Table of Contents
Do you believe in love at first sight? Well, even if you don’t, you will find the best SUV car love of your life after reading this article!
In this article, you will discover the ten best-rated SUV models for 2021, including the model’s name, specifications, prices, interior, and pros & cons analysis. Can’t wait to read more? Let’s dive in already!
Our expert team knows everything about new SUV cars and tested the vehicle’s performance, cost, safety features, and technology to choose the top 10 best SUVs for your money of 2021! So, what are the top full-size SUVs?
Here is the complete model list of the best-rated SUVs in 2021:
Pretty impressive, right? Let’s review each car model separately, starting from the Genesis GV80 — the 10th position in our rating.
1 Genesis GV80
About the Car Model
Genesis GV 80 is a premium top-selling SUV car with an elegant interior and great specs. This SUV model brings an excellent deal for your money, corresponds to all expectations, and stands out among other new SUV car brands.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Seating 5/7 | Engine size 2.5 | Engine Name Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.5 Liter |
| Horsepower 300/375 @5,800 RPM (PREMIUM) | 8 Automatic Transmission Speeds | Width 77.8 |
| Standard 4, Wheel Disc w/ABS | Fuel Economy 21.1 | Front Legroom 41.6 |
| 2.5 Liters, 4/6 number of cylinders | Twelve Speakers | Rear Legroom 38.7 |
Interior
The interior of the Genesis GV 80 is very luxurious, which makes this SUV so different from its rivals. The first thing you see is green and brown leather on every surface, then the touch screen display, open-pore wood details, climate zones, vanity mirrors, and spacious, heated seats! To see some pictures of the interior, visit the official website.
Pros & Сons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Comfortable driving experience | Little third-row front seat |
| Elegant, luxurious cabin and exterior | Underpowered base engine |
| Improved driving safety features | Intricate infotainment |
| Long warranty coverage | Subpar fuel economy |
Prices
$48,900 – $70,950
The Genesis GV 80 price starts at $48,900 for the Standard 2.5T I4 RWD. The three-row Advanced 2.5T I4 AWD begins at $65,050, and the Prestige 3.5T V6 AWD starts at $70,950.
2 Toyota RAV4
About the Car Model
We consider the Toyota RAV4 the best compact SUV car for families. It is because the car requires the lowest maintenance for an affordable price. Therefore, we can say that the Toyota RAV4 is an excellent compact SUV car for families with small kids looking for a luxurious experience and a good price/quality ratio.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Seating 5/5 | Engine size 2.5 | Engine 4-Cyl 2.5 Liter |
| Horsepower 219@5,300 | Automatic Transmission | Cargo (Std/Max) 38/70 |
| Wheelbase 105.9 | Fuel Economy 27 / 35 mpg | Front Legroom 41.0 |
| 2.5 Liters, 4 cylinders | Six Speakers | Rear Legroom 37.8 |
Interior
The improved 2021 Toyota RAV4 interior provides comfortable seating for the entire family. Plenty of space, affordable and innovative technology proves the popularity of this model among competitors.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Highest ground clearance | Noisy engine |
| Easy free maintenance | Vague steering |
| Great fuel economy | Underwhelming handling |
| Large cargo hold | Coarse powertrain |
Prices
$26,250 – $35,980
The standard size Toyota RAV4 2021 is affordable for many consumers looking for SUV cars. Usually, the prices range between $26,250 – $35,980. For more price details, you can open the official Toyota website.
3 Toyota Highlander
About the Car Model
This well-rounded, fun-to-drive full-size SUV vehicle has plenty of space perfect for big guys. The Toyota Highlander’s front seats are comfortable and supportive, with a reliable fuel-efficient engine that delivers adequate power.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Seating 8/8 | Standard MPG21/29 | Engine V6 3.5 Liter |
| Horsepower 295@6,600 | Automatic Transmission | Cargo (Std/Max) 16/84 |
| Width 76.0 | Fuel Economy 21 / 29 mpg | Front Legroom 42.0 |
| Ground Clearance8.0 | Six Speakers | Rear Legroom 41.0 |
Interior
This car is for big guys, with plenty of fronts and rear legroom. The interior is well designed with a minimalistic approach. For more details and photos, visit the official Toyota website.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Spacious, with a big cargo capacity | Unstable, bouncy ride |
| Exemplary efficiency and safety scores | Third row for kids-only |
| Great starting package | Below-average cargo space behind the third-row seat |
| Top selling car |
Prices
$34,810 – $48,915
The Toyota Highlander is on the top-selling list, starting at $34,810. Full price details you can find here.
4 Audi Q5
About the Car Model
The Audi Q5 is a comfortable choice with a quiet, pleasant, manly cabin that features a top-notch interior that speaks luxury. In addition, the smooth-riding experience and excellent safety scores make the Audi Q5 stand out among the rivals.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | Seating 5/5 | Horsepower 261@5,000 |
| Ground Clearance8.2 | Transmission Speeds7 | Cargo Capacity 25.9/54.1 |
| Air Conditioning: Three-Zone Climate Control | Fuel Economy 23 / 28 mpg | Fuel Capacity 18.5 |
| Zero to 60: 5.7 seconds | Ten Speakers | Standard MPG 23/28 |
Interior
The Audi Q5 interior is all about the luxury interior for a perfect ride and comfort. Moreover, it is one of the safest setups implemented that makes it stand out among all SUVs.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Comfort choice | Firm ride in models with larger wheels |
| Robust engine lineup | High base price |
| Great safety score | Low predicted reliability score for the class |
| Amazing driver assistance features | Infotainment interface is distracting to use |
Prices
$43,300 – $62,500
Prices range from $43,300 to $62,500, depending on the trim line, including the wheel drive and engine you choose.
5 Volkswagen Tiguan
About the Car Model
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the best SUVs of the year! The impressive and easy-to-use batch of clever tech features available in Volkswagen Tiguan makes the difference together with fantastic performance and space for packing up to seven passengers in a compact truck.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter TSITrim | Seating 7/7 | Horsepower 184@4,400 |
| Ground Clearance7.9 | Transmission Speeds8 | Cargo Capacity 12.0/65.7 |
| Air Conditioning: Climate Control | Six Speakers | Fuel Economy 23 / 29 mpg |
| Standard MPG23/29 | Rear Legroom36.5 | Front Legroom 40.2 |
Interior
The Volkswagen Tiguan is available in multiple styles, including different SUV AWD. To get a complete overview, please visit this page.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Adaptive cruise control now standard on more trims | The engine feels underpowered at times |
| Sharp exterior styling | Less engaging handling compared to some rivals |
| Composed at freeway speeds performance | Below-average fuel economy ratings |
| Generous cargo space | Cramped, uncomfortable third row |
Prices
$25,245 – $39,095
As the best reliable and most affordable SUV, Volkswagen Tiguan has gained popularity among buyers. The starting price ranges from $25,245 to $39,095.
6 Jaguar F-PACE
About the Car Model
The 2021 Jaguar F-PACE is fun to drive, a five-passenger luxury SUV with a wholly renewed interior compared to the old model. Jaguar F-PACE has also improved cabin materials and installed an active noise cancellation system that minimizes highway noise.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy: 22 / 27 mpg | Cargo (Std/Max): 32/61 | Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter |
| Engine Type Turbo Gas | Cargo Capacity 31.5/61.4 | Horsepower 246@5,500 |
| Eleven Meridian Speakers Subwoofer | Air Conditioning: Dual-Zone Climate Control | Seating 5/5 |
| Full Warranty 60 Months | Rear Legroom 37.2 | Front Legroom 40.3 |
Interior
The Interior of the Jaguar F-PACE is improved and wholly renewed with the top-notch technology installed. Check out images of the interiors here.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Impressive athleticism | High starting price |
| Spacious, comfortable cabin | Not as big as some rivals |
| Excellent cargo capacity | Power liftgate not standard |
| User-friendly infotainment system | More road and wind noise in the cabin than in competitors |
Prices
$49,995 – $84,600
$49,995 is a starting MSRP of the Jaguar F-Pace, one of the class’s highest prices. A more prestigious package can reach up to $84,600.
7 Land Rover Defender
About the Car Model
The 2021 Land Rover Defender is a large SUV’s off-roader with brilliant design and interior refinement. However, the best part about Land Rover Defender 2021 is the customization options and off-road experience you will never have on the other SUV car models.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | Engine Type Hybrid |
| Combined MPG 19 | Cylinders Inline 6 | Fuel Tank Capacity 23.8 gal. |
| Basic Warranty 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | Horsepower 395 @ 5500 | Legroom 39.0 / 36.6 |
| All-wheel drive | Length 197.6 | Ride height 8.9/11.5 |
Interior
Land Rover Defender interior isn’t one of the most sophisticated on this list, but the driving safety is out of concurrence. As for the interior, it is minimalistic, well-designed, and functionality-focused. Check out images of the interior here.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Drives well, mainly off-road | Not as posh inside as rivals |
| Comfortable, supportive seats | Worse fuel economy than competitors |
| Two-door models offer insufficient cargo capacity. | The cargo door is heavy and opens toward the curb. |
| A wealth of customization options | Tiny third row |
Prices
$46,100 – $83,000
Land Rover Defender has multiple customization options, ranging between $46,100 and $83,000, depending on the setup you choose.
