Best Mid-Size SUV 2021: The verdict

For Best Mid-Size SUV 2021, we selected the 12 best and most post popular contenders from no fewer than 19 models available in this busy segment.

Because of the large and lucrative sales volumes within the highly competitive medium SUV sector, each manufacturer represented here has a model with plenty to offer buyers.

These are all competitive SUVs, each with their own attributes. Some have older safety ratings but offer incredible value; others have excellent driving performance but lack equipment expected at this level.

Similarly, some have more generous aftersales provisions than others but aren’t as cheap to run and/or service; others have plenty of multimedia tech but lack the comfort and convenience features offered by others.

All of this goes into the point-scoring mix and, although some of the final scores were tight, a clear overall pecking order was established.

Let’s work our way up to Best Medium SUV 2021...

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 Exceed AWD is well-priced, comprehensively equipped, fuel-efficient and the only SUV here with the versatility of seven seats as standard.

Yet age has not been kind to the Outlander. With a safety rating date stamp from seven years ago, an insipid drive experience and the lack of many latest technologies, the Outlander is just treading water until an all-new model arrives later this year.

How much does the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 Exceed AWD cost?
Price: $43,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 124kW/220Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014)

The 2021 MG HS 2.0 Essence X AWD is affordable, covers many of the bases in areas such as safety equipment, and its running costs are also reasonable.

However, its technology list lacks sizzle – there’s no DAB radio or wireless phone charging, for example – and the drive experience is diminished by suspension that lacks finesse.

How much does the 2021 MG HS 2.0 Essence X AWD cost?
Price: $42,990 (drive-away)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 168kW/360Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 9.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 221g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The 2021 Honda CR-V 1.5 VTi LX AWD scores reasonably well for technology and cost of ownership, but lacks some of the up-to-the-minute features found in key rivals.

The CR-V is not nearly as involving a drive as some of the better mid-size SUVs in this group, and its safety features list could be more comprehensive, given omissions such as blind spot monitoring.

How much does the 2021 Honda CR-V 1.5 VTi LX AWD cost?
Price: $47,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/240Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 169g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2021 Nissan X-TRAIL 2.5 Ti AWD is a bit dated in this company in some respects, which is no surprise since it has been on the market for nearly seven years.

The X-TRAIL did not score well for driving performance, as its around-town composure soon deteriorates at open-road speeds.

That said, the X-TRAIL has a surprisingly well-rounded safety suite and convenience features list that will stand it in good stead until a generational change takes place next year.

How much does the 2021 Nissan X-TRAIL 2.5 Ti AWD cost?
Price: $45,965 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 192g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2021 Kia Sportage 2.4 GT-Line AWD is another SUV that is getting long in the tooth and has a replacement due later this year.

However, it still boasts a competitive convenience features list, its cost of ownership benefits are persuasive.

While it scores reasonably well for safety and technology, the Sportage places towards the back of the pack when it comes to the overall driving experience.

How much does the 2021 Kia Sportage 2.4 GT-Line AWD cost?
Price: $46,090 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 135kW/237Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

The 2021 Skoda Karoq 2.0 140TSI Sportline AWD is an interesting alternative in the mid-size SUV market, with strong appeal in terms of performance and dynamics.

While the Karoq is well-priced, it misses out on some key safety, technology and convenience features unless you tick expensive options packages. Servicing costs are relatively high, too.

How much does the 2021 Skoda Karoq 2.0 140TSI Sportline AWD cost?
Price: $41,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 156g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

Right in the middle of the pack, the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD has a well-rounded safety package and its convenience features list is quite extensive.

In this company, however, neither is remarkable. The Subaru’s powertrain lacks polish and, aside from its stellar projected resale value, the Subaru is also on the expensive side when it comes to ownership costs.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD cost?
Price: $43,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 136kW/239Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

Once the benchmark in this segment in terms of both ride/handling and sales, the Mazda CX-5 has been overtaken by newer arrivals.

Yet the 2021 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Akera AWD still scores well for its safety, technology and ownership costs, and although its powertrain lacks sizzle, it’s still a dynamically rewarding vehicle to drive.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Akera AWD cost?
Price: $49,380 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 140kW/252Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 2.5 Edge AWD doesn’t achieve a podium finish but is very close with its impressive safety, ownership costs and technology scores.

The RAV4 is only diminished by its lack of some convenience equipment and not being quite as resolved as others on test here in terms of driving performance.

How much does the 2021 Toyota RAV4 2.5 Edge AWD cost?
Price: $48,915 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 152kW/243Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 166g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 162TSI Elegance AWD benefits from an excellent powertrain and chassis and has safety very well covered, as it also does with its extensive convenience features.

Yet there are some anomalies in the technology features list (such as no digital radio), and not only is it the most expensive medium SUV on test to buy and service, but its tyres are pricier than average too.

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 162TSI Elegance AWD cost?
Price: $50,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 162kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 195g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

The 2021 Ford Escape 2.0 Vignale AWD is the surprise package in this group, delivering strong results in the areas of convenience, safety and technology features.

Ford’s mid-size SUV contender is also one of the most affordable and well-rounded models here when it comes to cost of ownership.

Its powertrain is responsive and smooth and it has a dynamic chassis too, and the Escape’s sometimes brittle ride quality failed to prevent it being the runner-up in this mega-test.

How much does the 2021 Ford Escape 2.0 Vignale AWD cost?
Price: $49,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 183kW/387Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)

The new 2021 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Highlander AWD delivered impressive, consistent scores across almost all of our key parameters, ticking off more convenience, technology and safety features on average than any other model on test here.

It also drives very well, and is persuasive as far as ownership costs go, but it was marked down heavily because it does not yet carry an ANCAP safety rating.

The new Hyundai Tucson was a clear winner despite this and, if it does achieve the maximum five-star result we expect, there will be few reasons not to have it on top of your mid-size SUV shopping list.

That’s why the Tucson is carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV for 2021.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Highlander AWD cost?
Price: $50,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested