Top 10 Mid-Size SUVs 2019 — Best Overall + Best Value

Direct Answer

The best overall mid-size SUV of 2019 was the Toyota Highlander, starting at a 2019 MSRP of $31,330 for the LE, because it paired a smooth 295-hp 3.5-liter V6, three rows of seats, a 5,000-lb tow rating, and the segment's most bankable reliability into one package that still commands strong used money years later.

The best value of 2019 was the Kia Sorento, starting at a 2019 MSRP of $26,290, which undercut nearly every three-row rival on price, threw in an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and still offered an available 290-hp V6. Both were the smart money in period, and both remain sensible used buys today.

The model year mattered because 2019 introduced the revived Honda Passport, the fully redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and the all-new Subaru Ascent, three debuts that reshaped how families shopped this class.

How We Ranked the Top 10

This retrospective weighs each SUV the way a 2019 family actually bought, then layers in how the pick aged. The weighting:

• Reliability and ownership cost — 25%. Predicted dependability, recall history, and real maintenance bills. Sourced from J.D. Power dependability data and Consumer Reports owner surveys.
• Safety — 20%. Crash scores and standard driver aids, drawn from IIHS Top Safety Pick designations and NHTSA star ratings.
• Interior space and comfort — 15%. Seating count, third-row usability, and cargo cubic feet, verified against EPA and manufacturer specs.
• Powertrain and efficiency — 15%. Horsepower, towing, and EPA combined MPG.
• Value in period — 15%. 2019 MSRP versus content, cross-checked with Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book period pricing.
• Used value now — 10%. Current resale, per KBB and J.D. Power retained-value data.

Where figures came from spec sheets, we leaned on EPA, IIHS, Wikipedia, and the original road tests rather than memory.

1. Toyota Highlander 🏆 BEST OVERALL

2019 MSRP: $31,330 | Best for: Families who plan to keep an SUV for a decade

The 2019 Highlander closed out its third generation as the most dependable mainstream three-row you could buy, and that reputation is exactly why it tops this list. The standard 2.7-liter four made a modest 185 hp, but the 295-hp 3.5-liter V6 was the one to have, returning 21 city / 27 highway MPG and a 5,000-lb tow rating with available AWD.

It seated seven or eight, offered 13.8 cu ft behind the third row that opened to 83.7 cu ft with both rows folded, and earned strong IIHS scores with standard Toyota Safety Sense. J.D. Power pegged predicted reliability above average, and current used values stay near the top of the class.

Pros:

• Bulletproof reliability that defines the segment
• Standard Toyota Safety Sense active-safety suite
• Strong resale value that protects your money
• Refined V6 with real towing capability

Cons:

• Base four-cylinder felt underpowered for the weight
• Interior design lagged flashier rivals

Verdict: The safe, smart, do-everything pick that aged better than anything else here.

2. Kia Sorento 💎 BEST VALUE

2019 MSRP: $26,290 | Best for: Budget-minded buyers who still want a third row and a V6

The 2019 Sorento is our value champion because it delivered genuine three-row capability for thousands less than the field. Every Sorento now included a third row as standard, and stepping up to the 3.3-liter V6 unlocked 290 hp and a 5,000-lb tow rating with AWD.

The base 2.4-liter four managed roughly 22 / 29 MPG, while the V6 returned about 21 MPG combined. Its headline asset was Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a backstop no Japanese or domestic rival matched. IIHS scores were solid, and used examples remain among the most affordable real V6 three-rows on the market.

Pros:

• Lowest entry price of any V6-capable three-row
• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• Standard third row across the lineup
• Strong used-buy value today

Cons:

• Third row is tight, best for kids
• V6 fuel economy trailed four-cylinder rivals

Verdict: The most car for the money in 2019, and still a bargain used.

3. Honda Passport

2019 MSRP: $31,990 | Best for: Two-row families who want Pilot space without the third row

Honda revived the Passport nameplate for 2019, essentially a shortened Pilot with the third row deleted, and the result was one of the year's freshest debuts. A single 3.5-liter V6 made 280 hp through a nine-speed automatic, with a choice of FWD or AWD and roughly 20 / 25 MPG.

The two-row layout freed up a huge 41.2 cu ft behind the seats, expanding to 77.9 cu ft, plus more ground clearance than the Pilot. Edmunds named it a Best Midsize SUV, and predicted reliability landed above average. Used values have held up nicely.

Pros:

• Cavernous cargo space for a two-row
• Strong, smooth V6 standard on every trim
• Available AWD with light off-road chops
• Above-average reliability outlook

Cons:

• No third row if you occasionally need one
• Ride could feel firm on rough pavement

Verdict: The 2019 newcomer that nailed the two-row family brief.

