Edmunds 5 Best Midsize SUVs: Rankings Explained

Edmunds’ five best midsize SUVs for 2025 are the Honda Passport, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota 4Runner, and Jeep Grand Cherokee L, ranked in that order overall. The rankings tell you that Edmunds prioritizes everyday drivability, interior comfort, and value over raw off-road capability or towing brawn. This article breaks down what each ranking reflects, how Edmunds tests, and how to use the list for your own purchase.

How Edmunds Ranks Midsize SUVs

Edmunds is an automotive research and car-shopping site that tests vehicles on public roads and its own test track. Its editors score each SUV in about a dozen categories, including performance, comfort, interior quality, technology, utility, and value. The overall rating is a weighted average, with the most weight given to how well the SUV fulfills its intended mission—daily family transport—rather than niche abilities.

For a midsize SUV to rank in the top five, it must excel at:

• Passenger space: Comfortable seating for at least five adults, with a usable third row in most cases.
• Cargo flexibility: Easy-to-fold seats, a low load floor, and enough room behind the third row for groceries or luggage.
• Ride and handling: A composed freeway ride, minimal body roll, and steering that feels natural rather than vague.
• Infotainment: A responsive touchscreen, physical controls for common tasks, and standard smartphone integration.
• Safety and driver assistance: Standard automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Edmunds also deducts points for poor fuel economy, harsh ride quality, cheap interior materials, or frustrating tech interfaces—even if the SUV is very capable off-road or can tow a lot.

The Current Top 5 and What Each Pick Says

As of the 2025 model year, Edmunds’ top five midsize SUVs are:

1. Honda Passport – Praised for its smooth V6, spacious five-seat cabin, and simple, functional interior. It tells you Edmunds values a well-rounded daily driver over a third row.
2. Kia Telluride – The family favorite, with a roomy three-row cabin, upscale interior for the price, and strong standard safety tech. Its ranking shows that value and practicality can beat brand prestige.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe – The redesigned model earns points for its quirky styling, efficient hybrid option, and generous warranty. It shows that innovation and fuel economy can lift a mainstream SUV.
4. Toyota 4Runner – The rugged body-on-frame SUV gets high marks for off-road ability and expected reliability, but loses points for its truck-like ride and poor fuel economy. Its presence shows Edmunds respects capability, but the lower rank reflects its compromises.
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee L – The three-row Jeep offers upscale materials and strong V6 power, but its third row is tight and reliability ratings are below average. It tells you that style and luxury can’t fully offset practicality concerns.

Notably absent are popular models like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, and Nissan Pathfinder. That signals Edmunds finds those rivals less compelling in terms of refinement, interior quality, or value—even if they sell well.

What the Rankings Don’t Tell You

The Edmunds list is a starting point, not a final answer. It doesn’t tell you how a specific SUV performs in extreme cold, on long dirt roads, or with a heavy trailer—those are situational. It also doesn’t account for regional dealer pricing, which can swing thousands of dollars. And while Edmunds includes a predicted reliability rating based on historical data, it can’t predict your individual vehicle’s luck.

Another gap: the rankings are based on the most common configurations. A base engine or a specific trim may feel very different from the tested model. For example, the Telluride is ranked highly with its V6, but if you’re considering the base trim with front-wheel drive, you’ll get a different experience than the all-wheel-drive SX tested.

How to Choose Using the Rankings

Start by matching the ranking to your priorities:

• Need a third row? Focus on the Telluride, Santa Fe, or Grand Cherokee L. The Passport and 4Runner are two-row only.
• Plan to tow? The 4Runner and Grand Cherokee L have higher tow ratings (5,000–7,200 lbs) than the others (3,500–5,000 lbs).
• Want fuel economy? The Santa Fe Hybrid is the clear winner; the 4Runner is the thirstiest.
• Off-road often? The 4Runner is the most capable stock, but the Grand Cherokee L’s Trailhawk trim is a close second.
• On a budget? The Santa Fe and Telluride offer the most standard features for the price.

Then, test-drive at least two of the top five. Pay attention to seat comfort, visibility, and how easy it is to install child seats. The ranking is a useful filter, but your own back and your family’s legs are the final judges.

Common Misconceptions About the List

A common misconception is that the #1 pick is the “best” for everyone. That’s not true—the Passport wins because it has no major weaknesses, but if you need a third row, it’s useless to you. Another myth is that Edmunds is paid by automakers to rank vehicles higher. In reality, Edmunds is an independent site that buys its own test vehicles and does not accept automaker advertising for editorial placement. Finally, some readers assume the rankings are static, but they change every year as new models launch and old ones age. A 2023 ranking may be outdated by 2025.

How the Rankings Compare to Other Experts

Edmunds’ list often aligns with other major outlets like Car and Driver and MotorTrend, but there are differences. Car and Driver tends to favor driving dynamics, so it might rank the Mazda CX-90 higher. MotorTrend emphasizes performance and innovation, which could boost the Ford Explorer ST. Consumer Reports relies heavily on owner surveys and reliability data, so it might rank the Toyota Highlander higher than Edmunds does. The takeaway: read multiple sources, and note where they agree (the Telluride is consistently praised) and where they diverge (the 4Runner’s on-road manners).

Costs and Value Beyond the Sticker Price

The rankings don’t include ownership costs, but you should. The 4Runner and Grand Cherokee L have higher depreciation and lower fuel economy, making them more expensive over five years. The Telluride and Santa Fe hold their value well and offer longer warranties (Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage). Insurance costs also vary: the Grand Cherokee L and 4Runner are often pricier to insure due to higher theft rates and repair costs. Edmunds’ own five-year cost-to-own estimates are a good resource, but you should also get quotes from your insurer.

Safety and Reliability Considerations

All five SUVs come with standard automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, but the Telluride and Santa Fe earn top scores in IIHS crash tests. The 4Runner has a dated design that lacks some modern driver aids on base trims. Reliability is a mixed bag: Toyota and Honda have strong reputations, but the 4Runner’s old-school V6 is proven; the Grand Cherokee L has below-average predicted reliability due to electrical issues in recent years. Edmunds’ reliability ratings are based on a combination of warranty data and owner surveys, so they’re a useful guide, not a guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Honda Passport #1 if it doesn’t have a third row?

Because Edmunds scores the Passport on its own merits as a two-row midsize SUV. It has a spacious cabin, a smooth V6, and a simple, high-quality interior that’s easy to live with. For buyers who don’t need a third row, it’s the best all-around choice. If you need three rows, the Telluride is the top pick.

Is the Toyota 4Runner really better than the Ford Explorer?

In Edmunds’ scoring, yes. The 4Runner’s off-road capability and expected reliability outweigh its poor fuel economy and truck-like ride. The Explorer, while more car-like, has had reliability issues and a less refined interior. But the Explorer is better on pavement, so it depends on your priorities.

How often does Edmunds update its rankings?

Edmunds updates its rankings whenever a new model is introduced or significantly refreshed, and at least annually. Major changes, like the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe redesign, can cause a vehicle to jump or drop several spots. It’s best to check the current year’s list before making a decision.

Can I trust Edmunds’ predicted reliability ratings?

They’re a reasonable guide, but not a guarantee. Edmunds uses data from extended warranties and owner surveys, which can be biased toward recent models. A model with a short history, like the current Santa Fe, may have limited data. Always check for recalls and owner complaints on the NHTSA website as well.

Should I buy the #1 ranked SUV even if I don’t like it?

No. The ranking is a composite score, not a personal recommendation. If the Passport doesn’t fit your family’s size or your towing needs, it’s not the best for you. Use the rankings to narrow your list, but always test-drive and compare against your own checklist.

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