Best Mid-Size SUV 2022: The verdict

One in every two new vehicles sold in Australia is an SUV, and the most popular of these are the mid-sizers that cater for a broad range of buyers at every stage of life.

Given their prominence, it’s no surprise the mainstream mid-size SUV market segment is hugely competitive and constantly evolving.

And that’s why carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV 2022 is here, bringing the major players together – 14 of them this year – and putting them through their paces to make your research and purchasing decision an easier one.

Last year’s winner was the Hyundai Tucson, which remains a formidable entrant in this category and will be hard to beat.

But since our 2021 award, high-calibre new-generation models have joined the fray in the form of Haval H6, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander.

We’ve also seen running changes, more significant updates and a variety of pricing movements across a broad sweep of contenders for Best Mid-Size SUV 2022, which brings the field even closer.

Beyond the four all-new mid-size SUVs to arrive last year – H6, Tucson, Sportage and Outlander – the recently upgraded models include the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-TRAIL, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.

That’s an impressive rollcall, keeping the big-name brands fresh alongside our other contenders – the Ford Escape, MG HS, Renault Koleos and Skoda Karoq. Of them, only the French SUV is (well) past the mid-point of its current lifecycle.

Not every model is at the cutting edge, but what some might lack in terms of design and engineering sophistication, they make up for in terms of competitive pricing and standard equipment. In other words, sheer value for money.

In the end, the top five were separated by only five points, with the narrowest of margins – a single point – determining the winner.

Let’s work our way through the field to discover carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV for 2022…

The 2022 Renault Koleos Intens still manages to look fresh despite being one of the oldest SUVs in this group, but its age is becoming obvious when considered as an overall package and against more modern competition.

Although the Renault’s highlights include quilted Nappa leather seat trim and park assist, which helped boost its comfort and convenience score, it misses out on key equipment such as active cruise control.

Its safety score is below average, given the lack of features such as rear cross traffic alert and a driver impairment monitor. This AWD model is also not included in the five-star rating for Koleos handed down in 2016, and it’s unlikely at this point in its model life to be reassessed.

The overall lack of key features across our broad criteria, plus an indifferent driving experience in what is now quite a dated model, conspired to put the Renault at the trailing end of this group.

How much does the 2022 Renault Koleos Intens AWD cost?
Price: $46,390 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 192g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

The 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti is the old-timer in this group, being eight long years since it first arrived in Australia. An all-new model is due later this year and it can’t come soon enough.

The X-TRAIL underwhelms in its driving performance, and while its comfort and convenience features list has some nice-to-have fixtures, overall it feels left behind when it comes to its absence of display screens and even simply the electric park brake that its major rivals now offer.

How much does the 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti cost?
Price: $46,115 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 192g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2022 MG HS Essence X is affordable and its running costs are reasonable, for the most part. The HS also covers off the active and passive safety basics well.

However, its technology list lacks sizzle – no digital radio or wireless phone charging, for example – and its driving performance is diminished by suspension that lacks finesse.

The worst resale value of this group is another problem, reducing the otherwise attractive cost of ownership proposition.

How much does the 2022 MG HS Essence X cost?
Price: $42,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 168kW/360Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 221g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The 2022 Haval H6 Ultra AWD shows lots of promise, especially if you’re buying on price, with a broad array of standard features and an attractive design.

For safety and ownership costs, the Haval scores well. However, on the tech front, the H6 curiously misses out on major features such as Android Auto, sat-nav and DAB radio.

The Haval’s driving performance also pulls it back. While providing ample power, the engine in the H6 gets thrashy when revved and is on the thirsty side.

It’s also a mixed bag in other aspects of the drive, offering an acceptable ride quality but lacking dynamic capability. The Haval also has one of the highest rates of depreciation, blotting an otherwise excellent cost-of-ownership copybook.

How much does the 2022 Haval H6 Ultra AWD cost?
Price: $41,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer turned up last year as the promising all-new mid-size SUV entrant for the triple-diamond brand, but has not quite hit the bullseye.

Opinions are divided over its looks, but we can’t help but love its comprehensive safety suite, generous comfort and convenience spec, and affordable servicing costs.

Its handling is quite good too, and this is the only model in contention for carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV 2022 with seven seats available as standard in the premium model grade.

That said, the Outlander’s engine performance is disappointingly dull in this company and it’s on the thirsty side of the ledger. Ride quality can be harsh on its 20-inch wheels, which lead to expensive tyre replacement costs too.

How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed Tourer cost?
Price: $51,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 135kW/245Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

The 2022 Honda CR-V VTi LX scores well for cost of ownership, primarily with its clearly subsidised $125 annual servicing bill.

It also achieves middling scores for technology and comfort and convenience features, although it lacks some big-ticket items such as a head-up display and digital dash that are increasingly seen in its competitors.

The CR-V is not nearly as involving to drive as some of the better medium SUVs in this group, and its safety features list could be more comprehensive, given omissions such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

How much does the 2022 Honda CR-V VTi LX cost?
Price: $53,200 (drive-away)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2022 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline is an eclectic alternative among the mainstream medium SUV set, providing loads of appeal with its strong performance, frugal consumption and excellent dynamics.

Add its relatively low purchase price and reasonable costs of ownership into the mix, and the Skoda is starting to look promising.

Yet the Karoq sorely lacks some key safety, technology and convenience features unless you tick expensive options packages.

For example, there’s no driver impairment monitor, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist or even rear cross traffic alert without paying thousands extra.

How much does the 2022 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline cost?
Price: $41,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 156g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

Right in the middle of the pack, the 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S has a well-rounded safety package and it does better than average on the technology front.

It also provides a decent comfort and convenience features list, and when you hit the road you’ll quickly appreciate its accomplished ride and handling.

However, the Subaru’s powertrain seems quite underdone in this company, and aside from its strong projected resale value, the Forester is also on the expensive side for ownership costs.

How much does the 2022 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S cost?
Price: $44,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/239Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

Once the benchmark in the medium SUV segment, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 Akera has since been slowly but surely overtaken by leaner, faster, smarter and fresher arrivals.

The Mazda still rates well for its pleasing amount of safety and technology, and reasonable ownership costs.

It’s also still up towards the pointy end for its rewarding driving characteristics, but ultimately its powertrain lacks sparkle in this group.

How much does the 2022 Mazda CX-5 Akera cost?
Price: $50,880 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 140kW/252Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Elegance is the driver’s choice from this broad selection of the best mid-size SUVs on the market, combining a very cohesive powertrain with excellent ride and handling.

Safety features also get a big tick, as does the extensive convenience features on offer.

While the technology features list is missing some ‘nice to haves’, the major drawback with the Tiguan is its cost of ownership. In particular, servicing costs are far higher than all other SUVs on test here, bordering on prestige model pricing.

This is also the most expensive SUV here to buy, just scraping in under our $55,000 threshold (before on-road costs). Price hikes have seen the Tiguan rise almost $4000 in the space of a year.

So the German SUV is a great thing, but you have to be prepared to pay considerably more to buy and service it.

How much does the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Elegance cost?
Price: $54,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Edge is an impressive proposition in this field, with excellent safety and technology scores. Its attractive cost-of-ownership factors include the highest resale value and low servicing fees.

The RAV4 is only diminished by its lack of comfort and convenience equipment – for example, there’s no leather seat trim, head-up display or fully digital dash at this premium level – and the fact it doesn’t deliver the resolved driving performance that some of its competitors do.

How much does the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Edge cost?
Price: $50,200 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 152kW/243Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander AWD was the benchmark going into carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV mega-test this year, having taken out the title in 2021. And it has again shown why we rate it so highly.

The Tucson scores consistently well across almost all of our key parameters, and in terms of safety, technology, comfort and convenience, and cost of ownership, it’s right up there on the top rung.

However, the Hyundai Tucson doesn’t quite have the well-rounded driving performance of the best models here, leaving it just behind our other podium finishers on points as a result.

How much does the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Highlander AWD cost?
Price: $50,400 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

The Blue Oval brand’s Euro-bred mid-size SUV is not the biggest seller in this segment by a long shot. But the 2022 Ford Escape Vignale AWD continues to impress, delivering the goods in key areas of assessment.

Indeed, the Ford Escape mounts a persuasive argument with its combination of excellent driving performance, an extensive safety armoury and ample tech specs.

It lacks only a few comfort and convenience features, and on ownership costs it’s marked down slightly for having a level of depreciation on the higher side.

But only one point behind our Best Mid-Size SUV for 2022, the Escape stands tall. Again.

How much does the 2022 Ford Escape Vignale AWD cost?
Price: $50,090 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 183kW/387Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The all-new 2022 Kia Sportage GT-Line, with its local suspension development, is quite simply one of the most enjoyable and relaxing vehicles to drive in this super-competitive medium SUV field.

The Sportage also mounts a compelling case with its high level of technology on board, its equally impressive comfort and convenience specification and Kia’s long seven-year factory warranty, which helps it achieve a high score for ownership costs.

Despite the long list of standard safety equipment – all shared with its sister model, the five-star-rated Tucson – the lack of an ANCAP rating pulled the Sportage back slightly on points. As was the case with Tucson last year, we expect a five-star rating to soon be confirmed.

Regardless, Sportage has proven itself the standout performer in this class, bringing a new level of competence and all-round excellence that makes it a deserved winner of carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV for 2022.

How much does the 2022 Kia Sportage GT-Line cost?
Price: $49,370 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested