Looking beyond the badge, you will find that today's luxury cars are a collection of choices—design, engineering, materials, technology, and more—all turned to make time spent behind the wheel feel different from driving an ordinary car. And while you might think that a luxury vehicle is only "right" for a select few, it might surprise you to learn that brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Land Rover, and Audi cater to outdoor enthusiasts, busy parents, road trippers, and even city commuters, just to name a few.

The sedan segment has seen its market share dwindle in recent years as drivers increasingly embrace larger options that offer increased utility, especially the new generation of crossover models. There is plenty of data to support the trend, but one statistic stands out as the key to the whole story. Back in 2005, sedans outsold SUVs by a two-to-one margin, but 20 years later that ratio has been dramatically flipped, with drivers flocking to SUVs by a four-to-one margin.

A new year brings a new slate of midsize SUVs, but which are worthy of a test drive? Midsize SUVs represent one of the most popular segments in today’s market, and there are plenty of options on the table, with 40 distinct models ranging from budget-friendly models like the Kia Sorento and Nissan Pathfinder to luxury rides like the BMW X5 and Cadillac VISTIQ. Throw in a new generation of hybrid and EVs, and it can be tough to know where to start when visiting your local car dealer near Fayetteville.