The arrival of the little ones in this glorious world means having to change their transport methods. You know what to do: get rid of the sports car or the flashy convertible for something with more doors, seats and cup holders. And for the most part, this also means awkward appearance and dynamic, mediocre driving. Not all hope is lost, however, because 2021 inaugurates a number of crossovers and SUVs that can soften the blow of selling that roadster of yours, or at least help you lose a little less your single cab pickup.
Crossovers and SUVs (and for the sake of brevity, we’re using the last term across the board here) are usually criticized by enthusiasts for being terrible, tall machines that changed the automotive landscape and somehow introduced a horrible driving dynamic for the masses . (You know, because all those heavy, big American sedans, wagons and trucks of yore were universally so sharp and agile.)
Dodge
The truth is that SUVs and crossovers are money-making machines for automakers, providing the necessary financing to build all the cool things that enthusiasts love. But you no longer need a sports car to have fun driving.
In the past few years, SUVs have gotten substantially better at all this “driving experience” thing – and not just by putting huge engines under the hood, like the Dodge did with the Durango Hellcat, but by putting high-tech suspensions, brakes and other technologies and supercar components on family trucks.
The result? Powerful, agile, elegant and fun SUVs. Yes i just said Fun. If you think not, check the list below.
2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat
The Durango is already a solid SUV in its own right. It is a simple and practical three-tier SUV that offers good value for money. But unlike the base models, the newly launched Hellcat finish is strong enough to take a wide variety of sports cars off the line and still tow 8,700 pounds.
Dodge
Under the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 offering 710 horsepower and 645 foot-pounds of torque. Most importantly, he gets an adjusted suspension that further improves the already tightened steering of the Durango SRT, while the Brembo brakes at the front and rear keep things under control.
2021 Kia Telluride
Driving fun doesn’t have to be limited to asphalt, because, let’s face it, driving off a known path can be a really cool family activity on the weekend. The mechanical and design attributes of the Kia Telluride bode well for parents who like to explore nature. After all, its name is a tribute to Telluride, Colorado, a destination much appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts.
Kia
Powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 291 horsepower, Telluride can use its four-wheel drive system and 20 centimeters of ground clearance to explore smooth trails, regardless of soil conditions. If you want to take toys for a ride, it can also tow up to 5,000 pounds. It is also a beautiful and surprisingly premium option that will change any outdated opinions you may have about Kia as a brand.
2021 Mazda CX-5
The stylish Mazda CX-5 is probably the best handling crossover that $ 30,000 can buy. It shares the sporting DNA that is also found in iconic cars like the MX-5 Miata, which means that you feel a real connection to the road when you turn the wheel, step on the gas and hit the brake.
Mazda
Two engines can be placed on the CX-5, both 2.5-liter four-cylinder mills, although one can be naturally aspirated and the other turbocharged. The NA engine produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the new turbocharged unit produces up to 250 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. Guess which one we prefer.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71
How can something big and bloated be fun to drive? As I proclaimed in my analysis, the all-new Tahoe is the king of the road, offering an efficient, smooth and comfortable ride through city streets, interstates and unpaved mountain roads.
Chevrolet
The 5.3-liter 355-horsepower V8 that powers the new Tahoe is capable and refined, making it a joy to drive all day, every day. Taking the kids to school? No problems. Taking a no-frills trip around the country with your family? You bet.
Opt for the 6.2-liter 420 hp V8 for even more power, though keep in mind that only the 5.3 engine can deliver the maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds.
Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021 performance edition
Say what you want about Mach-E being part of the Mustang line, but facts are facts: Mach-E Performance Edition rocks 480 horsepower and can do zero to 60 in just 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a heavy, battery-powered, family-owned SUV, huh?
Ford
Of course, all that power comes at a price, and the supplemented Mach-E will return just 235 miles in range with a full battery, which is considerably less than the Premium, First Edition or California Route 1 models that offer 270 to 300 miles. . So, you have to connect more often, but think how much fun will you have on the way to the supermarket?
2021 Acura RDX
The original Acura RDX was a turbocharged crossover with four-wheel drive. After a second generation model with mediocre design and performance, the new generation RDX once again goes back to its roots with a killer look and incredible handling, making it one of my favorite SUVs to spot in the school delivery queue .
The cure
A 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 272 horsepower and is combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional, but worth it for driving pleasure and safety in inclement weather. You can even get one at NSX’s Thermal Orange if you snatch one of the 360 PMC Edition units.
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Whether you like off-road, mountain biking, camping or simply towing jet skis to the lake, there is hardly a better SUV for the outdoor enthusiast family than the Toyota 4Runner. Offered in a variety of finishes ranging from the basic SR5 to the super-capable (and expensive) TRD Pro, its high suspension, bulletproof engine and legendary reliability will get you there.
Toyota
The current 4Runner has been around for a decade, so as a car model it is one of the oldest on our list, but it is also proven and predictable. Its bold 4.0-liter V6 engine sends 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with a low-range transfer case.
The higher versions of the 4Runner offer a variety of off-road advantages such as tracking control, hill descent assistance, differential locking and Fox dampers combined with TRD-adjusted helical springs.
2021 BMW X3 M
There can be many reasons to cry about the modern BMW M Car: its weight, its price tags, its uninspiring cyborg performance and, of course, those awful grills. But for each of these flaws, there is an extended BMW M SUV willing to separate your face and that of your family. Cue on the BMW X3 M.
BMW
Offering 473 horsepower in its 3.0 liter biturbo in a row of six – the competition trim increases to 503 – this compact crossover is violently fast with a zero to 60 time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 161 mph. It will even do the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 119 mph. This is faster than many so-called sports cars.
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S
Let the Germans create a full-size SUV with 603 horsepower (624 with EQ Boost), an extremely fast nine-speed automatic transmission and an active suspension system so advanced that you can basically adjust each wheel individually – if at all. reason why you want to do this. That sums up GLE 63 S.
Mercedes-Benz
Powered by a 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine, the GLE SUV, according to our latest analysis, makes sport sedans useless. How not, with a trunk big enough for baby strollers, football equipment, luggage, groceries or anything else your day offers, plus the ability to reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 174 mph. You will never be late again.
2021 Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is not exactly a powerful SUV, nor a competent off-roader. So why does he appear on that list? Like the Mazda CX-5, it offers a fun driving experience thanks to its sporty driving dynamics. He doesn’t rely on screaming energy bags or body kits to put a smile on his face. Instead, the sturdy suspension and agile steering make you feel like you’re driving something a lot more sporty and cool than it really is.
Audi
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a respectable 248 horsepower, providing enough energy to move quickly through the city without burning too much fuel. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, so running errands in the dead of winter shouldn’t be a problem. If your pockets are deep enough, however, you can opt for the 349 horsepower SQ5 variant with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo.
Another attractive option is the plug-in hybrid Q5, the Q5 55 TFSI, which, despite its silly name, offers SQ5 levels of power while drinking gas and offers 19 miles of pure electric range. There is a reason why Audi sells so many Q5s.
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