2021 SUVs to AVOID and Better Options

so today i'm looking at 2021 suvs to avoid some better options and some under the radar alternatives looking at small suvs mid-size both two-row and three-row as well as large suvs on my list i have about 17 or 18 vehicles to go through so let's get started beginning with a popular small suv to avoid in 2021 the ford escape msrp ranged between 25 and 38 000 fuel economy and mixed driving 26 miles per gallon now the escape lacks the fundamentals to compete with the best small suvs on the market today a key concern is it's well below average predicted reliability score by consumer reports in their tests the standard 1.5 liter turbo 3 cylinder only got 26 miles per gallon in mixed driving the numbers were 17 city 37 highway so they got 26 which is good although it provides sufficient oomph the engine transmits what they say is an annoying vibration at low engine speeds handling they say is nimble and secure which makes the escape fun drive but they found the ride as an underlying firmness and the over sensitive brake pedal makes it a challenge to smoothly come to a stop controls including the rotary gear selector are easy to use the front seats are a bit flat but the rear seat is quite roomy when set to the rear most position all escapes come standard with forward collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning a popular alternative to the ford escape is the 2021 mazda cx-5 price range between 25 and 37 000 so a little bit cheaper overall on both ends of the spectrum versus the escape fuel economy not as good overall is 24 miles per gallon reason to buy this ride quality quiet interior responsive and agile handling standard forward collision warning automatic emergency braking blind spot warning excellent reliability and very good owner satisfactions reason to skip they say so-so visibility complex controls and there are competitors obviously with better fuel economy now the under the radar choice is the chevrolet equinox price point between 24 and 33 000 fuel economy right there in the middle of the last two vehicles 25 in mixed driving reasons to buy generous interior room comfortable ride quiet interior easy to use controls comprehensive infotainment system standard for collision warning and automatic adversity braking reasons to skip so-so acceleration interior fit and finish feels cheap in some places now i'm going to give you two mid-size suvs with two rows to avoid an alternative and a couple of vehicles that are under the radar let's begin now with the 2021 chevrolet blazer popular mid-size two-row suv to avoid msrp between 29 and 45 grand overall fuel economy here's one of the reasons 19 and makes driving why to skip this one well chevrolet's mid-sized suv seats five passengers but it's focused more on styling and luxury and less on utility in addition it's below average predicted reliability hurts its overall score according to consumer reports all-wheel drive blazers get a smooth 305 horsepower v6 that returns an unimpressive 19 miles per gallon overall the suv rides and handles well it's quiet and the controls are easy to use but the low dash vents direct air to front occupants elbows to get for collision warning and automatic emergency braking you have to get the mid-trim version which bumps up the price blind spot warning is optional but available on all but the base trim a 193 horsepower four zone engine comes only on front wheel drive versions and a turbo two liter four-cylinder engine is also available the other popular row midsize suv to avoid according to consumer reports the honda passport which vehicle i do like msrp between 33 and 44 grand overall miles per gallon just 21. this shorter five-seat version of the pilot uses the same smooth refined 3.5 liter v6 and a 9-speed automatic transmission they only got 21 miles per gallon overall in their test they found the passport's ride to be rather stiff but without a marked improvement in handling agility the infotainment system they say is slow to respond and the push button gear selector is tricky to use without looking down at it the interior is roomy and full of handy storage places while forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard on all passports blind spot warning is not standard on the base trim level finally the passport has a below average predicted reliability rating the better choice over the blazer and passport is the 2021 ford edge msrp range between 31 and 43 000 overall miles per gallon 22 in makes driving 15 city 31 highway why is the ford better than the other two ford improved the edge's acceleration and fuel economy but more important it made key safety features standard the copilot 360 system includes forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection as well as blind spot warning which many competitors make optional or not available on some of their trims the edge is pleasant well rounded with agile handling a steady ride and a quiet interior that they say contributes to its premium feel again they got 22 miles per gallon overall in the 2-liter four-cylinder and all 2021 models get ford's new sync 4 infotainment system which includes wireless android auto and apple carplay connectivity there are two under the radar alternatives according to consumer reports they suggest a nissan murano msrp between 32.5 and 46.5 overall moss per gallon is 21. reason to buy the murano over the before mentioned plush interior easy cabin access straightforward infotainment system very good reliability it's good for hearing from them standard forward collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning reasons to skip rear and side visibility overly light steering hurts its agility and low towing capacity the other below the radar alternative they say which i like and very well received with awards and so on the hyundai santa fe price range between 26 and 39.5 overall miles per gallon is 21. some of the reasons to buy the santa fe standard safety features and handling the 2.4 liter engine was better than the optional turbo they tested they like the compose and nature of its handling and responsive steering a quiet cabin only by some engine noises that came in made it a little distracting all versions get the standard forward collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning plus there's an available system designed to prevent children or animals from being left behind when the driver leaves the vehicle popular mid-sized