Scotty ReissMid-size and compact SUVs have gotten larger and more capable in recent years, negating the need for a 3-row SUV. These 11, including three EVs, show just how much you can save in gas, money and space without sacrificing comfort or AWD.It's become the reality for many American families: Two becomes three, then three become four and suddenly, there's a large 3-row SUV in the driveway. They make short trips and long hauls comfortable, we can leave our sports gear and camp chairs in the cargo area. And if/when we ever take the plunge and get a boat, it can do the towing.But then, reality sets in. Large 3-row SUVs can be pricey, especially those that can tow a boat. And you find yourself asking, do we really need a 3rd row? Or can we live with a 5-passenger SUV?You're not the only one asking that, and carmakers are listening. Many have redesigned some of their most popular models to be larger, offer more interior space and especially, better accommodate kids car seats. Here are 12 of the best mid-size SUVs that seat five passenger and will hold your gear, your kids—even in car seats—and still conquer towing a boat when you're ready.Have you subscribed to our newsletter? Get it here!This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.The Honda Passport Is All Fun and No-NonsenseThe Passport is wide enough to easily fit three slim car seats across the rear benchPriced from about $44,000, we have loved the Honda Passport from the very start for it's spacious cabin and commitment to adventure. But seeing that it could be part of a family's daily driving, Honda updated it in 2026 adding more interior space by extending the wheel base, and adding more to the width.But what lets us know it's really designed for families is that it has 3 full sets of rear seat LATCHes—lower anchors and upper tethers. That means the job of installing car seats just got easier and faster. And, if you need to put one seat in the middle and one in an outboard seat, leaving the other outboard seat empty for a teen or adult, that's easy, too.The Honda Passport features AWD standard and is powered by a V6 engine that generates 285 HP and 262 pound-feet of torque, though you pay for that at the pump; fuel economy is estimated at 21 MPG.The Telluride's Mini-Me, the Redesigned Kia Seltos Is Now a True ContenderThe 2027 Kia SeltosThe 2027 Kia Seltos is longer, larger and more capable but that's not its charm. That lies in the recent redesigned, giving it the style and cache of its larger and pricier sibling the Kia Telluride, but at a lower price.Starting at about $25,000, buyers can choose between a gas-powered 4-cylinder engine that generates 146 HP and 132 pound-feet of torque, or move up to the larger turbo option, priced from about $33,000 and delivering 190 HP and standard AWD, a $1,700 option on lower trim models.Either way, you'll get a beautiful interior, a wireless phone charge pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two lower sets of rear seat LATCHes, 26 cubic feet of cargo space and about 30 MPG. And style for miles and miles.Watch: Tour and test drive the 2027 Kia Seltos with us!The 2027 Hyundai Tucson Is Designed to Simply Amaze YouWith the 2027 Hyundai TucsonThe redesign of the 2027 Hyundai Tucson might be the biggest design story of the year. What's surprising is that it's only about 2.4" longer than the 2026 model but it looks so much more expansive. And expensive—pricing hasn't been announced yet but we're guessing it'll start under $30K and top out at just over $40K based on current models.What do you get for that? A completely new design that looks modern and rugged, has distinct lighting on the front and rear, and has plenty of cargo space—42 cubic feet. What we love most though is the new multimedia screen and passenger space; not only are the rear seats more spacious, but the rear doors were designed to open wider, so there's more space for installing child car seats, and then, the kids in them.The 2027 Hyundai Tucson is powered by a 4-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 187 HP and 195 pound-feet of torque, though MPG, like pricing, has yet to be announced. The new model will hit dealers in early 2027.IYKYK: The Mazda CX-50 Is This Brand's Secret WeaponWe've loved the CX-50 for yearsMazda introduced the CX-50 a few years ago as part of the company's strategy to remake its lineup with larger, more comfortable and capable SUVs. And the CX-50 is well-suited for the job: It sits at the middle of it all, slightly larger than the CX-5, smaller than the 3-row CX-90 and offering both a hybrid and an off-road version.Starting at $29,900, all models feature standard AWD, adaptive cruise control and 31 cubic feet of cargo space. But buyers will have to choose: The gas-powered engine generates 187 HP and gets about 26 MPG, the turbo powered version increases horsepower to 256 but adds about $8,000 to the price, or the hybrid, built on the last-generation Toyota RAV4 hybrid system: it starts at just under $35,000, delivers 219 HP and about 38 MPG.VW Tiguan Adds Posh Details and Spoilers to a Right-Sized SUVThe 2026 VW TiguanWe're fans of the VW Tiguan (in full disclosure, I own one) for so many reasons: Its mini-me Atlas style, ample space, comfortable seats and spoilers like a sun roof and touch screen that don't feel basic, even in lower trim models.But making it all better, the Tiguan got a massive makeover last year giving it even more style with things like exterior light bars and illuminated front and rear badges. Inside, ambient lighting, a new screen with better function and "Hey Ida" or "Hey VW" voice assistance add even more ease getting out of the driveway and onto the road. Twenty-six cubic feet of cargo space, plus roof rails, mean there's plenty of room for cargo, and the rear seat is even larger, meaning plenty of stretch-out space for your kiddos or dog.Starting at just under $31,000, the Tiguan is powered by a 4-cylinder engine delivers 201 HP and an average 29 MPG; AWD can be added for $1,500. At the top end, the SEL R-Line Turbo ($43K) has standard AWD and drivers 268 HP, but you also get more style and massaging front seats.This OG of Best Mid-Size SUVs Has Been THE Family Go-To: Toyota RAV4Are we at all shocked that Toyota, Lexus, and Honda are on top?Last year the Toyota RAV4 got a much-needed makeover and it was a good one. Now, the much-loved 4-cylinder SUV has a modern look, sleek headlights and more interior comforts for passengers (hello dual phone charge pads and more function on the touch screen).But the best part of the makeover is that now all Toyota RAV4s are hybrid or plug-in hybrid, giving you MPG that runs from better to best. And, buyers of the PHEV model can drive under electric power for months on end, only using gas when they need it.The RAV4, which starts at about $32,000, gets about 44 MPG thanks to the 4-cylinder, 226 HP hybrid powertrain, though the fuel economy is a tad less with AWD added (a $1,400 upgrade on some models). The PHEV (from about $42K) delivers 324 HP and about 50 miles of all-electric driving, meaning MPG of 100 is totally doable. All this, paired with a larger, roomier cabin really advances the argument for putting one in your garage.Watch: Tour and test drive the Toyota RAV4 with usThis Was a Shocker: The Rivian R2 Beats Its Bigger Sister with Rear Seat SpaceThe Rivian R2 presents a familiar faceWe loved that Rivian hit the market with a 3-row SUV; it showed that all the space needed to accommodate its batteries wouldn't be wasted on frivolous features like extra cargo space when passenger seating is in such demand. So when we climbed into the Rivian R2 for a first drive earlier this year and installed kids car seats, it was a stunning surprise to find that the R2 can fit car seats better than the R1.Priced from about $45K and boasting a dual motor that generates 350 HP and a 275 mile range, the entry model is by any measure a solid offering. Add a few great color choices, Rivian's stellar technology and hands-free driving, and the R2 isn't just a great deal, it's an ideal. No wonder there's a wait list.Watch: Our tour and test drive of the Rivian R2The I-Got-You Chevy Equinox Might Be the Best Value On the RoadScotty Reiss with the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox ActiveThe Chevy Equinox is your hard working, never complaining, always showing up looking good bestie. Yes, you can get it in boring black or silver if you want, but for the redesign in 2025, Chevy added some fun colors and combos—Lakeshore blue with a black roof? Yes, please!