Regresar al GuidesLuxury SUVs are equipped with advanced technology that can make even a short commute enjoyable. Common safety features found in luxury SUVs in 2021 assist the driver in maintaining a safe distance between the car ahead in traffic, keep you comfortable and entertained no matter how long the drive, and allow you to feel more connected to the road.
As amazing as luxury SUVs are in today's market, all of these extravagant features can cost a pretty penny when pieces break or need repair. To prevent the headache down the road, it is important to choose a luxury SUV that has a proven reliability track record.
To choose vehicles buyers can rely on, this article will use J.D. Power Quality and Reliability ratings which are a combination of quality and dependability scores. The quality scores are based on initial owner response and feedback whereas dependability scores focus on longer-term ownership experiences of three years. Utilizing this data, every vehicle will be provided with a rating on a scale of 0-100. Vehicles scoring higher are expected to be more reliable and therefore last longer than those with lower scores.
1. 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
The Mercedes-Benz GLE begins our list and maintains the number one spot for the 2021 model year in the luxury midsize SUV segment. The GLE has a reliability rating of "fair" scoring 69 out of 100 points, making it average for reliability among its vehicle peers. The GLE offers muscular engines beginning with the entry-level 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission to the GLE AMG 63 S which packs a 603-horsepower version of the twin-turbocharged V8.
The GLE offers a roomy interior with seating for five and is equipped with a state-of-the-art infotainment system. The infotainment system offered standard comes with a 12.3-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, five USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, and wireless device charging. As with all Mercedes-Benz models, many optional additional features can be added to increase the quality of your cabin experience. Optional additional features on top of a large list of standard features are what make the GLE one of the best luxury SUVs you can buy.
The GLE is offered with either a front-wheel-drive (FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain. Fuel economy is dependent on engine selection, and the GLE provides a fuel economy range of 15-21 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 19-26 mpg highway. Standard safety features in the GLE consist of a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, hands-free park assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and driver drowsiness monitoring.
Browse 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE listings here.
2. 2021 Lexus RX 350
The Lexus RX 350 is a midsize luxury SUV offering seating for five to seven due to available third-row seating. The three-row variation of the RX 350 makes the cargo space and cabin feel limited, however and is not a viable option for everyday usage. All RX models are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350 is o111ffered with either an FWD or AWD drivetrain and offers a fuel economy rating of 19-20 mpg city and 26-27 mpg highway.
The RX 350 comes with a long list of standard safety features that include forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and many more. With all of these advanced safety features standard, a customer would rely on a high-reliability rating to ensure these features endure. The RX 350 has a reliability rating of 84 of 100 points making it "great" for reliability standards.
Unlike the full-size Lexus GX, the RX is smaller making it more nimble and allows for better driving dynamics than the larger GX. The RX 350 is also offered in a plug-in hybrid model which is less sporty than the normal RX 350 and is only offered in one powertrain configuration. The Lexus RX 350 is compared with the Acura MDX but provides a better reliability rating than the Acura.
Browse 2021 Lexus RX 350 listings here.
3. 2021 Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is equipped with AWD standard and has engine options ranging from 248 horsepower to 500 horsepower. The Q7 seats seven but offers subpar cargo space compared to the other three-row vehicles in the segment. With both the third and second row folded down, the Q7 only offers 69.6 cubic feet of space. The Q7 has a high-end interior showing strong build quality in both interior and exterior features.
The 2021 model year Q7 has not yet developed a reliability rating, but the 2020 model year has a reliability rating of slightly below average. Standard infotainment consists of a 10.1-inch upper touch screen, an 8.6-inch lower touch screen, Audi's Virtual Cockpit, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10-speaker stereo, satellite radio, HD Radio, USB ports, and Bluetooth.
The Q7 has a towing capacity of 4,400 pounds of trailer weight and is a great luxury midsize SUV from a well-renowned luxury brand. The 2021 model year Q7 is now equipped with standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Q7 is offered with reasonable pricing and is a great choice for anyone in the market for a midsize luxury SUV.
Browse 2021 Audi Q7 listings here.
4. 2021 BMW X5
The BMW X5 scores 81 of 100 reliability points placing it in the class of "great" among its vehicle peers. The X5 is offered in both RWD and AWD with your choice of engine ranging from 282 horsepower up to a performance-based 617 horsepower engine. The 2021 model year of the X5 introduced the first plug-in hybrid variation of the X5 bringing BMW into the electric luxury midsize SUV market.