three-row suvs to avoid in 2021 the top choice by consumer reports to avoid the ford explorer price range between 32 and 55 grand approximately overall miles per gallon is just 21. even though it was recently redesigned the explorer is only a middling suv in a category with some strong competitors in their tests of the four-cylinder turbocharged engine and 10-speed automatic they only got 21 miles per gallon in overall fuel economy which wasn't any better than the v6 powered competitors and the transmission had some rough shifts the ride they also say was stiff and less compliant than many rivals on a positive note the explorer's cabin is roomy and quiet and has agile handling plus four collision warning automatic emergency braking for pedestrian detection and blind spot warning are standard but the explorers well below average predicted reliability rating further drives down its overall score it was one of the least reliable vehicles in their reliability surveys a popular alternative for consumer reports and many people across the country is the 2021 kia telluride myself included msrp range between 32 and 44 000 and change overalls miles per gallon is 21. so reasons to buy this as an alternative it's ride it's quietness breaking interior room controls standard equipment for the price standard for collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning excellent reliability and owner satisfaction ratings reasons not to buy it they say not very agile with more body lean than some rivals have so the under the radar choice is the mazda cx-9 msrp between 34 and 46 and a half overalls mile per gallon is 22 reasons to buy this ride handling quietness reliability owner satisfaction ratings standard for collision warning blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection reason to skip rear visibility controls tight driving position popular large luxury and non-luxury suvs to avoid in 2021 we begin with the luxury category mercedes-benz gls 76 to 160 000 that top price is alone enough for me to say no thanks overall miles per gallon is 20. now reasons why you should avoid this one they say the three row exudes luxury with its gorgeous interior strong smooth six-cylinder turbo and composed ride and all seats are comfortable and supportive and the third row is relatively roomy for adults plus it comes standard with forward collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection blind spot warning however well below average predicted reliability is just one of the reasons to skip it they also found the controls in the new mercedes-benz model to be distracting many functions they say are buried in its digital version of its customer service phone tree some actions take several steps such as adjusting a seat's lumbar support it's easy to inadvertently brush any of the car's many touch based controllers and end up changing a display or audio selection or toggling to a different seating position entirely the better choice in the luxury large suv category the bmw x7 75 grand to 140 grand so cheaper on the top end overall miles per gallon is 22. reason to buy it strong and smooth powerful train comfortable ride quiet cabin spacious interior that's well assembled with high quality materials good fuel economy and standard forward collision warning automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning reasons to skip daunting controls have a significant learning curve optional second row captain's chairs don't fold flat lane keeping assist system overzealously corrects course and it also requires premium fuel the under the radar alternative the 2021 buick enclave price point between 40 and 56 grand overall miles per gallon is 18 reasons to buy it rides comfortably quiet cabin very roomy interior easy to use infotainment system smooth and lively powertrain reasons to skip unintuitive gear selector fuel economy not a standout only upper trims get standard advanced safety features all right now some popular non-luxury large suvs to avoid number one the nissan armada price point between 34 and 45 grand it may be a better value than its identical infiniti qx80 but it's really not that great of a choice it's slick and robust 390 horsepower 5.6 liter v8 strong but fuel economy was only 14 in consumer reports overall tests though the soft suspension absorbs bumps the body jostles frequently handling is clumsy with slow steering and pronounced body roll but it's ultimately secure the cabin is spacious and the platinum trim is luxurious but the controls are a bit dated and cluttered and it's a far reach for some buttons and knobs the armada has a generous 8 500 pound towing capacity they've got the forward collision warning automatic emergency braking blind spot warning lane departure warning and rear cross traffic warning are all standard the better choice according to consumer reports is the expedition price point between 49 and 79 000 overall miles per gallon is just 16. so reason to buy it's powerful turbo v6 it's quiet interior easy to use infotainment system and controls spacious interior and standard for collision warning automatic emergency braking blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert warning reason to skip the ride is on the stiff side cabin access ponderous handling and fuel economy and finally the under the radar alternative the toyota sequoia price point between 50 and 70 grand fuel economy 15 in mixed driving 10 city 21 highway reason to buy strong and refined powertrain generous accommodations strong towing capability cabin storage power retractable rear window and standard for collision warning automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning reason to skip clumsy handling long stopping distance stiff and unsettled ride high step in low fuel economy even for the class so there you go those are some of the popular small midsize and large suvs to avoid in 2021 are there some that you'd like to add to this list if so or if you like to argue against the ones that were on this list leave in the comments section below and we'll continue the conversation there until next time i'm dave erickson thanks for watching adios thanks for watching please click subscribe and give us a thumbs up see you next time [Music] you

Channel: Everyman Driver

Views: 804,690

Rating: 4.696454 out of 5

Keywords: Everyman Driver, Dave Erickson, Car Review, New Car, 2021 SUVs

Id: L_sIRYIt-lE

Length: 14min 34sec (874 seconds)

Published: Thu Feb 18 2021