Best mid-size SUVs to buy 2026

Mid-size SUVs are a familiar sight on UK roads, but with so many makes and models to choose from, deciding on the right one can feel like a daunting task for buyers.

The best mid-size SUVs offer a generous amount of practicality and interior space along with the high SUV seating position that family buyers appreciate so much. Where mid-size SUVs excel compared to their large SUV counterparts is out on the road, as these models tend to be slightly easier to drive, and cheaper to run. They’re generally less expensive to buy, too.

Our expert road testers have driven and tested every mid-size SUV on the UK market and below you’ll find their considered opinion on the top 10 best options to buy right now.

Top 10 best mid-size SUVs

While it’s seriously impressive, the new BMW iX3 can’t quite topple our 2025 Car of the Year. The Skoda Elroq is the best SUV on sale - but there are plenty of excellent options for different budgets and requirements. The Nissan Qashqai is the best hybrid mid-size SUV while the Dacia Bigster is the best value mid-size SUV, in our book. 

Scroll down for more information on each of the best mid-size SUVs or simply click the links in the table above..

1. Skoda Elroq

• Prices from £34,000

Skoda really knows its stuff when it comes to building appealing SUVs, and the Skoda Elroq is one of its best yet. It’s not difficult to see why it scooped the Mid-size SUV of the Year and overall Car of the Year trophies at our 2025 New Car Awards, and repeated its Mid-size SUV of the Year win in the 2026 awards.

The Elroq might be slightly smaller than the Skoda Enyaq, but it’s still virtually as practical for day-to-day use. It’s also quite a bit cheaper to buy which is always a welcome bonus. 

Thanks to plenty of natural light and ‘Simply Clever’ storage solutions, the cabin feels like one of the most spacious and practical you can get at this sort of price. There’s legitimately plenty of room for five adult occupants. 

One of the biggest differences between the Elroq and Enyaq is boot space, but while the Elroq is the smaller of the two in the rear, 470 litres should still prove plenty for most needs.

Aside from the slightly smaller shape, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between the Elroq and Enyaq when sitting inside. The cabin is very clean and simple in its design with a focus on ergonomics, but you can choose from different interior themes which come with their own materials and colour schemes. 

Being an electric car, every Elroq variant provides a healthy amount of instantaneous shove when required. It’s no drag racer, but even the slowest model will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 9.0 seconds. The suspension is also just about firm enough that the Elroq remains composed in corners, yet this doesn't come at the cost of long-distance comfort. 

Speaking of distance, official WLTP combined battery ranges sit between 232 and 355 miles, spending on your chosen spec. Our test car was fitted with the 63kWh battery, and we achieved an average efficiency of 3.7 mi/kWh, which isn’t too far off Skoda’s official figure of 3.9mi/kWh.

“On the road, the Elroq does everything a family car needs to. It’s composed, grippy and neatly balanced, and offers better comfort than much of the competition as well.” - Alex Ingram, contributor

Skoda Elroq reviewSkoda Elroq deals

2. BMW iX3

• Prices from £53,800

We don’t often give out five-star reviews, but the BMW iX3 is one worthy of the score. The first of BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ cars to hit the road - vehicles that mark a significant technical and visual step on from the company’s previous output - suggests things are on the right track. The iX3 impresses in almost every area, and took our Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year title at the 2026 New Car Awards.

The styling will remain a love-or-hate-it affair but at least marks a reversal of BMW’s enormous grille trend of the last few years, and the rest of the iX3’s styling is clean and modern. It’s modern and distinctive inside too, with a ‘Panoramic iDrive’ display at the base of the windscreen and rhombus-shaped infotainment display tilted towards the driver. There aren’t many physical controls but the screen-based tech works well, and the iX3’s cabin materials are excellent throughout.

As is space, as the electric platform means it offers similar interior volume to the slightly larger electric Mercedes GLC. It’s comfortable and the 520-litre boot is par for the class, while there’s a small luggage space under the bonnet for charging cables.

