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Expert Ratings

Best medium SUVs

The definitive ranking of the best and worst medium SUVs on sale in the UK

This is the definitive ranking of the best and worst medium SUVs on sale in the UK.

How can we make such a bold claim? Because this list isn’t just based on our opinion. We’ve pulled together tens of millions of key data points on every new car (as well as a growing number of near-new used cars), including more than 15,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring websites. We also factor in complete safety data from Euro NCAP, reliability data and five-year running cost information.

All this adds up to the most comprehensive analysis of expert opinion and real-world data found anywhere in the motoring world.

 

How our Expert Rating scores are calculated
How Expert Ratings can help your car buying decisions

The small SUV sector might see the most action in the UK market right now but medium SUVs are not far behind. And no matter what their size, the vast majority of today’s SUVs are far removed from the earliest models which were basically spartan machines designed to go far off the beaten track.

Current models

Renault Scenic E-Tech

Expert Rating:
A
The Renault Scenic has returned as a family-sized SUV running on electric power, but reviewers take issue with the car's rear visibility.

Skoda Enyaq

Expert Rating:
A
The Skoda Enyaq iV is the Czech brand's first bespoke EV and an SUV attracting a lot of positive vibes from reviewers.

Tesla Model Y

Expert Rating:
A
The Tesla Model Y offers similar tech and performance to the popular Model 3 with extra practicality, but the ride quality is disappointing.

Nissan Ariya

Expert Rating:
A
The Nissan Ariya is a capable all-rounder and a serious EV contender, but rivals have more storage space and it's by no means cheap.

Toyota bZ4X

Expert Rating:
A
The Toyota bZ4X SUV is a spacious and well-equipped electric all-rounder, but some of awkward design elements hinder its practicality.

Volkswagen ID.4

Expert Rating:
A
The Volkswagen I.D.4 is a very effective EV crossover with lots of space, although promised cheaper models cannot come soon enough.

Audi Q6 e-tron

Expert Rating:
A
The Audi Q6 e-tron is comfortable, spacious and is packed with class-leading on-board tech, but other electric SUVs are more engaging to drive.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Expert Rating:
A
The Ford Mustang Mach-E has scored highly with UK reviewers, with plenty of praise for its fresh styling and strong performance.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Expert Rating:
A
The Audi Q4 e-tron electric SUV offers quality, practicality and comfort, but optional extras can drive the price up very quickly.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Expert Rating:
A
The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan is a versatile family-friendly SUV with plenty of space, but its pricing has been criticised by reviewers.

Nissan Qashqai

Expert Rating:
A
The third-generation, still British-built Nissan Qashqai remains a complete SUV – enough to keep it ahead of an ever-expanding pack?

Mini Countryman Electric

Expert Rating:
A
The Mini Countryman is available as an EV for the first time, but this spacious SUV is also more expensive than the petrol version.

BYD Atto 3

Expert Rating:
A
Chinese brand BYD's first model to arrive on UK roads, the Atto 3 is a credible all-electric contender that is well-equipped and reasonably priced.

Subaru Solterra

Expert Rating:
A
The electric Subaru Solterra is as refined as its bZ4X sibling, but does little to stand out when compared to its cheaper Toyota counterpart.

Mercedes-Benz EQB

Expert Rating:
A
The Mercedes-Benz EQB has received mixed reviews, with impressive build quality but average battery range and an expensive price tag.

Hyundai Tucson

Expert Rating:
A
The Hyundai Tucson has been described as the company's biggest step forward to date, bringing it level with long-established brands like VW.

Kia Sportage

Expert Rating:
A
The fifth-generation Kia Sportage is a practical and tech-filled family SUV, but alternatives offer a more comfortable driving experience.

Lexus NX

Expert Rating:
A
The second-generation Lexus NX SUV is a polished all-rounder with impressive interior quality, but top-spec plug-in models have steep pricing.

Lexus RZ

Expert Rating:
A
The electric Lexus RZ's polished interior poses a challenge to its upmarket rivals, but its battery range can't match the best of them.

Genesis Electrified GV70

Expert Rating:
A
The Genesis Electrifed GV70 is an impressive upmarket electric SUV with a generous aftersale care plan, but its key rivals are more affordable.

Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

Expert Rating:
A
The electric Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is an upmarket family car with a long battery range, excellent infotainment, and an eye-watering price tag.

Mazda MX-30 R-EV

Expert Rating:
A
The Mazda MX-30 R-EV is a plug-in hybrid that is certainly more usable than its EV twin, but it comes with the same practicality issues.

