Best Mid-Size SUVs for 2026 and 2027DAVID MASEMOREAutomotive enthusiasts love to hate SUVs. And yes, a good sports car or sports sedan is generally more fun to blitz down a curvy canyon road than an SUV is. But pushing a vehicle to its limits on pavement isn't the only use case. And today's best SUVs cover an incredibly wide bandwidth of capability and talents. The mid-size SUV segment is particularly full of highly capable machines with plenty of character.Mid-sizers are larger and more capable than compact offerings, without being big and unwieldy like full-size SUVs. Some of our favorites are great both on- and off-road while also offering practicality and solid value. Oh yeah, and they look cool, too. Here are the 14 mid-size SUVs we like best, including models from luxury and non-luxury categories and spanning a wide price range from under $40,000 well into six-figure territory.More SUV Rankings: Best Hybrid SUVs | Best Small SUVs | Best 3-Row SUVs | Most Fun-to-Drive SUVs | SUVs with the Best Interiors1) 2027 Land Rover DefenderPhoto credit: Land RoverBase price: $62,590AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Defender is a revival of the legendary Land Rover nameplate, but this time around it's just as good on the road as it is off. Unapologetically modern in everything it does, the Defender has a wide range of drive modes for different terrains and doesn't require much compromise on the pavement thanks to its available air suspension that makes for a refined and supple ride. It's offered in a wide range of styles, from the fun-loving two-door 90 model to the practical four-door 110 to the even roomier 130 with a third row of seats that brings the total passenger capacity to eight. A turbocharged inline-six is now the standard engine (the four-cylinder has been discontinued), and there's also a new off-road-enhanced Octa model with big tires and blistered fenders. It's quick, with a 626-hp twin-turbo V-8 and a chassis that can handle rock crawling as well as it can take a pounding through the desert. In fact, Land Rover even tested the thing on the Nürburgring just to make sure it was as good on pavement as it is off.We Drive the 626-HP Defender Octa2) 2026 Ford BroncoPhoto credit: Zac PalmerBase price: $42,790The reborn Bronco is still a head-turner that offers driving fun as both a daily driver or as a weekend trail toy. It's got Wrangler-level capability on most trails but with better on-road dynamics. Ford offers a wide range of options and trims to help personalize the experience, too. Our personal faves? Well, the high-performance 418-hp Raptor version is massively fun to rip through the dirt at high speeds with its giant 37-inch tires and long-travel suspension. It's pretty quick on the street, too. And the Free Wheelin' old-school 70s stripe package for the Big Bend model is rad. But a base two-door model just looks so good. So, we'd spec ours in either the new retro Stroppe edition or select the Badlands trim and go for the manual transmission and base turbocharged four-cylinder. The manual adds to the Bronco's fun-to-drive nature and, if you keep the standard 33-inch Badlands tires instead of going for the taller and heavier Sasquatch 35-inchers, it's more athletic on the street.AdvertisementAdvertisementNew 2027 Bronco Filson Is a Luxury Model with the Raptor Engine3) 2027 Porsche CayennePhoto credit: PorscheBase price: $92,250If owning an SUV with the driving poise and speed worthy of the Porsche crest is on your shopping list, look no further. For decades, the Cayenne has defined SUV excitement. Yes, the top $200,000 Turbo GT with 650-hp will blur the scenery at an astonishing rate. It can even round a skidpad generating more than a full g of lateral grip. But here's the thing: even the lower-level models are exceptionally good to drive. Our pick might be the Cayenne S with its lusty 468-hp V-8 engine. We'd check the box for the adaptive air suspension which does a masterful job of delivering sharp handling and a pleasant ride around town. And on the inside, this is true luxury. We particularly dig that Porsche has not gone with screens to control everything like many automakers. For example, there are physical toggles for the climate control and other functions, which contributes to less distraction and makes this an even more convincing buy for the enthusiast driver.The Cayenne GTS Is Here to Take Back the Performance-SUV Crown4) 2027 Jeep WranglerPhoto credit: StellantisBase price: $38,630AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Jeep Wrangler is an off-road icon. On slow-speed rocky terrain, no other vehicle can match its level of