If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a new SUV, it makes sense that you would be drawn to the super competitive midsize segment. These SUVs offer the best blend of comfort and practicality, with super spacious interiors and a slew of standard features.
With some many choices, it can be overwhelming finding options that offer good value for money, especially if you’re on a tighter budget. Luckily, there are plenty of options that keep their starting MSRPs fairly low, while still having a lot to offer in the way of power, comfort, and capability.
Exploring some of the segment’s top performers, we’ve found ten midsize SUVs which we believe offer the best value for first-time buyers. They may not be the flashiest options, but their affordable price tags and simple ideologies make them the perfect vehicles for those still trying to figure out their preferences.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, TopSpeed.
102025 Kia Sorento
MSRP: $31,990
If you’re looking for an affordable vehicle that offers tons of bang for your buck, then Kia is one of the best brands out there. The Sorento is their smaller mid-sized SUVs, but it still comes withthree rows of seats. There is also a pretty high ceiling for luxury if you’re willing to climb the trim ladder.
191 HP
181 LB-FT
FWD or AWD
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
124 MPH
The Sorento isn’t the quickest vehicle on the road when equipped with the base powertrain. If you want more power, though, Kia does offer a turbocharged four-cylinder which puts out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Either way, comfort seems to be the top priority here.
92025 Jeep Wrangler
MSRP: $32,690
The Wrangler is the pinnacle of simplicity. It is a body-on-frame SUV that is designed to go just about everywhere. While there are impressive range-toppers with tons of off-road equipment, the base model is a brilliant choice if you’re looking for a first car with a bit of personality.
6-Speed Manual or 8-Speed Automatic
285 HP
260 LB-FT
4WD
113 MPH
While the 470 horsepower V-8 in the Rubicon Final Edition might be attractive, the stoic V-6 that sits under the hood of most Wranglers more than gets the job done. It is also one of the few cars in 2025 still offered with a manual transmission, should that tickle your fancy.
82025 Hyundai Santa Fe
MSRP: $34,200
For the 2024 model year, the Santa Fe was completely redesigned, carrying over into 2025 unchanged. It features notably Land Rover-esque styling and a standard three rows of seats. On the inside, Hyundai’s design team has kept the futuristic look going, with a downright plush cabin.
277 HP
311 LB-FT
135 MPH
The Santa Fe comes standard with a downright peppy turbocharged engine, providing plenty of go when you put your foot down. The Hyundai is tuned for comfort, with a suspension that easily absorbs most pumps and bends in the road, and the steering is weighted decently.
72025 Chevrolet Blazer
MSRP: $35,600
Chevrolet has one of the widest ranges of SUVs on the market right now, with the Blazer slotting in to the mid-size segment. While the Blazer nameplate comes from an SUV with a large engine that used to be at home on trails, the newest iteration of the SUV is anathletic-looking cruiserbuilt for tarmac.
308 HP
270 LB-FT
130 MPH
The Blazer comes standard with a turbocharged inline-four that makes 228 horsepower, but it’s the V-6 that we’d opt for. It might not be quite as efficient, but it is much quicker and a little more reliable. Chevy’s midsize SUV tackles corners confidently, especially in the sportier RS trim.
62025 Kia Telluride
MSRP: $36,390
It’s really hard to argue against the value proposition of the Kia Telluride. It is a virtual Swiss army knife in the mid-size segment, getting top marks in just about every area. It is stylish, spacious, powerful, and comes well-equipped from the word go. If a three-row SUV is what you’re after, it’s hard to do better than this.
291 HP
262 LB-FT
Every Telluride is powered by the same V-6, paired with an eight-speed automatic. Steering is precise and is well weighted, with a confidence-inspiring brake pedal. The Telluride offers 8.4 inches of ground clearance if you ever encounter an uneven road, with X-Pro models coming with more adventurous equipment.
52025 Jeep Grand Cherokee
MSRP: $36,495
While the range-topping models may be out of reach for those on a budget, the entry-level Grand Cherokee trims offer a slew of standard equipment. It is well styled, with a rugged yet classy exterior and a pretty premium cabin. If you do want to move up the trim ladder, you’ll find that it can also be downright luxurious.
293 HP
257 LB-FT
RWD or 4WD
117 MPH
Jeep has entered a new age, aiming to offer SUVs that are both capable and comfortable. The Grand Cherokee ticks both those boxes. On tarmac, the Jeep is composed and handles bends well, all while offering an impressively smooth ride. Depending on which trim you opt for, it can also handle the tough stuff pretty well.
42025 Nissan Pathfinder
MSRP: $37 070
The Pathfinder has taken many shapes and forms over the decades that it has been on the market. The current iteration blends comfort and capability ina rugged, yet fairly upscale package. It also comes standard with three rows of seats and a fantastic standard tech package.
284 HP
259 LB-FT
FWD or 4WD
120 MPH
A 284 horsepower V-6 sits under the hood of just about every Pathfinder, except the off-road ready Rock Creek Edition, which sees a jump to 295 horsepower. Nissan has seen sense and dropped the CVT in the Pathfinder for a traditional eight-speed automatic, which feels much more refined.
32025 Hyundai Palisade
MSRP: $37,100
If you’re after a similar setup to that offered in the Kia Telluride, Hyundai sells the mechanically similar Palisade. The Hyundai offers its own styling, inside and out, with a less drastic and more traditional take on the mid-size SUV. It comes just as well-equipped, with tons of tech and comfort features.
131 MPH
The same naturally aspirated V-6 that you would find in the Kia Telluride powers Hyundai’s three-row midsize SUV. You’ll find the ride quality of the Palisade will impress you with just how smooth it is, and the cabin remains quite even at highway speeds. It also has enough grunt to take on uneven terrain.
22025 Mazda CX-90
MSRP: $37,845
Mazda is on a warpath, trying to reframe itself as an entry-level luxury brand, something we think it is doing an excellent job of. The CX-90 replaces the CX-9 and offers an impressively upscale experience for the price you pay. It features three rows and one of the nicest looking interiors of any vehicle in its class.
280 HP
332 LB-FT
132 MPH
Standard all-wheel drive and a turbocharged inline-six further show how dedicated the Japanese brand is to moving into the upscale market. Above is the base version of the powertrain, but Turbo S models instead make 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, motivating the big SUV to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds.
12025 Volkswagen Atlas
MSRP: $38,200
Volkswagen is often considered to be a brand that delivers simple yet well-built options. The Atlas is no exception. This three-row SUV doesexactly what it says on the box, offering a good amount of interior space, a good amount of interior tech, and a focus on practicality above all else.
269 HP
273 LB-FT
While some might miss the V-6 that used to sit under the hood of the Atlas, the turbocharged four-cylinder has improved everything from throttle response to fuel economy. It isn’t the best handling vehicle in this segment, but composed and smooth when driven on the highway.
