Best mid-size SUVs to buy 2024
We reveal the best mid-size SUVs in the UK right now
The mid-size SUV is a common sight on Britain’s roads, with a huge number of drivers being enticed by the abundance of space, high driving position and attractive styling that these models offer. So which mid-size model should you buy? To help you decide our expert road testers have picked out the top 10 best mid-size SUVs on sale right now.
Top 10 best mid-size SUVs
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sportage
- Skoda Enyaq
- Renault Scenic
- Lexus NX
- Tesla Model Y
- Nissan Ariya
- Mercedes GLC
- Nissan Qashqai
- Citroen C5 Aircross
1. Hyundai Tucson
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- Prices from £32,000
None of the Hyundai Tucson’s many rivals have been able to break its winning streak, as we have named it our Mid-size SUV of the Year in our 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 New Car Awards.
The Tucson is still one of the most distinctive cars on the road, too, thanks to its eye-catching lines and bold details that were only further enhanced as part of a recent midlife refresh. Hyundai’s mid-size SUV also boasts an interior that combines class-leading space and a cavernous 620-litre boot with a list of standard equipment that would shame an upmarket executive saloon. Robust build quality and cutting-edge tech only add to this car’s considerable appeal.
On the move, the Hyundai feels composed and comfortable, while the range of engines runs from a punchy turbo petrol to a refined plug-in hybrid that can manage 38 miles of electric running – making the Tucson PHEV a very wallet-friendly company car, too. Factor in an excellent five-year warranty and the availability of confidence-inspiring four-wheel drive, the Tucson has all the family car bases covered.
2. Kia Sportage
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- Prices from £29,500
- Best value for money
As Kia continues its upmarket trajectory, the latest Sportage is a much bolder and more striking car than the rather anonymous-looking model it replaced. While this new direction was initially a bit of a gamble, it has undoubtedly paid off as the Mk5 Sportage is one of the UK’s best-selling cars.
Even with its new distinctive look, the Sportage’s roots remain intact. There’s a roomy and versatile interior, lots of standard kit and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Rivals such as the Ford Kuga are more fun to drive, but the Korean machine has a strong range of engines, including full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. If that wasn’t enough, Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty should give drivers peace of mind.
3. Skoda Enyaq
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- Prices from £37,000
- Best for efficiency
Sometimes less can be more, and that’s exactly what the electric Skoda Enyaq delivers. The Czech brand’s first bespoke electric car is built on the same MEB platform as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4, however, despite costing thousands of pounds less than the Q4 and ID.4, the Enyaq is arguably the best model of the lot.
As you’d probably expect from Skoda, the Enyaq offers more space and versatility than its siblings. More surprising, though, is the fact it feels more upmarket, while also being more comfortable and engaging to drive. Those with reservations about switching to electric power won’t have to worry about range anxiety, as the Enyaq can cover up to 364 miles on a single charge.
4. Renault Scenic
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- Prices from £37,500
Traditional MPVs were once the go-to for families in need of a do-it-all car, but today these models have been overshadowed by the might of the SUV. In order to meet the demands of its modern target market, the Renault Scenic has now been reborn as an electric SUV.
It’s a very good electric SUV, too, as the Renault Scenic features plenty of top-notch tech and battery range to complement its sharp styling. Things get even better when it comes to paying for the Scenic, as there are plenty of tempting finance and leasing deals floating around. To put this Renault’s appeal into perspective, it managed to defeat a previous Auto Express Car of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, in our real-world twin test.
5. Lexus NX
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- Prices from £45,000
With its efficient hybrid powertrain, luxurious interior and sophisticated tech, it’s not very difficult to see why the Lexus NX is a top-seller for the Japanese luxury brand. It’s popular with us, too, as we’ve named the NX our Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year for three years running.
This upmarket Lexus boasts rather strong credentials as a family car, too. A high-standard of overall build quality should mean the interior can withstand most of what the youngest passengers can throw at it. There’s also plenty of space in the cabin, along with a 521-litre boot. A plethora of safety-kit is also included as standard, which helped the NX to score a full five-star Euro NCAP rating.
