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 compiled and analysed more than 15,000 new car reviews from 35 of the UK’s top motoring titles to produce our Expert Rating Index.

Why rely on one person’s opinion when you can have all of the top reviews gathered together in one place?

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

Jaguar I-Pace

Expert Rating 83%

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

Skoda Enyaq iV

Expert Rating 82%

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 77%

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

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Expert Rating 77%

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

Porsche Macan

Expert Rating 76%

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

Hyundai Tucson

Expert Rating 75%

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

Volvo XC60

Expert Rating 75%

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.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Expert Rating 75%

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

Skoda Karoq

Expert Rating 75%

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

Peugeot 3008

Expert Rating 74%

The Peugeot 3008 SUV has received unanimously positive media reviews, as well as many awards in the UK and internationally.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Expert Rating 74%

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

Cupra Formentor

Expert Rating 74%

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

Nissan Ariya

Expert Rating 74%

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.

Mazda CX-5

Expert Rating 73%

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.

BMW iX3

Expert Rating 73%

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.

Dacia Jogger

Expert Rating 73%

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.

Lexus NX

Expert Rating 73%

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

Toyota bZ4X

Expert Rating 73%

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

Kia Sportage

Expert Rating 72%

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

SEAT Ateca

Expert Rating 72%

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

Genesis Electrified GV70

Expert Rating 72%

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

BMW X3

Expert Rating 72%

The BMW X3 has received consistently positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with particular praise for its driving dynamics and high-quality interior.

Mazda CX-30

Expert Rating 71%

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

Range Rover Velar

Expert Rating 71%

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

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Expert Rating 71%

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

Jaguar F-Pace

Expert Rating 71%

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Expert Rating 70%

The Volkswagen Tiguan has received generally good media reviews, with widespread praise for its refinement and practicality.

Suzuki Across

Expert Rating 70%

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

Ford Kuga

Expert Rating 69%

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

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Expert Rating 69%

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.

Audi Q5

Expert Rating 69%

The Audi Q5 has generally received very good scores from the UK motoring media, with praise for its comfort and build quality.

Nissan Qashqai

Expert Rating 69%

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

Lexus RX

Expert Rating 69%

The Lexus RX is an upmarket SUV that offers and efficient and leisurely driving experience, but its rivals are more engaging to drive.

Citroën C5 Aircross

Expert Rating 68%

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

Volkswagen ID.4

Expert Rating 68%

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

Toyota C-HR

Expert Rating 67%

The Toyota C-HR has received broadly positive media reviews, with our Expert Rating putting it in the top half of a very competitive market.

Mercedes-Benz EQB

Expert Rating 67%

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

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Expert Rating 66%

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

Honda CR-V

Expert Rating 66%

The Honda CR-V has received mostly good media reviews, with the hybrid model generally scoring slightly better than the petrol version.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Expert Rating 66%

The Mercedes-Benz EQC takes on premium medium SUV rivals with pace and a classy interior, but loses out on space and driving fun.

BYD Atto 3

Expert Rating 65%

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.

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Expert Rating 65%

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.

Mazda CX-60

Expert Rating 65%

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

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Expert Rating 65%

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has received good reviews from the UK media, with particular praise for its driving dynamics and overall performance.

Genesis GV70

Expert Rating 64%

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.

BMW X4

Expert Rating 64%

The BMW X4 is effectively a sporty version of the X3. While excellent on the road, it’s a more costly way of getting sharper visuals.

Lexus RZ

Expert Rating 64%

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.

Toyota RAV4

Ratings and reviews 64%

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.

Cupra Ateca

Expert Rating 62%

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

Maserati Grecale

Expert Rating 61%

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan R

Expert Rating 61%

The Volkswagen Tiguan R offers a great combination of practicality and pace, but rivals are more rewarding to drive.

Subaru Solterra

Expert Rating 58%

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-AMG GLB 35

Expert Rating 57%

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.

Skoda Enyaq iV vRS

Expert Rating 57%

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

Audi RS Q3

Expert Rating 56%

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.

BMW X3 M

Expert Rating 56%

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.

Vauxhall Grandland

Expert Rating 56%

The Vauxhall Grandland has received average to good reviews from the UK media, with praise for its practicality and safety features.

Jeep Wrangler

Expert Rating 55%

The Jeep Wrangler has received mixed reviews, with praise for its off-road ability but criticism for its on-road dynamics and very poor safety score.

BMW X4 M

Expert Rating 54%

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

DS 7

Expert Rating 54%

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

SsangYong Korando

Expert Rating 54%

The SsangYong Korando is a significant improvement over the previous model. It's also the first SsangYong to earn a five-star safety rating.

Volkswagen ID.5

Expert Rating 53%

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.

Jeep Compass

Expert Rating 51%

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.

MG HS

Expert Rating 50%

The MG HS has received reasonable media reviews, particularly for its low price, although it still ranks last in the medium SUV category.

Suzuki S-Cross

Expert Rating 48%

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.

Subaru Forester

Expert Rating 46%

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

Subaru XV

Expert Rating 46%

The XV has received mixed reviews from the UK automotive media, with praise for its off-road ability but criticism for its on-road dynamics.

Current models

Renault Kadjar (2015 to 2022)

Expert Rating 70%

The Renault Kadjar has received generally good media reviews, with praise for its styling, practicality and good equipment levels.

Nissan Qashqai (2014 to 2021)

Expert Rating 69%

The second-generation Nissan Qashqai was the UK's top-selling British-built car for most of its life, but was overtaken by better rivals.

Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015 to 2022)

Expert Rating 69%

The Mercedes-Benz GLC received generally positive reviews from the UK media, with an overall Expert Rating that was above average for the premium SUV class.

Kia Sportage (2015 to 2021)

Expert Rating 66%

The Kia Sportage received a range of reviews over the course of its production life, from average to outstanding. It was very good value and had a seven-year warranty.

Audi Q3 (2011 to 2018)

Expert Rating 64%

The first-generation Audi Q3 is a capable and well-mannered upmarket SUV, but its infotainment and interior are now rather dated.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2014 to 2021)

Expert Rating 62%

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV received average to good media reviews during its production life, and was taken off sale in the UK in 2021.

Hyundai Tucson (2015 to 2020)

Expert Rating 60%

The Hyundai Tucson has received average to good reviews from the UK media with praise for its value for money and good levels of standard equipment.

Suzuki S-Cross (2013 to 2021)

Expert Rating 60%

The Suzuki S-Cross was a practical mid-size SUV, but it was well off the pace of a very competive line-up of better alternatives.

Lexus NX (2014 to 2021)

Expert Rating 59%

The NX received mixed reviews with scores rating from poor to very good. Overall, it ranked it in the bottom half of the medium SUV field.

Ford Kuga (2013 to 2019)

Expert Rating 57%

The Ford Kuga (2013 - 2019) scored average to good reviews during its production life, but was eventually outclassed by newer rivals.

Toyota RAV4 (2013 to 2019)

Expert Rating 55%

Replaced in 2019, the fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 was a versatile and family-friendly SUV, but its interior was nothing special.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (2018 to 2021)

Expert Rating 54%

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has received poor media reviews, with our Expert Rating placing it right down near the bottom of its class.

SsangYong Korando e-Motion (2022)

Expert Rating 44%

The SsangYong Korando e-Motion was an affordable electric crossover that didn't match the cabin quality and driving experience of its rivals.

Today in an SUV technical specification phrases such as all-wheel-drive are rare, low-ratio transfer boxes almost non-existent – a typical 2021 medium SUV is a high-riding family car with styling panels designed to give it a more muscular visual appearance. Even SUV body shapes, once box-like and bulbous, have in recent years become sleeker and much closer to their family hatchback sister models.

There is a wide and ever-growing choice of medium SUVs – not only have mainstream manufacturers rushed to tempt with new models, but all of the upmarket brands have also got in on the act with such newcomers as the Jaguar E-Pace. And with models such as its Macan, today Porsche sells many more SUVs than sports cars.

Electric choices are at present few when it comes to medium SUVs, with the Jaguar I-Pace leading the way, but this will change rapidly, with a host of new electric models on the way.