The 25 bestselling SUVs of 2021 include a wide range of models. There are compact crossovers for smaller families and 3-row SUVs for carrying the kids and all their friends. This list also includes an electric vehicle and several with excellent off-road capability. Even luxury brands made the rankings. Here are the 25 bestselling SUVs in the 2021 calendar year.
1. Toyota RAV4
Total units sold: 407,739
Winner of KBB’s 2021 Best Buy Award and No. 1 Best Compact SUV for 2021, the Toyota TM, -0.07% RAV4 was the bestselling SUV of 2021. It has high reliability ratings and a roomy interior with seating for five people. It also offers a plug-in hybrid variant for maximum fuel efficiency.
2. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V
Honda
Total units sold: 361,271
The Honda CR-V is a top-rated compact SUV. Both reliability and resale value are high, and it has a roomy interior with good cargo room. It also includes lots of standard safety features through its Honda HMC, +0.27% Sensing safety suite.
3. Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue
Nissan
Total units sold: 285,602
All-new for 2021, the Nissan NSANY, -0.47% Rogue has a smooth ride and a quality interior with attractive and durable materials. All-wheel drive is available with power coming from a responsive and fuel efficient 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep
Total units sold: 264,444
Combining the capability of a Jeep with a hefty dose of luxury, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has good resale value and a high tow rating. It’s a roomy and beautifully equipped 5-person SUV. There’s also the new 7-passenger Grand Cherokee L.
5. Toyota Highlander
Total units sold: 264,128
The Toyota Highlander is a 3-row SUV with seating for up to eight people. It has a standard V6 engine, good safety features, and high reliability and resale ratings. A hybrid model is also available.
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6. Ford Explorer
Total units sold: 219,871
The Ford F, -3.59% Explorer has seating for seven people with a spacious interior. There are a wide range of trims including hybrids and performance versions with lots of standard safety features.
7. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler
Jeep
Total units sold: 204,610
The Jeep brand is well-known for its off-road capability, and the Wrangler is the most capable vehicle in its lineup. It offers open-air driving with removable doors and a new plug-in hybrid variant for better fuel economy.
8. Tesla Model Y
Total units sold: 190,395
Breaking into the top 10 is the only electric vehicle on the list. The Tesla TSLA, -1.60% Model Y has seating for up to seven people and strong acceleration, ample driver assistance technology, and over-the-air updates that continually add new features.
Related: Tesla still dominates the EV market in the U.S., but these rivals are catching up
9. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX5
Mazda
Total units sold: 168,383
Sporty driving dynamics make the Mazda MZDAY, -1.04% CX-5 a top choice for driving enthusiasts. The exterior has a sleek, upscale look, and the interior boasts ample standard features with seating for five people.
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10. Chevrolet Equinox
Total units sold: 165,323
A low starting price and good standard safety features helped the Chevrolet Equinox make it into the top 10 vehicles on out list. There’s seating for five people in the Equinox with a roomy interior ideal for long trips.
11. Subaru Forester
Total units sold: 154,723
The Subaru FUJHY, +0.88% Forester has standard all-wheel drive with a roomy interior. A range of safety features are also standard and there’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance for managing rugged terrain.
12. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback
Subaru
Total units sold: 154,623
Combining the features of a wagon and an SUV in one versatile vehicle, the Subaru Outback comes with ample cargo room and good ground clearance. The Outback was also the winner of KBB’s 2021 5-Year Cost to Own and Best Resale Value awards.
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13. Hyundai Tucson
Total units sold: 150,949
The Hyundai HYMTF, -1.38% Tucson has a spacious and comfortable interior with good standard features. It also comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for peace of mind. It’s all-new for 2022, and the new model contributes to the Tucson’s impressive sales in 2021.
14. Ford Escape
Total units sold: 145,415
The Ford Escape has front-wheel drive or available AWD for added capability. It offers a choice between two gas engines, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid for those who prioritize fuel efficiency.
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15. Toyota 4Runner
Total units sold: 144,696
An off-road option with seating for up to seven people, the Toyota 4Runner has good cargo room and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The interior is attractive with durable materials that will stand up to outdoor adventures.
16. Honda Pilot
Total units sold: 143,062
Offering seating for up to eight people, the Honda Pilot has a roomy cabin and lots of room for cargo. The ride is smooth and its standard V6 engine provides solid performance.
See: The 2022 Honda Pilot does just about everything right
17. Honda HR-V
Total units sold: 137,090
High reliability and good resale value make the Honda HR-V a great choice. It also has a roomy and attractive interior and gets good fuel economy ratings.
18. Subaru Crosstrek
Total units sold: 127,466
The Subaru Crosstrek is KBB’s 2021 Subcompact SUV Best Resale Value Award winner. It features standard all-wheel drive and a newly available 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers strong performance.
19. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevy Traverse
Chevrolet
Total units sold: 116,250
Seating for up to eight people and a low starting price help make the Chevrolet Traverse a popular choice. It’s larger than other midsize SUVs and has a powerful V6 engine as a standard feature.
20. Lexus RX
Total units sold: 115,320
This luxury option has seating for up to seven people with a smooth, quiet ride. The interior is beautifully appointed, and the RX has strong resale and reliability ratings.
21. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai
Total units sold: 112,071
The Hyundai Santa Fe earned the top spot in KBB’s list of Best 2-Row Midsize SUVs for 2021. Refreshed for the 2021 model year, this Best Buy Award winner offers a choice of two gas engines and a hybrid, along with a long list of standard driver assistance features.
22. Volkswagen Tiguan
The VW Tiguan
Volkswagen
Total units sold: 109,743
Good safety scores and the option for a third row of seating make the Volkswagen VWAGY, -0.97% Tiguan a popular choice for families. It also gets good fuel economy from its standard turbocharged engine, so you stay on budget if gas price rise.
23. Ford Bronco Sport
Ford
Total units sold: 108,169
The Bronco Sport is the smallest option in the Bronco family that also includes the Bronco 2-door and 4-door. The Sport still boasts solid capability with 8.8 inches of ground clearance and a choice of drive modes for rugged terrain.
See: The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is loaded with personality and rugged capability
24. Chevrolet Tahoe
Total units sold: 106,030
Named one of KBB’s Best Family Cars of 2021, the Chevrolet Tahoe was all-new for the 2021 model year. It has seating for up to nine people and a choice of powerful engines that includes a diesel.
25. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage
Kia
Total units sold: 94,601
Affordable, attractive, and filled with plenty of standard features, the Kia 000270, -0.98% Sportage is a 5-passenger compact SUV that offers a lot for a reasonable price.
See: The Kia Sportage gets a major makeover for 2023
This story originally ran on KBB.com.