Rating listings can help consumers narrow their vehicle search to the most competitive vehicles. Car and Driver has ranked every midsize SUV on the market to help consumers make an informed decision when leasing or buying a new midsize SUV. Only 1 SUV is declared the worst midsize SUV by Car and Driver.
The Toyota 4Runner is at the bottom of Car and Driver’s list of the best midsize SUVs
Warning, 4Runner fans, before you throw away the device you’re reading this on in anger, there are several legitimate reasons why C&D would rank the 4Runner last on a list of the best new midsize SUVs. This ranking list doesn’t mean the Toyota 4Runner is a bad midsize SUV. In fact, there are thousands of drivers who will choose the 4Runner over more popular rivals.
Here are the facts: The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged off-road SUV that can easily last over 200,000 miles. It deserves your accolades for its off-road capability and prowess. That said, the average American midsize SUV buyer wants something a little less expensive, more fuel efficient, and with better standard features.
Toyota 4Runner fans can argue that the midsize SUV offers more value over time than its rivals and is incredibly reliable, but when it comes to popularity, the numbers don’t lie. Popularity and excellence have to be relatively correlated, so if you can’t accept the 4Runner as the worst in its segment, consider why it might be the least popular midsize SUV.
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner starts at $39,555. It uses a 4.0-liter V6 engine to make 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. The 4Runner gets 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. It is criticized for its truck-like ride quality and unrefined cabin.
What midsize SUVs does Car and Driver recommend?
Now that we’ve established why the Toyota 4Runner is at the bottom of List of cars and drivers of the best midsize SUV models on the market, what about the top of the list? What midsize SUVs does the historic automotive publication recommend?
The Ford Bronco, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride top the midsize SUV ranking list. The Kia Telluride is predictably at the top of the list due to how well received it is from both consumers and critics. The Bronco is best suited for drivers who want regular off-road experiences, leaving the Palisade and Telluride for most average consumers.
2023 Kia Telluride vs. 2023 Hyundai Palisade
The 2023 Kia Telluride starts at $35,690. The Hyundai Palisade is slightly more affordable at $35,250. Hyundai’s midsize SUV is also much more widely available than the Telluride due to the high demand for the Telluride. Since the Kia Telluride has topped the midsize SUV ranking charts for the past few years, it’s been the subject of some outrageous markups at dealerships when it’s available.
If you can buy a Kia Telluride for its MSRP, then the Telluride is the best buy thanks to its many standard features, refined cabin, and value proposition. The Hyundai Palisade is a great alternative, after all, the two midsize SUVs are close relatives.
Comment your pick for worst midsize SUV below.