Best new SUVs to buy in 2021

Looking through an assortment of various size and power-source SUVs for the year ahead.

With crossovers and SUVs continuing to do big business for manufacturers, we’ve looked at some of the best SUVs due in for 2021. We’ve split them into three categories, focusing more on larger, family-suitable machines, rather than the compact models.

MID-SIZED SUVs

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Alfa Romeo TonaleA smaller SUV to go alongside the Stelvio and based on the similar Jeep Renegade, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will compete with the likes of the Audi Q2, Mercedes GLA, BMW X1, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40. It should have stylish looks and decent driving manners, but it’ll be relatively affordable too.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai TucsonFormerly Ireland’s best-selling car in Mk3 guise, the all-new Mk4 Tucson has landed and is marked out by its dramatic front-end styling. Expect hybrid and, eventually, plug-in hybrid drivetrains, as well as the usual petrol and diesel options, in this five-seat SUV.

Peugeot 3008

Peugeot 3008When the 3008 Mk2 arrived in 2017, it morphed from the old, blobby MPV thing it was previously into a sharp-suited SUV. A facelift is due in 2021, which will improve the interior on the French machine – and, as the 3008 has one of the best cabins in the business, this is excellent news all round.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen TiguanJust facelifted with smart exterior looks and a more digitised interior, the Tiguan comes in regular five-seat, short-wheelbase and also Allspace seven-seat long-wheelbase formats. Volkswagen hasn’t done much to change the smooth turbocharged petrol and diesel drivetrains, but a high-performance Tiguan R with 320hp is on the way, as is a plug-in hybrid model.

LARGE SUVs

Audi Q7

Audi Q7Audi has facelifted its flagship seven-seat SUV and it looks good on the outside, while offering a vast, high-quality cabin within. There’s even a TFSI e plug-in hybrid version that’s a bit easier on fuel and which offers almost 50km of zero-emissions range – although bear in mind this model can only be specified as a five-seater, not a seven.

BMW X7

BMW X7Been around a while and it’s not exactly pretty, but if you want a luxurious big seven-seat SUV then you could do a lot worse than BMW’s grandest machine in 2021. Powerful engines and a surprisingly spry chassis underpin this one, which makes the (optionally) seven-seat X5 look a bit redundant.

Kia Sorento

Kia SorentoAt a much more affordable level than the other three vehicles in this section, the new Sorento is a deeply impressive machine. Its cabin is crammed with clever storage solutions and USB sockets in all the right places to keep kids entertained, while it has refined driving manners and the option of diesel or plug-in hybrid drivetrains, too.

Mercedes GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLSMercedes views this as a high-riding S-Class and it’s easy to see why. The GLS is enormous within, a direct corollary of the fact it is also enormous without, but sleeker styling for the all-new third-generation variant makes it look appealing. Sumptuous V6 diesel is available but, for those who need it, there’s also a deranged GLS 63 AMG version.

ELECTRIC SUVs

Audi e-tron Sportback

Audi e-tron SportbackThe ‘full’ SUV e-tron has been around for a few years now, but the racier-looking Sportback manages to maintain much of the family practicality in its rakish body. Battery packs of either 71- or 95kWh give plenty of zero-emissions range, while a 503hp ‘S’ model also brings performance to the e-tron party.

BMW iX3

BMW IX3As conventional as electric SUVs can look, the BMW iX3 is virtually indistinguishable from its petrol- and diesel-powered brethren. Some will eschew it for that reason, wanting their EVs to overtly display their planet-saving credentials, but if all you want is a classy SUV with zero-emissions running costs, the iX3 is the obvious choice.

Skoda Enyaq

Skoda EnyaqHard to explain just how good a job Skoda’s stylists have done with the Enyaq, the Czech company’s first-ever production EV. It’s solid-looking and chunky, and has a premium air that wouldn’t disgrace BMW right now. Even 60kW Enyaq models will do the guts of 400km on a single charge but bigger battery packs are available, bringing even more range to the Skoda EV too. Shame it’s sold out for 2021.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model YThis is on sale in its native California but we’re still waiting for it over here in Europe. Nevertheless, the Model Y – little brother to the Model X SUV and based on the underpinnings of the Model 3 – will offer mega range on a single charge, plenty of performance and Tesla’s trademark minimalistic interior with huge portrait touchscreen controls.

Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge

Volvo Electric XC40The XC40 is a cracking premium SUV anyway, with some lovely petrol and plug-in hybrid petrol powertrains to consider. But a full electric model is due in for 2021, using the running gear from the incredible Polestar 2. The P8 won’t be cheap, but it will be classy.