The 9 Most Reliable Midsize SUVs You Can Buy

We understand that selecting a new car is a huge financial decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. That's why it's essential to research and do your homework to make the right car owner moves.

New-vehicle owners spend about 11.7 cents per mile on maintenance, repairs, and tires, or roughly $1,755 a year at 15,000 miles, which adds up to about $8,775 over five years. Fuel runs about 17.3 cents per mile, or around $2,595 a year and close to $12,975 over five years, according to AAA's 2026 Your Driving Costs study.

It's important to keep factors like fuel economy and maintenance requirements top of mind when selecting a vehicle that is not only affordable but also costs less to own over time. Here's a look at nine midsize SUVs that show to be sound investment decisions when it comes to owning an SUV that'll cost you less in the long run. Fuel cost estimates below come from FuelEconomy.gov, which assumes 15,000 miles a year and current gas prices.

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MSRP: $43,700 to $64,900

The 2026 GMC Acadia is a sleek midsize SUV that can seat up to eight passengers. It holds about 51% of its value after five years of ownership, a bit below the midsize SUV average of about 54%, so its financial perks come from elsewhere. Five-year maintenance and repair costs average about $2,744, which is $1,086 less than the SUV average, according to CarEdge. The Acadia averages 22 MPG combined, which means buyers can expect to pay about $3,050 in annual fuel costs, not too bad for a reliable midsize SUV.

In addition, the Acadia earns an iSeeCars overall score of 7.9 out of 10, with ratings of 7.3 for reliability, 7.4 for value retention, and 9.0 for safety. Beyond the numbers, the Acadia also ranks first in several comfort categories: most comfortable crossover SUVs, most comfortable SUVs with three rows, and most comfortable midsize SUVs.

Overall, the Acadia ranks well in the midsize SUV market, and its low maintenance costs and comfort rankings make it a solid choice for families.

MSRP: $39,300 to $57,570

A stylish three-row SUV that blends performance with practicality, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a sound financial investment for anyone looking for an SUV that will cost less over time. One of the key financial benefits of owning a CX-90 is that it will only depreciate by about 44% during the first five years of ownership. That's better than the midsize SUV average of about 46%. It also averages 25 MPG combined on regular gas, or about $2,700 a year in fuel.

Plus, the CX-90 is well-known for providing its occupants with an upscale interior and comfort to match. It ranks third out of 33 in the category of safest SUVs with three rows, and the CX-90 earns a 10 out of 10 in its iSeeCars safety score. Thus, this CX-90's combination of long-term value and safety makes it a strong choice in the SUV market.

MSRP: $38,920 to $60,600

A versatile SUV renowned for its off-roading abilities, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee strikes a solid balance between rugged capabilities and upscale comfort. Plus, it's a sound vehicle investment. Averaging up to 23 MPG combined with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Grand Cherokee costs about $2,900 a year to fuel, or roughly $14,500 over five years. Owners can also expect to pay around $3,512 in maintenance and repair costs during the first five years, which is $318 below the SUV average.

Along with costing less over time, Grand Cherokee owners can also rest assured that they are buying an SUV that is backed by reliability and safety. The Grand Cherokee has earned an iSeeCars overall score of 7.8 out of 10, with ratings of 7.1 for reliability, 7.2 for value retention, and 9.0 for safety. This SUV was also named fourth out of 14 in the category of best crossover SUVs under $40k and fifth out of 13 in the category of best midsize SUVs under $40k.

MSRP: $35,050 to $49,400

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe seats six to seven passengers and ranks third out of 67 in the category of crossover SUVs with the most legroom. The Santa Fe also earned an 8.1 out of 10 in its overall iSeeCars score, earning a 7.7 in reliability, a 7.9 in value retention, and an impressive 8.7 in safety.

One way Santa Fe proves to cost less over time is through its lower-than-average maintenance costs. Santa Fe owners can expect to pay about $2,773 in maintenance and repair costs during the first five years, which is $1,057 less than the SUV average.

Additionally, the Santa Fe offers solid gas mileage, averaging 24 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. This means owners can expect to pay around $14,000 for fuel over five years, or around $2,800 per year. The Santa Fe Hybrid stretches that to 36 MPG combined, or about $1,850 a year. At the end of the day, the Santa Fe's blend of long-term affordable ownership, safety, and overall performance ensures it will be a wise investment decision that won't drain your wallet over time.