8 BMW X5
About the Car Model
The BMW X 5 is a dream SUV for many car lovers, which does not surprise us! It is an excellently built car with a cylinder engine that offers sublime road manners, a luxurious interior, and great driving dynamics.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy: 21 / 26 mpg | Cargo (Std/Max): 57 | Engine: 6-Cyl Turbo 3.0 Liter |
| Seating 5/7 | Transmission Speeds 8 | Width 78.9 |
| Full Warranty 50,000mi/4 yr. | Rear Legroom 37.4 | Wheelbase 117.1 |
| Height 68.7 | Torque 331@1,500 | Front Legroom 39.8 |
Interior
The interior of the BMW X 5 is beyond luxury with the best infotainment systems money can buy! Check out interior pictures on the official BMW website.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Strong engines | High starting price |
| Balanced ride | Small mirrors and wide roof pillars create blind spots |
| Lengthy features list | Limited interior storage |
| Fuel efficient | Wide doorsills inhibit entry and exit. |
Prices
$59,400 – $105,100
BMW X 5 isn’t cheap. The starting point is above average, $59,400. With customizations, the price may get up to $105,100.
9 Mercedes-Benz GLA
About the Car Model
The Mercedes-Benz GLA becomes a new standard with a completely redesigned 2021 model. Mercedes-Benz GLA is comfortable as a luxury subcompact SUV, with a beautiful interior and user-friendly infotainment tech.
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy: 25 / 34 mpg | Cargo (Std/Max): 51 | Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter |
| Torque 258@1,800 | Transmission TypeAutomatic | Height 63.5 |
| Rear Legroom 38.0 | Width 72.2 | Fuel Capacity 12.7 |
| Front Legroom 41.0 | Transmission Speeds8 | Six Speakers |
Interior
Mercedes-Benz GLA is a perfection. This engineering masterpiece offers a high-tech, high-style cabin with a panorama roof, sport front seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| User-friendly infotainment tech | Noisy cabin for a luxury SUV |
| Spacious seating | Below-average cargo capacity behind rear seats |
| Good gas mileage | Cabin quality a notch below the most excellent interiors in the class |
| Completely new design | Below average cabin baggage space |
Prices
$36,230 – $54,500
Depending on the packages you choose, the price varies between $36,230 and $54,500, starting from the AMG Line, ending with the Premium Package.
10 Porsche Macan
About the Car Model
The Porsche Macan is the best-selling and highest-rated SUV in the U.S. because of its best driving standard and excellent performance. Our experts picked this model as the best SUV on the market to buy in 2021!
Specs
| Specifications | ||
| Fuel Economy: 19 / 23 mpg | Cargo (Std/Max):18/53 | Engine: 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter |
| Horsepower 248@5,000 | Transmission Speeds 7 | Torque 273@1,600 |
| Seating 5/5 | Fuel Capacity 19.8 | Drivetrain AWD |
| Width 76.2 | Payload Capacity 1,435 | Length 184.9 |
Interior
The Porsche Macan cabin is simply the best among SUVs, filled with quality and class. The design is smooth and luxurious, just as expected for such a price. More details about the interior you may find on the official Porsche website.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Comfortable and smooth ride | Expectingly not excellent fuel economy |
| Fun and engaging luxury SUV | High base price for the class |
| Easy to customize | Snug rear seats and undersized cargo area |
| Quality cabin materials |
Prices
$52,100 – $84,600
The least expensive Porsche Macan 2021 is the P250 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) package starting at $52,100. However, the following packages can increase the price up to $84,600, depending on the setup.
11 SUV Comparison
As a final review of the best SUV cars in 2021, we decided to compare SUVs from the list in one table. We hope this overview will help you make a better decision for your future purchase!
| SUV Model Name | Price range | Fuel Economy | Engine | Horsepower | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis GV80 | $48,900 – $65,550 | 21.1 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.5 Liter | 300/375 @ 5,800 | 5/7 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $26,250 – $35,980 | 27 / 35 mpg | 4-Cyl 2.5 Liter | 219 @ 5,300 | 5/5 |
| Toyota Highlander | $34,810 – $48,915 | 21 / 29 mpg | V6 3.5 Liter | 295 @ 6,600 | 8/8 |
| Audi Q5 | $43,300 – $62,500 | 23 / 28 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | 261 @ 5,000 | 5/5 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $25,245 – $39,095 | 23 / 29 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | 184 @ 4,400 | 7/7 |
| Jaguar F-PACE | $49,995 – $84,600 | 22 / 27 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | 246 @ 5,500 | 5/5 |
| Land Rover Defender | $46,100 – $83,000 | 21 / 26 mpg | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas | 395 @ 5500 | 6/6 |
| BMW X5 | $59,400 – $105,100 | 21 / 26 mpg | 6-Cyl Turbo 3.0 Liter | 335 @ 5500 | 5/7 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | $36,230 – $54,500 | 25 / 34 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | 221 @ 5500 | 5/5 |
| Porsche Macan | $52,100 – $84,600 | 19 / 23 mpg | 4-Cyl Turbo 2.0 Liter | 248 @ 5,000 | 5/5 |