Range-wise the iX3 is among the best on the market, the 50 xDrive model going a claimed 500 miles on a charge. Even the more affordable iX3 40 achieves nearly 400 miles, and while both of those numbers will be hard to hit in the real world, each is high enough that even falling short still leaves you with plenty of range. Ride, handling, performance and refinement meanwhile, are all top-drawer.

"As a high-end, family-friendly electric car with brilliant tech, performance and design, this is now the pinnacle – and the fact it doesn’t cost the earth just makes the package even more impressive.” - Jordan Katsianis, news editor

BMW iX3 review BMW iX3 deals

3. Nissan Qashqai

• Prices from £30,600

If there’s one car that can be credited with giving rise to the sheer number of SUVs on sale now, it’s the Nissan Qashqai, and the latest model is still an appealing package.

While we can no longer describe it as a groundbreaker, the Qashqai does still get the fundamentals pretty much spot on. It’s not the most spacious car in this class, but Nissan has fitted a number of useful touches that should make family life far easier. For example, the rear doors open at an 85-degree angle so there’s much more room when fitting a child seat. The boot floor also has a wipe-clean surface, which could prove especially handy if you’re transporting a furry friend.

The Qashqai now looks a lot sharper than its predecessors, and its interior has also taken a big step in the same direction. Inside you’ll now find plenty of soft-touch materials, and the Google-based software used in the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is a massive step up from the previous model’s in both appearance and performance. 

The Qashqai might look more aggressive on the outside compared to its predecessor, but it’s still a pretty docile car to drive. Thrills are few and far between, but this SUV is quiet and comfortable, and we’re willing to bet that these qualities are far more important for the vast majority of Qashqai buyers. For maximum efficiency, the e-Power model is the one to go for as this uses the petrol engine to charge electric motors which then provide drive to the front wheels. The result of this setup is an EV-like driving experience and efficiency figures of up to 62mpg, according to Nissan.

"The Qashqai now has sharper looks, better tech and a higher-quality feel in the cabin following the most recent changes, and there wasn’t a whole lot wrong with the rest of the package to start with.” - Alex Ingram, contributor

Nissan Qashqai review Nissan Qashqai deals

4. Dacia Bigster

• Prices from £25,200

Dacia is well-known for creating cars which are practical, no-nonsense and above all else, great value for money. The Dacia Bigster continues the trend.

Despite sharing its underpinnings with the smaller Dacia Duster, the Bigster is a bigger and more practical car than its Duster sibling. In spite of the larger footprint, the Dacia Bigster is strictly a five-seat SUV, but there’s plenty of seat adjustment for the front passengers, while adults are able to sit comfortably in the rear thanks to ample knee and headroom. There’s 612 litres of boot space, which is vast when you compare it to rivals like the Kia Sportage, which has 587 in the hybrid variant. 

The Bigster’s interior draws inspiration from the Duster and is both smart and logical in appearance. It isn’t the most plush on the market and there is a lot of hard plastics used but you have to remember the Bigster is a budget car. The materials used are chosen so they don’t inflate costs but should still be long-lasting and able to withstand day-to-day family life. The infotainment system is really slick to use, and the inclusion of physical air conditioning controls is a plus.

The Dacia Bigster is only available with a 138bhp mild- or 153bhp full hybrid powertrain, so keeping up with fast moving traffic or merging onto motorways shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. 

The hybrid tech also helps when it comes to keeping running costs down, as all models should return over 45mpg. When we tested the full-hybrid Bigster, we easily managed to achieve between 53 and 54mpg, which wasn’t too far off Dacia’s official 58.0mpg WLTP figure.

On the road, the Dacia Bigster remains composed, although it can feel a bit unsettled at low speeds. Light steering and good all-round visibility make town driving a breeze, while its larger size doesn’t feel intimidating. We found that the high-set bonnet made it slightly tricky to position the nearside of the car against a kerb, but the side parking sensors really come in handy here. 

