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Best Luxury SUVs for 2021

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Car and Driver’s ratings and rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors’ subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We have rated the Best Luxury SUVs for 2021 on a 10-point scale based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We then use those ratings to rank them against the other vehicles in their segment. We take ratings and rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you’re interested in.

By Size

2021 Volvo XC40

9.5
/10
C/D RATING
1
Editors Choice Icon
2021 Volvo XC40
Starting at
$34,795
EPA MPG
25–26 combined

2021 BMW X1

9
/10
C/D RATING
2
Editors Choice Icon
2021 BMW X1
Starting at
$36,395
EPA MPG
26–27 combined

2021 BMW X2

8.5
/10
C/D RATING
3
Editors Choice Icon
2021 BMW X2
Starting at
$37,595
EPA MPG
26–27 combined

2021 Porsche Macan

10
/10
C/D RATING
1
Editors Choice Icon
10Best
2021 Porsche Macan
Starting at
$53,450
EPA MPG
20–21 combined

2021 BMW X3

9
/10
C/D RATING
2
Editors Choice Icon
2021 BMW X3
Starting at
$43,995
EPA MPG
23–27 combined

2021 Volvo XC60

9
/10
C/D RATING
3
Editors Choice Icon
2021 Volvo XC60
Starting at
$42,795
EPA MPG
23–25 combined

2021 Genesis GV80

10
/10
C/D RATING
1
Editors Choice Icon
10Best
2021 Genesis GV80
Starting at
$49,925
EPA MPG
20–23 combined

2021 Porsche Cayenne

9.5
/10
C/D RATING
2
Editors Choice Icon
2021 Porsche Cayenne
Starting at
$68,850
EPA MPG
17–20 combined

2021 BMW X5

9.5
/10
C/D RATING
3
Editors Choice Icon
2021 BMW X5
Starting at
$60,395
EPA MPG
18–23 combined

How We Test Cars

How we test cars
A Quick Guide to Car and Driver’s Comprehensive Car Testing

For more than 60 years we've been answering the objective questions—How fast? How quick? How much grip?—comprehensively, and with an authority based in experience that our readers have come to rely on. Read on for the full details on how we collect more than 200 data points on the roughly 400 vehicles that we test every year.

Arrow down IconOur comprehensive car testing explained

Our Car Testing Expert

Dave Vanderwerp

Dave Vanderwerp

Director, Vehicle Testing

Dave VanderWerp has spent more than 20 years in the automotive industry, in varied roles from engineering to product consulting, and now leading Car and Driver's vehicle-testing efforts.

What We Test

PLUS: Dozens of other vehicle attributes that allow us to holistically review and rate a vehicle.

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