Top 10 Mid-Size SUVs 2023 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

For the 2023 model year, the Kia Telluride is our Best Overall mid-size three-row SUV, starting at $35,690. It pairs a refined 291-hp V6, a genuinely upscale cabin, an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and Kia's class-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty into one of the most complete family packages money could buy in 2023.

Our Best Value pick is the Chevrolet Traverse, starting at $34,520, which delivers the most usable cargo room and standard eight-passenger seating in the group for the lowest entry price. Buyers who want maximum fuel economy should jump straight to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid at roughly 35 mpg combined, while those who tow should look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee and its 6,200-lb rating.

Below are all ten ranked picks, each with real 2023 MSRP, powertrain specs, and safety data so you can match the right SUV to your family.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted six categories to reflect what actually matters over years of family ownership, not just a glossy test-drive impression. Our scoring draws on published specs and reviews from Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, IIHS crash testing, and EPA fuel-economy data.

• Reliability and ownership cost — 25%. Predicted dependability, warranty length, and resale value. Sources: KBB, U.S. News, Edmunds.
• Safety — 20%. IIHS Top Safety Pick status and NHTSA star ratings, plus standard driver-assistance content.
• Interior space and comfort — 15%. Third-row usability, cargo volume, and material quality.
• Powertrain and efficiency — 15%. Horsepower, EPA combined MPG, and how smoothly the drivetrain delivers it.
• Tech and value — 15%. Standard infotainment, screen size, and feature content for the money.
• Price-to-performance — 10%. What you actually get relative to the starting MSRP.

A vehicle had to be a real 2023 model-year, three-row (or large two-row) mid-size SUV to qualify. Pricing reflects 2023 starting MSRP before destination charges.

1. Kia Telluride 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $35,690 | Best for: Families who want a near-luxury three-row without the luxury price

The 2023 Kia Telluride runs a 3.8-liter V6 making 291 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic, returning an EPA-estimated 20/26 mpg with front-wheel drive and 18/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. It seats seven or eight across three rows, offers about 21 cubic feet behind the third row and 87 cubic feet with both rows folded, and tows up to 5,500 pounds with the available package.

The Telluride earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2023, and Kia backs it with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that no rival here matches. A handsome cabin, a wide standard feature set, and strong resale value put it on top.

Pros:

• Best-in-class 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with standard LED headlights
• Upscale interior materials that punch well above the price
• Strong 291-hp V6 and 5,500-lb max towing

Cons:

• Popular trims were hard to find at MSRP in 2023
• No hybrid option for buyers chasing fuel economy

Verdict: The most complete family SUV of 2023 and the one we would buy with our own money.

2. Hyundai Palisade

Starting MSRP: $34,950 | Best for: Buyers who want Telluride substance with plusher styling

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade shares its mechanical bones with the Telluride: a 3.8-liter V6 with 291 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic, rated at about 22 mpg combined FWD and 19/25 mpg AWD. It seats seven or eight, holds 18 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.4 cubic feet maximum, and tows 5,000 pounds.

Like its Kia cousin it carries the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and the Calligraphy trim feels close to genuinely luxurious inside. It edges just behind the Telluride on resale and ride polish, but the gap is small.

Pros:

• Same 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty as Kia
• Quiet, richly trimmed cabin, especially in Calligraphy
• Generous standard tech and safety content

Cons:

• Top trims climb past 50k quickly
• Slightly softer resale than the Telluride

Verdict: A near-tie with the Telluride; choose it if you prefer its styling and cabin.

3. Toyota Highlander

Starting MSRP: $36,420 | Best for: Buyers who prioritize long-term reliability above all

The 2023 Toyota Highlander switched to a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 265 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. The gas model returns roughly 22 mpg combined, while the Highlander Hybrid delivers an outstanding 35 mpg combined from its 243-hp system.

It seats seven or eight, offers 16 cubic feet behind the third row and 84.3 cubic feet maximum, and tows up to 5,000 pounds (3,500 for the hybrid). Toyota's reputation for dependability and excellent resale value is the headline here.

Pros:

• Class-leading predicted reliability and resale
• Available hybrid returns about 35 mpg combined
• Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver-assist suite

Cons:

• Third row is tighter than the Telluride or Traverse
• Turbo four sounds coarse under hard acceleration

Verdict: Buy it if you plan to keep an SUV for a decade and value peace of mind.

4. Honda Pilot

Starting MSRP: $39,150 | Best for: Active families who want a fully redesigned, roomy hauler

Fully redesigned for 2023, the Honda Pilot uses a 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft, sent through a new 10-speed automatic to FWD or available AWD. EPA estimates land around 22 mpg combined FWD and 21 mpg AWD. It seats up to eight, offers a huge 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 114.3 cubic feet behind the first, and tows 5,000 pounds with AWD.