—and still kept the price in the affordable range starting at about $29,000. And with a more truck-like boxy silhouette, the Equinox now has a much-improved appeal.With features like on-demand AWD—use it when you need it, let the MPG remain sane when you don't, though it's a $2,000 upgrade—an 11" touch screen, remote start, Google Built-in and 30 cubic feet of cargo space, the Equinox offers a lot of value even in the base model. But upgrade this turbo-powered, 175 HP SUV to Activ or RS and you get the opportunity to add even more posh details like a camel microsuede interior and heated and vented seats and still keep the price under $40K.The Go Everywhere, Do Everything SUV: Subaru ForesterA large part of the Forester hybrid's success is its large gas tank, which helps offset AWD-impacted mileage scoresSubaru has won legions of loyal fans over the years for its basic premise: resilient, reliable, AWD SUVs that can brave almost anything you, or the road, can put in front of it. AWD is a cornerstone of the Subaru promise and nearly all of its SUVs have it. And always have. Which has endeared the brand to people in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and Northeast where mud season is a thing and AWD is a necessity.The Subaru Forester, the brand's largest and most spacious 5-passenger SUV, was recently redesigned with a more angular, modern look but still, all Subaru. Starting at a hair under $30K and just under $35K for the hybrid, the Forester's 4-cylinder engine delivers 180 HP and about 29 MPG in the standard engine and 194 HP and about 35 MPG in the hybrid. Tow capacity is 1,500 pounds, but that scales up to 3,500 pounds in the Wilderness off-road edition. Subaru includes its Eye-Sight safety system, a center touch screen in all models; and all but the base model feature a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and X-Mode off-road modes for more challenging driving conditions.A Flexible Pod of Happiness: Hyundai Ioniq 5My family with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 — and yes, we all fit!I have a Hyundai Ioniq 5 in my driveway right now and every time I get in it to go somewhere, I have to smile. It starts up with a subtle chime, it pops in to gear quickly and rolls quietly through my neighborhood. It's a sweet little charmer. But that's not its best feature, nor is the 310 mile range, the 320 HP or the number of premium features it delivers for its $40K price tag — which still carries a significant discount from Hyundai.The best feature is the flexible open-cabin design that allows you to configure the space however you'd like it. The center console moves forward or back; the rear floor is flat and there's tons and tons of rear seat legroom, so 3 kids car seats will easily fit, or push the console back for more front seat room and to give rear seat passengers better access to USB ports and a storage compartment.The Ioniq 5's square-ish shape allows lots of headroom and its width allows lots of shoulder room. And its overall size looks and feels more compact than it is, not leaving you feeling like you're driving a house on wheels. While I'm not a fan of this SUV's design —and yes, it's technically an SUV and has AWD—it really works for all the space inside, making this an easy yes for families.Increase Your Cool Factor To WAAAAYYYY: Mustang Mach-EThe 2025 Mustang Mach-E in Molten MagentaOf all the SUVs here, the Mustang Mach-E is my favorite for one simple reason: This Mustang sibling is fun, fast and comfortable. The rear seat is nicely sized for families, pups or your taller friends. Even though the roof line slopes a bit to lend more of a Mustang feel, there's still a good amount of head room.Starting at just under $38K for the rear wheel drive, 264 HP version that has a range of about 300 miles since it'll save you over $2,000 a year on gas.Upgrade to the AWD version, which accomplishes that with an additional motor on the front axle, and you'll increase the HP to 325, but you'll add $3,000 to the price.However you take your Mustang Mach-E, though, you get lovely bucket seats upholstered in leatherette, a large center screen and a diminutive driver's display. Opt for a model with a sunroof—a great idea, in my opinion and I live in Texas—and you'll change the tone of the cabin to feel open and airy every day of the year.This Might Be the Best Deal on An EV: Chevy Equinox EVI love, love, love my Chevy Equinox EVThe gas savings are just the start here: Priced from just under $35K, you'll get a range of up to 320 miles, 220 HP (300 in the dual motor, AWD version) and up to 1,500 pounds of towing.Better, though, is the Chevy Equinox EV's spacious cabin for five, huge cargo volume, a 18" center screen and Super Cruise, the company's hands-free highway driving system. To keep the price low, Chevy kept the options limited, so interior and exterior colors are basic and the base model has cloth upholstery, but there is still tons of clever storage. Our Liv Leigh bought one and even three years later is still smitten.There are a lot of great SUVs out there. And a lot of great options. There's no reason to feel pushed into something larger and pricier than you want or need with so many great, and now larger, 5-passenger SUV options for families.