Best Mid-Size SUV named for 2024
Only one model is a standout in Australia’s biggest new-vehicle sales segment, beating 13 other contenders
The Kia Sportage has today been named carsales Best Mid-Size SUV for 2024, topping a field of 14 finalists in Australia’s biggest new-vehicle sales segment and the most popular among private buyers.
The important consumer award was last judged in 2022, when the Sportage also took out top spot.
Australians purchased more than 268,000 mid-size SUVs in 2023 – up more than 24 per cent on 2022 – making it the nation’s most popular new-vehicle type in a record year for the local auto industry.
Mainstream medium SUVs priced under $60,000 accounted for more than 200,000 of them, in a segment that includes no fewer than 24 models from 21 different manufacturers.
carsales short-listed the 14 most popular models to determine the best. From the latest versions of the top-selling Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-5 to new contenders like the BYD Atto 3, we compared a premium selection of petrol, diesel and electric vehicles priced round $55,000 to name just one winner.
As with all carsales Best awards, we assessed each contender against more than 100 individual criteria across five key areas including safety, technology, comfort and convenience features, driving performance and ownership costs.
First launched in November 2021, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage claimed our Best Mid-Size SUV in 2022, when it defeated its Hyundai Tucson sister model, and continues to tick more boxes than any other affordable mid-size SUV.
Thanks to its extensive standard safety suite, cutting-edge and intuitive multimedia technology, impressive locally tuned ride and handling package, and relatively low cost of ownership plus a long warranty, the Kia Sportage scored well in all key areas of assessment.
The Kia Sportage is available in 13 variants – including petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrain options – priced between $32,995 and $55,420 plus on-road costs.
carsales Best Mid-Size SUV 2024 contenders:
- BYD Atto 3 Extended
- Citroen C5 Aircross Sport
- GWM Haval H6 Hybrid Ultra Luxury
- Honda CR-V VTi L7
- Honda ZR-V e:HEV RS
- Kia Sportage GT-Line
- Mazda CX-5 G35 Akera
- Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed
- Nissan X-TRAIL Ti
- Peugeot 3008 GT Sport
- Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline
- Subaru Forester 2.5i-S
- Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid
- Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI R-Line
Check out the top five and all the winner details of the carsales Best Mid-Size SUV 2024
Related: The other contenders in 2024 Best Mid-Size SUV
Related: Best Family SUV 2023
Related: carsales announces Best Used Cars for 2024
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