4. Hyundai Santa Fe

2019 MSRP: $25,500 | Best for: Value shoppers wanting the most standard safety tech

The fully redesigned 2019 Santa Fe grew bolder styling and dropped to two rows in this body, with the three-row job handed to the separate Santa Fe XL. The base 2.4-liter four made 185 hp and returned up to 22 / 29 MPG, while the 2.0-liter turbo added 235 hp.

What set it apart was a standard suite of active safety at no extra cost: automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise. Cargo measured 35.9 cu ft, and Hyundai's long warranty mirrored Kia's. IIHS rated it well, and used prices stay friendly.

Pros:

• Standard active-safety suite at the base price
• Aggressive value pricing in period
• Long warranty coverage like its Kia cousin
• Comfortable, quiet ride

Cons:

• Only two rows in this body style
• Turbo four returned only modest economy

Verdict: The redesigned safety bargain of the 2019 class.

5. Mazda CX-9

2019 MSRP: $32,280 | Best for: Drivers who want a near-luxury cabin and the best handling

The 2019 CX-9 punched far above its mainstream badge with an interior, especially in Signature trim, that genuinely rivaled an Audi or Lexus. Every CX-9 used a 2.5-liter turbo four making 250 hp on premium fuel (227 hp on regular) with a meaty 310 lb-ft of torque, good for 22 / 28 MPG in FWD form.

It seated seven, though the third row was strictly for kids. Sharp steering made it the driver's choice of the segment. IIHS honored it, and the upscale cabin helps used examples feel special.

Pros:

• Premium, genuinely upscale interior
• Best-in-class handling and steering feel
• Torquey turbo four with good real-world pull
• Handsome, timeless styling

Cons:

• Cramped third row and tighter cargo hold
• Infotainment lagged rivals in usability

Verdict: The enthusiast's and the style-seeker's mid-size SUV.

6. Subaru Ascent

2019 MSRP: $31,995 | Best for: Snow-belt families wanting standard AWD and eight seats

The all-new 2019 Ascent marked Subaru's return to the three-row class after the Tribeca, and it arrived with the brand's signatures intact. A 2.4-liter turbo flat-four produced 260 hp and 277 lb-ft, paired with standard symmetrical AWD and a 5,000-lb tow rating on Premium and up.

It seated eight (or seven with captain's chairs), offered up to 86.5 cu ft of cargo, and returned about 21 / 27 MPG. IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick, and Subaru's loyal following keeps used demand healthy.

Pros:

• Standard all-wheel drive on every trim
• Genuine eight-passenger seating
• 5,000-lb towing from a four-cylinder
• Top Safety Pick crash credentials

Cons:

• CVT drone under hard acceleration
• First-year build raised some reliability questions

Verdict: The new three-row that won over Subaru families instantly.

7. Chevrolet Traverse

2019 MSRP: $30,925 | Best for: Buyers who need maximum cargo and adult third-row room

The 2019 Traverse was the space king of the bunch, with a usable third row and a colossal 98.2 cu ft of cargo when folded flat. Power came from a 3.6-liter V6 making 310 hp and 266 lb-ft, returning 18 / 27 MPG in FWD and dropping slightly with AWD. It seated up to eight and could tow up to 5,000 lb when equipped.

The cabin was plain but roomy and comfortable across all three rows. IIHS scores were respectable, and big families keep used demand steady.

Pros:

• Class-leading cargo and third-row space
• Strong 310-hp V6 standard
• Comfortable seats in all three rows
• Genuine eight-passenger capacity

Cons:

• Interior materials felt low-rent in places
• Below-average predicted reliability

Verdict: The roomiest box in the class for big, growing families.

8. Honda Pilot

2019 MSRP: $31,450 | Best for: Families wanting clever interior packaging and a strong V6

The 2019 Pilot brought Honda's renowned packaging to the three-row class, with smart storage and seating for up to eight. Its 3.5-liter V6 made 280 hp, returning 19 / 27 MPG, and could tow up to 5,000 lb with AWD. The ride stayed comfortable and the handling secure, though road noise on coarse pavement was a known gripe.

Predicted reliability sat lower than the Toyota benchmark, but real-world owner experiences ranged from good to excellent. Used Pilots remain a popular, plentiful family choice.

Pros:

• Clever, flexible interior packaging
• Punchy yet efficient V6
• Up to eight-passenger seating
• Comfortable, secure road manners

Cons:

• Pronounced road noise on rough surfaces
• Lower predicted reliability than class leaders

Verdict: A space-smart three-row that just missed the very top tier.

9. Ford Explorer

2019 MSRP: $32,365 | Best for: Buyers wanting available big power and strong towing in the final pre-redesign year

The 2019 Explorer closed out its generation before the all-new 2020 redesign, and it remained a capable mainstream pick. The standard 3.5-liter V6 made 290 hp, a 2.3-liter turbo four offered 280 hp with better economy at 19 / 27 MPG, and Sport and Platinum trims packed a 365-hp twin-turbo V6.

