Best SUVs For 2021

The GV80 is the first SUV from Genesis, the high-value luxury division of Hyundai. The GV80’s styling is reminiscent of Bentley, unsurprising as its designer is responsible for fashioning the ultra-high-end Bentayga. It also shares driving characteristics with German rivals thanks to its rear-drive platform (not to mention the head of Genesis R&D is the former chief engineer

The GV80 is the first SUV from Genesis, the high-value luxury division of Hyundai. The GV80’s styling is reminiscent of Bentley, unsurprising as its designer is responsible for fashioning the ultra-high-end Bentayga. It also shares driving characteristics with German rivals thanks to its rear-drive platform (not to mention the head of Genesis R&D is the former chief engineer for BMW’s M performance division). Besides being fun-to-drive, the GV80’s platform accentuates its long hood and cab-rearward design, setting it apart visually from front-drive, car-based SUVs. The GV80 offers two engine choices: a 300-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that makes 375 horsepower and comes only with an all-wheel drivetrain. The luxurious interior of the GV80 features a high-mounted 14.5-inch touchscreen with navigation that overlays street camera views with directional graphics. Not so flashy tech includes multiple collision avoidance systems, semi-autonomous adaptive cruise control and remote parking for either parallel or perpendicular spots.

Kia’s Telluride three-row SUV is having a moment, and that’s because it’s a new shiny toy that does all the things and looks more expensive than it is. It sits on the same platform as Hyundai’s Palisade but offers a different experience. The Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 engine has 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and delivers a sporty ride. When equipped with all-wheel

Kia’s Telluride three-row SUV is having a moment, and that’s because it’s a new shiny toy that does all the things and looks more expensive than it is. It sits on the same platform as Hyundai’s Palisade but offers a different experience. The Telluride’s 3.8-liter V6 engine has 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque and delivers a sporty ride. When equipped with all-wheel drive, it shows off-road prowess unexpected from the Kia value brand. Its ground clearance is 8 inches, the minimum required for consideration as an authentic trailblazer. Speaking of eight, the base model gets an 8-inch touchscreen while the other trims get a 10.3-inch screen with wireless phone charging. The top-spec SX trim costs—wait for it—under $45,000. For 2021 there’s also a new Nightfall package that blacks everything out (wheels, grille, badging), so for buyers that want a luxury experience that doesn’t scream value, this might be the answer.

The BMW X5 midsize SUV debuted in 2000 and was the German automaker’s first utility vehicle. Now in its fourth generation, the X5 outsells every sedan in BMW’s lineup and is second only to the smaller X3 crossover. The X5 can carry five or seven passengers, and offers kid-hauling drivers a premium cabin experience and impressive space (the optional third row is a little cramped)

The BMW X5 midsize SUV debuted in 2000 and was the German automaker’s first utility vehicle. Now in its fourth generation, the X5 outsells every sedan in BMW’s lineup and is second only to the smaller X3 crossover. The X5 can carry five or seven passengers, and offers kid-hauling drivers a premium cabin experience and impressive space (the optional third row is a little cramped). The 33 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the X5’s second row also is top-of-class.

Following the 2020 introduction of the performance-oriented M50i, which offers a 523-horsepower twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, the engine lineup now has a plug-in hybrid option. The new-for-2021, all-wheel-drive-only xDrive 45e replaces the 50i and is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine (same as in the 40i models) paired with an electric motor that delivers a combined 389 horsepower. The onboard 24 kilowatt-hour battery pack gives the X5 30 miles of all-electric range. In addition to the three powertrains, the X5’s slope-roofed counterpart, the X6, helps cast a wider net for buyers who prefer sportier looks.

The Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV shares a platform with the Kia Telluride but differentiates itself with smoother styling and extra chrome detailing for a more upscale aesthetic. All trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. With trailer brakes, the pretty SUV can haul an impressive 5,000 pounds. It also offers a segment-leading

The Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV shares a platform with the Kia Telluride but differentiates itself with smoother styling and extra chrome detailing for a more upscale aesthetic. All trims are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. With trailer brakes, the pretty SUV can haul an impressive 5,000 pounds. It also offers a segment-leading 18 cubic-feet behind the third row.

For 2021, Hyundai added a top-end Calligraphy trim that includes exclusive exterior lighting, 20-inch wheels, a unique grille design and a Nappa leather interior. It also gets all-wheel drive and a pre-set driving mode for the snow, which means it’s proficient in inclement weather, a major plus for parents who live in seasonal regions. What really wows is the long list of standard safety and driver-assistance tech across the line: adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability, lane following, lane keeping assistance, forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection and driver attention warning. All this and even the highest trim doesn’t crest the $50,000 mark.