The rugged TrailSport trim adds an inch of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and skid plates for $48,350.

Pros:

• Cavernous, family-friendly interior and cargo hold
• Smooth 285-hp V6 with proven Honda durability
• Genuinely capable TrailSport off-road variant

Cons:

• Higher entry price than its Korean rivals
• TrailSport drops to about 20 mpg combined

Verdict: The roomiest mainstream pick and a strong all-rounder after its 2023 redesign.

5. Chevrolet Traverse 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $34,520 | Best for: Maximum space and seating for the lowest price of entry

The 2023 Chevrolet Traverse is the space-and-value champion. Its 3.6-liter V6 makes a robust 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft through a nine-speed automatic, rated at 18/27 mpg FWD and 17/25 mpg AWD. It seats a full eight and swallows 23 cubic feet behind the third row and 98.2 cubic feet with everything folded — the most cargo room in this group.

Towing tops out at 5,000 pounds. For the lowest starting MSRP here, you get the biggest interior and the strongest base V6, which is why it earns our Best Value nod.

Pros:

• Lowest starting MSRP of the top 10
• Class-leading 98.2 cu ft maximum cargo volume
• Strongest base engine at 310 hp
• Standard eight-passenger seating

Cons:

• Interior materials trail the Korean and Toyota rivals
• Aging platform feels less refined on the road

Verdict: The most SUV for the fewest dollars — our Best Value pick for 2023.

6. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Starting MSRP: $38,690 | Best for: Buyers who tow and want real off-road capability

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee brings a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft through an eight-speed automatic, returning 19/26 mpg. Most relevant here is its 6,200-lb maximum towing rating, the best in this group, plus available 4x4 hardware and an air suspension that make it the most trail-capable of the bunch.

The two-row Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L cover both layouts. A plug-in 4xe hybrid was also offered for buyers wanting electric-assisted miles.

Pros:

• Best-in-test 6,200-lb towing capacity
• Genuine off-road hardware and available air suspension
• Upscale, well-finished cabin in higher trims

Cons:

• Predicted reliability lags the Toyota and Korean picks
• Loaded trims get expensive fast

Verdict: The pick for serious towing and off-pavement use.

7. Mazda CX-9

Starting MSRP: $38,750 | Best for: Drivers who want the sportiest handling and richest cabin

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 prioritizes driving feel. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 227 horsepower on regular fuel and 250 hp on premium, with 320 lb-ft of torque, paired to a six-speed automatic and rated at 20/26 mpg. It seats six to seven in a cabin that feels close to luxury-grade, but cargo is modest at 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 71.2 cubic feet maximum, and towing is limited to 3,500 pounds.

Note that the all-new CX-90 arrived as a 2024 model, so the CX-9 is the genuine 2023 Mazda three-row.

Pros:

• Best-in-class handling and steering feel
• Premium interior materials and quiet ride
• Standard turbo torque for confident passing

Cons:

• Smallest cargo hold and third row in the group
• Only 3,500-lb towing capacity

Verdict: The enthusiast's choice if cabin quality and driving feel outrank outright space.

8. Subaru Ascent

Starting MSRP: $33,895 | Best for: Snow-belt families who want standard all-wheel drive

The 2023 Subaru Ascent comes with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive across the lineup, an advantage in poor weather. Its turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft through a CVT, returning about 22 mpg combined. It seats seven or eight, offers 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and 75.6 cubic feet maximum, and tows 5,000 pounds on all but the base trim.

Standard EyeSight driver-assist tech and Subaru's strong safety reputation round out the appeal at the lowest base price here.

Pros:

• Standard all-wheel drive on every trim
• Lowest starting MSRP in the group
• Standard EyeSight safety suite and strong crash scores

Cons:

• CVT drones under hard acceleration
• Less powerful and refined than V6 rivals

Verdict: The smart buy for buyers who need AWD traction without paying extra.

9. Ford Explorer

Starting MSRP: $36,760 | Best for: Buyers who want rear-drive dynamics and strong engines

The 2023 Ford Explorer offers a broad engine menu. The base turbocharged 2.3-liter four makes 300 horsepower (20/29 mpg RWD), with an available 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 at 365 or 400 hp and a 318-hp hybrid that returns up to 27 mpg. All use a 10-speed automatic with rear- or four-wheel drive.

It seats six or seven, holds 87.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo, and tows up to 5,600 pounds. The rear-biased platform gives it a sportier feel than most rivals, though interior quality is uneven.

Pros:

• Standard 300-hp turbo engine, strongest base output here
• Up to 5,600-lb towing and 400-hp ST performance variant
• Rear-drive-based handling balance

Cons:

• Cabin materials feel cheap in lower trims
• Predicted reliability trails the leaders

Verdict: A strong-engine, dynamic pick if you can live with the interior.

