific thing that is important to you.

That is your job when you actually go to acquire your new ride. For now, let’s go over the top four three-row mid-size SUVs and crown the new king.

Updated on August 13, 2023: Over the decades, many mid-sized SUVs have come and gone that have gained a place in our hearts, so we have decided to refresh and update this list. That means instead of burying this one into the endless articles lost to the internet, the original four SUVs can be found below, as well as a few new ones to help expand your knowledge and broaden your mind.

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2023 Dodge Durango

Starting MSRP: $40,140

You may think that the Dodge Durango would be the top choice. If it was up to some of the authors, it would be because anything with the power and performance of the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is awesome. However, it is not a very practical family SUV, so it is lower on the list because the more docile version is listed here, but one that still has V-8 power under the hood. The one major problem that the Durango is that, like some of the others on this list, it has yet to offer a hybrid or all-electric model.

Dodge Durango Specifications

Few SUVs can tow as competently as the Dodge Durango with the Hemi. The 5.7-liter can safely tow up to 7,200 pounds, which is more than enough to tow most basic trailers and campers. If you prefer a model with better fuel economy, you can pick a Durango with a V-6 instead of the V-8, which can still tow up to 6,200 pounds. The Durango is your go-to mid-sized SUV if you want a muscle SUV, a work SUV, or a family SUV, but be prepared to pay a little more than the rivals.

2023 Kia Telluride

Starting MSRP: $35,890

The Kia Telluride is currently one of the most popular SUVs on sale. With changes to branding and vehicles, Kia has made a huge leap both in sales and quality, and most of their vehicles are certainly recommended for purchase. The Telluride hits the SUV market with its rugged looks and great features. Underneath the hood, you get a 291 horsepower V-6 with a combined fuel economy of 23mpg. Power makes its way to the axles via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Kia Telluride Specifications

In case you want to use the Telluride for towing, you will have the ability to hitch up a trailer that weighs up to 5,000 pounds. Of course, a third row is available, but it can be slightly cramped for adults. Cargo space is an impressive 21 cubic feet with the third row in place and 46 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Telluride is a modern SUV that blends affordability and equipment really well. Read our in-depth review of the Kia Telluride here.

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2023 Mazda CX-9

Starting MSRP: $40,125

The CX9 makes it onto this list primarily due to its sportier driving characteristics. Mazda has done a great job finding a niche for the CX-9 in the overcrowded three-row SUV market. The 2.5-liter turbo with 227 horsepower provides good acceleration, and the braking and steering systems combined with slightly stiffer suspension lead to a driving experience that is very pleasant considering the type of vehicle the CX-9 is.

Mazda CX-9 Specifications

It is by no means a sports car, but it is certainly more fun to throw around corners than something like a Kia Telluride or a Toyota Highlander. Of course, the CX-9 also offers convenience and usability as, at the end of the day, its main purpose is to be an SUV. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it comes standard with all-wheel and an array of driver-assist safety features. Its only downside is a slightly more cramped cabin when compared to the rest of the competition, an issue that Mazda has addressed on the CX-9’s successor, the CX-90.

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2023 Toyota 4Runner

Starting MSRP: $40,155

The 4Runner may seem like a weird suggestion for this list, but stick with us. While the Telluride offers all the conventional traits of an SUV and the CX-9 takes care of the more sporty ones, the aging 4Runner will satisfy the needs of those who seek an indestructible machine. This isn’t your conventional unibody SUV. It still sits on an old-school ladder frame chassis and a rear solid axle (this makes it extremely robust), and it uses an engine and transmission that are now pretty old.

Toyota 4Runner Specifications

Inside, amenities are fewer than most vehicles priced similarly, and the interior design certainly looks dated. Remember, the 5th generation 4Runner has been on sale for 13 years now. So, why on earth would we suggest you buy one? Well, it is the most reliable and tested SUV one can purchase. If you want a vehicle to keep for the next 20 years, this is the one to get. Not to mention its incredible off-road abilities and immensely cool looks. Read our in-depth review of the Toyota 4Runner here.

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The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Is The Best All-Rounder

Starting MSRP: $43,070

Saving the best for last, in our opinion, the best mid-size SUV has got to be the upcoming Toyota Grand Highlander. Toyota had been trailing the competition with its regular Highlander owing to that tight third row and lack of a hybrid, but that will change soon. Slotting in between the regular Highlander and Sequoia, Toyota will offer the Grand Highlander with three engine choices that include a 2.5-liter, a 2.4-liter turbo, or a 2.4-liter turbo and hybrid max model, reserved for the top trims. Power figures are 246, 265, and 362 horsepower, respectively. These engine choices mean that the Grand Highlander can meet the needs of most buyers.

Toyota Grand Highlander Specifications

Aside from the variety of engines, the Toyota also has a feature-packed interior far more premium than the standard Highlander. As standard on the 2024 model, you get features like wireless charging, plenty of USB ports, climate controls front and rear, and heated and cooled seats. Unlike the regular Highlander, the third row on the Grand Highlander now can accommodate adults comfortably (33.5 inches of legroom, which is 6.0 inches better than a regular Highlander), which is easily its best feature.​​​

A 12.3-inch infotainment system keeps you entertained and connected with Android Auto and Apple Car Play features. The Grand Highlander is an SUV that will keep you and your family comfortable and can tow your trailer (up to 5,000 pounds). Finally, it all comes down to your needs (this is why we included the above options), but if you want a vehicle that lends a premium feel, has reliability in its blood, is comfortable, and will hold its value, then the all-new 2024 Grand Highlander is that vehicle.

The regular Highlander was already the second-best mid-size SUV on the market, selling upwards of 200,000 vehicles in 2022. The 2024 Grand Highlander has even more features, diverse powertrain options, including a hybrid, and more space. It builds on the Highlander’s strengths big time and should be able to clinch the top spot, provided Toyota can make them fast enough.