The segment of full-size SUVs isn’t the most popular segment in the automotive industry. We can’t say that these vehicles are some big moneymakers either. Still, every carmaker puts a lot of effort into these models and the main reason lays in the fact that most customers see these vehicles as a matter of prestige. That’s why the near future is bringing a lot of interesting novelties to us.
We are about to see a lot of interesting novelties for the next model year. When it comes to complete redesigns, the biggest novelties are coming from General Motors, as the whole full-size SUV lineup is about to get a complete overhaul. This includes models like Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, and the luxurious Cadillac Escalade. The big news is coming from Land Rover too, as the all-new Range Rover is on the way as well.
On the other side, some carmakers won’t introduce completely redesigned models, but they have still prepared a nice number of novelties. For example, Nissan will introduce a facelifted Armada, while Audi brings a new hi-performance version of Q7. Finally, there are smaller updates in terms of new trim levels of packages, which are coming from companies like Hyundai and Ford. All in all, the upcoming year will be very exciting for the segment of full-size SUVs. So, we’ve prepared our list of 10 best new full-size SUVs for 2021:
2021 Cadillac Escalade
The new generation of Escalade has already been presented and it is about to hit the market this summer. GM finally has a model that can compete with the excellent Lincoln Navigator, which has been considered as one of the best luxury SUVs in the last few years. Things could easily change now, as the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is coming better than ever.
The new generation comes improved in many aspects. First of all, there is a new platform, the same T1 architecture that has been introduced with Silverado, Sierra, and other full-size truck-based models. It saves some weight and also makes the new model much better to drive. One of the reasons also lays in the fact that the new model comes standard with an independent rear suspension, which is highly beneficial in many ways, starting from an improved level of comfort, better driveability, and even more cargo space.
Of course, you may count on new aesthetics, based on the Escala concept, which looks very elegant, thanks to a lot of classic design solutions. The interior impresses even more, as it brings not just more legroom for passengers, but notably higher overall quality as well. The dashboard looks really classy and it is highlighted by a large unit that consists of three TFT screens, which covers pretty much everything, from instrument gauges to the infotainment system.
Under the hood, there is a familiar 6.2-liter V8, which puts out around 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A big novelty is the addition of a diesel version. Of course, we are talking about a 3.0-liter turbodiesel, which delivers around 280 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
As we’ve just mentioned, the new model should hit the market this summer. Base models will go around 77.500 dollars.
Read more about the new Cadillac Escalade.
2021 Audi Q7
This crossover is among older models in the segment, but still a highly competitive, mostly because of the last-year facelift. That refresh has brought a lot of novelties, starting from the new styling that is based on the brand’s latest design language. Still, that doesn’t mean that the next year won’t bring any particular change. We are about to see a new hi-performance version.
The new version will come as the 2021 Audi SQ7 and it will feature a lot of upgrades compared to the standard model. This version has already been in the offer in Europe for some time but with a diesel engine. For this occasion, it will come with the company’s well-known 4.0-liter V8, which will be tuned to around 500 horsepower for this occasion. With such an amount of power, we expect it will be able to hit 60 in about 4.3 seconds. Besides the powerful engine, this version will come with several more upgrades, starting from a stiffer suspension setup and bigger brakes. Also, count on various additions in terms of styling details. Base models should go around 85.000 dollars.
The rest of the lineup is about to carry on in the same way. This means you may count on an attractive, but also on a spacious and practical crossover. It comes with loads of standard equipment and one of the finest cabins in the class. We expect to see it sometime in the last quarter of the year, with the base price around 55.000 dollars.
2021 GMC Yukon XL
This is a big year for General Motors, as the complete SUV lineup is coming completely new. Of course, this includes the Yukon, as well as its long-wheelbase version. The 2021 GMC Yukon XL is coming with a completely new design, with notable improvements in all aspects, including significantly more cargo volume and legroom in the third row of seats.
In terms of base characteristics, it won’t be any different compared to most of the lineup. We are talking about the new T1 platform, which saves hundreds of pounds and makes this huge SUV more efficient. Moreover, an independent rear suspension is also standard, so you may count on superior comfort and overall driving experience. Another interesting thing to mention is that the Denali trim will now feature a completely different, exclusive dashboard design.
Still, the thing that interests us most is the interior space. The new model is bigger than its predecessor in all aspects. First of all, it adds more than four inches in wheelbase, so overall length goes all away up to 225.1 inches. In terms of interior dimensions, this means significantly more cargo space. The overall volume goes all-away up to 144.7 cubic feet. Behind the third row, this goes up to 44.1 cubic feet, while the third row also features more legroom, around 36.7 inches.
The new model is about to hit the market sometime this summer. Base models should go around 52.000 dollars.
2021 Chevy Tahoe
Like every other full-size SUV from GM, Chevy Tahoe is also coming completely redesigned. The new model brings a plethora of novelties but the first thing that comes to mind is interior space. The new model features notably stretched wheelbase. This provides significantly more space on the inside, which is one of the most critical points of the current generation. You may count on ten more inches in the third row, while the overall cargo volume goes all-away up to nearly 123 cubic feet. For comparison, that’s more than you get in the outgoing Suburban.
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe rides on a new platform, which saves between 200 and 300 pounds in curb weight. Also, an independent suspension is now part of the standard equipment and provides significantly improved ride quality and level of comfort. Speaking of comfort, the new cabin looks far more upscale compared to the outgoing model. You may count on much finer materials and loads of new tech features.
Under the hood, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe continues with familiar V8 engines. Base models are equipped with a well-known 5.3-liter V8. Interestingly, it keeps the same output of 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The bigger 6.2-liter V8 also keeps the same output of 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The two familiar gasoline units are joined by a familiar 3.0-liter turbodiesel. It puts out around 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
The new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is expected to hit the market sometime this summer. Base models will go around 50.500 dollars.
Read more about the new Chevy Tahoe.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
As you may presume, the arrival of Tahoe also means the arrival of the new Suburban. The long-living nameplate is reserved for Chevy’s stretched SUV and other than the size, it’s hard to find any essential differences. The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban also rides on a new T1 platform and also features standard independent rear suspensions. These are all fantastic things, but the most impressive thing about the new model, as you may presume is the size.
The new model is notably bigger than the outgoing version. It features a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase, while the overall length goes all-away up to 225.7 inches. With such numbers, it’s no wonder that you may count on impressive amounts of space. The third row now offers almost 37 inches in legroom, so we can say that all three rows are easily adult-friendly. Furthermore, there are more than 41 cubic feet behind the third row, while the overall cargo space goes all-away to 145 cubic feet.
Of course, you may count on a new styling, which features pretty much the same front end as Chevy Silverado 1500. The rest of the body comes in a typical wagon layout, while the thing we particularly like about this SUV is its new cabin design, which includes a far more upscale layout than before. The engine line-up now also includes a 3.0-liter turbodiesel, while the rest of the offer consists of familiar V8 units.
We expect to see the new model sometime this summer, with the base price around 53.000 dollars.
Read more about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban.
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser
Huge novelties are expected from the Japanese manufacturer, as the rumors say 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser will come completely redesigned. It’s not hard to conclude that the changes will be huge, as the current generation has been around for a full 13 years. At this point, the company still hides most details as a secret. Moreover, we haven’t heard any particular thing from Toyota, so some experts suggest that this overhaul may not come as soon as expected.
In any case, there is no doubt that the next generation will bring loads of novelties. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is a new powertrain. Obviously, the current engine is too thirsty by modern standards, so we count on something far more efficient for the new model. Most likely, that will be a V6 Hybrid. Some sources suggest a max output of 299 horsepower, but that system would probably come as a replacement of the international diesel version. On the other side, North American models would probably feature the same powertrain as Tundra, with around 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
Naturally, we will see a new platform, a body-on-frame version of the new TNGA architecture. It will bring significant improvements for sure, though we have no doubt that the new model won’t lose anything of its original character, which makes it the ultimate luxury off-roader. Also, we count on new aesthetics and some rendering photos in Japanese magazines clearly show an evolutionary approach. Big novelties are coming on the inside as well and besides more luxury, we also count on more space, especially in the third row. More details should be known in the near future.
Read more about the new Toyota Land Cruiser.
2021 Nissan Armada
Big novelties are coming from Nissan, as the flagship Armada is about to receive a facelift. Although the current generation hasn’t been on the market for that long, the Armada is actually pretty much the same vehicle as Patrol, which means we are talking about a vehicle that has been around for a full decade. So, updates seem more than needed.
The testing model has been spotted already and despite the camouflage, it’s not hard to make predictions. We have no doubt that the new version will feature the same front end as the recently updated Patrol, which came with completely new headlights, as well as with tweaked grille and bumper. The 2021 Nissan Armada will come with the same styling, while we also count on things like new color options, wheels etc.