Mazda CX-30

Expert Rating:
A
The Mazda CX-30 has received positive media reviews, with praise for its driving dynamics and quality but criticism for a tight cabin.

Cupra Formentor

Expert Rating:
A
The Cupra Formentor has received positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with praised for its styling, comfort and technology.

Ford Kuga

Expert Rating:
B
The third-generation Ford Kuga has received positive reviews, being considered good to drive although not as spacious as most rivals.

Jaguar I-Pace

Expert Rating:
A
The Jaguar I-Pace has received many outstanding reviews from the UK motoring and technology media, as well as winning several awards.

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Expert Rating:
A
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is a high-performance electric SUV with serious pace and power, but reviewers find its steep price tag hard to justify.

Volkswagen ID.5

Expert Rating:
A
The Volkswagen ID.5 is a capable coupé-SUV with plenty of tech and a good battery range, but it is hard to justify over its talented rivals.

Volvo XC60

Expert Rating:
A
The Volvo XC60 has received good to very good reviews from the UK media and has won many awards since it was launched, including the 2018 World Car of the Year.

Honda CR-V

Expert Rating:
A
The sixth-generation Honda CR-V is an efficient, spacious and comfortable family-sized SUV, but some buyers will be deterred by its price tag.

Mazda CX-60

Expert Rating:
A
The Mazda CX-60 is a family-sized SUV with an upmarket interior, but its not as spacious as some premium rivals.

Toyota RAV4

Ratings and reviews
A
The Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid has received generally good, if not great, reviews from the UK automotive media and ranks several points behind the best in its class.

Porsche Macan Electric

Expert Rating:
B
The Porsche Macan Electric is an impressive SUV all-rounder, with pace, practicality, agile handling and a competitive battery range.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Expert Rating:
B
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC is both spacious and well-equipped, but putting your foot down won't result in many driving thrills.

BMW iX3

Expert Rating:
B
The BMW iX3 is quieter and more refined than the petrol or diesel X3 models on which it's based, but it's an expensive alternative.

Cupra Tavascan

Expert Rating:
B
The Cupra Tavascan is an electric coupé-SUV with attractive looks and tech, but those expecting driving thrills will likely be disappointed.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Expert Rating:
B
The Land Rover Discovery Sport has received very mixed media reviews since its launch, with scores rating from very poor to outstanding.

Mini Countryman

Expert Rating:
B
Bigger and bolder, spacious and fun to drive - the all-new Mini Countryman is a well-rounded petrol-powered SUV.

Suzuki Across

Expert Rating:
B
The Suzuki Across is a RAV4 PHEV with a different badge and if you can afford its top-spec status, worth looking at.

Citroën C5 Aircross

Expert Rating:
B
The C5 Aircross has received consistently good reviews from the UK media, with particular praise for its comfortable ride and clever interior design.

Fisker Ocean

Expert Rating:
B
The Fisker Ocean is a unique all-electric SUV proposition with a long battery range, but many reviewers take issue with its interior trim.

Honda ZR-V

Expert Rating:
B
The Honda ZR-V is a capable mid-sized crossover with a widely-praised hybrid engine, but its relatively high price tag may deter some buyers.

Skoda Karoq

Expert Rating:
B
The Skoda Karoq has received many good reviews and awards from the UK media, with particular praise for its practicality and value for money.

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Expert Rating:
B
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has an Expert Rating that ranks it in the middle of the mid-sized SUV field, although its seven-seat option is a plus.

Peugeot e-3008

Expert Rating:
B
Reviewers have liked the Peugeot e-3008's design, but have been critical of its high price and underwhelming driving dynamics.

Subaru Crosstrek

Expert Rating:
B
The Subaru Crosstrek's off-road ability is countered by high running costs, average performance and limited practicality in day-to-day use.

SEAT Ateca

Expert Rating:
B
The SEAT Ateca has received positive scores from most of the UK media, and has won a large number of awards.

Toyota C-HR

Expert Rating:
B
Frugal and rather fun, the second-generation Toyota C-HR has good family car credentials, but rivals offer better pricing and practicality.

Vauxhall Grandland Electric

Expert Rating:
C
The Vauxhall Grandland Electric has a commendable battery range and attractive pricing, but little else makes it stand out from its rivals.

BMW X3

Expert Rating:
C
The fourth-generation BMW X3 SUV is a certain improvement over its predecessor, but some reviewers take issue with the interior trim.

MG HS

Expert Rating:
C
Reviewers conclude that the second-generation MG HS is one of the best value-for-money packages on the market, but other SUVs are better to drive.