6. Tesla Model Y
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- Prices from £45,000
- Best for boot space
The Tesla Model Y is one of the world’s best-selling cars, and no car gains this level of popularity without getting the basics right.
The Model Y line-up returns between 283 and 331 miles of battery range (which is more than enough for most people’s daily requirements), there’s plenty of space for five passengers and their luggage within the SUV body, and the level of performance on offer is certainly far more than adequate.
So far so good, then, but things get even better when Tesla’s excellent technology is taken into account, not to mention its Supercharger Network. Overall, the Tesla Model Y is a very appealing and family-friendly electric SUV, but a seven-seater variant wouldn’t go amiss.
7. Nissan Ariya
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- Prices from £40,000
Nissan was a successful EV pioneer with the big-selling Leaf, so it was surprising that the Japanese brand took so long to deliver a follow-up.
The Nissan Ariya was worth the wait, though, and we were so impressed with the finished result that we declared it our Car of the Year when it arrived in 2022. The sleek styling looks great, combining fashionable SUV kerb appeal with a dash of coupe sophistication, and it’s beautifully finished inside with clever Japanese-inspired detailing.
Range anxiety isn’t a problem, either, with the option of a 63kWh or 87kWh battery pack claiming up to 250 or 329 miles of range respectively.
8. Mercedes GLC
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- Prices from £53,000
If you have a penchant (and a suitable budget) for the more luxurious things in life, the Mercedes GLC offers all of the plush materials and fancy technology that you’d expect to see in the far pricier models that also wear the three-pointed star.
The GLC also offers something that very few other cars on today’s market have, and that is a diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain. This setup carries an astonishingly high WLTP combined economy figure of 706mpg, and while this will undoubtedly be very difficult to replicate in the real world, it’s very unlikely that the Mercedes GLC 300 de will ever be described as thirsty. Of course, if you don’t fancy diesel power, there’s also a petrol PHEV along with regular combustion variants to choose from.
9. Nissan Qashqai
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- Prices from £30,000
If there’s one car that can be credited with the sheer number of SUVs on sale now, it’s the Nissan Qashqai. The latest model offers a solid blend of style, technology and practicality, which makes it one of the most desirable family cars on sale, even if it’s not the most ground-breaking car within its segment.
The latest Qashqai looks a lot sharper than its predecessors, and its well designed interior features plenty of soft-touch materials. There’s also a decent amount of space, a 504-litre boot and a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s a massive step up from the previous Qashqai’s.
10. Citroen C5 Aircross
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- Prices from £24,500
While most manufacturers seem intent on giving their SUVs a sporting flavour, Citroen has taken a different path and has instead made comfort one of its top priorities. As part of these efforts, the C5 Aircross is fitted with 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushion' suspension and ‘Advanced Comfort Seats’.
Both easily live up to their names and work towards making this SUV one of the most comfortable cars in its class, but this does come at the cost of driver enjoyment. If you aren’t too fussed by the fun-factor, though, then a generous level of standard equipment and an efficient range of engines go a long way towards making this spacious Citroen a genuinely tempting purchase - particularly for day-to-day family use.
How to find the best mid-size SUV for your family
If you’re buying any car that will most likely be used as family transport, such as with one of these mid-size SUVs, the obvious thing is to take your family along when you have a test drive.
Check they’ll fit, and find out if you can easily install any child seats you might be using at the time. This is often made easier with SUVs because they sit higher up from the road, so you don’t have to bend down as far to install them, and the doors tend to open wide for better access. Every car in our list features ISOFIX mountings, and it’s also worth checking that any items you might need on a family day out will fit in the boot.
Whether you buy with cash or by using car finance, if you’re committing to spending a significant chunk of money on your new family SUV then you’re well within your rights to test it out. Any dealership that wants your business should oblige by giving you some time to do exactly this. Check that you and your family like the comfort on offer, too, and that everyone feels comfortable sitting it.
One more thing worth doing, as with any new-car purchase, is to check the spec and options fitted to the car that you test, and make a note of any features or extras that you like and feel might be a help in everyday life.
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