10 Budget-Friendly Midsize SUVs Perfect for First-Time Buyers

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.

10

2025 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 with three rows of seats. There is also a pretty high ceiling for luxury if you’re willing to climb the trim ladder.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Two great engine choices
• Smooth ride
• Well-equipped interior

Cons

• Third row is a little cramped
• Only the range-topping trim comes with off-road equipment
• Not the most efficient option

9

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Proven V-6 engine
• Rugged capability
• Hard to break

Cons

• Loads of road noise
• Steering is super loose
• Cramped interior

8

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Forward-thinking interior and exterior design
• Smooth and comfortable ride
• Exceptionally quiet cabin

Cons

• Transmission is a little unrefined at low speeds
• Third-row legroom is limited
• Not particularly agile

7

2025 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 an athletic-looking cruiser built for tarmac.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Muscular exterior
• Quick off the line
• Tons of standard features

Cons

• Boring interior styling
• Cargo space is limited
• Sporty profile compromises headroom in the back

6

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Loads of space in all three rows
• Tons of standard features
• Impressive level of refinement

Cons

• Fuel efficiency isn’t class-leading
• Doesn’t handle extremely well
• Driver assists can be intrusive

5

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Fantastic curb appeal
• Loads of trims to choose from
• Hands-free driving is available

Cons

• 4WD is only optional
• Could use a little more power
• Top trims are pretty expensive

4

2025 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 in a rugged, yet fairly upscale package. It also comes standard with three rows of seats and a fantastic standard tech package.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Very nice to look at
• Tons of space on the inside
• Can tow up to 6,000 pounds

Cons

• Rock Creek model isn’t as capable as it seems
• Top trims are expensive
• Driving dynamics are forgettable

3

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Upscale cabin
• Well-equipped base model
• High ceiling for luxury

Cons

• Interior cargo is on the low side
• Fuel efficiency is not fantastic
• More expensive than the similarly equipped Kia

2

2025 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Impressive handling for its size
• Smooth power delivery
• Luxury-oriented interior

Cons

• Third row of seats is small
• Ride is a little too stiff
• Turbo S models are pricey

1

2025 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 does exactly 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.

Performance Specifications

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.

Pros

• Loads of cargo space
• Functional design
• Grown-up interior

Cons

• Some might find its styling to be boring
• Handling needs improvement
• Too reliant on the touchscreen