10. Volkswagen Atlas

Starting MSRP: $34,945 | Best for: Buyers who want a roomy three-row with a long free-maintenance perk

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas seats seven in an upright, family-friendly body. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four makes 235 horsepower, while a 3.6-liter V6 offers 276 hp, both through an eight-speed automatic with available 4Motion AWD. Fuel economy lands around 21/25 mpg for the four-cylinder.

Cargo is generous at 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 96.8 cubic feet maximum, and the V6 tows 5,000 pounds. VW includes a two-year/20,000-mile free scheduled maintenance plan, though its four-year/50,000-mile warranty is shorter than the Korean rivals'.

Pros:

• Spacious, square cabin with a usable third row
• Two years of standard free scheduled maintenance
• Up to 96.8 cu ft of maximum cargo space

Cons:

• Shorter warranty than Kia or Hyundai
• Base four-cylinder feels merely adequate

Verdict: A practical, roomy choice, especially if the free-maintenance perk appeals.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Mid-Size SUV

• Third-row reality. Sit in it yourself. The Telluride, Palisade, Pilot, and Traverse offer genuinely usable third rows; the CX-9 and Explorer are tighter back there.
• Warranty length. Kia and Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage is a real ownership-cost advantage over the four-to-five-year warranties from Ford, Chevrolet, and VW.
• Hybrid vs. Towing. A Highlander Hybrid saves real money at the pump but tows only 3,500 lb; if you tow a boat or camper, a V6 Grand Cherokee, Telluride, or Pilot serves better.
• AWD need. If you face snow regularly, Subaru's standard AWD is a built-in advantage; for most buyers, FWD plus good tires is plenty.
• Safety certification. Prioritize an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Pick+ award and check NHTSA stars before signing.
• What matters less than marketing implies: raw horsepower figures. Every SUV here moves a full family adequately, so a 310-hp Traverse is not meaningfully more useful day-to-day than a 265-hp Highlander. Spend your attention on cabin quality, warranty, and reliability instead.

FAQ

What is the best mid-size SUV for 2023? The Kia Telluride is our Best Overall for 2023, combining a 291-hp V6, an upscale cabin, an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty at a $35,690 starting MSRP.

Which 2023 mid-size SUV is the best value? The Chevrolet Traverse, at a $34,520 starting MSRP, delivers the most maximum cargo space (98.2 cu ft), standard eight-passenger seating, and the strongest base engine (310 hp) for the lowest price of entry.

Which 2023 mid-size SUV gets the best gas mileage? The Toyota Highlander Hybrid leads at roughly 35 mpg combined, far ahead of the V6-powered competition that mostly lands near 22 mpg combined.

Which 2023 mid-size SUV can tow the most? The Jeep Grand Cherokee tops the group at 6,200 pounds, followed by the Ford Explorer at 5,600 pounds and the Kia Telluride at 5,500 pounds with the tow package.

Do any of these 2023 SUVs come with all-wheel drive standard? Yes. The Subaru Ascent includes symmetrical all-wheel drive on every trim. The others offer AWD or 4WD as an option above the standard front-wheel or rear-wheel drive.

Is the Mazda CX-90 a 2023 model? No. The all-new CX-90 launched as a 2024 model. For the 2023 model year, the Mazda CX-9 is the brand's three-row mid-size SUV.

Bottom Line

The 2023 mid-size SUV class was deep, but the Kia Telluride stands out as the Best Overall for blending near-luxury refinement, top-tier safety, and an unbeatable warranty at a $35,690 starting price. If budget rules the decision, the Chevrolet Traverse is our Best Value at $34,520, giving families the most space and seating for the least money.

From there, match the rest to your needs: the Highlander Hybrid for efficiency, the Grand Cherokee for towing and off-road, the Ascent for standard AWD, and the redesigned Pilot for sheer interior room. Any of these ten will serve a family well, but the Telluride and Traverse are where most buyers should start.

Sources

• Kia Telluride 2023 Review, Pricing and Specs — U.S. News
• 2023 Hyundai Palisade Review and Ratings — Edmunds
• 2023 Toyota Highlander — Specs, Prices, MPG — Cars.com
• 2023 Honda Pilot Specifications and Features — Honda News
• 2023 Chevrolet Traverse — Specs, Prices, MPG — Cars.com
• 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specs — Kelley Blue Book
• 2023 Mazda CX-9 Pricing and Packaging — Mazda USA News
• 2023 Subaru Ascent — Specs, Prices, MPG — Cars.com
• 2023 Ford Explorer — Specs, Prices, MPG — Cars.com
• 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Review, Pricing and Specs — CARFAX
• 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit — Nissan News

*Mid-size SUV review — mid-size SUV reviews, rating, best mid-size SUV 2023, and a review of the top family SUV picks for buyers.*