The Best Midsize SUVs to Buy in 2021

Ever since the Lexus RX (and its affordable Toyota Highlander sibling) popularized the idea of a car-based SUV, the midsize SUV segment has exploded with offerings. There are still some traditional body-on-frame SUVs around, but they tend to be full-size or geared toward hardcore off-roading. And there is a growing list of compact and even smaller subcompact crossovers that are replacing small cars in the lineups of many automakers.

But it is the midsize SUV that meets the needs of the widest swath of buyers, whether young, single and carting weekend adventure gear , or married with a small family and baby gear, or even older empty-nesters who feel safer in a vehicle with more mass and a higher seating position that still fits easily into most parking spots. Whatever the stage of life, the midsize SUV is a practical solution, offering flexible space, the ability to leave the beaten trail (if it's not too beaten), and provide passengers with a sense of safety and confidence.

MotorTrendhas reviewed and ranked them all , and the following are what we believe are the best midsize SUVs you can buy in 2021 .

9. 2021 Toyota 4Runner

This is an oldie but a goodie: a classic 4WD SUV. In a world of unibody crossovers, the hardy  Toyota 4Runner  is a  capable body-on-frame SUV . At least it was 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it has not seen a lot of upgrades since. The competition offers more power with smaller engines than the 4Runner's 4.0-liter V-6, and with more gears than its five-speed automatic transmission provides. The old-school powertrain offers good acceleration and passing, but it is loud and rough. The interior is dated, and a low roofline and a high floor means the cabin feels tight. But the back seat is spacious (and there's an optional third row), and the 4Runner does have a cool factor that stands out on the road—especially in its hardcore TRD Pro off-road trim and with its various factory roof rack options.  [Read more about the Toyota 4Runner]

9. 2020 Toyota 4Runner Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $37,765-$51,745

Available Engines: 4.0L V-6, 270 hp, 278 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 16/19/17 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 90/47 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs

8. 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a two-row, sexier version of the staid Atlas three-row SUV . Some practicality lurks beneath VW's mainstream take on the coupe/SUV format pioneered by luxury products such as the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, mostly because the Cross Sport is essentially the same size as the regular Atlas. Yet with only two rows of seats in a cabin designed for three rows, there is space galore for people and their stuff—plunging roofline and sloped rear window be damned. Volkswagen shifted the rear seat further rearward than it's placed in the three-row Atlas, opening up huge legroom ahead, and total cargo capacity is down 15 cubic feet to a still-cavernous 40 cubic feet. Fold the rear seats flat, and that capacity jumps to 78 cubes. The same four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines are available here as on the normal Atlas, however, meaning the driving experience is as boring as it is in that model. [ Read more about the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport ]

8. 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $32,050-$51,615

Available Engines: 2.0L turbo I-4 (235 hp, 258 lb-ft); 3.6L V-6 (276 hp, 266 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 17-21/23-24/19-22 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 78/40 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs

7. 2021 Nissan Murano

The  2021 Nissan Murano , now in its third generation, remains an eye-catcher and is easily recognized for its funky shape when so many SUVs look similar. This two-row, five-passenger crossover remains comfortable and stylish and comes with lots of standard safety tech. But the Murano is starting to show its age. The 3.5-liter V-6 with a CVT provides plenty of power, but the ride can feel a bit sloppy on a winding road with a shade too much body roll. Nissan gave the Murano a sprucing up for the 2019 model year, but a new generation would provide more updates to the hardware, including the infotainment system, to keep up with the swift-moving competition. [Read more about the Nissan Murano]

7. 2021 Nissan Murano Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $33,760-$46,860

Available Engines: 3.5L V-6, 260 hp, 240 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 20/28/23 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 67/32 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs

6. 2021 Honda Passport

The  Honda Passport  is the slightly smaller, two-row version of the three-row Honda Pilot . It was a new addition to the lineup for the 2019 model year, so it is still relatively new. It is only 6 inches shorter than the Pilot (and rides on an identical wheelbase), which means it's a very spacious five-passenger SUV, and Honda has packaged all that space extremely well with clever storage cubbies. The Passport has Honda's well-known and respected 3.5-liter V-6 with a smooth shifting nine-speed automatic and comes with a lot of standard safety equipment. Extra ground clearance and AWD make it surprisingly capable off-road, as well. The overall look may be a little bland for some, but all that room will woo many a buyer.  [Read more about the Honda Passport]

6. 2021 Honda Passport Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $33,965-$45,355

Available Engines: 3.5L V-6, 280 hp, 262 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 19-20/246-27/22-23 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 101/51 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs

5. 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The  Jeep Grand Cherokee  is a storied SUV known for its off-road prowess while offering on-road driving in style. It might be a decade old, but it remains a best-seller for those who want the Jeep name and Grand Cherokee styling. (A new three-row Grand Cherokee L not reviewed here joins the lineup for 2021 and is based on the next-generation 2022 Grand Cherokee two-row SUV .) Jeep offers four engines and a trim level for every taste, from a budget-oriented $35,890 Laredo E to a 707-hp Hellcat-V-8-powered $89,365 Trackhawk. The Grand Cherokee is still strong on-road, but with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, it's also more than capable of leaving the pavement. [ Read more about the Jeep Grand Cherokee ]

5. 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $35,890-$89,365

Available Engines: 3.6L V-6, 295 hp, 260 lb-ft; 5.7L V-8, 360-hp, 390 lb-ft; 6.4L V-8, 475-hp, 470 lb-ft; 6.2L supercharged V-8, 707-hp, 645 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 11-19/17-26/13-21 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 68/36 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 6,200 lbs

4. 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The Blazer nameplate returns to Chevy's lineup not as an off-road brute but as a car-based, four-door SUV. But GM needed a midsize SUV between the Equinox and Traverse, and marketing types wanted to reuse a cool name. Hence, the  2021 Chevrolet Blazer . This five-passenger SUV has lots of room for rear passengers and lots of style for drivers who appreciate Camaro-inspired cues inside and out. The RS in red is the real standout in a sea of cookie-cutter SUVs, and it drives as sporty as it looks. But some of the materials are not up to the price tag on higher trim levels. [ Read more about the Chevrolet Blazer ]

4. 2021 Chevrolet Blazer Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $29,995-$47,045

Available Engines: 2.5L I-4, 193 hp, 188 lb-ft; 2.0L turbo I-4 230-hp, 259 lb-ft; 3.6L V-6, 308-hp, 296 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 19-22/26-29/21-25 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 64/31 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 4,500 lbs

3. 2021 Ford Edge

Ford had the midsize Edge when there were few entries in the midsize SUV segment, and the automaker has often used the Edge to pioneer new technologies. The  2021 Ford Edge  continues to be a stalwart, and Ford juiced the lineup by adding a performance ST model for the 2019 model year. We appreciate the effort: It is the fun one to get, but it is more of a lowercase "st" if judged against the magic imbued into the Fiesta ST and Focus ST. But owners will appreciate the functionality, safety equipment, and improved Sync 3 infotainment system of the Edge lineup and the additional snarl of the engine and dynamic ride of the ST.  [Read more about the Ford Edge]

3. 2021 Ford Edge Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $32,345-$44,510

Available Engines: 2.0L turbo I-4, 250 hp, 280 lb-ft; 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6, 335 hp, 380 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 19-21/25-29/21-24 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 73/40 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs

2. 2021 Toyota Venza

The Venza name returns to the midsize SUV space after a long hiatus (the last one left the market in 2015). As before, the Toyota Venza is a two-row car-based crossover; unlike before, it cuts an upscale, svelte profile. Oh, and it's only available as a hybrid. That means the Venza is capable of 40 mpg, a lofty figure partially helped by the SUV's petite dimensions. Size-wise, it's on the small end of this segment, sharing bones with the compact RAV4 but stretched in length to cast a shadow between that smaller crossover and the larger three-row Highlander. [ Read more about the Toyota Venza ]

2. 2021 Toyota Venza Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $33,645-$40,975

Available Engines: 2.5L hybrid I-4 (219 hp total)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 40/37/39 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 55/29 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: N/A

1. 2021 Subaru Outback

Subaru has a reputation for its wagon-based crossovers known for their safety, durability, and capability. The  2021 Subaru Outlook  tops our list. It might be hard to spot the differences, but the recently redesigned Outback is on a new platform with a new suspension, good ground clearance, and a few styling tweaks. In addition to the 2.5L base engine that can sometimes feel underpowered, there is now the option of a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four on the Onyx XT trim that also has water-repellent upholstery. The Outback has AWD, X-Mode for off-road traction, and Subaru's Eyesight compilation of safety systems is standard. It is a strong package in an easy-to-get-into tall wagon.  [Read more about the Subaru Outback]

1. 2021 Subaru Outback Pros, Cons, and Specs

Specifications

Base Price Range: $27,845-$40,995

Available Engines: 2.5L H-4 (182 hp, 176 lb-ft); 2.4L turbo H-4 (260 hp, 277 lb-ft)

Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 23-26/30-33/26-29 mpg

Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 76/33 cu ft

Max Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs

The Best Midsize SUVs to Buy in 2021

2021 Toyota 4Runner 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2021 Nissan Murano 2021 Honda Passport 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 Chevrolet Blazer 2021 Ford Edge 2021 Toyota Venza 2021 Subaru Outback