The sixth-generation Outback debuted for the 2020 model year and is the most handsomely styled Outback yet. Its muscular lines and athletic presence underlines its inherent capability, and its 8.7-inches of ground clearance is obvious at first glance. The Outback has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims get a turbocharged

The sixth-generation Outback debuted for the 2020 model year and is the most handsomely styled Outback yet. Its muscular lines and athletic presence underlines its inherent capability, and its 8.7-inches of ground clearance is obvious at first glance. The Outback has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims get a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. All models can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. The two-function X-Mode all-wheel-drive system automatically adjusts traction based on the situation (if, say, one wheel lifts off the ground) and gives the Outback a boost on snow, dirt and mud. Inside, two standout features make life easier: a giant 11.6-inch touchscreen and seat release levers that make easy work of folding rear seats (which expands cargo space to 75 cubic feet). The Outback includes a slew of great safety features, from its 360-degree surround-view camera and reverse automatic braking, which will stop the car if it detects an obstacle behind it.

The Aviator was discontinued after a single generation in the early 2000s, but it returned as a sleek baby Navigator for the 2020 model year. With seating for up to seven people, it shares its exterior styling with its larger SUV sibling. There are no wrong choices when it comes to Aviator powertrains; both are smooth and compliant. All Aviators use the same powertrain, a twin-turbocharged

The Aviator was discontinued after a single generation in the early 2000s, but it returned as a sleek baby Navigator for the 2020 model year. With seating for up to seven people, it shares its exterior styling with its larger SUV sibling. There are no wrong choices when it comes to Aviator powertrains; both are smooth and compliant. All Aviators use the same powertrain, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that delivers 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid model, only available with AWD, pairs it with a 13.6 kilowatt-hour battery pack and an electric motor for 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It’s shockingly quick, gets 23 mpg in combined city and highway driving and can travel 21 miles on electricity alone. Standard across the lineup is blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and automatic high-beam headlights.

The Toyota Highlander does just about everything well: carry up to eight passengers comfortably as long as the row-three trio are kids, keep occupants safe with a long list of standard safety features and driver assists, tow a 5,000-pound boat and entertain the occupants front and back on long trips. A 295-horsepower V6 engine is standard, but a hybrid version uses a four-cylinder

The Toyota Highlander does just about everything well: carry up to eight passengers comfortably as long as the row-three trio are kids, keep occupants safe with a long list of standard safety features and driver assists, tow a 5,000-pound boat and entertain the occupants front and back on long trips. A 295-horsepower V6 engine is standard, but a hybrid version uses a four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to provide better than 35 mpg in city and highway driving.

The Highlander offers front-seat passengers an inset shelf in the dash that’s perfect for stashing smartphones, lip balm, loose change or a sandwich (we’re not judging). There’s also ducting from the shelf to the USB jacks at the base of the console that hides the cords. This doesn’t improve zero-to-60 times (7 to 8 seconds), but it makes real people real happy during daily commutes and long trips. A year into its fourth generation, the Highlander is tracking to amass nearly a quarter-million sales in 2020, best of any midsize SUV.

The full-size Chevrolet Tahoe is a completely new beast for 2021, bigger inside and out, with more interior room for passengers and cargo. There’s also a new independent rear suspension, which gives the truck-based SUV a smoother ride. The new suspension also helped give third-row passengers 10 additional inches of legroom and added 10 extra cubic feet of storage space behind

The full-size Chevrolet Tahoe is a completely new beast for 2021, bigger inside and out, with more interior room for passengers and cargo. There’s also a new independent rear suspension, which gives the truck-based SUV a smoother ride. The new suspension also helped give third-row passengers 10 additional inches of legroom and added 10 extra cubic feet of storage space behind the third row.

The powertrain lineup still comprises the 355-horsepower 5.3-liter and 420 horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engines and offers a new third option: a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbo-diesel that matches the larger V8’s 460 pound-feet of torque and gets 24 mpg in city and highway driving combined. Based on testing, it also should easily top 30 mpg on the highway, well above the EPA’s 26 mpg rating. The new Tahoe gets a standard 10-inch touchscreen and a slew of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator and automatic headlamps.

It’s hard to reinvent a classic. That’s why replacing a line of trucks that traces all the way back to the original Land Rover of 1948–an iconic vehicle in its home market–as well as a vehicle that’s been on a 22-year hiatus in North America, is a heavy lift. Luckily the new Defender delivered with its modern styling cues and classic off-road dominance. Land Rover has

It’s hard to reinvent a classic. That’s why replacing a line of trucks that traces all the way back to the original Land Rover of 1948–an iconic vehicle in its home market–as well as a vehicle that’s been on a 22-year hiatus in North America, is a heavy lift. Luckily the new Defender delivered with its modern styling cues and classic off-road dominance. Land Rover has enough self-awareness to know that in the U.S. the new Defender will mostly strut around (tinsel) town and not too far off the beaten path, but it’s still on the hook to be a legitimate adventuring ass-kicker.

The 2021 Defender comes in two sizes: a two-door 90 or a longer, four-door 110, mirroring the old models. It can be powered by either a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine or a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that uses a mild hybrid system. The capable SUV has up to 19.7 inches of articulation, a wading depth of 35 inches and a 38-degree approach angle complemented by a 40-degree departure angle. It’s equipped with multiple cameras that offer a 3D perspective of the exterior that enhances situational awareness. A “transparent hood” view lets the driver see the suspension and the wheels while it maneuvers over uneven surfaces, and there’s also a terrain response system with pre-set modes. Legit indeed.