The Best Midsize Luxury SUVs to Buy in 2026

SUVs may be the go-to vehicle for families, but there’s no reason they can’t be fun. Or extremely fun in the case of Porsche’s first entry in the class, the Cayenne. Because of the German marque’s position as one of the world’s leading sports car makers, the vehicle was met with plenty of skepticism when it debuted in 2002. More than two decades later, it has more than established itself as a vehicle that delivers the same kind of performance as the 911, only with more space and cargo room. The most powerful version of the model is the Turbo E Hybrid (which starts at $162,500), which has an electrified 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 728 horses, enabling it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. An all-electric version is expected to be added to the lineup soon, too.

In production since: 2002
Top powertrain option: 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with an electric motor (Turbo E-Hybrid)
Power: 729 hp and 700 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 3.1 seconds
Top speed: 190 mph
Starting Price: $88,800

The Audi Q8, like so many of the marque’s vehicles, doesn’t make the heart race. Sure, the three-row SUV looks sportier than the Q7, but its look, both inside and out, is anything but memorable. What it does deliver, though, is one of the more enjoyable driving experiences you’ll find in the class. A big part of this is due to the turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that lurks under the hood of the top-of-the-line RS Q8 ($138,300). That 631-hp mill is powerful enough to launch the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds and to a top speed of 174 mph when equipped with the RS Dynamic package.

In production since: 2018
Top powertrain option: Turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 (RS)
Power: 631 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 3.4 seconds
Top speed: 174 mph
Starting Price: $75,600

The BMW X5 may be one of the older SUVs you’ll find on this list, but it doesn’t feel dated, even if its most recent generation debuted last decade. Instead, the design still looks sharp—especially when compared to the warthog-like XM—and the interior feels just as premium as you’d hope. The big story here, though, is the performance. The top-of-the-line X5 M Competition ($92,600) has a hybrid-assisted twin-turbocharged V-8 that pumps out over 600 horses. This version of the SUV doesn’t move like a sports car, but it’s about as close as you’ll come to one in this class.  

In production since: 1999
Top powertrain option: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with a mild-hybrid system (M Competition)
Power: 617 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 177 mph
Starting Price: $67,600

Today’s Cadillac isn’t exactly at the vanguard of style, but there’s no denying that its debut EV, the Lyriq, is a sharp-looking vehicle. The first battery-powered Caddy looks thoroughly modern, especially its illuminated front fascia. The interior has a strong premium look and is extra quiet thanks to the lack of a gas-guzzling mill up front. Speaking of that, the SUV’s powertrain produces 615 hp in the new dual-motor, all-wheel-drive V-Series variant ($78,595). Thanks to that, the EV can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, making it the quickest vehicle the marque has ever built. Range, meanwhile, tops 325 miles in the less powerful versions and comes out to 285 miles in the most potent model.

In production since: 2022
Top powertrain option: Dual-motor electric powertrain (V-Series AWD)
Power: 500 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 130mph
Range: 326 miles
Starting Price: $60,695

Genesis may not have the same name recognition as some of the other brands on this list, but it has repeatedly proven itself to be one of the more interesting luxury marques out there. The refreshed GV80 will only add to this well-earned reputation because it looks and feels like something that should cost significantly more than it does. It has a sleek design, with a more intricate grille as of the last model year, that looks at once sporty and sophisticated, while its ultra-plush interior is as elegant as they come—and now available with a small third row. It’s hard to pick a favorite cabin feature, but ours would be the dashboard’s 27-inch OLED display that includes both the instrument gauge and infotainment system. 

In production since: 2021
Top powertrain option: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (3.5T)
Power: 375 hp and 391 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Top speed: 150 mph
Starting Price: $57,700

Infiniti’s second-generation QX60, which debuted in 2022, more than delivers on the style front. The Japanese marque’s latest midsize SUV looks so much better than its predecessor and has a smooth, graceful shape with just the right amount of flair. The interior is maybe a little too understated, but looks both modern and sophisticated, something that you can’t always say about the brand’s vehicles. It’s also now available with three rows. But while the QX60 looks as good as any of the other entries on this list, it struggles to keep up from a performance standpoint. A 3.5-liter V-6 that already couldn’t muster 300 hp, has been jettisoned for a inline-four that’s even less potent. It does offer all-wheel drive as an option, though.

In production since: 2017
Top powertrain option: 2.0-liter inline-four
Power: 268 hp and 286 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 seconds
Top speed: 120 mph
Starting Price: $53,200

There seems to be a Land Rover Defender for everyone. The 110 is the pick for those in the market for a midsize SUV. Its wheelbase is 20 inches longer than the 90, and 20 inches shorter than that of the hulking 130. The company’s designers have put the extra room to good use. This Defender 110 features a comfortable cabin with enough room for an optional third row of seats. It’s also the most capable version of the nameplate in its range-topping Octa ($158,300) guise. This variant comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 that produces 626 hp, comfortably making it the most powerful Defender of all time.

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In production since: 1983
Top powertrain option: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 (Octa)
Power: 626 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 62 mph: 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
Starting Price: $63,500

There may not be a vehicle on this list more surprising than the Lincoln Nautilus. Easy to write off at launch because of its generic looks, the company’s other midsize SUV has come into its own since its second generation launched in 2024. The SUV, which is built in Hangzhou, China, features a sleek look and a spiffy cabin equipped with a dashboard-spanning 48-inch display up front. It’s far from the most powerful SUV out there, but the range-topping Black Label variant ($77,130) is available with a hybrid-assisted 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four that makes 285 hp and 295 ft lbs of torque. The best thing about this setup is that the added electric power feels seamless, something that can’t be said for all of its peers.

In production since: 2018
Top powertrain option: 4.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with hybrid assist (Black Label)
Power: 285 hp and 295 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 6.6 seconds
Top speed: 126 mph
Starting Price: $53,995

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Class may not have the cache of the bigger and boxier G-Wagen, but it remains one of the better all-around SUVs you can buy. Its smooth exterior is starting to feel a bit dated—it debuted in 2018—despite some subtle tweaks, but it will still turn heads on your daily commute. The tech-packed interior is opulent and spacious, and has the option of three rows (making it perfect for families, even if the last row is a bit cramped). It also delivers typically strong performance, especially if you opt for the AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ ($131,800). The high-performance variant features a hybrid-assisted twin-turbocharged V-8 that pumps out over 600 horses and will push the vehicle to a top speed of 174 mph.

In production since: 1997
Top powertrain option: Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 with hybrid assist (AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC+)
Power: 603 hp and 627 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Top speed: 174 mph
Starting Price: $64,750

The second-generation Volvo XC90 is getting a bit long in the tooth having debuted in 2015, but it’s not hard to see why the Swedish automaker isn’t in a rush to change things up. The XC90—which the automaker refers to as “large” despite it clearly being midsize—offers everything you could want from the sub-class, including a sharp exterior, comfortable interior, and 85.7 cubic feet of cargo room. It also comes with two different powertrain options, the most potent of which is a plug-in hybrid 2.0-liter inline-four, found in PHEV ($77,495), that makes over 450 hp. Whatever you want from an SUV, the XC90 can do it.

In production since: 2002
Top powertrain option: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV)
Power: 455 hp and 523 ft lbs of torque.
Zero to 60 mph: 5.8 seconds
Top speed: 112 mph
Starting Price: $62,345