Combining convenience and practicality with decent performance, SUVs have come into their own over the years. Whether you’re commuting into the city or heading out into the country, an SUV will get you there in style and comfort. At the same time, SUVs are practical enough to carry everything that you’ll need.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best 2021 SUVs that you just have to see.
Adrie dasta / Shutterstock2021 Ford Expedition
Starting Price: $50,595
The 2021 Ford Expedition combines power and practicality in a single package. Built for the city, countryside, and everywhere in between, Ford’s latest offering seats seven and has more than enough grunt to pull the heaviest of trailers.
With its 3.5L EcoBoost petrol engine, the 2021 Ford Expedition’s fuel consumption comes up to about 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. While not the most economical, the Expedition’s monstrous engine churns out a whopping 400 horsepower with 480 lb.-ft. of torque. All of which is delivered through a 10-speed automatic.
Turn up the tunes with the sound system by Bang & Olufsen and keep your passengers entertained with the dual-headrest rear seat entertainment system. In the meantime, stay connected through FordPass Connect’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot wherever you go. Furthermore, the Expedition’s USB ports and wireless charging options will ensure that all of your devices are charged and ready to go.
Sometimes things just get out of control. For those moments, the 2021 Expedition comes with pre-collision assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). AEB scans the road ahead and alerts you of any potential hazards. If needed, AEB intervenes and takes corrective action to protect you from a collision. As a standard, all Expeditions come with a lane-keeping system and rear-view camera to help you stay safe and alert on the road.
2021 Honda CR-V
Starting Price: $25,350
The Honda CR-V has always been a favorite of families, soccer moms, and just about anyone looking for a safe, comfortable ride. That’s why it should come as no surprise to see that the Honda CR-V is one of the most popular cars in America.
The 2021 Honda CR-V is powered by Honda’s turbocharged 1.5L i-Vtec engine, which gives it plenty of power. If you want to go green, you can always opt for the hybrid variant of the CRV that comes with a 2.0L hybrid and two electric motors.
While nowhere near as powerful as its larger rivals, the CR-V more than makes up for it with its excellent fuel economy. In fact, the non-hybrid CR-V achieves a relatively respectable 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, a hybrid CR-V delivers 35 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Entertainment options are fairly standard. The CR-V comes with a five-inch color LCD screen, Bluetooth compatibility, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
Despite the lacking entertainment options, Honda has got you covered when it comes to safety. First and foremost, the Honda Sensing System helps drivers by scanning the road ahead to alerts them of any potential hazards. Besides that, Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System will intervene by applying brake pressure should a frontal-collision be unavoidable. Finally, the 2021 CR-V features the Road Departure Mitigation System to help you stay within your lane.
2021 Kia Telluride
Starting Price: $32,190
Korean car manufacturer Kia has come a long way since its early days. And the 2021 Kia Telluride is proof of the manufacturer’s growth.
At the heart of the 2021 Telluride is a potent 3.8L V6 naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine pushes out 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft of torque through an automatic transmission. In terms of fuel consumption, the Telluride outpaces the 2021 Expedition with 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg while on the highway.
When it comes to interior features, the 2021 Telluride comes with a Harman Kardon sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are also three USB ports for charging along with a wireless phone charger.
Automatic emergency braking and warning systems help avoid frontal collisions, while blind spot detection makes for safer crossovers when changing lanes. On top of these features, the Telluride comes with:
- Safe Exit Assist: Blocks attempts to override the child safety lock should there be any oncoming traffic.
- Rear Occupant Alert: Notifies the driver if there are any passengers left in the rear seats.
2021 Land Rover Defender
Starting Price: $47,700
Land Rover has a reputation for building some of the toughest vehicles on the road. Available in both two- and four-door format, the 2021 Land Rover Defender is equally at home in the urban environment or the jungle.
When picking out a Defender, you can choose between a 2.0L or 3.0L turbocharged petrol engine with automatic transmission. Fuel consumption for both the 2.0L and 3.0L variants are nearly identical at 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway, respectively.
The Defender is as basic as they come when it comes to entertainment features. Besides the standard touchscreen console, you get a basic sound system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Fortunately, there is a solid suite of safety features, which include a 3D camera, parking assist, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Furthermore, off-roaders will be pleased to know that the 2021 Defender comes with wade sensors.
2021 Volvo XC40
Starting Price: $33,700
By combining the maneuverability of a compact car with the practicality of an SUV, the 2021 Volvo XC40 is a sleek vehicle.
Powered by a nippy 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine mated to a decent automatic transmission, the XC40 is no slouch. Plus, with a fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, it is on par with SUVs in its class.
Inside the XC40, entertainment and safety features are as standard as they come. The standout entertainment feature is the Harman Kardon surround sound audio system that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Meanwhile, the standard safety features include intelligent driver assist, cross traffic alert, and blind spot assist.