Subaru Outback

Expert Rating:
C
Blending estate car space and SUV off-roading ability, the Subaru Outback is a niche but capable car let down by a thirsty engine.

Mazda CX-5

Expert Rating:
C
The Mazda CX-5 has received many good media reviews, with an Expert Rating that places it at the top end of the mid-sized SUV sector.

Peugeot 3008

Expert Rating:
C
Reviewers have liked the Peugeot 3008's style, but have been critical of its substance as a family SUV.

Genesis GV70

Expert Rating:
C
A generous customer service package makes the Genesis GV70 an attractive proposition, but it fails to stand up against its premium rivals in many areas.

Skoda Enyaq iV vRS

Expert Rating:
C
Skoda Enyaq vRS certainly looks sporty, but delivers neither the performance nor the handling that you might expect from the vRS nameplate.

Subaru Forester

Expert Rating:
C
The Subaru Forester has received mixed UK reviews, with mostly poor to average scores that rank it in the bottom half of its class.

DS 7

Expert Rating:
C
The DS 7 has received average to good media reviews, with praise for its comfort but criticism for its driving experience.

KGM Torres EVX

Expert Rating:
C
The KGM Torres EVX is spacious and well-equipped, but reviewers find it hard to recommend the electric SUV due to its pricing and driving experience.

Dacia Jogger

Expert Rating:
C
The Dacia Jogger is a seven-seat MPV that provides unparalleled value for money – but that comes at the expense of a woeful safety rating.

KGM Korando

Expert Rating:
C
The Korando is a significant improvement over the previous model. It's also the first SsangYong (now KGM) to earn a five-star safety rating.

Omoda E5

Expert Rating:
C
The Omoda E5 is a mid-sized EV SUV/crossover and the first model to be launched by new Chinese brand Omoda. Our award-winning Expert Rating has all you need to know about this new car.

KGM Korando e-Motion

Expert Rating:
C
The KGM Korando e-Motion is an affordable electric crossover that can't match the cabin quality and driving experience of its rivals.

Range Rover Velar

Expert Rating:
D
The Range Rover Velar has received many good reviews, with praise for its design and comfort. However, it is considered expensive compared to rivals.

Vauxhall Grandland

Expert Rating:
D
The second-generation Vauxhall Grandland is comfortable and well-equipped, but it struggles to stand out in a competitive family SUV category.

Suzuki S-Cross

Expert Rating:
D
The Suzuki S-Cross is a good value-for-money model in the mainstream SUV market and offers a comfortable ride, but rivals are more spacious.

Jaguar F-Pace

Expert Rating:
D
The Jaguar F-Pace holds an Expert Rating of 78%, which is not quite the best in its class but still competitive, and has received positive media reviews.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Expert Rating:
D
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has received good media reviews, but it's expensive to run and lacks the quality of the best rivals in its class.

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35

Expert Rating:
D
The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is a pacy performance SUV with alluring looks, but it is not a fun to drive as some rivals, nor is it as spacious.

Audi RS Q3

Expert Rating:
D
The Audi RS Q3 is certainly quick in a straight line, but reviewers conclude that its SUV rivals are more fun and comfortable on the move.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Expert Rating:
E
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is stunningly fast for an SUV, but it hasn’t lost all of the practicality either.

Cupra Ateca

Expert Rating:
D
The Cupra Ateca has received generally good media reviews, which have praised its impressive performance and unique proposition in the marketplace.

BMW X4

Expert Rating:
E
The BMW X4 is effectively a sleeker version of the X3, however the X4 rates much worse than its more practical sibling in most categories.

Porsche Macan

Expert Rating:
E
The Porsche Macan has received very positive media reviews, although the top-spec Turbo tends to score lower than other models in the range.

Jeep Compass

Expert Rating:
E
The Jeep Compass has received poor reviews from the UK media. Our unique Expert Rating index ranks it second last in the medium SUV segment.

Maserati Grecale

Expert Rating:
E
With sharp performance and handling, the Maserati Grecale is a sporty SUV with plenty of character, but reviewers conclude that it's suspension is too firm.

BMW X3 M

Expert Rating:
E
The BMW X3 M is a performance-enhanced SUV with some serious punch, but reviewers find the steep pricing of top-spec models hard to justify.

BMW X4 M

Expert Rating:
E
The BMW X4 M is a performance-enhanced coupé-SUV with serious pace, but reviewers take issue with its rigid ride comfort and practicality.

Ford Capri

Expert Rating:
-
The Ford Capri is an electric coupé-SUV with a spacious upmarket interior and impressive pace, but can it live up to its renowned nameplate?