On the inside, we count on a new infotainment system and a bigger screen. That would probably be a new 9-inch unit that recently debuted in the refreshed Titan. A few more additions to the list of standard features are expected as well. Changes are expected under the hood, as the current 5.6-liter V8 is about to get refreshed. We are about to see a mild power boost of 10 horsepower. So, a max output should go up to 400 ponies. Also, we count on a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
The updated 2021 Nissan Armada is about to hit the market sometime in the second half of the year. When it comes to the price, we don’t expect bigger changes, so base models should go around 48.500 dollars. This update should keep Armada competitive for a couple of more years, as the next generation probably won’t come before 2023.
Read more about the 2021 Nissan Armada.
2021 Land Rover Range Rover
The Range Rover is one of those models that popularized the luxury SUV segment. So, every redesign brings huge expectations. After eight years of production, the current version will be replaced with a new one, which will bring improvements in various aspects, starting from a new platform, massive electrification, and completely new aesthetics.
The British manufacturer has developed a completely new, modular platform, with massive use of aluminum and other lightweight materials. Still, that doesn’t mean that the new model will lose any of its rigidity and toughness. There is no doubt that the new model will keep and even improve its superior off-road performances, but the focus of this redesign will rather be efficiency.
That’s why we are about to see massive electrification. It looks like all or most of the powertrain options will come with some assistance from electric motors. Base models will come with a classic hybrid setup, while a plug-in version seems certain as well. Moreover, we can read a lot of reports about the new diesel hybrid powertrain, which promises spectacular mpg ratings. Finally, we believe that the British manufacturer will also introduce an all-electric version in the future. So far, we haven’t heard anything about a V8 version.
Of course, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover will come with new styling as well. Still, we don’t expect to see anything radical in the new model. We are about to see the same conservative approach. The testing model has been on the streets for a while and despite the camouflage, we presume it will have a lot in common with the new Defender. Of course, in a much bigger package. A long-wheelbase version is on the way.
We expect to see the new model sometime in the second half of the year, with the base price between 90.000 and 100.000 dollars.
2021 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package
The Explorer has been redesigned last year and that overhaul has brought significant changes in various aspects, which made this SUV a much better vehicle. For the next year, we are about to see novelties as well. In this case, the XLT Sport Appearance Package is coming back. Introduced three years ago in the previous generation, this package offers various visual updates, which allow buyers to get a really attractive car at a reasonable price. That’s the main reason why we believe this version will be highly successful, as the package will be available in the base XLT trim level that starts at 36.600 dollars.
This package brings various visual upgrades. On the outside, you may count on a lot of new parts painted in a nice Carbonized Grey color, starting from wheels, grille, and skid plates, while dual chrome exhaust pipes can easily be notices on the other end. Also, this version will come with exclusive “Explorer” lettering on the hood.
When it comes to the interior upgrades, the new things are mostly in terms of color schemes, while there is also a partial-leather ActiveX material instead of cloth on seats. Grey details are all around the cabin, on the dash and doors. Still, the overall cabin layout remains pretty much the same and you shouldn’t expect any particular exclusivity in terms of standard equipment.
We expect to see the 2021 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package sometime in the second half of the year. Details about the price are still not available, but we expect that the new model will go around 38-39.000 dollars. Other than the new package, we don’t expect significant novelties for the second production year, so the 2021 Ford Explorer should carry on in the same way. Some sources suggest a PHEV version on the U.S. market but the company is still quiet on this matter.
Read the in-depth review about 2021 Ford Explorer.
2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
The Korean manufacturer surprised us with the recent launch of Palisade, which is the largest and most luxurious vehicle that has ever come from this brand. Now, it looks like things are about to become even more luxurious, as we are about to see the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, a new flagship version of the SUV. This trim level already debuted in Korea and we expect to see it available in North America in the second half of the year.
The new trim will sit above the Limited version and it will come with an even more impressive list of standard features. You may count on a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen, Nappa leather, heated and ventilated seats, self-leveling rear suspension, and more. This version will also stand out in terms of styling. We are about to see things like a chrome grille, unique wheels design, and more.
Under the hood, things will remain the same. So, you may count on a familiar 3.8-liter V6, which puts out around 291 horsepower and comes in pair with 8-speed automatic transmission. In terms of fuel economy, you may count on class-average ratings. In numbers – about 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The exact details about pricing are still unavailable, but we presume that this version will probably go around 50.000 dollars. Allegedly, the Korean carmaker prepares another, even more, luxurious version of the Palisade for the future. Reports suggest the “VIP” name. However, this version probably won’t make it to the North American market.