Poor Subaru Ascent, always forgotten about. Great AWD system, decent space, top safety pick+ and well equipped and priced. I see a fair amount of them on the road but seem almost invisible in ratings.
@@oreally8605 Um, the Ascent is certainly "big enough" to be a mid-size SUV (since that's exactly what it is). It's a 3 row crossover with seating for 7 or 8 depending on trim configuration.
true😂😂😂 should have kept it under wraps, that was nauseating to see, turbo 4 cylinder on that big truck? nah, no diy'ers are gonna buy that, and most enthusiasts do their own fixings
Today we test drove the Toyota Crown Signia. It’s exactly what we have been looking for, for my wife to use as her commuter vehicle and our road car. No it’s not a midsize SUV, as my wife and I are getting older, well I am as my wife is younger than me. For off road driving we take our (my) 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, double cab, 6’ bed
@ Yes, we were very impressed with it. We had to order the one we wanted. We both liked the Medium Brown exterior paint, but the one we tested had Black Leather interior and we don’t like black, so we ordered one with the Napa Leather. We ordered the XLE instead of the Limited. We prefer not to have a sunroof, so the XLE was the only option for us.
It would be a difficult choice between the Highlander and the Pilot. I like the look and feel of the Pilot but my next vehicle will be a plugin hybrid. Hopefully, by the time I want a new vehicle, Honda will have a plugin hybrid in the SUV class and thus I would have a very easy decision to make. PS: Shari, your posts are absolutely the best...so well researched, information is clearly presented and your productions are always very professional.
I personally would opt for the new 2026 Honda Passport. I like the new styling and off-road offerings better and that Honda replaced the old clunky less reliable 9-speed transmission with the smoother more reliable Pilot 10-speed transmission... alas, I am afraid, like all the new Toyotas, the price will soar beyond reach when it comes out.
The Toyota bZ4X is a top contender for its reliability and value, making it an excellent midsized SUV for drivers looking for a sustainable and safe choice.
I only trust buying Toyota or Honda branded cars. The issue with Toyota is everything is highly allocated, where it seems you need to know someone to get one of these SUV's, and have to pay an allocation fee. I love the way the new Passport looks, and don't need a 3rd row. But afraid the price will also get inflated making me have to consider a CR-V
Land Cruisers are still not readily available her in NJ. Haven’t seen a single one on the road. The 2024 4Runner styling and performance is almost a decade old.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but the Nissan pathfinder is actually a good suv. It performs well, its engine seems reliable and it doesn’t have the trash cvts other Nissan models have. Only concerns might be technology and safety
@@magnoliap5824 yea sorry i should have written it better. the pathfinder is a safe vehicle. what i meant was that it doesnt have as many safety features that honda and toyota have
@ Pathfinder has collision, pedestrian, lane warnings and will automatically stop the vehicle if it thinks it’s going to hit something. Parking sensors and good cameras. Not sure what more you’d want.
@olympbarca3313 I would have replaced the palisade and telluride for the pathfinder. It just has overall betetr reliability because its engine is great and it doesn’t have a cvt. Telluride and palisade engine is ok too but the pathfinder has more proven reliability
@ absolutely, I own a 2021 Toyota RAV4 as well as a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder SL Premium.. they are definitely better than the Korean counterparts.. and no CVT is just the icing on the cake 👌.
@TheConservativeKid that's I'm saying. Pathfinder is the best choice. Don't know if I can't trust the akorean reliability. For now german and japanese cars are my choices
Thanks, but why do your best of lists not take into account the availability of the platforms? As far as I'm concerned, Toyota is not an option when searching for a vehicle because of availability and the unwillingness of dealers to, well, deal.
So the ALL NEW 4Runner and the Land Cruiser have the same power train as the 24 Redesigned, VERY PROBLEMATIC Tacoma? Forget those Turbo engines. That’s why I bought my Tacoma TRD Off Road in 23, as it has the Reliable, Durable and Proven power train.
Here we go with all the Toyota's again - this should be declared as a Toyota promotion channel....never a mention of any Toyota problems...like melting plastic...
The best material, and build quality and excitement Mazda CX-90 is the winner. Second is Toyota Highlander,3rd Honda Pilot. CX-90 model was just released last year, and they had some software bags recalled, but after this is all fixed, this model will compete with premium vehicles like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc.
Hey Shari. I do not agree with your list, if value is considered. Surprised to see the Korean twins and not see Subaru Ascent and the new Nissan Pathfinder in it. And also, how can the Land Cruiser be a good value for money. Moreover, the Toyota turbos are yet to prove their reliability.
Running costs and resale value are a major part of determining value for money. The problem with the Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia is that, historically, they have higher repair costs and are worth almost nothing after 10 years. The Land Cruiser has tremendous resale value and will still be worth a fortune after the same time.
Toyota is an unethical company that happens to make a great car. When consumers stop being suckers and walk away from dealers who charge over the list price, then watch the supply problems magically disappear.
Nicely done Shari. I own a 2015 Nissan Murano and it's been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I'm in shopping mode right now and I really like the Nissan Pathfinder but I rarely hear anything about it. There's loads of space and the engine is rock solid. What do you think of the Pathfinder?
@@Mike-ti7hk I’m not Shari but it’s a decent vehicle. It has a great engine and it doesn’t have those bad Nissan cvts. It’s a 9 speed automatic. It also performs well. The only bad things about the pathfinder is that the technology and infotainment system are somewhat dated. If you don’t really care about that stuff, then the pathfinder is a great suv. Getting a Honda pilot or Toyota grand highlander will require less maintenance and will most likely have better build quality and overall better reliability. If you find those too expensive (which they are) then the pathfinder is a great choice.
I’m driving it and it’s been great. It is much bigger & boxier than the Murano, so the driving dynamics could be different. The infotainment system is fine for me. Nissan gets a bad rap by people who don’t know what they are talking about & yes they are underrepresented in these UA-cam videos. I suggest doing several test drives yourself, long ones if possible. The 24-25 Pathfinders still have a NA V6 but that could change next year to their VC turbo. You could look at the all new 25 Murano too.
Great engine, well designed, and they can be a good deal with big discounts. Not quite a match for the Pilot or Highlander. The reliability is a slight step behind. The Pathfinder's biggest drawback is resale value. After 10 years or so, they are worth very little compared to the Toyota and Honda.
I am pretty sure you aware but Grand Highlander iforce max hybrid is 362 Hp which is almost 80 Hp than Honda pilot and it is very fuel efficient too. It is expensive but similar to Pilot black edition.
The hybrid max is nice but it's very expensive and not very efficient in the real world. I prefer the V6 engine in the Honda if you need more power than the regular Highlander Hybrid.
This dude has zero, again zero idea about vehicles. He goes by what's traditionally and widely accepted. He tends to favor Toyota and Honda. However with all the recalls and recent news of cheap material these two manufacturers are not the best anymore. I would argue that Kia and Hyundai are much better nowadays, especially the models after 2019. Every manufacturer has recalls these days including Toyota. They have over 100,000 trucks recalled for an entire engine replacement because Toyota left metallic debris in the cylinder chambers. I would also include Chevy Equinox as one of the best SUVs in 2025. Mazda sucks as the interior lacks any thoughtfulness.
This might be an unpopular comment but the Tesla model Y is super good and there’s the in entice and aprs from 0.9 to 0% quite often. Spacious and something to think about
My choice would be Highlander. The Grand is a little too big for me. Thanks for a great video.
this video should be called best midsize suvs over $40k
Exactly
Also, SUVs are butt ugly and they all look alike. 😢
😂😂😂
I concur. Today's ridiculous home and car prices are the biggest proponents for Birth Control!!!😂
@islanddon865 😄😄😄. Good one!
I'm surprised Subaru didn't make the list. Thanks for the great info, Shari! You're still one of my favorite channels for cars and SUVs.
Thank you very much!
Time will tell how well those turbo 4 bangers will do in the long run
Passport or Pilot in that order would be my choices.
For as long as the prices are inflated, these videos are only for the rich, or someone who doesn't mind destroying their finances.
MSRPS up 20-40%, and recalls
Exactly!! 👍 👍
The prices are not going to be coming down. It's just going to be going up due to inflation.
Feeling sorry for yourself?
@@alisonjones9089-- No, just stating the obvious. If you belong to one of those categories and want to purchase a car, good for you.
Let’s review the best affordable midsize family SUV’s for $80,000+ 😊
The new 4Runner is a great deal! Only $100,000! 😊
That’s very cheap
I wish Toyota changes the Highlander's front look soon ......
@@michaelvella8511 I agree. It looks like a dated vehicle compare to other vehicles now
Poor Subaru Ascent, always forgotten about. Great AWD system, decent space, top safety pick+ and well equipped and priced. I see a fair amount of them on the road but seem almost invisible in ratings.
Not "all around" big enough to be a full out SUV. More carish- than SUVish.
@@oreally8605 Um, the Ascent is certainly "big enough" to be a mid-size SUV (since that's exactly what it is). It's a 3 row crossover with seating for 7 or 8 depending on trim configuration.