“The ride can be a little fidgety at lower speeds, the cabin is clearly built to a price and the hybrid powertrain is a little noisy in certain situations, but overall the Bigster offers great value for money that means it’s easy to overlook its shortcomings.” - Dean Gibson, senior test editor

Dacia Bigster reviewDacia Bigster deals

5. Volvo EX60

• Prices from £56,900

While it can’t quite topple the BMW iX3 as our favourite premium mid-size SUV, the Volvo EX60 is nevertheless a very impressive car, and has many of the qualities that have endeared people to Volvo’s products for decades. Every buyer gets the promise of excellent passenger safety, plus a clean and understated design inside and out.

We suspect some people may prefer the Volvo’s styling to that of its BMW rival, though the tradeoff is that the Swedish car surprisingly starts at a higher price, whether you’re paying cash or skimming through leasing and PCP deals. The pair are effectively dead level on range though, with 500 miles from the longest-range BMW, and 503 from the EX60 in P12 form, with its hefty 117kWh battery pack.

The EX60’s also a strong performer. That P12 version boasts a supercar-like 671bhp and a 3.9-second 0-62mph time to match, though as a family car, that’s probably overkill - the 369bhp and 380-mile entry-level P6 version will be more than enough for most. If you’re not permanently craving pin-sharp handling, the EX60’s pliant ride, well isolated cabin and easy-going controls will also appeal.

The cabin is pared back almost to the extreme which won’t suit everyone, though the screen-based tech is mostly intuitive and quality is good too, even if there are some harder-feeling plastics lower down the dash and door cards. Practicality broadly matches its rivals.

“The Volvo EX60 feels like a unique proposition in this hotly contested class. Safe and predictable, but carefully considered and dripping with style and cool details, there really is lots to like.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor

Volvo EX60 review Volvo EX60 deals

6. Nissan Leaf

• Prices from £32,600

The Nissan Leaf is nothing less than the 2026 Auto Express Car of the Year. We could stop there, and refer you to its five-star verdict, but the Leaf probably deserves more than that, even though it’d give you an idea of this new electric car’s broad range of talents.

You’ll be familiar with the Leaf name, as the original Leaf was one of the very first mass-produced electric cars on sale. The next was a better product but wasn’t quite up to competing in a much tougher market, whereas the latest, more SUV-like Leaf absolutely is.  Despite that competition now including cars like the Renault Megane E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.3 and the Kia EV3, Nissan’s effort is a standout option.

It’s smartly-styled inside and out, looking modern without being weird - something the original Leaf never quite managed. Not everyone will appreciate the move into the SUV segment and the sloping roof impacts practicality slightly, but it’s still a spacious car with a well thought-out cabin and a decent (437-litre) boot. The dash design is smart, the Google-based infotainment easy to navigate, and it’s comfortable too.

On the road it’s the smooth ride quality and well-calibrated acceleration and brake regeneration you’ll notice first. It’s a capable handler but doesn’t try to be sporty, which is probably how it should be in this class. You get standard- and long-range options, with a 174bhp motor and 280-mile range for the former, and 215bhp and a useful 375 miles for the latter - so the Leaf should be very usable as a family EV.

“This is a remarkable package that’s perfectly suited to British drivers, with brilliant electric range and efficiency, great interior tech, a comfortable ride and perhaps most importantly a price that makes it extraordinary value for money.” - Jordan Katsianis, news editor

Nissan Leaf review Nissan Leaf deals

7. Mercedes GLB

• Prices from £42,000

The number of previous-generation Mercedes GLBs you see on the road suggests Mercedes has hit the right balance to woo family buyers with its mid-size SUV. With confidently chunky styling, a seven-seat option and the availability of both combustion and electric powertrains - plus reasonable pricing for something with a Mercedes badge on the grille - it really ticks a lot of boxes.

