Some SUVs feel more luxurious than their price tag, simply by offering qualities that luxury shoppers enjoy. As drivers have become more demanding and technology has advanced, automakers have found it possible to add premium features to mainstream vehicles, making them feel much more luxurious without the pricing that luxury brands require.

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When the brand that consistently packs more standard features than any other creates an upscale vehicle, it's going to cross into luxury territory. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade features a premium cabin and tons of standard conveniences, making it feel more upscale and impressive right from the start. This new model year brings a second generation of the Palisade, with a boxier build that gives it more space and a more modern presence on the road.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine still powers most Palisade models, delivering 287 horsepower. You’ll have the option of FWD or AWD to give you the power setup you want. For this new model, a hybrid setup is offered, featuring a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that deliver 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque to the wheels.

The Hyundai Palisade is offered in seven trim levels, with the Calligraphy trim at the top. This is where you’ll find the height of luxury for this SUV. At this level, the Palisade has 21-inch wheels, a synthetic suede headliner, Nappa leather upholstery, a center console with UV-C sterilization, a massaging function for the driver’s seat, power-adjustable second-row seats, relaxation mode for the first and second-row seats, a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, the Highway Driving Assist 2 system, dash cams, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The Palisade is spacious and comfortable, giving you 19.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and up to 86.7 cubic feet of usable cargo space when you fold the second and third rows of seats down. Front passengers have 44.2 inches of legroom, and second row passengers enjoy 43 inches of legroom. Passengers in the rearmost row only get 32.1 inches of legroom, but that should be adequate for children and smaller adults.

Mazda has developed a reputation for offering premium materials, incredible styling, and amazing acceleration in its vehicle lineup. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 easily has the class and refinement to compete with premium and luxury SUVs. The elegant styling is admirable before you even start the engine, which delivers the power and pep to make your driving experience engaging and exhilarating on the road.

The CX-90 comes in three power levels, starting with a 3.3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that produces 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque in non-S trims. The S trims are tuned up to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, giving you more power. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version that makes 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and one electric motor. AWD is standard across the CX-90 range, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

There are four main trims for the Mazda CX-90, but with three power level choices, it feels like there are nine choices. The top trim is the Premium Plus model, as the name suggests. In this trim, the CX-90 includes adaptive headlights, windshield wiper de-icers, premium leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, and additional safety features not offered on lower trims. Other high-end items, such as a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, wireless charger, and heated/ventilated seats, are part of lower trims, making them already included at the Premium Plus level.

The CX-90 might feel a little tight in the back with only 14.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rearmost seat. This expands to 74.2 cubic feet when the two rear rows are folded. Front passengers have 41.7 inches of legroom, while second-row occupants enjoy 39.4 inches of legroom, which is plenty for most adults. The third row is quite a bit tighter, with 30 inches of legroom, so this row should be reserved for children.

Should your family drive an SUV with captain's chairs? If you want an easier time loading and unloading the rear, the answer will be "yes."

Kia waited an additional model year beyond its corporate sibling, the Hyundai Palisade, to move to a second generation. The 2027 Kia Telluride is powered by a new engine, which could have caused the delay. This new model has a boxier look, more rugged styling, and an improved interior that’s much more upscale than before. If you can picture the packaging of a Land Rover SUV, that seems to be what Kia is going for with the Telluride.

The Telluride’s standard powertrain comprises a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. You can choose between FWD and AWD with this powertrain. A hybrid setup has been added for the 2027 model year, giving you a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to produce 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The standard powertrain can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the hybrid version is rated at 4,500 pounds.

Five main trims are offered for the Kia Telluride, with X-Line and X-Pro packages offered for higher trims. The SX Prestige is the top trim level, and it comes well-equipped with premium leather upholstery, a head-up display, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable steering column, 120-volt power outlets, and Digital Key functionality. This trim builds on the SX model, which also offers several luxury features, including dual sunroofs, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a surround-view camera system, and driver-side memory settings.

It’s a beautifully appointed and comfortable space that parents won’t mind driving on road trips and will actually enjoy relaxing in when waiting for the kids.

If your choice between the Telluride and Palisade comes down to cargo capacity, the Telluride wins. This Kia three-row midsize SUV offers 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 89.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Front passengers enjoy 41.4 inches of legroom, and second row passengers get a little more at 43 inches. Those occupying the third row have 31.4 inches of legroom during the ride.

The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia is the SUV version of Japan’s executive-class sedan. That means it has all the trimmings and qualities of a luxury vehicle without the price, making it one of the most alluring SUVs in its class. The Crown Signia replaces the Venza and takes things upscale toward Lexus without fully crossing into the luxury segment. This SUV delivers the feeling you want with a plush cabin, advanced tech, and a smooth ride that’s unmatched in the midsize SUV class.

Every version of the Crown Signia has an AWD hybrid powertrain. This makes it easier to shop than most vehicles. The powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, which produce 240 horsepower. That power is sent to the wheels through a CVT, helping the SUV achieve its 39 city/37 highway mpg. This hybrid SUV can tow up to 2,700 pounds, which is a useful figure for smaller trailers and water toys.

Currently, only two trims are offered for the Toyota Crown Signia: XLE and Limited. The Limited trim builds on the XLE’s packaging with 21-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic glass roof, a digital rearview mirror, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and digital key capabilities. Adding the Advanced Technology package gives you a surround-view camera system and several safety and alert features that are not included in the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 bundle.

Fit, finish, and materials are Lexus-like in execution. The two-row cabin comfortably seats five, with adequate head, leg, and hip room for all occupants. The dash design is contemporary, without straying into avant-garde, and the panoramic sunroof gave the interior an even more spacious feel.

The Crown Signia is the only two-row SUV on this list, making it a bit unique. It has 24.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and the cabin opens to 66.1 cubic feet when necessary. Front seat passengers have 42.1 inches of legroom, while rear seat passengers have 37.1 inches.

Seven Lexus SUVs ranked by interior comfort, from the compact UX to the flagship LX.

Buick has been lauded for its use of sound-deadening technology, which creates some of the quietest cabins in the automotive industry. This could be the beginning of the luxury feeling in the 2026 Buick Enclave, which reaches posh, luxury-level packaging in the Avenir trim. This midsize Buick SUV is spacious enough for adults in all three rows and is comfortable on the road, making it a good choice for long road trips with the kids.

You won’t have to make powertrain decisions when shopping for the Enclave; it has a single powertrain across all trims. This is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, giving you 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This is enough power to pull up to 5,000 pounds, making this Buick SUV a capable option.

There are only three trims for the Buick Enclave, and the base model is extremely well-equipped, allowing the other two to simply build on it. The top trim is the Avenir model, which gives you 22-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension, a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, a power-adjustable steering wheel, premium leather upholstery, ventilating and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, a 16-speaker Bose audio system, and upgraded ambient lighting. Every Enclave is also offered with Super Cruise as an optional feature.

The Enclave is the most spacious SUV on this list with 22.9 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, which expands to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Front passengers have 44.3 inches of legroom, second row passengers get 41.5 inches of legroom, and third row passengers have 32.1 inches of legroom.

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Sources: Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, The EPA

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/suvs-feel-luxurious-without-luxury-price-tag/