It seated up to seven, towed up to 5,000 lb, and offered a cargo-friendly cabin. The aging platform showed in tighter third-row space, but value on the used market is now strong.

Pros:

• Available 365-hp twin-turbo muscle
• Up to 5,000-lb towing
• Broad engine lineup to match needs
• Strong used-market value today

Cons:

• Tight third row and high load floor
• Dated interior in its final year

Verdict: The last of a generation, and a solid used bargain now.

10. Volkswagen Atlas

2019 MSRP: $31,890 | Best for: Buyers who want German road feel with American-sized space

The 2019 Atlas was VW's big play for American three-row buyers, and it delivered space and composure in equal measure. The available 3.6-liter V6 made 276 hp, returning 17 / 24 MPG, with a turbo four also offered. It seated seven, swallowed a huge 96.8 cu ft of cargo with the rear rows folded, and drove with the planted, substantial feel VW is known for.

IIHS rated it well and VW added a long warranty to sweeten the deal. Reliability question marks keep used prices reasonable.

Pros:

• Massive cargo and passenger room
• Composed, German-feeling ride
• Long transferable warranty
• Easy third-row access

Cons:

• Thirsty V6 fuel economy
• Mixed long-term reliability reputation

Verdict: The space-and-substance choice for buyers who value how it drives.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 2019 Mid-Size SUV (Then and as a Used Buy Now)

Shopping these today, focus on the things that actually drive cost and satisfaction:

• Service records and timing. The V6 models here are robust, but confirm transmission fluid and timing maintenance, especially on the nine-speed automatics.
• Active-safety equipment. Standard automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring varied by trim; verify what a specific used example actually has.
• AWD versus FWD. Most of these towed 5,000 lb only with AWD; the Subaru Ascent gave you AWD standard.
• Third-row reality. On the Sorento, CX-9, and Explorer the third row suits kids only, so do not overpay for seats you cannot use.
• Recall completion. Run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm open recalls were closed.
• Resale strength. Toyota and Honda hold value hardest; Chevrolet and VW depreciate faster, which can make them used bargains.

One honest note: the precise horsepower and 0-to-60 differences here matter less than nostalgia implies. A few ponies between a 280-hp Pilot and a 295-hp Highlander never decided a family's happiness; reliability, space, and how the safety tech worked in daily traffic mattered far more.

FAQ

What was the best overall mid-size SUV of 2019? The Toyota Highlander, for its blend of proven reliability, a strong 295-hp V6, three-row practicality, and class-leading resale value that still holds today.

What was the best value mid-size SUV of 2019? The Kia Sorento, which undercut nearly every three-row rival on price, included a standard third row, offered an available 290-hp V6, and backed it all with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Which 2019 mid-size SUVs were brand-new or redesigned? 2019 brought the revived Honda Passport, the fully redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, and the all-new Subaru Ascent, three of the most important debuts of the year.

Which 2019 mid-size SUV had the most cargo space? The Chevrolet Traverse, with up to 98.2 cu ft, narrowly led the Volkswagen Atlas at 96.8 cu ft for maximum cargo room.

Which 2019 mid-size SUV came standard with all-wheel drive? The Subaru Ascent included symmetrical AWD on every trim, a standout in a class where AWD was usually a paid option.

Are these 2019 SUVs good used buys now? Yes. The Highlander and Passport hold value best, while the Traverse, Atlas, and Explorer depreciated more and can be had for less, making them used-market bargains for buyers comfortable with their reliability profiles.

Bottom Line

The 2019 mid-size SUV class was deep, and three fresh entries, the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Subaru Ascent, made it one of the most competitive years of the decade. For most families, the Toyota Highlander was the smart overall choice and remains the resale champion, while the Kia Sorento delivered the most value for the money in period and still does as a used buy.

Pick the Traverse or Atlas for space, the CX-9 for driving feel, the Ascent for standard AWD, and the Passport for two-row hauling. Every one of these was a sound choice in 2019, and the best of them are still serving families well today.

Sources

• 2019 Toyota Highlander — Kelley Blue Book
• 2019 Honda Passport Review — Edmunds
• 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Review — Edmunds
• 2019 Subaru Ascent — Subaru U.S. Media Center
• 2019 Kia Sorento Reliability & Pricing — J.D. Power
• 2019 Mazda CX-9 — Consumer Reports
• 2019 Chevrolet Traverse Specifications — The Car Connection
• 2019 Honda Pilot — Cars.com
• 2019 Ford Explorer Review — U.S. News
• 2019 Volkswagen Atlas — Kelley Blue Book
• 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Performance — U.S. News

*Mid-size SUV review — 2019 mid-size SUV reviews, rating, best mid-size SUV 2019, and a retrospective review of the top used family SUV picks for buyers.*