We’ve sampled the GLB Electric most recently, with pricing starting from £46,100, though that figure quickly rises as you go up the range. The 250+ in AMG Line Premium trim is closer to £54k, but even that is competitive as far as seven-seat EVs go. 

Range is also competitive, at up to 380 miles, though the recent arrival of 500-mile electric SUVs like the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 has moved the game on somewhat.

320kW charging is fast by any standards and Mercedes’ updated MBUX infotainment system gives you something to play with while you wait; it’s quicker and more intuitive than before, with commonly-used functions sitting on the home screen. Top-spec models also have a passenger screen. Cabin quality is generally good, though like the previous model, the rearmost row in the 7-seater is best thought of as kids-only.

Performance is strong and while you won’t find many driving thrills, that’s not really the focus of cars like the GLB. The Merc’s refinement, solid one-pedal driving mode, and cushioned ride are all more important, and it’s become a strong challenger in this segment as a result.

“It’s not able to comfortably ferry around a Rugby sevens team, but even so, the GLB remains a unique offering in the premium SUV segment – and an even more attractive one now.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter

Mercedes GLB review Mercedes GLB deals

8. Tesla Model Y

• Prices from £42,000

The Tesla Model Y is one of the world’s best-selling electric cars, and the updated model available since 2025 suggests the car’s popularity is showing little sign of abating.

In order to reduce drag and boost overall efficiency, the Tesla Model Y has taken on quite a curvaceous design, but this doesn’t come at the expense of cabin space. Thanks to a completely flat floor, three passengers can sit across the rear bench in relative comfort without feeling overly cramped.

The 864-litre boot looks van-like on paper, but we’d advise a little bit of caution here, as Tesla measures its boots to the roofline rather than the typically used window-line. That being said, there’s still plenty of room to work with, as well as a low load lip which helps when getting heavy or bulky items in and out of the boot. There’s more storage under the bonnet, too.

This being a Tesla, tech-filled minimalism is the theme here. The Model Y really isn’t a car for those who prefer physical controls and buttons. Thankfully, though, Tesla has opted to reintroduce a proper indicator stalk. At the centre of operations is a 15.4-inch central touchscreen that looks and performs better than just about anything else on the current market. Bells and whistles aside, the seats are nice and comfortable.

The revamped Model Y line-up returns up to 387 miles of range on a single charge and, typically of a Tesla, performance ranges from the brisk to the outright bonkers. Every variant will cover the 0-62mph sprint in under six seconds, but all Model Ys are limited to 125mph. When you aren’t hammering it, the Model Y is supremely quiet and refined, with the brand claiming to have reduced cabin noise by up to 22 per cent compared to the previous model.

“The Tesla’s regenerative braking is superbly composed. Nothing in this class can bring itself to a halt with the same limo driver-like smoothness as the Y, which makes low-speed manoeuvres very relaxing.” - Alex Ingram, contributor

Tesla Model Y reviewTesla Model Y deals

9. Hyundai Tucson

• Prices from £31,000

With four of our Mid-size SUV of the Year awards under its belt over the years, the Hyundai Tucson is simply one of the very best mid-size SUVs money can buy.

While plenty of areas of the latest Tucson have been significantly changed since the Tucsons of the past, one thing that hasn’t changed is the family-friendly level of space inside. Four passengers will be able to stretch out without issue, and the middle rear seat will accommodate a fifth passenger if they’re prepared to feel a little snug. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid Tucsons get a 577-litre boot, and this increases to 620 litres in the petrol model. Whichever one you pick, you’ll be able to carry a very large weekly shop.

The latest Tucson remains one of the most distinctive cars on the road thanks to its eye-catching lines and bold details, and these were only further enhanced as part of a midlife refresh. Hyundai’s mid-size SUV also boasts an interior with a list of standard equipment that would shame some upmarket executive cars. Robust build quality and cutting-edge tech only add to the considerable appeal. 