Same for the Pathfinder, which I personally think is a better value. These videos pick the same SUV’s all the time.
No Subaru on the list is a bit surprising. I would opt for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or wait for the 2026 Honda Passport.
The engine bay of the Toyota 4Runner looks like a den of snakes. Must be a nightmare to repair anything under there.
true😂😂😂 should have kept it under wraps, that was nauseating to see, turbo 4 cylinder on that big truck? nah, no diy'ers are gonna buy that, and most enthusiasts do their own fixings
Today we test drove the Toyota Crown Signia.
It’s exactly what we have been looking for, for my wife to use as her commuter vehicle and our road car.
No it’s not a midsize SUV, as my wife and I are getting older, well I am as my wife is younger than me.
For off road driving we take our (my) 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, double cab, 6’ bed
The Crown Signia is phenominal
@ Yes, we were very impressed with it.
We had to order the one we wanted.
We both liked the Medium Brown exterior paint, but the one we tested had Black Leather interior and we don’t like black, so we ordered one with the Napa Leather.
We ordered the XLE instead of the Limited.
We prefer not to have a sunroof, so the XLE was the only option for us.
I love my Highlander, but I wish the trunk space has a little more room with the 3rd row up.
Got an extra cargo holder to place on our roof rack to bring on more carrying capacity.
It would be a difficult choice between the Highlander and the Pilot. I like the look and feel of the Pilot but my next vehicle will be a plugin hybrid. Hopefully, by the time I want a new vehicle, Honda will have a plugin hybrid in the SUV class and thus I would have a very easy decision to make.
PS: Shari, your posts are absolutely the best...so well researched, information is clearly presented and your productions are always very professional.
Thank you very much!
Since the powertrain of the 4runner and troubled Tacoma are the same, how does the 4Runner even make your list?
I personally would opt for the new 2026 Honda Passport. I like the new styling and off-road offerings better and that Honda replaced the old clunky less reliable 9-speed transmission with the smoother more reliable Pilot 10-speed transmission... alas, I am afraid, like all the new Toyotas, the price will soar beyond reach when it comes out.
The Toyota bZ4X is a top contender for its reliability and value, making it an excellent midsized SUV for drivers looking for a sustainable and safe choice.
I only trust buying Toyota or Honda branded cars. The issue with Toyota is everything is highly allocated, where it seems you need to know someone to get one of these SUV's, and have to pay an allocation fee. I love the way the new Passport looks, and don't need a 3rd row. But afraid the price will also get inflated making me have to consider a CR-V
Land Cruisers are still not readily available her in NJ. Haven’t seen a single one on the road. The 2024 4Runner styling and performance is almost a decade old.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but the Nissan pathfinder is actually a good suv. It performs well, its engine seems reliable and it doesn’t have the trash cvts other Nissan models have. Only concerns might be technology and safety
Safety? The Pathfinder is perfectly safe. Only their smaller vehicles/sedans have CVT’s, which aren’t as bad as everyone thinks. 😂
@@magnoliap5824 yea sorry i should have written it better. the pathfinder is a safe vehicle. what i meant was that it doesnt have as many safety features that honda and toyota have
@ Pathfinder has collision, pedestrian, lane warnings and will automatically stop the vehicle if it thinks it’s going to hit something. Parking sensors and good cameras. Not sure what more you’d want.
I plan to get a new car this year, I have a 2016 pilot, safety is #1 as my son will drive this car one day, so I’ll go with the Pilot
again
I don't think, we would call these midsized here in Europe.
Can you please have a video on the battery life expectation on Toyota Hybrid SUV, if you haven’t already?
The New Nissan Pathfinder is nice too
Reliability is probably the issue
@expsterm1 they have 3.5 natural aspirated V6. And no CVT. I think can be reliable too
@olympbarca3313 I would have replaced the palisade and telluride for the pathfinder. It just has overall betetr reliability because its engine is great and it doesn’t have a cvt. Telluride and palisade engine is ok too but the pathfinder has more proven reliability
@ absolutely, I own a 2021 Toyota RAV4 as well as a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder SL Premium.. they are definitely better than the Korean counterparts.. and no CVT is just the icing on the cake 👌.
@TheConservativeKid that's I'm saying. Pathfinder is the best choice. Don't know if I can't trust the akorean reliability. For now german and japanese cars are my choices
2025 what’s best midsize pickup truck of the year ?
My favorites are the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier. Both are excellent.
@@carhelpcorner thank you
Thanks, but why do your best of lists not take into account the availability of the platforms?
As far as I'm concerned, Toyota is not an option when searching for a vehicle because of availability and the unwillingness of dealers to, well, deal.
So the ALL NEW 4Runner and the Land Cruiser have the same power train as the 24 Redesigned, VERY PROBLEMATIC Tacoma?
Forget those Turbo engines.
That’s why I bought my Tacoma TRD Off Road in 23, as it has the Reliable, Durable and Proven power train.
Here we go with all the Toyota's again - this should be declared as a Toyota promotion channel....never a mention of any Toyota problems...like melting plastic...
The best material, and build quality and excitement Mazda CX-90 is the winner. Second is Toyota Highlander,3rd Honda Pilot. CX-90 model was just released last year, and they had some software bags recalled, but after this is all fixed, this model will compete with premium vehicles like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc.
Looks expensive
Hey Shari.
I do not agree with your list, if value is considered.
Surprised to see the Korean twins and not see Subaru Ascent and the new Nissan Pathfinder in it. And also, how can the Land Cruiser be a good value for money. Moreover, the Toyota turbos are yet to prove their reliability.
Running costs and resale value are a major part of determining value for money. The problem with the Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia is that, historically, they have higher repair costs and are worth almost nothing after 10 years. The Land Cruiser has tremendous resale value and will still be worth a fortune after the same time.
Toyota is an unethical company that happens to make a great car. When consumers stop being suckers and walk away from dealers who charge over the list price, then watch the supply problems magically disappear.
This won’t be happening to Toyota any time soon regardless.
Please add timestamps. I know Ill never, ever, buy a land cruiser. Let me skip to #8 without searching ev erywhere
Double tap the screen to fast forward!
Yep continue to leave the Pathfinder out. It’s a great choice in this category.
Nicely done Shari. I own a 2015 Nissan Murano and it's been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I'm in shopping mode right now and I really like the Nissan Pathfinder but I rarely hear anything about it. There's loads of space and the engine is rock solid. What do you think of the Pathfinder?
@@Mike-ti7hk I’m not Shari but it’s a decent vehicle. It has a great engine and it doesn’t have those bad Nissan cvts. It’s a 9 speed automatic. It also performs well. The only bad things about the pathfinder is that the technology and infotainment system are somewhat dated. If you don’t really care about that stuff, then the pathfinder is a great suv. Getting a Honda pilot or Toyota grand highlander will require less maintenance and will most likely have better build quality and overall better reliability. If you find those too expensive (which they are) then the pathfinder is a great choice.
I’m driving it and it’s been great. It is much bigger & boxier than the Murano, so the driving dynamics could be different. The infotainment system is fine for me. Nissan gets a bad rap by people who don’t know what they are talking about & yes they are underrepresented in these UA-cam videos. I suggest doing several test drives yourself, long ones if possible. The 24-25 Pathfinders still have a NA V6 but that could change next year to their VC turbo. You could look at the all new 25 Murano too.
Great engine, well designed, and they can be a good deal with big discounts. Not quite a match for the Pilot or Highlander. The reliability is a slight step behind. The Pathfinder's biggest drawback is resale value. After 10 years or so, they are worth very little compared to the Toyota and Honda.
Again, testing and reviewing cars at home 😂
I am pretty sure you aware but Grand Highlander iforce max hybrid is 362 Hp which is almost 80 Hp than Honda pilot and it is very fuel efficient too. It is expensive but similar to Pilot black edition.
The hybrid max is nice but it's very expensive and not very efficient in the real world. I prefer the V6 engine in the Honda if you need more power than the regular Highlander Hybrid.
@ i think, its the personal preference. Comparing the size , space , Toyota reliability and power and resale value, i would choose Grand Highlander.
You got kids.. u go for minivan
This dude has zero, again zero idea about vehicles. He goes by what's traditionally and widely accepted. He tends to favor Toyota and Honda. However with all the recalls and recent news of cheap material these two manufacturers are not the best anymore. I would argue that Kia and Hyundai are much better nowadays, especially the models after 2019. Every manufacturer has recalls these days including Toyota. They have over 100,000 trucks recalled for an entire engine replacement because Toyota left metallic debris in the cylinder chambers. I would also include Chevy Equinox as one of the best SUVs in 2025. Mazda sucks as the interior lacks any thoughtfulness.
So!, you finally opened your mind to the Koreans!!!
Any 7 or 8 seater SUV video coming up? Subaru Ascent Limited 2025 8 seater i am planning to buy soon.
The Landcruiser looks nice, but the rest are ugly.
I've liked the Pilot from day one. Thats my pick.
This might be an unpopular comment but the Tesla model Y is super good and there’s the in entice and aprs from 0.9 to 0% quite often. Spacious and something to think about
😂😂😂😂
😣 🤪