Top 10 Best midsize luxury SUVs in 2023

Best midsize luxury SUVs, they are smaller and easier to operate than full-size SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator while providing a third row of seating and more interior and luggage space than compact SUVs. You can expect ride quality and driving characteristics that are on par with those of a high-end car as well as superior fuel efficiency than severe off-road-oriented SUVs because practically all of these SUVs are crossovers and are constructed on car-based (or unibody) platforms.

But don’t imagine that these top 10 Best midsize luxury SUVs are only capable of transporting people on paved surfaces. High-end consumers should start here if they’re seeking for a premium three-row SUV with a starting price around $70,000. The vehicles on the following list all have cutting-edge infotainment systems, powerful towing capacities, and luxury exterior styling.

If you’re seeking a expensive luxury SUV like the Lamborghini Urus, Rolls Royce Cullinan, or Bentley Bentayga, check out our Best Luxury SUVs, and if you’re seeking a smaller, 2-row SUV or a crossover with a premium nameplate see our list of the  Best Small SUVs of 2022 and 2023.

Best midsize luxury SUVs

2023 Volvo XC90

Thanks to its design, size, plush interiors, and superb availability of essential safety features, the Volvo XC90 stands out among other cars in the vast mid-size luxury SUV segment. Volvo’s biggest SUV, the three-row XC90, with room for up to seven people. It competes against other SUVs in its class such the Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and BMW X5.

The XC90’s luxurious cabin, which draws strongly from Swedish design, aids in its placement among the best cars in our rankings. Engines vary from a 247-hp turbocharged inline-four with a 48-volt mild hybrid system up to a 455-hp turbocharged inline-four plug-in hybrid system seen in the XC90 Recharge. The XC90, which favors luxury, aims to entice wealthy consumers with its elegant interior materials and useful 5000-pound maximum towing capability. 2023 Volvo XC90 Specs & Review.

2023 Volvo XC90 Performance 

Volvo has electrified the XC90’s available powertrains. Although a fully electric XC90 isn’t currently available, even the base Core model benefits from a 48-volt electric motor coupled to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for a combined output of 247 horsepower. The 455-hp T8 plug-in-hybrid XC90 Recharge is not only the most powerful but also the most fuel-efficient car in the group, with an EPA-rated 66 MPGe.

Every XC90 includes an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, regardless of trim level or engine. The T8 Recharge took just 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph on our test track. Like many vehicles in this tallish class, the Volvo has a small lean when negotiating bends, but it steers precisely, and the wheel has a comfortable weight that lies between between feather-light and heavyweight.

Due to the available air suspension, our test car handled most road conditions well and provided a cozy, quiet ride. The XC90’s chassis occasionally generates a clattering noise over very sharp bumps that discloses small road flaws, which is one of the few concerns about the otherwise attractive vehicle.

2023 Lexus RX 

Although the Lexus RX SUV has long need a revamp, the wait will soon be over. The current model, which was seven years old, will be replaced in 2023 by a completely new generation.

There will be a new plug-in hybrid variant among the four possible powertrains. Style-wise, the new RX is noticeably more sophisticated than the outgoing model. A full-width taillight bar is featured in the back, but the front retains the recognizable Lexus wide-mouthed grille and L-shaped running lights.

This time, the cabin features more opulent interior comforts, the most recent technological innovations, and a huge 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. In the future, a three-row model might be added to the lineup, or Lexus might opt to launch a new, bigger SUV above the RX with a regular seven-seat layout.

2023 Lexus RX  Performance

The base RX350 model, which is propelled by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower, is the first of no less than four alternative powertrains that will be offered for the 2023 RX. That car has front-wheel drive as standard, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is an option.

The all-wheel drive hybrid RX350h includes a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT), a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a combined output of 246 horsepower. The RX500h F Sport Performance is the next level up, generating 367 horsepower using a mix of electric and turbocharged 2.5-liter engines while directing that power to all four wheels with Lexus’s Direct4 technology.

2023 Genesis GV80 

The opulent 2023 Genesis GV80 has elevated the Genesis brand to the top of wish lists for luxury SUVs. How are we cognizant? Because instead of stopping to ask whether it’s a Hyundai, folks now ask if it’s a Bentley. We may overlook the error given the GV80’s royal design, sophisticated interior, and luxurious cabin furnishings. Powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinders are the base engine, but performance-enhancing twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6s are found in higher-end models. 

A few well-known examples of automobiles that have effectively merged high-end materials with attractive interior design and cutting-edge technology include the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, and Volvo XC90. In spite of costing the same or less as the most popular SUVs in its class, the GV80 represents a breakthrough for Genesis because it provides a level of luxury that seems and feels as though it should be hundreds of dollars more expensive.

2023 Genesis GV80  Performance

This mid-size luxury SUV is supported by the same chassis as the G80 sedan and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. Power output of the various engines ranges from a 375 horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 to a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with the latter clocking a speedy 5.3 seconds to 60 mph on our test track.