On the move, the Tucson feels composed and comfortable, while the range of engines runs from a punchy turbo petrol to a refined plug-in hybrid that can manage up to 77 miles of electric running. 

None of the powertrains are mind-bogglingly quick, but they are reasonably efficient. Hyundai claims the Tucson hybrid can return up to 49.6mpg on a WLTP combined efficiency cycle, so we were quite impressed when we managed a steady average of 46.5mpg over 8,000 miles in our Tucson Hybrid long-term test car. The PHEV claims over 200mpg on paper but, as with most plug-ins, achieving this in the real world is far easier said than done. Regardless, it should still prove affordable to run. 

“We’ve pitted the Tucson against multiple contenders over the years, with the Hyundai walking away with the winner’s medal each time. We have no doubt that Hyundai is clearly focused on not only taking on the best of the mainstream, but also nipping at the heels of the more upmarket brands like Audi and BMW” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter

Hyundai Tucson reviewHyundai Tucson deals

10. Renault Scenic

• Prices from £37,000

In order to meet the demands of the modern car market, the Renault Scenic has now been reborn as an electric SUV, and it’s a very good one at that.

It’s shaken off its traditional and frumpy MPV roots, and some of the practicality, but the Scenic is still a fully-fledged family car. Residing within its newfound contemporary SUV-like body is a cabin with enough room for five, although those in the back seats will struggle a bit for foot space. Those with a lot of luggage to lug can make use of the 545-litre boot, as well as an extra six-and-a-half litres under the centre armrest. 

The Renault Scenic shares most of its tech and interior trim with the slightly smaller Renault Megane, and while there’s a fair amount of plastic to be found, the majority of the cabin is still pleasant to look at and feel. Renault’s OpenR Link infotainment software is one of our favourite systems to use, but there’s also an array of physical buttons and switches to accompany it.

No performance enthusiast has ever had a Renault Scenic at the top of their car shopping list, but an output of 215bhp might take some by surprise. There’s more than enough power for keeping up with the traffic (and overtaking it) without flaring up anybody’s motion sickness. 

Quick steering and a rather firm suspension setup mean the Renault can hold its own in the corners. Although there’s still some inescapable body roll. The Renault’s claimed maximum battery range is pretty top notch, too, at up to 381 miles, depending on trim. In over 4,000 miles as one of our long-term test cars, we have seen efficiency figures of 3.6 miles per kWh.

“There’s a sporty edge to the Scenic courtesy of its firm ride and fast steering, but it’s not a particularly agile car to drive.” - Dean Gibson, senior test editor.

Renault Scenic reviewRenault Scenic deals

How we choose the best mid-size SUVs

Our expert road testers subject every new mid-size SUV to our intense in-depth testing regime. Not only do they test each model individually, but we also pit several cars against their key competitors in our group tests. 

Thorough real-world testing

In order to get the most detailed impression of what a mid-size SUV is like to live with on a day-to-day basis, we add many of these cars to the Auto Express long-term test fleet. Here our team members drive them for a period of around six months, reporting on both the good and bad. It’s the most in-depth testing you’ll find. 

Focus on the things that matter most to mid-size SUV buyers

While a huge number of UK drivers are tempted by SUVs for their own reasons, the majority are attracted to the level of practicality that these cars offer. Mid-size SUVs are key candidates for family duties, so we pay particularly close attention to areas such as cabin space, boot capacity, build quality and child-friendliness. 

Of course, family life doesn’t come cheap, so efficiency and running costs are also highly important to many SUV buyers. Thanks to the introduction of improved combustion engines, hybrid and even fully-electric powertrains, modern SUVs tend to be much more efficient than those of days past, but our thorough real-world testing proves that there’s often a big difference between a car’s efficiency on paper and what it can manage on the road.

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 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 child seat mounting points, 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 in 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 when speccing your car. Also, keep a sharp eye on what adding these options does to the price of the car. Particularly on premium brand models, things can get expensive very quickly.

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