The Best Midsize SUVs in Canada for 2024: A Detailed Guide
As the midsize SUV market continues to thrive in Canada, these vehicles offer the perfect balance of space, performance, and fuel efficiency for families and individual drivers alike. According to Kia Canada, models like the Kia Telluride and Kia Sportage are top contenders in 2024 due to their advanced technology, reliability, and spacious interiors. Additionally, Kelley Blue Book highlights Kia’s lineup for its industry-leading value, consistently ranking high in owner satisfaction and fuel efficiency. This comprehensive guide will explore the best midsize SUVs in Canada, comparing key aspects such as pricing, fuel economy, technology, reliability, and interior space.
Pricing: Best Midsize SUVs for Your Budget
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride, priced between $50,000 and $60,000 CAD, offers exceptional value for its price. Known for its premium features, the Telluride stands out as a top choice in the midsize SUV category with high-end materials, modern technology, and impressive space. It’s a strong contender for Canadian families looking for a practical, luxury-like driving experience without paying luxury prices.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage Hybrid is a more affordable option for those who prioritize fuel efficiency without sacrificing modern technology. Priced between $41,000 and $50,000 CAD, the Sportage Hybrid balances cost, features, and performance, making it an excellent choice for those looking for the best value among hybrid midsize SUVs in Canada.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander, a well-known and reliable option, generally comes at a higher price point compared to its competitors, ranging from $50,000 to $60,000 CAD. It’s an ideal choice for drivers who prioritize long-term durability and strong resale value, but it doesn’t offer as many high-end features as the Kia Telluride for the same price.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade, priced from $45,000 to $63,000 CAD, provides a premium experience with a luxurious interior and advanced technology. Its pricing is on par with the Kia Telluride, and it competes directly in terms of space and features, offering another great option for families looking for a high-end midsize SUV.
Ford Explorer
With prices ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 CAD, the Ford Explorer is one of the more expensive options in the midsize SUV category. While it offers powerful performance and a spacious interior, its higher cost and mixed reliability reviews may make it less appealing for those looking for long-term value.
Fuel Efficiency: Which Midsize SUVs Will Save You at the Pump?
Fuel efficiency is a crucial consideration for Canadians, especially given the country’s vast landscapes and fluctuating gas prices. Here’s how the best 2024 midsize SUVs compare:
Kia Telluride
- City: 12.4 L/100 km
- Highway: 9.4 L/100 km
Despite its size, the Kia Telluride manages reasonable fuel efficiency, particularly on the highway. It strikes a good balance between power and fuel economy, making it ideal for long-distance drives across Canada.
Kia Sportage Hybrid
- City: 6.1 L/100 km
- Highway: 6.3 L/100 km
The Kia Sportage Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient midsize SUVs on the market, especially for city driving. If you’re looking for a hybrid that delivers both savings and performance, the Sportage Hybrid is hard to beat in its price range.
Toyota Highlander
- City: 10.3 L/100 km
- Highway: 8.6 L/100 km
The Toyota Highlander offers respectable fuel efficiency, though it lags slightly behind the Kia Sportage Hybrid. It remains a solid option for those looking for a traditional gas-powered SUV with decent fuel savings.
Hyundai Palisade
- City: 12.4 L/100 km
- Highway: 9.4 L/100 km
Similar to the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade offers good highway fuel efficiency, though its city consumption is on the higher side for its class. It remains a good choice for families who need space without compromising too much on fuel economy.
Ford Explorer
- City: 11.8 L/100 km
- Highway: 8.5 L/100 km
The Ford Explorer performs well on highways but doesn’t lead in terms of city fuel efficiency. It’s a solid option for drivers who prioritize power and are often on the road for longer distances.
Technology: The Most Advanced Midsize SUVs in Canada
When choosing an SUV, having cutting-edge technology can enhance both convenience and safety. Here’s how the top 2024 midsize SUVs fare in terms of tech:
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is packed with technology, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and advanced safety technologies like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also boasts a premium Harman Kardon sound system and a surround-view monitor, making it one of the best midsize SUVs for tech-savvy drivers in Canada.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage offers great tech features for its price, including an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The hybrid variant comes with tech enhancements that boost fuel efficiency, such as regenerative braking and energy-saving driving modes. Additionally, it includes forward collision avoidance and lane-following assist, making it a smart choice for safety-conscious drivers.
