The midsize SUVs have been ideal for families in the range of four to six people. The mid-size SUV offers a lot of space for the whole family, especially when on vacation, and offers plenty of luggage space. The price you can expect to pay for it depends on the availability of features in the vehicle. You will be well advised to perform a mid-size SUV comparison of the vehicles that you are considering before making your final purchase.
First, examine the size of the engine. Most SUVs from this segment come with 6-cylinder engines. However, it is possible to upgrade to a V8, but the fuel mileage will drop accordingly. Check out the other standard features in the car such as electric seats, CD player and cruise control. If you are looking for a higher end vehicle, it should come with automatic climate control, leather seating and CD changer. Decide whether you want a 2WD, 4WD or an AWD vehicle. Pay attention to the price tag. You can get the base models of midsize SUVs starting from around $25,000, going up to about $45,000 with additional features. Also, perform a midsize SUV comparison for the operating costs including maintenance, insurance and fuel mileage.
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer
The Grand Cherokee is one of the most affordable mid-size SUVs. Its performance has been acknowledged for its poise on the road, interior comforts and off-road solidity. The reviews are raving that this well-made vehicle is capable of competing with the Mercedes Benz M Class. Although the Grand Cherokee is far from sporty, it drives more like a crossover than an all-brawn off-road midsize SUV. Even though the performance of the Grand Cherokee is typically what it expected from Jeep, it has some interior features that can be compared to the luxury midsize SUVs, such as Lexus. Jeep and Grand Cherokee have been notorious for low quality interiors and that is why everyone is surprised to see the drastically improved interiors. All these improvements have taken their toll on the price tag however. The Grand Cherokee retails for around $27,000, and that places it very close to the luxury segment. Therefore, if you are performing a mid-size SUV comparison for family requirements, off-road capabilities and perhaps carpooling duties as primary considerations, Grand Cherokee is the top pick from its segment.
It will be difficult to find another midsized SUV with off road capabilities similar to the Grand Cherokee, in addition to having excellent interior features. However, a couple of vehicles should be considered in a midsize SUV comparison. If you are willing to exchange some rough terrain capabilities for better fuel efficiency and comfort, you may want to consider the Ford Explorer. It is equipped with 2WD and an optional Ecoboost engine. The fuel economy from the Explorer is far better than the Grand Cherokee but the vehicle is more expensive to purchase. Another advantage with the Explorer is that it seats seven passengers and the interiors are more luxurious than that offered by the Grand Cherokee. Another vehicle that will not sacrifice its off road capabilities is the Land Rover LR2. However, it costs significantly more than the Grand Cherokee.