The 10 SUVs Everyone Wants in 2021
Since 2015, SUVs have been trending towards becoming the most popular car class to own. According to Tom Libby, automotive analyst at IHS Markit, “SUV.s made up 47.4 percent of U.S. sales in 2019 with sedans at 22.1 percent.” He also added, “ By 2025, we see the light-truck segment that includes S.U.V.s, vans and pickups to make up 78 percent of sales compared to 72 percent now.” (4)
Therefore, with SUVs increasingly growing in popularity and availability, it is important to know the best models out there. Below, you will find, in no particular order, the ten best SUVs of 2021 based on design, functionality, and Kelley Blue Book scores.
2021 Kia Seltos
The new Kia Seltos is a subcompact SUV that is spacious and has a good fuel economy. “A new small crossover SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos offers style, sophistication, and value at a compelling price. Choose between a 147-horsepower 4-cylinder and a 195-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, front-wheel and all-wheel drive, and five different trim levels running the gamut from the low to the high $20,000 range (1).”
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.8/5 (2)
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5/5 (2)
- MPG: 25-29 city, 30-34 highway (5)
- Seating: 5 (5)
- Drivetrain: FWD or AWD (5)
- Horsepower: 146-175 (5)
- Price: $21,990 + $1,120 destination (1)
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
The new Chevrolet Tahoe is ranked towards the top of its class due to its passenger and cargo space, new technology, high predicted reliability rating, and sleek design. It also has a “powerful” engine that ranges anywhere from 277 to 420 horsepower (5).
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5 (2)
- MPG: 14-16 city, 19-20 highway (5)
- Seating: 7-8 (5)
- Drivetrain: RWD or 4WD (5)
- Price: $49,000 + $1,295 destination (1)
2021 Hyundai Palisade
The new 2021 Hyundai Palisade is one of the best all around SUVs of 2021. It has a little bit of everything, with a “high-end” and roomy interior, “poised” handling, a V6 engine, and good predicted reliability(5). There are many consumer-friendly aspects of this vehicle, and it is the perfect ride for anyone on the fence in the buying process for an SUV. According to U.S. News, it has “refined ride and handling, user-friendly infotainment system, comfortable seats, and many standard safety features.”
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5/5
- MPG: 19 city, 24-26 highway
- Seating: 7-8
- Drivetrain: FWD or AWD
- Price: $31,361-$59,998
2021 Kia Telluride
The new Kia Telluride is what comes to mind when you think of a typical modern SUV. It comes with the standard features of a new SUV and some that make it unique in a class of some of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. “The 2021 Kia Telluride ranks near the top of the midsize SUV class thanks to its pleasant driving dynamics, comfortable and spacious interior, user-friendly features, and long list of standard equipment (5)”
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.8/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.5/5
- MPG: 19-20 city, 24-26 highway
- Seating: 7-8
- Drivetrain: FWD or AWD
- Price: $31,990 (MSRP) + $1,170 destination
2021 Genesis GV80
The GV80 is an extremely impressive model in its class, especially since it is the first SUV from Genesis. It is very highly rated and sports strong features across the board. According to Motor Trend, it has a “jaw-dropping interior,” incredible value,” and an “original approach to luxury.” They also added, “The GV80's smart packaging, thoughtful design, and fanatical attention to detail blew us away in the parking lot (3).”
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 5.0/5
- MPG: 21 city, 25 highway
- Seating: 5-7
- Drivetrain; AWD or RWD
- Price: $48,900 + $1,025 destination
2021 Nissan Rogue
The new Nissan Rogue is one of the finalists for Motor Trend’s SUV of the year and rightfully so. It has a slick design due to its decrease in length, which by no means, takes away from the quality of the vehicle. Even though Nissan decreased the length of the vehicle, the interior still provides the feeling of a larger SUV, with a “roomy back seat” and “spacious cargo area.” Motor Trend added, “After seven long model years, the redesigned 2021 Nissan Rogue re-enters the compact SUV scene more relevant than it's been in a long time. Nissan, we missed you.” (3)
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- MPG: 25-26 city, 32-33 highway
- Seating: 5
- Drivetrain: AWD or FWD
- Price: $25,650 + $1,095 destination
2021 Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 makes the list due to its handling, “upscale interior,” and because it’s a “comfortable ride.” The most attractive aspect of the CX-30 is definitely the design. It provides a “premium” and “sporty” feel that attracts many buyers intrigued by luxury-looking SUVs (3).
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 5.0/5
- MPG: 24 city, 31 highway
- Seating: 5
- Drivetrain: AWD or FWD
- Price: $18,994 - $37,695
2021 Honda CR-V
The new CR-V ranks towards the top of its class because it has the quality of an upscale interior design, while carrying a “lively, efficient turbocharged engine.” The engine provides the vehicle with a “quick” acceleration time. In addition, the CR-V provides a “spacious” back seat area and cargo hold, and “great” fuel economy. (5)
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 4.⅖
- MPG: 28 city, 34 highway
- Seating: 5
- Drivetrain: AWD or FWD
- Price: MSRP from $25,350
2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
With the auto industry trending towards increased production of electric and hybrid vehicles, it’s important to know which automakers have the highest quality electric options. It is important to make the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles, so why not start now with the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid? It might be the best hybrid vehicle on the market currently. “Its refined performance, impressive fuel economy, and high-end interior all give this crossover a leg up on other hybrids.” (5)
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.8/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 3.⅕
- MPG: 41 city, 38 highway
- Seating: 5
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Price: MSRP from $28,500
2021 Audi Q8
The Q8 is one of the most “enjoyable” rides of the top SUVs for 2021. It has a “handsome interior with spacious seats,” “composed ride and handling,” “powerful available V8 engines,” and “user-friendly infotainment system.” (5)
- Kelley Blue Book Expert Rating: 4.7/5
- Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating: 5.0/5
- MPG: 18 city, 23 highway
- Seating: 5
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Price: MSRP from $68,200
Recap
Shopping for a new car can be stressful. There is no perfect vehicle, even though some come close. This list is intended to help you decide on what the best SUV is for you, based on ratings and reviews. Overall, the SUV is one of the best all-around car classes in the market, as is noted by the New York Times’ piece referenced in the beginning of the article, and there is no better time to jump on the SUV trend than now. This list contains some of the best SUVs of 2021 but there are many others that are worth considering and have distinct advantages differing from those listed above.
