Top 6 midsize SUVs under $38,000

Cars.com spent a day driving six SUVs that cost less than $38,000 on a carefully planned 200-mile route of city driving, expressways, and two-lane highways to observe the vehicles’ gas mileage performance. The tests were conducted by Cars.com’s experts and an everyday family. See how these SUVs were ranked.

No. 6: 2013 Toyota Venza

Cars.com’s experts liked the Toyota Venza’s responsive engine and low ride which makes the car easy to step into and get out of. Climate and audio controls were very user-friendly and the vehicle “likes corners’’ unlike most other SUVs. However, the experts could not stop harping the breaks and found the car’s overall design, inside and out, to be tired.

Price as tested: $35,887

Key Features

• IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA five-star overall crash-test rating

• All-wheel drive

• The most bottleholders and cupholders (10 total)

• Toyota’s Entune multimedia system with app integration from your smartphone

• Leather seating; front seats are heated

• All windows are one-touch up and down

• Power liftgate

• Two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance

• Cargo-area release levers for easy second-row seat folding

• View the 2013 Toyota Venza

No. 5: 2013 Nissan Murano

The most expensive midsize SUV in the test, the Murano was described as fun to drive and offers “extreme comfort seating’’ that resembles thrones. However, the Murano was the only model with cloth seats that experts found unappealing and its design and appearance described as outdated and ugly.

Price as tested: $37,770

Key Features

• Only vehicle with a continuously variable automatic transmission

• All-wheel drive

• Only has four cupholders

• Has RCA and USB inputs

• Only vehicle with cloth seats; only vehicle without heated seats

• Power liftgate

• Cargo-area release levers for easy second-row seat folding

• View the 2013 Nissan Murano

No. 4: 2013 Ford Edge

The Edge stands out visually, both for its unique shape and the brilliant blue color. Experts praised the car’s sporty, driver-focused dash design and several experts raved about the Edge’s ride quality and comfort. However, not everyone was pleased with the car’s new look and some felt it was tough to control on tight corners.

Price as tested: $37,125

Key Features

• Front wheel drive

• IIHS Top Safety Pick

• One of two vehicles with a blind spot warning system

• No keyless access

• Plenty of multimedia hookups: RCA, SD card, iPod and USB inputs

• One of two without a power liftgate

• Leather heated (front) seats, configurable gauge cluster and rear parking sensors

• MyFord Touch multimedia system with app integration from your smartphone

• Cargo-area release levers for easy second-row seat folding

• View the 2013 Ford Edge

No. 3: 2014 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento feauters a “refined and powerful V-6’’ and experts found it fun to drive with a cool-looking interior. One expert said the car offers the driver a commanding driving position from the high seats and the low dashboard. However, some experts complained about the car’s rear visibility and the stiffness of the gas pedal.

Price as tested: $37,650

Key Features

• Redesigned for 2014

• All-wheel drive

• IIHS Top Safety Pick

• Blind spot warning system

• Kia’s new UVO multimedia uses your smartphone via Bluetooth

• Leather seating, front seats are both heated and ventilated

• Rear parking sensors and a large panoramic sunroof

• 40/20/40-split folding backseat

• Power liftgate

• Three driver-selectable modes: Sport, Comfort and Normal

• View the 2014 Kia Sorento

No. 2: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

The lowest-priced midsize SUV in the test, the Santa Fe Sport features premium interior finishes and cabin design that might surprise some shoppers. Experts describe it as “fun to drive’’ with large, color displays of numbers and letters in the driver information panel. However, experts complained that the SUV lacked space and has a “disappointing steering feel.’’

Price as tested: $34,205

Key Features

• New model for 2013

• Only vehicle tested with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine

• Front-wheel drive

• IIHS Top Safety Pick and NHTSA five-star overall crash-test rating

• No memory settings for power adjustable driver’s seat and no smartphone app integration

• Leather seats, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel

• One of two without a power liftgate

• Three driver-selectable modes: Sport, Comfort and Normal

• Has a large panoramic sunroof

• Has a 40/20/40-split folding backseat

• Hyundai’s Blue Link teleconnect service (three years of free service come standard)

• View the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

No. 1: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the only midsize SUV in this test to feature rear-wheel drive. Experts say the car “looks, feels, even smells’’ like a luxury car. The car provides a commanding view of the road and offers the best multimedia system in the batch. The car’s Eco mode gave experts trouble, however, and some say it erased the car’s fun-to-drive factor.

Price as tested: $37,585

Key Features

• Refreshed for 2014

• Rear-wheel drive (only one)

• IIHS Top Safety Pick

• Chrysler’s Uconnect multimedia system with app integration from your smartphone

• Only vehicle with a complimentary 12-month satellite radio subscription

• USB inputs throughout the cabin to charge or play mobile devices

• Leather seats, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel

• Rear parking sensors and a configurable gauge cluster

• Power liftgate

• Fits three child-safety seats in the second row (only vehicle to do so)

• View the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee