2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
$38,410 | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10
The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers exceptional fuel economy for a three-row SUV (up to 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway); provides a smooth, quiet ride; and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The four-cylinder engine and two electric motors get this SUV moving quickly, but don’t count on a lot of passing power out on the highway.
Inside, you’ll find a lengthy list of easy-to-use standard features that includes an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The front row has plenty of room for the driver and passenger. The second also has plenty of head- and legroom, whether you go with the standard bench seat or the available captain’s chairs. The third row, however, is tight. Adults will ride with their knees high, and even younger children won’t want to be back there for more than a short trip. As for cargo space, the Highlander Hybrid has up to 84.3 cubic feet of capacity, which is very good for the class.
2020 Kia Sorento
$26,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
Winner of our 2020 Best Three-Row SUV for the Money award, the 2020 Kia Sorento offers one of the lower starting prices in the midsize SUV class. Impressively, the Sorento’s interior doesn’t reflect its budget-friendly sticker; the cabin is well-crafted and is nicer than what you’ll find in many more expensive rivals. Passenger space in this three-row vehicle is good. The first two rows are adult friendly. Like other midsize SUVs, however, the Sorento’s third row is best left to children. Cargo space, while good, doesn’t match that of many competitors.
Wherever you sit, you’ll find plenty of soft-touch materials. Up front, the standard 7-inch touch screen responds well to inputs and is easy to navigate. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth are all standard. The base engine has decent power and helps deliver good fuel economy for the class: 22 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Add the available V6 engine or all-wheel drive, however, and those numbers will, naturally, drop a bit. Whichever powertrain you select, you’ll enjoy a smooth ride and easy maneuverability in tight spots.
2021 Kia Soul
$17,490 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
Subcompact SUVs aren’t generally known for their passenger space, unless that SUV happens to be the 2021 Kia Soul. Passengers front and back will find plenty of head- and legroom, and there’s even space for their overnight bags. With both rows up, the Soul has 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Drop the second-row seats, and cargo capacity rises to an eye-popping 62.1 cubic feet. Those are very good numbers for its class. The infotainment system is run through a standard 7-inch touch screen with a logical menu structure and complementary physical controls. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth are all standard.
The base engine is good enough for daily driving, but if you want quick acceleration, get the available turbocharged engine that makes 201 horsepower. The Soul is also one of the few remaining cars that offers a manual transmission. Most people, however, will want to opt for the continuously variable automatic transmission that has better fuel economy ratings. There are lots of active safety features, though most of these are options. A rear-seat reminder, however, is standard. That’s a nice touch for a car that will likely appeal to small families with young children. The Soul also comes with the brand’s excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
2021 Ford Escape
$24,885 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
The 2021 Ford Escape is a compact SUV that isn’t just safe – it’s a fun SUV to drive. It hugs turns while keeping passengers snug in their seats, and the steering offers good feedback. The base three-cylinder turbocharged engine puts out an impressive 180 horsepower, while delivering some of the better fuel economy numbers in the class. The turbo-four makes 250 horsepower, but fuel economy suffers. All-wheel drive is available. The mechanically similar 2020 model earned one of our 2020 Best New Car for Teens awards. The Insurance Industry for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Escape a Top Safety Pick, and it earned five out of five stars in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing.
Move inside, and the Escape is a little less exciting. The standard SYNC infotainment system is run through a standard 4.2-inch display screen. Consider opting for the SYNC 3 system, which has an 8-inch touch screen as well as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. As for materials, you’ll notice more hard plastics than in many competitors’ models. There are no complaints, however, about passenger and cargo space. There’s plenty of room front and back for adults. The 33.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear row up is one of the better totals in this class. Drop the rear seats for 65.4 cubic feet.
2021 Mazda CX-30
$21,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
The 2021 CX-30 is the new kid on the Mazda showroom floor, but it oozes all the traits that Mazda vehicles have come to be known for: great handling, enjoyable ride quality, and an upscale interior. This subcompact SUV comes standard with a 186-horsepower four-cylinder engine. It’s not the fastest around town, but get on the open road and there’s plenty of power. New for 2021 is an optional turbo-four that kicks up the horsepower to 250. Handling is exceptional for the class: you can throw this little SUV into curves with confidence, and steering provides excellent road feedback.
Best of all, the CX-30 comes loaded with active safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The cabin is made with high-quality materials and punches above its price point. If you’re tall, though, legroom may be tight in the rear seats. Cargo space is about average for the subcompact SUV class, but the rear hatch’s liftover is low and the opening is wide, making it easy to get the most out of the space that’s available. The one piece of the interior that might not sit well with some people is the infotainment system. It runs through an 8.8-inch display screen. One navigates the menu structure with a knob located between the two front seats, which might turn off people accustomed to touch screens.
2021 Mazda CX-9
$33,960 | U.S. News Score 8.3/10
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row midsize SUV with a refreshingly upscale interior. Upper trims come with real wood inlays, and even the base model has premium materials and lots of soft-touch spaces. The infotainment system is run through a large, 10.3-inch touch screen that displays crisp graphics and responds promptly to inputs. Two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hot spot are also standard. Front row seats are spacious and offer plenty of room for the driver and passenger. The second row has a standard bench seat, and the available captain’s chairs both slide and recline. Either option has plenty of leg- and headroom for the people occupying them. The third row, however, is tight. It’s not a place that anyone is going to want to be in for very long. If you plan to regularly haul lots of luggage and cargo, you’ll want to take full measure of the CX-9’s available space. With just 14.4 cubic feet available behind the third row, and a maximum of 71.2 cubes with the second and third rows dropped, the CX-9 has less cargo space than many of its midsize competitors – and in some cases, significantly less.
Under the hood, a turbocharged four-cylinder powers the CX-9. Don’t let the number of cylinders fool you; this engine puts out plenty of power both on the highway and in the city. It also helps that the CX-9 gets some of the best fuel economy ratings in the midsize SUV class: up to 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. To top things off, the CX-9’s ride is quiet and comfortable despite its athleticism.
2021 Hyundai Palisade
$32,525 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
For cabin style and comfort, it’s tough to beat the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. This three-row midsize SUV is built with materials you would expect to find in a luxury car. The Palisade can seat seven or eight, depending on whether you choose second-row captain’s chairs. The third row is relatively spacious for the class. Two adults wouldn’t want to ride cross country in the rearmost row, but for quick daily trips or commutes, they’ll be reasonably comfortable. The standard tech list is lengthy and includes a 10.2-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and five USB ports. You’ll have no problem listening to music, either, as the cabin is well-insulated from road noise. Cargo space is generous, topping out at 86.4 cubic feet.
A 291-horsepower V6 engine powers the Palisade. It gets up to speed quickly and has plenty of oomph on the highway. Plus, the powertrain is covered by Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Palisade handles well, and passengers won’t experience much body roll going through curves and turns. It also comes well-equipped with a long laundry list of advanced driver assistance features, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.
2021 Kia Sportage
$23,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
The 2021 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV with several strong selling points. It earns a good reliability score, does well in crash tests, and the cabin boasts plenty of good-quality materials. This two-row SUV seats five comfortably, with plenty of head- and legroom for passengers in the front and back. This is an uncommon feature in this class. Cargo space isn’t the best – it tops out at 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded –but the fold-flat seats and adjustable-height cargo floor make it easy to maximize the space that is available. The infotainment system features an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a USB port.
There are two engine options, and both dial up plenty of power. The base 181 horsepower four-cylinder will be more than enough for most shoppers. The turbo-four that makes 240 horsepower ups the excitement level. Fuel economy isn’t the best, but the standard engine’s 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway are only just below average for the class. This ute is not a road-hugger, but the ride is comfortable and it stays well planted in turns. The standard list of active safety features isn’t lengthy, but it does include a pre-collision warning and braking system with pedestrian detection.
2021 Hyundai Kona
$20,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a fun subcompact SUV with a relatively low starting price tag. It comes with a standard four-cylinder engine, which is adequate for driving in the city and on the highway. The available turbo-four, however, gives the little Kona some spark. It moves quickly from a stop and has more punch for freeway passing. It’s a zippy little SUV to drive, too. The Kona is easy to maneuver in tight spots and stays planted on winding roads. Minor pavement imperfections aren’t transmitted to the cabin, but rougher pavement will jostle you a bit.
There aren’t a lot of standard active safety features, but it does have forward collision warning and driver drowsiness monitoring. Many other safety features are optional.
Inside, there are seats for five, but only the driver and front-seat passenger will be comfortable. The rear seats are tight, especially on legroom. Cargo space also leaves something to be desired. There’s just 19.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seat, and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seat dropped. Both numbers are low, even for a subcompact SUV. The styling is clean and the materials are mostly good, though you will find hard plastics dispersed throughout the cabin. As for infotainment, the Kona comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, and Bluetooth.
2021 Kia Telluride
$31,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The 2021 Kia Telluride is quickly becoming one of the more popular midsize SUVs in America. One of its strongest suits is passenger space. The Telluride can seat up to eight people, and unlike many other competitors, adults can comfortably sit in the third row. More important, people can get back there easily. Three rows of seating doesn’t translate into less space for cargo. In fact, with 21 cubic feet available behind the third row, and 87 cubic feet available when the second and third rows are folded, the Telluride provides more cargo space than many competitors. The cabin is very upscale with quality materials throughout, even in the base model. There’s also a lengthy list of standard features, including an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and five USB ports.
A V6 engine is the only option, but it’s more than powerful enough for city and highway driving. What’s most impressive, however, is how this big SUV handles. A tight turning radius means you can easily get it into and out of tight spaces. On the open road, it absorbs bumps in the road and stays settled through turns. A long list of standard active safety features rounds out the Telluride, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, among others.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
$26,275 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is an excellent midsize SUV, and it has the hardware to prove it. It won U.S. News’ 2020 Best Two-Row SUV for the Money award and one of our 2020 Best New Cars for Teens awards. Clearly, there’s a lot to like. To begin, it earns a near-perfect reliability score and did well in crash tests. The cabin can easily seat five adults. The second row also reclines, making it a more comfortable space for back-seat riders. Cargo space is good, too, with a maximum 71.3 cubic feet when the second row is folded. The list of standard technology features isn’t deep, but it’s lengthy enough to satisfy many buyers. Standard features include a rear-seat reminder and an infotainment system with a 7-inch display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and four USB ports. All of this is tucked inside a cabin built with high-quality materials that look good.
For those considering the Santa Fe, you might want to skip the base engine and opt instead for the 235-horsepower turbo-four. Unlike the former, you won’t be left feeling like the engine is gasping for power. There is one upside to the base engine: excellent fuel economy. It rates 22 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. Few midsize SUVs can match those numbers. Ride quality is superior – even broken pavement won’t jostle the cabin, and it does a good job hugging curves when the road turns twisty.
2021 Mazda CX-5
$25,270 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: the 2021 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t have great cargo space numbers for a compact SUV. Folding down the second row yields just 60 cubic feet. If you can live with that, then there’s a lot to love about this Mazda. The cabin is made from high-end materials, even in lower trims. Opt for one of the top trims and you’ll get real wood and Nappa leather. The infotainment system, traditionally a sore point with the CX-5, gets a much-needed facelift for 2021. The standard touch screen measures 10.25 inches, graphics are crisp, and input response times are good. Also included are Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, and two USB ports.
Under the hood there’s a 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine that has plenty of power for most people. However, for those who want a little more power on the highways, the available turbo-four puts out 227 horsepower and offers nary a hint of turbo lag. With either engine, fuel economy is a bit better than average for the class. The real fun, however, is reserved for the person in the driver’s seat. Road grip is exceptional with available all-wheel drive, and better than average with standard front-wheel drive. Finally, the long list of active safety features is sure to make this an attractive vehicle for many shoppers. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and several more features are all standard.
2021 Honda CR-V
$25,350 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
Sitting atop our list of the best crossover SUVs is the compact 2021 Honda CR-V, which is consistently one of the best-selling SUVs in America. When it comes to carrying cargo, there are few compact SUVs, or even midsize SUVs, that can measure up. There’s 39.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row. Fold the second seat and you expose a vast 75.8 cubic feet. It’s a similar story with passenger space. The CR-V seats five people comfortably, and second-row leg space is some of the best in the segment. All this room is surrounded by high-quality and soft touch materials. The only real downside in the cabin is the base infotainment system. It comes with a 5-inch display, Bluetooth, and one USB port. You’ll have to step up one trim level to get the better 7-inch touch screen, as well as Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
There’s only one engine option, but it’s a good one – a 190-horsepower turbo-four that’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Together they deliver plenty of power, and they do so efficiently. Fuel economy is excellent: up to 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. This isn’t one of the more exciting compact SUVs to drive, but it handles easily and the steering is composed. Finally, it comes with a lengthy list of active safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, among others.
More Shopping Tools from U.S. News & World Report
To learn more about these cars and how they relate to the competitors in their respective classes, visit our new car rankings. Once you settle on a crossover or small SUV you want, click through to our new car financing deals and lease deals pages to discover current discounts and incentives that will lower your price.
When you’re ready to head to the dealership, visit our U.S. News Best Price Program before you walk in the door. You’ll find the best pre-negotiated price, and you can print and carry it with you to the dealer. On average, consumers save around $3,000 on the price of a new car by using this program.
The 13 Best Crossover SUVs of 2021: Photos and Details
- 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: $38,410 | U.S. News Score: 8.0/10
- 2020 Kia Sorento: $26,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
- 2021 Kia Soul: $17,490 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
- 2021 Ford Escape: $24,885 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
- 2021 Mazda CX-30: $21,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
- 2021 Mazda CX-9: $33,960 | U.S. News Score 8.3/10
- 2021 Hyundai Palisade: $32,525 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
- 2021 Kia Sportage: $23,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
- 2021 Hyundai Kona: $20,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
- 2021 Kia Telluride: $31,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: $26,275 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2021 Mazda CX-5: $25,270 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2021 Honda CR-V: $25,350 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
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These Great Crossover SUVs Should Be on Your 2021 Shopping List
Crossover SUVs are easily the best-selling vehicles in the United States. As demand has grown, so too has the number of new SUV models coming to market. This creates a favorable environment for shoppers.
Whether your priority is cargo space, ride quality, technology, or price, there are multiple models to choose from. If there’s a downside to this, it’s that finding the best vehicle to fit your needs requires considerable research.
Fortunately, U.S. News has done the hard work for you. We have compiled a list of the 13 best crossover SUVs as determined by the overall scores we assign them. Our overall scores take into account objective measurables such as fuel economy, crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and predicted reliability ratings. We also consider the consensus opinions of the automotive press.
For shoppers on a tight budget, small SUVs are a great choice. There are a couple of subcompact and compact SUVs that make our list and start at under $21,000. People who regularly tow a small trailer but don’t require the muscle of a full-size truck will discover models with towing capacities of up to 5,000 pounds. That’s more than enough for towing a couple Jet Skis or a single-axle trailer. You’ll even find crossovers that can carve corners; maybe not as well as a sports car, but with enough grip and verve to satisfy drivers who genuinely enjoy the behind-the-wheel experience. Some even have mild off-road capability.
There are lots of people movers on this list, too, as well as models with truly cavernous cargo holds. Cabins range from comfortable to downright luxurious. Finally, tech lovers will find plenty of models here to embrace, as the standard list for infotainment and active safety features continues to grow on many models.
These vehicles are ranked in ascending order, based on their U.S. News overall scores. In the event of a tie (there were a few here), the vehicle with the lower starting price will take the higher position.
As you review our list, keep in mind that U.S. News is constantly updating its scores as more information and data become available. It’s possible, therefore, that the scores here may not align with the current scores on the U.S. News site.
To see the best crossover SUVs, click through to the next slide.