Cars · Ranking Updated Aug. 12, 2026
Current ranking · 2026

Best midsize SUVs

AIresearched
baseline
+1vote per
month

Kia Telluride ranks first among these midsize SUVs, and Hyundai Palisade ranks second. All five contenders were evaluated on the same published criteria, and their weighted scores determine the order from highest to lowest.

IMPORTANT CONTEXTModel years, trims, safety results, incentives, and local inventory can change. Confirm the exact vehicle and total price with the manufacturer and seller, and test-drive before buying.
01
K
Kia

Kia Telluride

Best overall

Kia Telluride from Kia is one of the vehicles in this midsize suvs comparison. It is the strongest all-around choice in this group, with its clearest strengths in comfort and value. The comfort assessment focuses on ride, seating, noise control, and everyday livability. Usability is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.
94/100
0 votes
02
H
Hyundai

Hyundai Palisade

Strongest alternative

Hyundai Palisade from Hyundai is one of the vehicles in this midsize suvs comparison. It is the closest alternative to the top choice, with its clearest strengths in usability and value. The usability assessment focuses on space, visibility, controls, charging or fueling, and ownership ease.
92/100
0 votes
03
T
Toyota

Toyota Grand Highlander

Best balanced contender

Toyota Grand Highlander from Toyota is one of the vehicles in this midsize suvs comparison. It offers a balanced middle-ground choice, with its clearest strengths in comfort and value. The comfort assessment focuses on ride, seating, noise control, and everyday livability. Quality is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.
90/100
0 votes
04
H
Honda

Honda Pilot

Best specialist contender

Honda Pilot from Honda is one of the vehicles in this midsize suvs comparison. It is a more specialized alternative, with its clearest strengths in comfort and performance. The comfort assessment focuses on ride, seating, noise control, and everyday livability. Quality is the main point to compare with the nearby contenders before choosing it.
88/100
0 votes
05
M
Mazda

Mazda CX-90

Best situational contender

Mazda CX-90 from Mazda is one of the vehicles in this midsize suvs comparison. It is the most situational option in this top five, with its clearest strengths in usability and comfort. The usability assessment focuses on space, visibility, controls, charging or fueling, and ownership ease.
86/100
0 votes
COMMUNITY WRITE-INS

Who did the top five miss?

Three independent write-ins unlock an honorable mention. The 10 strongest active mentions are shown; inactive mentions archive after 12 months. At 25 monthly votes, a contender enters a scoring review for possible top-five promotion.

No honorable mentions yet. Repeated write-ins merge automatically.

Commercial-link disclosure: Some shopping and booking links may become affiliate links when a partner relationship is active. SummaRank may then earn a commission from qualifying purchases or bookings, at no added cost to you. Commercial availability never affects scores or rank order.

HOW ALL FIVE SCORED

The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.

Keep the criteria fixedSwipe to compare all five →
Criterion#1Kia Telluride#2Hyundai Palisade#3Toyota Grand Highlander#4Honda Pilot#5Mazda CX-90
9391879086
9792939187
9194918688
9491878584
9693938685
AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result94.092.189.987.886.0
Community adjustmentVote-share influence0.00.00.00.00.0
Current published scoreBaseline + community9492908886
#1

Kia Telluride

94/100
AI baseline94.0
Community0.0
Published94
#2

Hyundai Palisade

92/100
AI baseline92.1
Community0.0
Published92
#3

Toyota Grand Highlander

90/100
AI baseline89.9
Community0.0
Published90
#4

Honda Pilot

88/100
AI baseline87.8
Community0.0
Published88
#5

Mazda CX-90

86/100
AI baseline86.0
Community0.0
Published86
Performance · 25%Acceleration, braking, handling, efficiency, and capability for the class.

COMPARE THE TOP TWO

Select any two contenders above.
We’ll line up what matters.

CONTENDER
K
Kia

Kia Telluride

94
H
Hyundai

Hyundai Palisade

92
Brand / maker
Kia
Hyundai
Ranking result
#1 · Highest weighted score
#2 · Second-highest weighted score
Standout quality
Comfort
Usability
Also strong in
Value
Value
Compare closely
Usability
Quality
K
Kia

Kia Telluride

94/100
H
Hyundai

Hyundai Palisade

92/100

Brand / maker

Kia

Hyundai

Ranking result

#1 · Highest weighted score

#2 · Second-highest weighted score

Standout quality

Comfort

Usability

Also strong in

Value

Value

Compare closely

Usability

Quality

THE RECEIPTS,
NOT THE MYSTERY.

SummaRank compared instrumented road testing, safety results, usability, ownership value, and current manufacturer specifications, using current material from Car and Driver, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the linked official or research references. Each contender was scored independently on the same five-part scorecard: Performance 25%, Comfort 20%, Usability 20%, Quality 20%, Value 15%. The weighted total determines the published order from highest to lowest; criterion strengths are not assigned by rank position, and verified community voting can make a limited, visible adjustment.

01Performance
25
02Comfort
20
03Usability
20
04Quality
20
05Value
15

HOW ALL FIVE SCORED

The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.

Keep the criteria fixedSwipe to compare all five →
Criterion#1Kia Telluride#2Hyundai Palisade#3Toyota Grand Highlander#4Honda Pilot#5Mazda CX-90
9391879086
9792939187
9194918688
9491878584
9693938685
AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result94.092.189.987.886.0
Community adjustmentVote-share influence0.00.00.00.00.0
Current published scoreBaseline + community9492908886
#1

Kia Telluride

94/100
AI baseline94.0
Community0.0
Published94
#2

Hyundai Palisade

92/100
AI baseline92.1
Community0.0
Published92
#3

Toyota Grand Highlander

90/100
AI baseline89.9
Community0.0
Published90
#4

Honda Pilot

88/100
AI baseline87.8
Community0.0
Published88
#5

Mazda CX-90

86/100
AI baseline86.0
Community0.0
Published86
Performance · 25%Acceleration, braking, handling, efficiency, and capability for the class.
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