Toyota Highlander
While the Toyota Highlander includes a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, its 8-inch touchscreen and user interface are a bit dated compared to competitors like the Telluride. However, Toyota’s safety features are reliable and provide peace of mind for families.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade rivals the Telluride in technology, offering a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and numerous driver-assistance features like blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic alert. Its tech package makes it one of the most advanced midsize SUVs available in Canada.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is equipped with SYNC 3 technology, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While it includes several safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, its touchscreen interface can feel slightly less responsive than those found in the Telluride or Palisade.
Reliability: Which Midsize SUVs Will Last the Longest?
Reliability is critical when choosing a midsize SUV, as Canadian drivers expect their vehicles to endure harsh winters and long road trips. Here’s how the best midsize SUVs rate for reliability:
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride continues to rank highly in reliability, backed by positive consumer reviews and Kia’s industry-leading warranty of 5 years/100,000 km. With its robust build and minimal maintenance requirements, the Telluride offers long-term peace of mind for Canadian families.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is another standout in reliability, offering low maintenance costs and strong build quality. Its dependable performance is supported by Kia’s comprehensive warranty, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota has long been synonymous with reliability, and the Highlander is no exception. Known for its durability and low maintenance costs, the Highlander is a safe bet for drivers looking for a vehicle that will last for years.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is praised for its build quality and consistent performance. Like the Telluride, it comes with Hyundai’s strong warranty, making it a solid choice for Canadian families seeking reliability.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer has received mixed reviews in terms of reliability. While it offers strong performance and engine options, its maintenance costs are higher compared to models like the Telluride and Highlander.
Interior and Space: Best for Families and Cargo
For families and those needing extra space, interior comfort and cargo capacity are key factors. Here’s how the top midsize SUVs compare:
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a leader in interior space, offering three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. It boasts 2,455 liters of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down, making it one of the most spacious midsize SUVs in its class. The Telluride’s interior is upscale, with premium materials and a well-thought-out design that offers plenty of room for both passengers and cargo.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage provides a comfortable cabin for five passengers and offers up to 1,868 liters of cargo space with the rear seats folded. While smaller than the Telluride, it still offers ample space for everyday use and road trips, making it an ideal choice for couples or smaller families.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander features three rows of seating for up to eight passengers but offers slightly less cargo space than the Telluride, with 2,387 liters when the rear seats are down. The Highlander’s interior is well-designed but lacks some of the high-end materials found in the Telluride or Palisade.
Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade matches the Telluride in terms of space, with three rows of seating for up to eight passengers and 2,447 liters of cargo space. It offers a luxury-like cabin, with premium finishes that enhance the overall comfort and experience.
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is another spacious option, seating seven passengers and offering up to 2,486 liters of cargo space. While the interior is well-appointed, the third row is slightly smaller than in competitors, making it more suitable for children than adults.
Conclusion: The Best Midsize SUVs to Buy in Canada for 2024
When considering the best midsize SUV in Canada for 2024, Kia’s Telluride and Sportage Hybrid stand out for their exceptional balance of technology, fuel efficiency, reliability, and interior space. The Telluride offers the best value for families seeking a luxury-like experience without paying a premium price, while the Sportage Hybrid excels for those who prioritize fuel savings and modern technology.
Competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander, and Ford Explorer also offer solid alternatives depending on specific needs, but Kia’s lineup provides the best overall package for Canadian drivers looking for long-term value, comfort, and reliability.
FAQs
1. What is the best midsize SUV for fuel efficiency in Canada?
The Kia Sportage Hybrid offers the best fuel efficiency, with 6.1 L/100 km in the city and 6.3 L/100 km on the highway.
2. Which midsize SUV offers the most cargo space?
The Ford Explorer offers the most cargo space, with 2,486 liters, followed closely by the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
3. What is the best value midsize SUV in Canada?
The Kia Telluride offers the best value for its price, combining luxury-level features with competitive pricing in the $50,000 to $60,000 CAD range.
4. What is the most reliable midsize SUV in Canada?
Both the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander are highly reliable, with the Telluride offering the added benefit of Kia’s industry-leading warranty.
5. What is the best midsize SUV for families?
The Kia Telluride is the best choice for families, offering three-row seating, ample cargo space, and advanced safety features at a competitive price.