MSRP: $42,270 to $68,600

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner ranks first out of 31 rivals in the category of most reliable midsize SUVs. The 4Runner further proves to be a wise investment decision, given that its maintenance costs average $2,097 over the first five years. Additionally, the data suggests that there is only a 7.76% chance that this SUV will require a major repair within its first five years, which is 4.22% better than similar vehicles in its segment.

This off-roading icon seats five passengers and was named first out of 31 in the category of midsize SUVs with the best resale value. It loses only about 26% of its value after five years, the lowest depreciation of any midsize SUV in iSeeCars' data. In addition, the 4Runner was given an overall iSeeCars score of 8.0 out of 10, earning an 8.1 in reliability, an impressive 8.8 in value retention, and a 7.0 in safety.

MSRP: $42,395 to $55,195

Owning a Pilot makes financial sense for anyone looking for an SUV that will cost less over time. For one, its first five-year maintenance costs average out to be about $2,548. In addition, the Honda Pilot holds about 56% of its value after five years, which is pretty solid for the segment.

The Honda Pilot has also earned an impressive overall iSeeCars score of 8.1. The SUV was given a 7.6 in reliability, a 7.8 in value retention, and an impressive 9.0 in safety. It averages 22 MPG combined with front-wheel drive, or about $3,050 a year in fuel. Add in its roomy three-row interior and that strong safety record, and the Pilot remains one of the most dependable long-term investments among midsize SUVs.

MSRP: $38,465 to $56,905

When it comes to safety, the 2026 Ford Explorer is worth its weight in gold. The SUV earned the top spot among 33 rivals in the category of safest SUVs with three rows, and first among 16 in the category of best crossover SUVs under $40k. The Explorer also received an exceptional overall iSeeCars rating of 8.2 out of 10, earning a 7.3 in reliability, a 7.4 in value retention, and an impressive 10 out of 10 in safety.

The Explorer also averages 24 MPG combined with its four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, which means drivers can expect to pay approximately $2,800 in fuel costs per year. In addition, owners can expect to pay around $3,105 in maintenance costs during the first five years of ownership. Thus, with its strong safety record and competitive cost of ownership, the Explorer is a wise investment choice with practicality top of mind.

MSRP: $37,500 to $51,790

This spacious SUV has the ability to seat seven to eight passengers and has also earned superior ratings, being named third out of 66 rivals in two different categories: best family crossover SUVs and safest crossover SUVs. The Pathfinder also earned an exceptional overall iSeeCars rating of 8.1 out of 10, earning a solid 7.3 in reliability, a 7.0 in value retention, and an impressive 10 out of 10 in safety.

Buyers can expect to pay around $2,619 in maintenance and repair costs during the first five years of ownership. Looking at fuel economy, the Pathfinder averages 23 MPG combined, which means owners can expect to pay about $2,900 per year.

MSRP: $46,270 to $53,925

Buyers can expect to pay around $2,048 in basic maintenance and repairs during the first five years of ownership. The Highlander also carries only a 7.76% chance of requiring major repairs within the first five years of ownership, which is 4.22% better than similar vehicles in its segment.

Another financial benefit of the Highlander is that data indicates that the Highlander will only depreciate by about 36% after five years, which is exceptional for the class.

This SUV averages an impressive 35 MPG combined on hybrid trims, meaning owners can expect to pay about $1,900 per year. If this isn't enough to persuade you, the Highlander has also received some pretty impressive ratings. The Toyota Highlander earned an overall 8.3 out of 10 iSeeCars score, earning a 7.7 in reliability, 8.3 in value retention, and 9.0 in safety. It also ranks first out of 31 in the category of best midsize SUVs.

Finding that perfect midsize SUV that will cost you less over time is absolutely possible. However, with the average midsize SUV losing about 46% of its value after five years, according to iSeeCars, it's essential to dive into additional factors like fuel costs and average maintenance requirements when doing your homework to find the right SUV that's both reliable and makes sense for your budget.

So, don't be afraid to crunch the numbers, weigh your options, and take all the time you need to ensure you're making the smartest investment decision possible with your next SUV purchase. While you're at it, it might be worth exploring ways to save on car insurance to keep even more cash in your wallet.