Latest News
1955 Ford Crown Victoria
We ranked the best mid-size SUVs of 2022 with 2 rows of seating based off of their interiors, powertrains, technology, and options. Which one is number one?
Ranking the Best 2-Row Mid-Size SUVs of 2022
It’s hard not to run into a mid-size SUV out on the road today, because almost every major manufacturer has one or more to offer. They have some of the best fuel economy, make for great family haulers, are packed with the latest in entertainment and safety technology, plus some of them make for great off-roaders. Being mid-size SUVs with two rows also opens up more rear cargo room at the expense of seating found in 3-row options. We took a look at all the available 2-row mid-size SUVs from 2022 and ranked them according to how well they scored with our writers. Here’s what we found!
8. 2022 Toyota 4Runner
The Breakdown
Fantastic off-road ability
Great safety equipment
Tons of interior space
Truck-like ride
Meh interior quality
Not a fuel-sipper
Old-school powertrain needs updating
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.1/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$37,305 - $52,100
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
16 City / 19 Hwy (MPG)
The Toyota 4Runner has been running on the same platform since the 2010 model. The trucklike body-on-frame makes for some great capability when tackling the outdoors, and that’s furthered when going for the enhanced TRD Pro trim. Only a 4.0L V6 engine making 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque is available for the 4Runner. That setup is paired to a five-speed automatic transmission and sends power to the rear wheels or all four optionally. The 17-mpg combined estimate is not great, but being able to tow up to 5,000 pounds helps alleviate that concern slightly. While the rugged exterior still looks alright after a couple of refreshes, the interior looks and feels nearly identical to the one found in a 2010 model. There’s some better technology after all this time though, like phone integration software and a great list of standard advanced safety features. Toyota adds to the 4Runner’s value by providing two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance alongside their standard limited and powertrain warranties.
7. 2022 Chevrolet Blazer
The Breakdown
Fantastic styling
Above-average power
Complimentary maintenance
Lackluster interior quality
Not a fuel-sipper
Low cargo space
Can we have a RWD model?
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.2/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$34,595 - $42,295
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
22 City / 29 Hwy (MPG)
Chevrolet brought back the Blazer as a mid-size SUV in 2019. It takes some exterior and interior design cues from the Camaro that makes for a sharp looking SUV option with a sporty feel. Cargo space starts at 30 cu-ft behind the second row, but that expands to 64 cu-ft with rear seats folded. Under the hood, the 2.5L I4 is gone in place of the 2.0L turbocharged I4 as the standard engine or an optional 3.6L V6. Those engine options are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and power is sent to the front wheels or all four optionally. The Blazer is one of the few from this 2-row mid-size SUV segment that can capably tow thanks to a 4,500-pound capacity when properly equipped. Standard technology isn’t the most exciting, with an alright 8-inch infotainment screen being the only option and only a handful of standard safety features are available.
6. 2022 Honda Passport
The Breakdown
Simple, easy-to-use interior
Proven V6 engine
Rear passenger climate controls
Only adequate performance
Ride can be choppy
Not the most efficient
Sure to satisfy, if not excite
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.5/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$37,870 - $45,430
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
20 City / 25 Hwy (MPG)
The 2022 Honda Passport is an effective mid-size SUV option for families. For 2022, Honda added a little more rugged look and some added tech updates to the Passport. The interior is well laid out, leather upholstery is found on all trims, and it comes with enough available features to make every passenger happy. The cargo room starts at 41.2 cu-ft behind the second row and can expand to 77.7 cu-ft when those seats are folded. An effective and customizable eight-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard across all trims, as is the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids and advanced safety features. Powering the Passport is the same 3.5L V6 engine it has been carrying with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque on tap. Paired to it is a nine-speed automatic transmission and either a FWD or AWD drivetrain. The larger engine doesn’t help in the fuel consumption area, but it does allow the Passport to reach a towing capacity of 5,000-pounds when paired with AWD.
5. 2022 Ford Edge
The Breakdown
Edge ST has the power to back up the looks
Standard 12″ infotainment screen
Active Park Assist for easy parallel parking
Standard AWD will appeal to Snow Belt folks
Due for a full refresh after 7 years
Appealing mid-sizer with ample standard tech
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
7.9/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$36,795 - $45,650
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
21 City / 28 Hwy (MPG)
The Ford Edge is a great middle of the road option in the segment. There are two engines available – an economical 2.0L EcoBoost I4 or a powerful 2.7L twin-turbocharged V6 found on ST models. The I4 comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 has a 7-speed automatic. AWD is the standard drivetrain across the board. Cargo space is good at 39.2 cu-ft behind the second row and up to 73.4 cu-ft with the seats down. Passengers will experience a spacious cabin and the material quality is on par with its class. Technology is a high point for this SUV. A class leading 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with plenty of great software features is standard across the Edge lineup. Ford also helps round out this SUV by providing some great standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automated emergency braking.