capability. The beefy solid axles at each end articulate to keep the big tires gripping the rocks. The Wrangler is one of the few vehicles that can make your heart race and palms sweat at speeds below 5 mph. And its convertible setup with a removable roof and doors can really add to the fun. Even the cheapest, bare-bones Wrangler is a good time, especially throttling around on a sandy beach on a hot summer day. Our pick? The Willys 392, which brings the cost of the optional V-8 down considerably, starting at $71,990. What you'll get is a 470-hp thrill machine that's a blast on the pavement and an absolute beast on the trail. It's an extreme vehicle in every way, but it can be civilized too. The 392 rides surprisingly well. Just be prepared for single-digit fuel economy if you drive the 392 hard and yeah, those stick axles and 35-inch tires are not your friend when the road bends.The Willys 392 Is a Cheaper V-8 Wrangler5) 2026 Rivian R1SPhoto credit: RivianBase price: $85,885The Rivian blasts any potential complaints you might have about EVs out of the water. The top-of-the line Quad motor packs 1050 hp for dizzying acceleration that makes it a hoot to drive hard. And if you don't need all that thrust, the longest-range model allows for an impressive 410 miles before plugging in. That means you can comfortably drive from, say, Los Angeles to Phoenix on one charge. For most buyers, that's plenty. The adjustable air suspension can provide up to 15 inches of ground clearance and, when combined with the traction of a motor at each wheel, allows for serious off-road capability. Rivian is constantly making updates, but you still can't connect Apple Carplay or Android Auto, one of the few blemishes in what we consider a wonderful mid-size SUV.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Rivians Are the Hardest-Working Trucks in Show Business6) 2026 Honda PassportPhoto credit: DAVID MASEMOREBase price: $46,445The Honda Passport combines the best of both worlds: it has a unibody crossover platform that provides civilized road manners, but it can be equipped with surprising off-road capability if you opt for the TrailSport trim level. We recently compared it with other soft-roader SUVs and it was our favorite of the trio due to its competence both on- and off-road. Its naturally aspirated V-6 engine isn't the most powerful, but its friendly and spacious five-seat interior and handsomely boxy exterior styling make up for that. It's far more than just a two-row version of Honda's more family-friendly three-row Pilot SUV, as the Passport now has a distinctive personality all its own.We Compare the Passport with the Subaru Outback and Hyundai Santa Fe7) 2027 Toyota Land CruiserPhoto credit: ToyotaBase price: $59,675AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota recently brought back the Land Cruiser nameplate in a leaner, more accessible package. Its base price is friendlier than its predecessor's, and the design evokes the legendary 1980s FJ60 and 62 models. We dig that. The Cruiser is hybrid-only now, and that means a big torque and fuel-economy boost over the old vehicle. Toyota hasn't abandoned traditional Land Cruiser traits either, because this one is still a smooth rider around town. Plus, it's far nimbler than the old three-row model. Pick the right options and the Cruiser can tackle some fairly tough trails thanks to the locking rear diff and front anti roll-bar disconnect. What's cool is that the aftermarket is already making some neat products for the Land Cruiser. We'd add some slightly larger, more aggressive tires, maybe some retro 1980s stripes, and then you'll really be ready to take the family on an adventure.Does the New Land Cruiser Still Feel Like a Land Cruiser?8) 2027 Kia TelluridePhoto credit: KiaBase price: $40,735Ever since its debut, the Kia Telluride has been the three-row SUV to have. The second-generation Telluride arrived for 2027, and much like its namesake Colorado town, the Telluride is still a hot property. What makes it so desirable? Its rugged good looks are easy on the eyes. On the practical side, the interior is spacious, filled with top-shelf materials, and comes standard with a ton of features. When it comes to chassis dynamics, the Telluride is more refined than just about anything in its price class. Plus, it can tow 5000 pounds and now offers a hybrid version that returns upwards of 30 mpg. When you drive home a Telluride it feels like you've gotten one heck of a bargain. Sure, there are more expensive SUVs that drive better both on- and off-road. But few SUVs deliver an all-around package that resonates so well for such an attractive