Best Midsize SUVs for 2020 - Drivers Only

Shopping for a 3-Row Midsize SUV in 2020? These are the Best Midsize SUVs for 2020 ranked by Drivers Only. These are the best 3-Row Midsize SUVs I've reviewed thus far and later this year I'll be updating the list.

Big Thanks To These Dealerships:

[cordero]

1. Telluride
2. Pallisade
3 Highlander
4 Pilot
5 Mazda
6 Subaru.
For me I’ll go with the Highlander

[sulavsharma]

I currently drive a Accord & Rav4. I am trading in my Rav4 for Pilot Black edition. My reasons to pick Black edition:
1. I am still not comfortable with a Korean vs Japanese Brand. Although Telluride has a nice new design, there is no way I am paying Msrp price for any car.
2. For Japanese segment, I liked the redesigned 2020 Highlander but when i sat on it, I didn’t feel much of a difference in cabin size conpared to Rav4. Mazda & Subaru were never on my list.
3. Honda Pilot has everything I need for my family in terms of size & features. I really enjoyed driving it as well.
4. Pilot’s design is not great compared to others but since they released black edition, it felt really rugged and masculine.
5. Lastly i was able to negotiate 6.5K off MSRP.

[justinfontaine]

Looked at them all and went with the CX-9. It is a premium german feeling suv that handles remarkably well. The turbo motor is fun with all that torque at the low end, is by far the best looking. Reliabilty has been great on this now 5 year old vehicle with few reported issues. If you don't need the extra space or a usable 3rd row do not over look the Mazda. You can get some good deals and was 10k cheaper than the KIA for the top trim

[stephenhendricks]

The mainstream 3 row midsize SUV category currently includes 14 or so vehicles ranging in length from 188" to 203" in length. They're divided between 2 row vehicles that typically run from 188" to 192" and three row versions that range from 195" to 203" long. Looked at this way there are a couple of outliers. The two row Atlas Cross Sport is nearly 196" long and the KIA Sorento offers 3 rows in a vehicle slightly over 189" in length. With all this in mind, here are a couple of points.


() None of the midsize 3 row crossovers offers truly accommodating seating in the rear row compared to minivans. But that doesn't mean there aren't significant differences. The Toyota Highlander provides 27.7" of legroom in the third row, the least of any 3 row SUV. A Mustang's back seat offers 30". Even the infamously cramped CX-9 offers two more inches of legroom than a Highlander. The KIA Sorento, half a foot less in length than the Highlander, provides 4" more legroom in the third row. And if that weren't bad enough the Highlander adds insult to injury by fitting 3 seat belts in the third row. In reality the Toyota's passenger capacity is a cruel joke. With captain chairs in the second row, it seats four. A second row bench option makes it a five passenger vehicle. There's no way it seats 8 human beings in any configuration.


() Even if one doesn't need third row seating on a regular basis a consumer selects a midsize SUV rather than one of the choices in in the compact category for its overall passenger and cargo volume. The Mazda CX-9 is 199" in length. Among mainstream choices, only the Dodge Durango and Chevy Traverse are longer. And while the CX-9 may "feel" smaller than its length while driving, its true size is more than obvious when parking on the street, in a public parking lot, or in an average size home garage. So it's especially surprising that its total cargo space (71 cubic ft) is less than a Honda CR-V (75 cubic ft). In terms of passenger space Mazda claims the CX-9 provides 134 cubic ft. The KIA Sorento, 10" less in length, offers 153 cubic ft. More than anything else the relatively tiny passenger and cargo space is the reason that the CX-9 ranks 14th out of 14 midsize crossovers.

[bextar]

My #1 choice is the Palisade overall.  #2 The cx-9 for styling.

[bongobreathman]

First time to your channel. Your review is excellent, you show the differences, the pros & cons and your videos are outstanding. Well done sir, well done!

[johnhanselman]

His choice based on a Driver's perspective is:
1. Hyundia Pallisade
2. Kia Telluride
3. Toyota Highlander
4. Suburu Ascent
5. Maxda CX-9
6. Honda Pilot


What is the best choice of the 6 based on a DIY mechanic perspective?
For example: I want easy access to all spark plugs. And I do not want some new Turbo charge engine that has not been proven to be reliable.

[danny]

Very informative video! I’m in the market for a SUV and your videos are a great help! Thank you!

[kumar]

based on your video, palisade, telluride and CX9 look the best for me from inside and outside.

[louisbrou]

You are really good at this .I hope more people tune in

[johnrichards]

I'm still in love with my 10 year-old Cx9 ... looks and drives like it's brand new. I'll get another one when this one starts to wear out.

[stockey]

Telluride and palisade for me, the others don't even look there in the same league.

[naserpopal]

Got my palisade limited for a almost a year now and love everything about it . Best car/suv I ever owned. .

[YourBrainonBooks]

I’ve owned two Mazda’s included a CX5...never again, their cars fall apart after two years. My mom has an ascent and the car has been a fantastic value with tons of comfort. My wife’s Toyota SUV has over 250K miles on it with nothing done to it but oil changes. I personally own a Honda now and the drive train is so precise with a generous amount of room for passengers. Haven’t owned a Kia but have had several as rentals when traveling for work. Their drive trains are sooo underpowered it feels like a safety issue. Just some of my thoughts.

[maileechang]

I'm looking for a family SUV 3 row seated that is good for daily drive every day and good for the winter and also have plenty of spaces to put things please recommend 😍🙏🏼

[ALTNNRG]

The Highlander seemed a little tight on space considering the overall size of the vehicle. It felt claustro being behind the wheel.

[Marc-NZ]

If you wanna a SUV to last.. reliable...and great resell price Highlander all the way..if you like fancy stuff and like to go to the dealership to use your lifetime warranty and when you go to sell it get a third you paid for that, so get Kia.. Hyundai etc..they are good SUV but you need to consider all aspects when buying a $50000 SUV...that was what I did and no regrets...

[zogadwoe]

Good video. For me, palisade, Telluride, ascent and pilot. For value, first is ascent, palisade . Practicality, I will pick ascent, palisade and pilot. I would not hesitate to take the ascent off road. The palisade and pilot for me are better driven on normal and less rough roads. Too bad the ascent doesn't have too much cargo however in terms of safety, I would pick the ascent of any of these vehicles. I'm sure Subaru will catch up with all these competitors next year in terms of luxury features and cargo space. Once they do, I'll be happy. I hope they will improve the transmission because I don't feel the CVT.

[mrmm]

The Mazda CX-9 the best in my own personal opinion

[Zeb]

Thanks. I’ll be in the market this summer.