RANKED: THE BEST LUXURY SUVs FOR 2021
Our list to help you pull the trigger on a top premium SUV
Comfort, style, practicality, and power. Our list of the best luxury SUVs of 2021 offers the highest luxury experience on wheels.
Consumers expect a lot from today’s top-rated SUVs. They need to be geared for practicality but with equipped with the specs of a performance car! We are pleased to report that the big players in the industry are increasingly improving their offer to make the competition tighter. The luxury SUV market is exploding in 2021, and even the most traditional luxury automakers are joining in on the fun.
Most luxury car brands now offer hybrid and fully electric models as well. These SUV EVs promise a lot of speed and fun in a greener package. But that is not all! From improved safety ratings to semi-autonomous driving characteristics, you’ll see in our ranking that innovation continues to drive the SUV market.
As the purchase of a car is not only decided with the exterior, interior, and trunk measurements, below we share our thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of the best of the premium SUV segment. Although all have all-wheel drive, some stand out more for their off-road capabilities and others for being much more oriented to driving on asphalt.
Ready to buy your next luxury SUV? We’re reviewing the best premium SUVs of 2021 to help you find the right one for you.
2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: One of the sportiest options you can buy in the luxury SUV segment Pros: Compelling performance, another stunning cabin from Porsche, packed with tech and safety features Cons: Expensive base price and options, compromised rear visibility, small boot |
The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is one of the sportiest SUVs to buy this year, especially notable for its high-performance DNA.
Each generation of the Cayenne has stood out for carrying out all the style of the Porsche brand with both futuristic and classic lines, and especially in this Turbo version offering impressive performance. This version is one of the most well-equipped versions of the Porsche Cayenne.
The Cayenne Turbo also has an exquisite interior with excellent quality of materials and above all, a sporty cabin design that combines technology, luxury, comfort, and excitement. It’s important to consider that it only seats five passengers, which by the way will be very comfortable. In the features department, it comes with the Porsche Communication Management system, connectivity with Apple CarPlay, Porsche Vehicle Tracking System, and Bose sound with 14 hi-fi speakers.
Under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque, 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Because of these specifications, its driving is exciting and responsive and fulfilling in terms of the comfort for the city.
If you’re looking to experience a true Porsche with all the performance, luxury, and comfort you’d expect from the brand, then the Cayenne Turbo 2021 it’s a no-brainer.
2021 Audi e-tron Sportback
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The e-tron comes with cutting edge tech and comparable performance to some sports cars Pros: Graceful ride and handling, good towing capabilities, mighty Quattro Cons: Competitors offer longer ranges, heavy battery pack, complicated infotainment system |
All-electric SUVs are a reality for the automotive industry and are increasingly becoming more popular. The 2021 Audi e-Tron Sportback 55 Advance is a great contender as it offers excellent performance and technology in the same package. The level of equipment and performance of the e-tron Sportback makes it a brilliant choice for those who want the best of many worlds like performance and comfort, and a completely technological design.
The interior of the e-tron is spacious, although it’s important to mention that it’s only for 5 passengers. The cabin offers an excellent quality of materials and comes loaded with plenty of tech, although the infotainment system, despite being full of features, is not very intuitive. Some highlights of the Audi Connect infotainment system are the digital instrument panel with 3 different views, smartphone interface, and high-fidelity Bang & Olufsen audio system.
In terms of performance, its electric motor produces 408 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. We’re talking sports car territory here. The powertrain of the Audi e-Tron is complemented by Audi’s Quattro technology and electric transmission.
Some may consider the 2021 Audi e-Tron Sportback a bit pricey, but keep in mind it offers the best from Audi. It’s perfect for those wanting to enter the luxury SUV segment with a sporty and technological EV that excels in performance. It’s one of our favorite models in the 2021 Audi line-up.
2021 Mercedes Benz G 63
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: It looks the same as previous years, but underneath is more luxurious and refined than ever Pros: Stunning interior and build quality, impressive off-road capabilities, plenty of high tech features Cons: Very expensive, not as sharp to drive as some competitors, thirsty engine |
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG G 63 is an SUV that not only offers off-road capabilities but also has the luxury you come to expect from Mercedes and the performance of an AMG.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class saw the light for the first time in 1979 and although it has changed little in its appearance, it has evolved technologically and mechanically, becoming a great exponent of the off-road SUV. This time we find the AMG variant that makes it a powerful, luxurious SUV capable of traversing any road. Of course, like every AMG model, it incorporates elements that make it look sportier, such as the grille with vertical chrome strips with the Mercedes Benz star floating in the center and the AMG logo on one side.
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG G 63 features a 12.3-inch instrument panel that can be customized depending on the information you may require. The infotainment screen is the same size and features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a Burmester audio system and dual-zone automatic climate control, as well as configurable 64-color ambient lighting.
The engine on this beast is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that generates 585 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque mated to a 9-speed transmission and four-wheel drive.
The Mercedes-AMG G 63 2 is an SUV that offers a 3-in-1 experience since you get a luxury SUV with he sports car performance and high-caliber off-road capabilities.
2021 Range Rover Sport HSE PHEVR
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: Stands out for its efficiency and for achieving the perfect merge between refinement, luxury, and sporty looks Pros: Compelling powertrain lineup, dominant off-road capabilities, modern and luxurious interior Cons: High-priced, not the most spacious cabin, mediocre infotainment system |
The Range Rover Sport HSE PHEV 2021 is a plug-in hybrid SUV that stands out for blending refinement and luxury with sportiness to offer a unique product. Its looks reflect the characteristic style of Land Rover but with a more sporty edge whilst the interior exudes refinement and elegance thanks to the design, quality, and diversity of tasteful materials.
In terms of technology, this Range Rover incorporates Matrix LED headlights with daytime running lights, steering response and automatic ignition, acoustic laminated windshield, rear fog lights, and power-fold heated side mirrors.
In the cabin, we find front seats with 16-way adjustment and memories, a very sharp Meridian premium sound system, plus ambient lighting an electrochromic mirror.
This SUV features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a 10-inch touchscreen with a navigation system and a digital instrumentation cluster. It’s worth mentioning that the infotainment system starts up slowly and it’s not very responsive.
As for the performance of the Range Rover Sport HSE PHEV, delivers good sensations and great efficiency thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that together develop 404 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.
Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 6 seconds and can hit up to 137 mph. We can say that this Range Rover is a fast SUV whose weight doesn’t become a terrible burden.
2021 Cadillac XT5
Credit: TheCarHP
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: Looks a bit conservative against some more edgy and modern rivals but Cadillac tried to keep this SUV up to date with a good level of equipment. Pros: Available zippier V6 engine, responsive and more precise automatic transmission, enhanced infotainment system Cons: Unimpressive interior, expensive top trims, not as exciting to drive as other options in the segment |
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 Sport is a midsize SUV that stands out for its elegant and refined exterior design. Although it looks somewhat conservative against some rivals, Cadillac has made an effort to keep up to date with a good level of equipment.
The same exterior parameters govern the XT5’s cabin. It doesn’t fall for extravagant decisions and looks conservative. It stands out for offering sufficient head and legroom in both rows and incorporates good quality materials to confirm its premium character.
This version of the XT5 comes with the Cadillac User Experience infotainment system with navigation, as well as a surround sound platform with 14 speakers provided by Bose, and a reconfigurable 8-inch color instrument cluster. It also offers the OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, and a Head-up Display reflected in the multicolored windshield.
The heart of the XT5 is a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission which supplies power to all four wheels.
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 Sport is a serious and stylish SUV. Its quality of materials and level of equipment for entertainment and safety reiterates its premium character. While it doesn’t look as modern or attractive as other alternatives, it will appeal to those looking for a midsize SUV in more conservative shapes.
2021 Infinity QX60
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: Versatile SUV with delicate luxury sensations, highly recommended if you’re in the market for a refined seven-passenger SUV Pros: Silent and comfortable ride, lots of room and storage areas, remarkable build quality Cons: Not the most captivating driving experience, doesn’t offer good off-road capabilities, unimpressive powertrain |
The Infiniti QX60 is a luxury SUV with plenty of goodies for family life, especially for those who are looking for an SUV with a third row that prioritizes luxury and comfort. It stands out for its elegant design, as well as a correct selection of interior materials and complete technological equipment. It also offers a hybrid version to keep fuel consumption at bay. Its major challenge is to face some rivals who boast a better selection of cabin materials, as well as a more modern and advanced technological offer.
On the outside, a design that mixes elegant lines with more dynamic lines characterizes the 2021 Infiniti QX60 Luxe. On the front, the chrome outline of the grille stands out, and on the side, more chrome moldings and good proportions prevent the QX60 from looking like a giant vehicle.
The first 2 versions come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 265 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque, while the Hybrid AWD variant incorporates a supercharged 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor that deliver a combined power of 250 horsepower. In both cases, the block connects to an X-Tronic CVT transmission with a 6-speed manual mode.
The Infiniti QX60 offers many virtues including plenty of driving aids that give greater certainty to our family journeys. Yet it falls short of more comprehensive options on this list.
2021 Acura RDX
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Our Thoughts: Pros & ConsSummary: The RDX offers a brilliant balance of driving excitement and elegance Pros: Driving sensation resembles a sports sedan, available Super Handling AWD system, the base model comes packed with standard features Cons: Not great for off-road, complex infotainment system, mediocre towing capacity |
The 2021 Acura RDX stands out for its powerful, sporty, and sophisticated design that, according to its creators, strikes a perfect balance between driving bliss and refinement.
This year it remains unchanged from the previous model. This version comes with 19-inch aluminum wheels, as well as a chrome-finished dual exhaust tailpipe, body-colored door handles with door lock sensor, mirrors with turn signals, defogger, and two-door mirror configurations. The lighting is LED Jewel Eye with daytime running lights. The RDX also comes with Acura’s Power Tailgate hands-free.
Starting with the entry version, the RDX offers an excellent selection of technologies such as the intelligent access system, keyless engine start, Homelink remote garage door opener, and a navigation system with voice commands.
In the entertainment department, it offers a 12 speaker ELS sound system with speed-sensitive volume control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4 fast-charging USB ports, Bluetooth, 10.2-inch screen, USB audio interface, and a 7-inch color Multi-information Display (MID).
Acura maintains the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine capable of delivering 261 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with sporty sequential shifts that give it exciting yet unimpressive handling.
If the 2021 Acura RDX Tech fits your budget, it’s well worth buying it. Not only it’s an attractive model, but its sporty spirit is reflected in every corner of the vehicle.