price.We Test the X-Pro Off-Road Model9) 2027 Volvo XC90Photo credit: VolvoBase price: $62,445AdvertisementAdvertisementThe current generation of the XC90 has been around for more than a decade now. But despite its age, the Volvo is one of our favorite mid-size luxury SUVs. The XC90 was recently freshened with mildly updated styling and an improved chassis that focuses on ride quality. Volvo's exquisite use of interior materials and comfortable seating make this one ideally suited to family road trips. The standard B5 with 247 hp feels a little pokey these days, so our preference is for the top T8 plug-in hybrid, previously called "Recharge." The 455-hp powertrain make this Volvo a total sleeper, and it will surprise BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners when it hits 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Better still, the T8 can drive 33 miles on a full battery charge—plenty for most trips around town. And let's not forget about Volvo's stellar and well-deserved reputation for safety.Tested: Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid10) 2027 Audi RS Q8 PerformancePhoto credit: AudiBase price: $141,095Think of the Audi RS Q8 as a Lamborghini Urus with a huge discount. The two SUVs are based on the same platform and use the very same twin-turbo V-8 engine. Here, that motor makes a spine-compressing 631 horsepower. The thrill level is just as high in this Audi as it is in the Urus, as it blasts through the quarter in under 11.5 seconds. This beast has loads of grip, too, thanks to the electromechanical active roll stabilization system that can counteract body lean when you're really caning it up a canyon road. Best of all, when you click over to Comfort mode, the RS Q8 can be a smooth-riding and docile daily driver. This is a pretty big rig, so there's good space for all passengers on board and their stuff too. Yes, this Audi does almost everything well.AdvertisementAdvertisementTested: Audi RS Q8 Performance11) 2026 Mazda CX-90Photo credit: Chris PerkinsBase price: $40,830The Mazda CX-90 isn't on this list for its off-road prowess. On the contrary, the Mazda is here because it's one of the best-handling three-row SUVs you can buy. That old "Zoom-Zoom" tagline still proves true in today's Mazdas, and the CX-90 has just the right spring, damper and steering calibration to make a run up a twisty canyon road all smiles. The plug-in-hybrid model hits with a nice boost of low-end torque, but we prefer the nonhybrid S models with a 340-hp turbocharged inline-six engine. Mazda isn't a luxury brand per se, but the CX-90 is so nicely finished on the inside that you won't care about the badge. If you don't need the third row of seats, opt for the nearly identical CX-70.Why the CX-90 Is a Good Alternative to Luxury SUVs12) 2026 Subaru OutbackPhoto credit: DAVID MASEMOREBase price: $36,445AdvertisementAdvertisementPreviously known as a station wagon with SUV-esque styling cues, the latest Outback has fully leaned into the SUV realm with its taller, boxier silhouette and impressive off-road capability. The Wilderness model has more ground clearance than most of the other SUVs on this list, and can go further off the beaten path than you might expect. The standard versions ride comfortably and offer a spacious and nicely trimmed interior, though they're not exactly fun to drive. We recommend opting for the turbocharged engine, as the base naturally aspirated mill isn't quite up to the task of motivating this size vehicle.Tested: The Outback Wilderness Delivers in the Wild13) 2027 Hyundai Santa FePhoto credit: DAVID MASEMOREBase price: $36,950Fun and funky automotive design can come from surprising places, and these days, Hyundai is taking stylistic risks that are really paying off. The Santa Fe looks particularly good to our eyes, with its squared-off 8-bit exterior. It's a welcome alternative from the more traditionally styled SUVs flooding our roads. From behind the wheel, the Santa Fe is far less radical—and that's a good thing. This is an SUV that hits the notes most buyers in this class want: a smooth ride, solid handling, and plenty of space inside. It also has loads of standard features at a very reasonable starting price. Want more ruggedness? The Santa Fe we'd put on our shopping list is the mid-level XRT trim which comes standard with all-wheel drive and the ability to tow 4500 pounds. Few SUVs today push design in brave new directions, and the Santa Fe is one of the most successful.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Santa Fe Has Off-Road Looks and On-Road MannersYou Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State