Australians love mid-sized SUVs.

The place as soon as upon a time maintaining with the Joneses was about which Commodore or Falcon was within the driveway, in 2023 it’s about whether or not you went for a RAV4, CR-V, or Outlander.

Producers have taken discover, and there’s a wealth of choices in Australia in 2022.

We’ve used VFACTS information, compiled by the height physique for carmakers in Australia, to place collectively the next record of choices – with one caveat.

The Tesla Mannequin Y is charging up the gross sales charts, and we consider it represents a really actual different to the vehicles listed under. With that in thoughts, it’s been added to the record.

Extra of those tales are coming for different classes and value factors, so don’t fear in case your most well-liked automotive isn’t on this record.

Listed here are our picks.

Anthony Crawford: Honda ZR-V

No marvel mid-sized SUVs make up the largest promoting phase in Australia by an enormous margin – there’s a lot expertise on provide.

On the prime of my procuring record are the Cupra Formentor and Honda’s ZR-V e:HEV, with just about equal billing.

The Cupra is the decidedly sporty choice with head-turning styling, nice colors, and sharp dealing with, particularly in value-for-money VZ spec.

Nevertheless it’s the Honda that will get my cash, however solely within the top-spec e:HEV LX trim. The additional oomph from the hybrid powertrain eliminates any low-down lag, so it feels peppy round city and splendidly gas environment friendly on the identical time.

The chassis is just excellent, which interprets into glorious journey and dealing with attributes – and thus it’s nonetheless extremely ranked on the fun-to-drive metre.

I really like the styling, however it’s the standard of the supplies, match and end inside, in addition to intelligent area packaging that make this SUV such a fascinating and full package deal to me.

Scott Collie: Volkswagen Tiguan

The Volkswagen Tiguan is about to get replaced quickly, however it could nonetheless be my decide.

The Tiguan Allspace Journey, with its huge boot, highly effective engine, easy inside, and small wheels would swimsuit me completely. The very fact you get snow chains thrown in free of charge is a win.

With longer rear doorways, extra rear legroom, and a much bigger boot than the common mannequin, it ticks lots of containers in case you’re in search of a household automotive however don’t want seven seats – or if you would like to have the ability to take your mates to the snow in consolation.

MORE: Volkswagen Tiguan new automotive offers

Alborz Fallah: Cupra Formentor

I might purchase a Cupra Formentor merely due to its uniqueness.

It has some quirks, just like the air-con system controls not lighting up at evening however apart from that, it’s a very handsome automotive (child Urus?) and drives pretty much as good because it seems.

You would possibly get sick of individuals asking you what it’s, although. I had one for a short while and one man requested me if it was a physique package on an Urus…

MORE: Cupra Formentor new automotive offers

Jade Credentino: Volkswagen Tiguan

There can be a few vehicles I may’ve picked, however I’d become bored with them pretty rapidly… whereas the Volkswagen Tiguan R would fulfill me.

It combines efficiency with practicality, though the worth jumps into the luxurious automotive phase.

I had the possibility to check drive one final 12 months and it ticked a number of containers that different vehicles throughout the phase weren’t capable of.

I’m very eager for the brand new mannequin to return via within the coming 12-24 months to see how Volkswagen can enhance an already well-rounded SUV.

Jack Fast: Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage nonetheless stands out to me as a mid-sized SUV I’d truly purchase.

I’ve skilled a number of flavours of the current-generation Sportage to this point and assume I’d go for both an SX+ or GT-Line with the turbo-diesel engine.

The two.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine packs a punch and is extraordinarily easy, which enhances the Sportage’s high-tech inside. It’s value mentioning there’s more room than ever, thanks partially to the longer wheelbase on the brand new mannequin.

Paul Maric: Tesla Mannequin Y

I’d purchase a Tesla Mannequin Y.

It’s arguably one of the crucial boring vehicles out of all these listed, however it’s an absolute cut price when you think about what you get for the cash on the entry degree.

Storage is greatest in phase, tech is greatest in phase, and also you get electrical car know-how, which presently calls for a major premium. The opposite upshot is the extent of subsidies obtainable throughout most states (besides Victoria, which has killed its EV subsidy and is presently passing the hat round to assist pay its payments).

Some would argue the entry-level mannequin doesn’t have the vary they want compared to an inside combustion engine car, however for many Australians it’s advantageous.

We’re at a crossroads, although. Regardless of document ranges of renewable power within the system, electrical energy costs are skyrocketing – so it will not be the suitable time to purchase an EV in case you’re on the grid with out photo voltaic and are shopping for solely to economize on gas.

James Wong: Nissan X-Path

Whereas the Cupra Formentor would seemingly be the favorite for my bachelor life-style, I really feel that many shopping for on this phase have one or two youngsters to contemplate.

Again within the day my dad and mom moved from a Mitsubishi Galant to a 2000 Honda CR-V when my brother was born, which ultimately grew to become my first automotive.

I don’t assume the newest CR-V does it for household man JWo in 2023, however the Nissan X-Path e-Energy with e-4orce would – supplied I didn’t need to say its full title always.

Whereas not fairly as environment friendly as its RAV4 Hybrid equal, the X-Path e-Energy with twin e-motors is highly effective, refined, and in top-spec Ti-L trim impressively plush for a mainstream car.

Sadly we don’t get a seven-seat choice in Australia as but, however the X-Path has loads of area for a rising household, with sufficient luxuries besides.

Maybe when the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid launch in Australia, I could discover it just a little tougher to decide on…

William Stopford: Cupra Formentor

The mid-sized SUV phase is commonly accused of being boring, however there are a number of choices that attraction to me: the Nissan X-Path e-Energy is parsimonious and refined, whereas the smaller Mazda CX-5 G35 is punchy and pleasant to drive.

Seeing as I don’t have youngsters but, nevertheless, outright area isn’t as essential as driving dynamics. Subsequently, I really feel compelled to select the mid-sized SUV that feels the least like a mid-sized SUV: the Cupra Formentor.

I truly forgot this was even labeled as a mid-sizer by VFACTS as a result of whereas it’s not cramped, it’s no Haval H6 inside. However the place it appeals probably the most is in its dynamics and its styling, that are extra like a Cupra Leon than every other SUV at this finish of the market. The inside is fashionable too, if not with out its share of annoyances.

I’ve solely pushed the VZx to this point however I beloved each minute of it. I might be tempted by the opposite variants, nevertheless.