Although the GV80’s turbo four’s 60 mph time was slower at 6.1 seconds, many drivers won’t miss the more power. The new SUV handles bends with agility and offers a quiet ride, but clients seeking bigger thrills might want to choose a Porsche Cayenne or an Audi SQ8. This is according to our testing of both GV80 versions.

2023 Audi Q8

We all know someone who is a bit cooler, and in the case of the three-row Audi Q7 SUV, that person is the more stylish two-row Q8, which has the same technical underpinnings as its three-row sister. The Q7 is superior in terms of backseat headroom, passenger capacity, and baggage space despite the Q8’s broader, shorter, and lower dimensions due to the dramatic design. The Q8 only offers a five-seat layout with two rows.

The Q7’s engine, a turbocharged 335 horsepower V-6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, is the same one utilized in the higher trim levels of the Q7. The 500-hp SQ8 and the even wilder 591-hp RS Q8 receive separate reviews. By offering a pleasurable driving experience, the Q8 gains from sharing platforms with the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne SUVs. 

Despite not being as agile, it is nonetheless enjoyable to drive and unquestionably less bizarre-looking than comparable “SUV coupes” like the BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe. It is also more affordable than the A8 full-size premium vehicle by more than $15,000.

2023 Audi Q8 Performance

Audi installs a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged engine in every Q8 that produces 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive technology called Quattro. Even while the Audi had enough of overtaking power on the freeway, it appeared hesitant around town unless we slammed on the gas.

Although the engine and transmission cooperated best in Dynamic mode because it provided faster reactions, the transmission generally reacted reliably. On lengthy rides, the Q8’s linear input and low-effort steering were pleasurable, but switchbacks became tedious. While 21-inch wheels are standard, our test car featured 22-inch wheels and the air suspension option.

These big heavy rollers were typically silent, especially on crooked terrain. Our Q8 had four-wheel steering and could navigate in small spaces (part of the Adaptive Chassis package). It could manage uneven terrain as well. Its brake pedal was easy to adjust at motorway speeds, but in traffic, it responded inexactly. Nevertheless, it was able to tow the hefty crossover from 70 mph to zero during our emergency braking test in a commendable 170 feet.

2023 BMW X5

The mid-size luxury SUV market is filled with many, generally great alternatives, but the 2023 BMW X5 stands out thanks to a blend of performance and refinement that is absent in many crossovers. The X5’s three available engines—the first of which is a refined, 335-horsepower turbocharged inline-six—help explain why it is so popular.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-class and the Genesis GV80 may be more luxurious than the BMW X5, but the inside of the BMW nevertheless emanates a strong sense of high quality.

Even though it isn’t nearly as sporty as the BMWs of the recent past that we miss, the X5 handles better than those alternatives. Driving enthusiasts might choose for a real performance player like the Porsche Cayenne, but the quick, all-around X5 ranks at the top of the class thanks to its superiority in all areas. 2023 BMW x5 Specs & Review.

2023 BMW X5 Performance

For the 2023 X5, there are three possible powertrains, each paired with a distinct model. The inline-six turbocharger in X5s with the sDrive40i or xdrive40i nameplate produces 335 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid xDrive45e’s inline-six turbocharger and electric motor produce 389 horsepower altogether.

On our test track, that engine took an X5 from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.7 seconds. (We also attempted the 40i, which reached 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.) Last but not least, the M50i’s 523 horsepower twin-turbo V-8 allows it BMW accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The X5 is a major improvement over the previous generation model in terms of smooth ride, safe handling, and enhanced steering—which feels more connected and direct but is still not exactly what we’d call sports.

The Audi Q7 still outperforms the X5 in this category despite the race being tight. The X5 retains its grip easily in tight turns and rewards the driver with a degree of predictability that is missing in the GLE-class. Regardless of the engine it has, the X5 has a powerful 7200-pound maximum towing capability, so keep that in mind if you need to pull.

2023 Lincoln Aviator

The Ford Explorer-based 2023 Lincoln Aviator, a five-passenger midsize luxury SUV with three rows of seats, covers the gap in Lincoln’s SUV-only lineup between the full-size Navigator and the midsize Nautilus.

Notably, a plug-in hybrid powertrain is an option for the Aviator. It will cover around 21 miles on electric power alone before transitioning to standard hybrid functioning. With its electric drivetrain option, the Aviator distinguishes itself from its key rivals, including two of our top selections in the class, the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX.

Like previous Lincolns, the 2023 Aviator has a distinctive external and interior design. It offers a ton of room for both people and baggage and is also rather comfortable, especially with the addition of its upgraded front seats. Read our Expert Rating of this SUV to decide whether it deserves to be on your list of considerations.

2023 Lincoln Aviator Performance 

The Aviator can accelerate quickly. There is a little delay once you request power from the Aviator before it really starts working. Our all-wheel-drive Aviator Black Label finished the 0-60 mph race in 5.9 seconds.

There is less spectacular braking and handling. The brake pedal is overly mushy, making smooth control difficult. The Aviator also lacks confidence in its stability while negotiating turns since it feels bulky and willowy. Another concern is how awkwardly and slowly the transmission switches between forward and reverse. Combining all these issues makes driving the Aviator less fun than we had hoped.

2023 Cadillac XT6

If you need a practical 3-row SUV and have the cash for a luxury automobile, the 2023 Cadillac XT6 should be on your shopping list. It offers several benefits that families will like, despite the fact that it isn’t the most opulent or powerful SUV in its class.

The XT6 is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and has one of the roomiest third rows of any midsize luxury SUV. Its major rivals are the Lincoln Aviator, Infiniti QX60, and Acura MDX since they all provide standard 3-row seating at a similar price.

2023 Cadillac XT6 Performance

There are two engine options for the Cadillac XT6. The base engine for the Luxury level is a turbocharged 4-cylinder. It’s enough for most situations, but if your SUV is packed with people and cargo, it may not be enough.

Due to its superior performance at a small fuel economy penalty, the 310-horsepower V6 in the two top trims is preferred by the majority of drivers. Since the V6 uses regular gas and the turbo-4 requires premium fuel, the V6 actually has a lower projected yearly fuel cost from the EPA.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is an alternative to front-wheel drive (FWD), which is the standard on the XT6. A 9-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the wheels is standard on all XT6 models.

2023 Land Rover Defender

The premium brand’s most current iteration now comes with more comfort to go with the off-capacity roader’s ability to ride anywhere. The robust Jeeps of America were met by a British reaction in the form of the Land Rover Defender. Both two-door and four-door body variants are offered with commodious and practical interiors, state-of-the-art entertainment and tech features, and a unique appearance that pays homage to the famous Defenders of yore.

Despite the availability of more powerful inline-six and V-8 engines, all Defenders come standard with all-wheel drive. The new generation Defender’s design offers several benefits, but its improved on-road handling is the standout one. It gives it a degree of elegance that rivals like the Lexus GX and Jeep Wrangler can’t match.

locking differentials, height-adjustable air springs, and particular settings for wading through deep water. The new generation Defender’s design offers several benefits, but its improved on-road handling is the standout one. It gives it a degree of elegance that rivals like the Lexus GX and Jeep Wrangler can’t match.

2023 Land Rover Defender Performance

The Defender’s basic turbocharged four-cylinder engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Each model includes a locking differential and four-wheel drive as standard equipment for navigating difficult terrain. For the Defender, there is also a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt hybrid system and an electric supercharger.

For those looking for extra power, the 518-hp supercharged V-8 can get the Defender 90 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds during our tests. The stock suspension uses coil springs, although air springs that allow for adjustable ride height can be installed. The Jeep Wrangler’s maximum clearance and water fording capability are outperformed by the Defender’s 11.5-inch ground clearance and 35-inch capacity, respectively.

2023 Maserati Grecale

The 2023 Grecale will be the second SUV to visit Maserati’s dealerships, continuing the Italian automaker’s ambition of growing its lineup. The brand’s newest tiny luxury crossover is positioned underneath the bigger, mid-size Levante. The Grecale sports a unique Maserati grille on its face, similar to the new MC20 supercar, but the remainder of its bulbous body is typical of cars in its class, which also includes rivals like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan.

2023 Maserati Grecale Performance

The Grecale may be equipped with a broad variety of powertrains. Eight-gear automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive are linked with each engine. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 296 horsepower.

During our initial test drive, we noticed some turbo lag from the high-output four-cylinder engine, but generally praised the powertrain for its quick acceleration and enough power. Although the Grecale has good agility and decent handling, the Porsche Macan nevertheless provides a more pleasurable driving experience.

The Trofeo, which has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine that is a detuned version of the MC20’s engine, is the pinnacle of the lineup’s performance. According to Maserati, it will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a peak speed of 177 mph. On the Trofeo, adaptive dampers and an air suspension are also standard features; on models with four cylinders, they are only optional.

2023 INFINITI QX60

The Infiniti QX60 is a premium three-row SUV offered by the Japanese automaker. It so goes up against the likes of the Volvo XC90, Lincoln Aviator, Acura MDX, and Audi Q7. The QX60 was entirely renovated by Infiniti last year, giving it new aesthetics, a ton of modern technology, and a more opulent interior. However, there are worse options for a large family hauler. The QX60 excels in terms of value by offering a ton of standard features and some really lavish optional extras. See our test team’s Expert Rating below to find out more about the qualities that this Infiniti SUV possesses and those that it lacks.

2023 INFINITI QX60 Performance

The QX60’s V6 engine has a pleasant sound and generates constant power when you stomp on the throttle. The QX60 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, placing it comfortably in the middle of the field at our test track. We eventually deactivated the engine stop-start system since the engine would start jerkily at stoplights.

The QX60 doesn’t handle all that well. When turning, the QX60 appears heavy and huge. Additionally, due to how disjointed the steering feels, you don’t feel like you have a firm grasp on the car. The Acura MDX and Audi Q7 are more enjoyable to drive than their rivals.