SUV Rankings: Luxury Midsize SUVs

Ranking of premium midsize SUVs and crossovers, generally priced over $35,000. BMW X5, Acura MDX, Volvo XC90 and more. Rankings based on an in-depth analysis by U.S. News editors of all published auto ratings, reviews and test drives.

Lexus RX-400h Image
  • MSRP: $41,580 - $42,980
  • Invoice: $37,004 - $38,250
  • MPG: 27 City / 24 Hwy

#1
2008 Lexus RX-400h

The RX 400h ranks highly for its rare combination of sport utility performance and Lexus luxury in an environmentally conscious hybrid.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:9.3
Performance:8.1
Exterior:7.3
Interior:8.0
Safety:9.8
Reliability:10.0
Lexus RX 350 Image
  • MSRP: $37,400 - $38,800
  • Invoice: $33,099 - $34,338
  • MPG: 18 City / 23 Hwy

#2
2008 Lexus RX 350

The RX 350 is a top-selling and highly-ranked luxury crossover SUV with one of the best combinations of powerful performance and secure handling packaged in a stylish ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:9.2
Performance:8.1
Exterior:7.3
Interior:7.5
Safety:8.6
Reliability:10.0
Infiniti FX Image
  • MSRP: $38,050 - $50,100
  • Invoice: $34,980 - $46,026
  • MPG: 15 City / 22 Hwy

#3
2008 Infiniti FX

The FX delivers sporty performance and handling that earns it a ranking near the top of its class.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:9.0
Performance:8.4
Exterior:8.2
Interior:7.4
Safety:9.3
Reliability:7.0
Lexus GX Image
  • MSRP: $47,315 - $47,315
  • Invoice: $41,164 - $41,164
  • MPG: 14 City / 18 Hwy

#4
2008 Lexus GX

The GX ranks near the top of its class for delivering elegant Lexus styling and features in a package fully capable of going off-road.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.8
Performance:7.7
Exterior:6.6
Interior:8.1
Safety:NA
Reliability:9.0
Acura MDX Image
  • MSRP: $40,195 - $47,995
  • Invoice: $36,514 - $43,587
  • MPG: 15 City / 20 Hwy

#5
2008 Acura MDX

The MDX's ranking is based on its excellent combination of spaciousness, stellar safety and smooth handling. One of its few shortcomings is the redesigned exterior, which features ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.6
Performance:8.7
Exterior:7.0
Interior:8.0
Safety:9.8
Reliability:4.0
Audi Q7 Image
  • MSRP: $42,500 - $58,600
  • Invoice: $39,526 - $54,497
  • MPG: 14 City / 19 Hwy

#6
2008 Audi Q7

The Q7 ranks in the top half of its class for delivering distinctive elegance, spacious cargo room, and lots of safety features. However, price that can climb ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.2
Performance:7.3
Exterior:8.6
Interior:8.2
Safety:9.8
Reliability:4.0
Land Rover LR3 Image
  • MSRP: $48,525 - $54,025
  • Invoice: $44,158 - $49,163
  • MPG: 12 City / 17 Hwy

#6
2008 Land Rover LR3

The LR3 has acceptable on-road handing, very good braking, and exceptional off-road capabilities. Though it can't match the power and reliability of others in its class, it ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.2
Performance:8.5
Exterior:8.4
Interior:7.4
Safety:NA
Reliability:4.0
Mercedes-Benz M Image
  • MSRP: $44,000 - $87,000
  • Invoice: $40,920 - $80,910
  • MPG: 15 City / 20 Hwy

#6
2008 Mercedes-Benz M

The M-Class delivers luxury and confident handling but can't match the base power or reliability of others in its class and gets a middle-of-the-pack ranking.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.2
Performance:7.7
Exterior:7.8
Interior:7.5
Safety:9.8
Reliability:9.0
Volvo XC90 Image
  • MSRP: $36,210 - $49,870
  • Invoice: $34,037 - $46,379
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#9
2008 Volvo XC90

The XC90's comfortable and kid-friendly interior, adequate performance and excellent safety record make it a first-rate family SUV.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.1
Performance:7.0
Exterior:7.3
Interior:7.1
Safety:9.8
Reliability:5.0
Porsche Cayenne Image
  • MSRP: $46,400 - $93,700
  • Invoice: $40,372 - $81,859
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#10
2008 Porsche Cayenne

The Cayenne offers one of the nicest interiors in the class, but an underpowered base engine combined with a steep sticker price means it ranks in the ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.0
Performance:7.8
Exterior:7.5
Interior:8.0
Safety:NA
Reliability:8.0
Volkswagen Touareg2 Image
  • MSRP: $39,300 - $68,340
  • Invoice: $36,183 - $62,785
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#10
2008 Volkswagen Touareg2

The Touareg2 offers good on-road performance and surprisingly strong off-road capabilities, but suffers from a poor reliability record.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:8.0
Performance:8.4
Exterior:NA
Interior:8.0
Safety:9.8
Reliability:4.0
BMW X5 Image
  • MSRP: $46,200 - $54,800
  • Invoice: $42,505 - $50,415
  • MPG: 17 City / 23 Hwy

#12
2008 BMW X5

The X5 delivers sports sedan performance and optional seating for seven, but can't do much in the way of off-roading. Another low point is its iDrive control ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:7.9
Exterior:7.7
Interior:7.9
Safety:9.8
Reliability:5.0
Cadillac SRX Image
  • MSRP: $38,105 - $45,105
  • Invoice: $35,628 - $42,173
  • MPG: 15 City / 22 Hwy

#12
2008 Cadillac SRX

The SRX delivers family car utility and a luxury interior, but suffers from poor fuel economy and sometimes sluggish performance. Consequently, it ranks in the bottom half ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:7.8
Exterior:7.0
Interior:7.7
Safety:7.9
Reliability:6.0
Mercedes-Benz R Image
  • MSRP: $42,100 - $45,600
  • Invoice: $39,153 - $42,408
  • MPG: 15 City / 20 Hwy

#12
2008 Mercedes-Benz R

The R-Class crossover has a spacious and luxurious interior, innovative styling, and exceptional performance. But stiff competition means it ranks near the bottom of its class.

U.S.News Scores
Overall:7.9
Performance:8.2
Exterior:7.0
Interior:8.1
Safety:NA
Reliability:5.0
Saab 9-7X Image
  • MSRP: $40,400 - $46,530
  • Invoice: $37,572 - $43,273
  • MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy

#15
2008 Saab 9-7X

The 2008 Saab 9-7X delivers a handsome SUV with European refinement, but can't match the safety, performance, or value of others in its class and ranks near ...

U.S.News Scores
Overall:5.6
Performance:6.3
Exterior:6.6
Interior:6.9
Safety:6.6
Reliability:5.0