4. 2022 Jeep Wrangler
The Breakdown
Unquestionable capability
An engine for every enthusiast
Ultimate customizability
Poor on-road manners
Almost comically expensive
Unrefined interior
Modern safety equipment would be nice
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$29,995 - $77,390
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
22 City / 29 Hwy (MPG)
The 4-door Jeep Wrangler slots in as one of the most capable off-roaders on this list. While the interior leaves much to be desired in comparison to others on the list, it does offer some outdoorsy features like a removable/foldable roof and removeable doors. The technology inside the Wrangler is also a bit lackluster. Uconnect works great, but Jeep would be better off just providing the 8.4-inch unit on all models instead of offering the standard 7-inch option. Power and performance are where the Jeep Wrangler excels though. There’s the standard 3.6L V6, the same V6 with added eTorque, a 3.0L diesel V6, a 2.0L I4 with added eTorque, the new plugin hybrid 4xe that gets a 49 MPGe estimate, or the new 392 Rubicon’s 6.4L HEMI V8 that makes 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Shoppers have the choice between a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic depending on trim level. And of course, every Wrangler model has that 4×4 drivetrain they’re known for. Jeep adds some value with their 3 years of complimentary maintenance, but you’ll have to spend more to get a fraction of advanced safety features that its competition offers.
3. 2022 Subaru Outback
The Breakdown
Wilderness encourages limit pushing
Turbo motor adds 80 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque
EyeSight suite of driver aids is standard
Nappa leather and ventilated seats are available
Could really use a sport-focused model
Continues to shine in an SUV world
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.1/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$28,070 - $41,070
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
26 City / 33 Hwy (MPG)
New for 2022 is the outdoorsy Wilderness trim added to the Outback options. Like nearly all Subaru models, AWD is standard on the 2022 Subaru Outback. That drivetrain coupled with the independent suspension and great ground clearance make the Outback an option for those looking to go off-road. Under its hood is either a naturally aspirated 2.5L flat-4 engine or a more powerful 2.4L turbocharged flat-4. In either configuration, a continuously variable transmission is paired to the engine. The best fuel economy numbers come from the non-turbocharged engine making 29 mpg combined. Passengers will enjoy all the available space, quality materials, and entertainment features found inside the Outback. On the technology front, Subaru offers either stacked 7-inch touchscreens or a 11.6-inch vertically oriented option for the infotainment system. Subaru also makes their EyeSight suite of driver-assistance tech standard across the Outback lineup.
2. 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Breakdown
Nearly limitless configurability
Sporty acceleration
Tons of features for the price
Sluggish infotainment system
Some cheap materials
XRT Trims needs a lift
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.6/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$27,200 - $45,360
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
76 (MPGe)
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe received a refresh inside and out last year. The passenger space inside is great and Hyundai has made some luxury additions that are fit for vehicles way above its price point. Cargo space is great at 36.4 cu-ft behind the second row and a maximum of 72.1 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. A responsive 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard in the Santa Fe, but shoppers can opt for an available 10.25-inch unit too. Powering the Santa Fe is one of four powertrain options – a naturally aspirated 2.5L I4, a 2.5L turbocharged I4, a hybrid option, or the new plug-in hybrid option. There isn’t much grunt for major towing available, but the hybrids bring some of the best fuel economy numbers for the segment. Shoppers have the choice of FWD or AWD optionally, except for the hybrid models that come standard with AWD. Hyundai further adds to the value found in the Santa Fe by offering a great list of standard advanced safety features and 3 years or 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
1. 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Breakdown
Sincere off-road capability
Standard driver aids
4xe powertrain is great
Cheap feeling interior
Can get very expensive
Convoluted trim structure
Is the Trackhawk coming back?
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.9/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$39,785 - $63,760
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
56 (MPGe)
Jeep has brought the Grand Cherokee into its fifth generation for 2022 and it’s looking pretty good. It carries either a 3.6L V6, a more powerful 5.7L HEMI V8, or the new plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain joining the group. An eight-speed automatic transmission is used in all configurations, while RWD is standard with the small engine and the other powertrains come with AWD. Towing capacity comes in at a great 6,200-pound limit when properly equipped. Inside, Jeep graced the Grand Cherokee with an updated interior that can contend with some luxury models when reach for one of the top trim levels. Passengers will experience a good amount of space and cargo room can expand to 70.8 cu-ft. Jeep also updated entertainment duties by offering an 8.4-inch or larger 10.1-inch screen for the infotainment system. The Grand Cherokee brings it all together by offering a good list of advanced safety and driver assistance tech as standard fare. Plus, the added three years of complimentary maintenance is a nice bonus.