The X5 seats five comfortably and has an expansive list of standard infotainment features such as a 12.3-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, a 10-speaker stereo, a touchpad controller, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, and satellite radio.
The X5 comes in second in its class, second only to the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The gas-powered variation of the X5 has a fuel economy rating of 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The X5 is rated to tow a total capacity of 7,200 pounds and has a 50,000-mile limited warranty. The standard safety features are too extensive to list but some features included are; rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and fatigue and focus alert.
Browse 2021 BMW X5 listings here.
5. 2021 Porsche Cayenne
Porsche reintroduced the GTS trim level for the Cayenne in the 2021 model year which equips the Cayenne with a 453-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 engine, as well as an adaptive air suspension. All trim levels of the Porsche Cayenne utilize a turbo for additional power output with differences in tuning for additional horsepower. The Cayenne scores 78 out of 100 for reliability placing it at the higher end of average for its vehicle class.
The Cayenne is packed with optional safety features but does not provide many standard safety features. The only offered standard safety features are a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors. The interior of the Cayenne is the definition of luxury with soft-touch leather and high-quality materials. Porsche is renowned for luxurious interiors mixed with sports car performance.
The Cayenne seats four to five and is only offered with an AWD drivetrain but still obtains decent fuel economy at 15-19 mpg city and 19-23 mpg highway. The Cayenne is comparable to the Audi Q8, the bigger brother of the already reviewed Q7. The front seats of the Cayenne are spacious and have equal comfort to the rear seats. The Cayenne is an adequate size SUV offering 60.3 cubic feet of space behind the front seats.
Browse 2021 Porsche Cayenne listings here.
6. 2021 Cadillac Escalade
The Cadillac Escalade is the first large luxury SUV on our list today and it does not disappoint. The Escalade is offered in either RWD or four-wheel-drive (4WD) opening itself to off-road and bad weather applications. The Escalade seats seven comfortably and offers a truly roomy third row. The Escalade was fully redesigned for the 2021 model year and now offers an elegant and technology-heavy cabin.
With an increase in technology comes the need for a high-reliability rating. The Escalade scores 85 of 100 points in reliably ranking, making the Escalade square in the middle of "great" for its class. Standard infotainment in the Escalade now includes a 16.9-inch touch screen, a 7.2-inch digital control panel, a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, a 19-speaker AKG Studio stereo, wireless device charging, Bluetooth, two USB ports, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, and an HD Radio.
With all rows of seating folded down, the Escalade provides 121 cubic feet of space, providing ample room for cargo. The previous old-school Escalade used low-end cabin materials found in other General Motors SUVs. This is no longer the case in 2021 as the Escalade is now built with premium cabin materials and feels like a true flagship large luxury SUV for Cadillac. The Escalade is offered with a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque or a Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Browse 2021 Cadillac Escalade listings here.
7. 2021 Land Rover Range Rover
The Land Rover Range Rover scores at the lower end of the large luxury SUV class but obtains a reliability rating of 74 of 100 making it average in comparison to its large SUV rivals. The Range Rover is known for its competence off-road and it's smooth ride quality when on-road. The Range Rover seats up to five which is a few seats short of other vehicles in the large luxury SUV class.
The Range Rover is equipped with 4WD as standard and is offered in engine configurations ranging from 254 horsepower to 557 horsepower. The Range Rover has a high starting price and also presents the largest pricing gap between trim levels. The Range Rover has a high-end interior with materials including padded leather, soft-touch plastic, real wood, and Aluminum. The cabin is a quiet place to be, blocking out most road and wind noise, even at higher speeds.
Standard infotainment features include two 10-inch touch screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, HD Radio, satellite radio, 13 speakers, Bluetooth, USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The Range Rover also offers an array of standard safety features, but the optional safety features outweigh the standard ones. The 2021 Range Rover is offered in seven different "Editions" allowing for preference in features and comfort.
Browse 2021 Land Rover Range Rover listings here.
8. 2021 Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator sits in the number one sport for large luxury SUVs for 2021 but is largely unchanged in styling or offered features from the 2020 model year. The Navigator scores 84 of 100 points in reliability, outshining its smaller counterpart the Lincoln Aviator by ten points. Lincoln has been building luxury cars since the 1950s and has continued to improve its vehicles since then.
The Lincoln Navigator seats seven and is offered in both RWD or 4WD with a singular engine option of a 450-horsepower turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. With this powertrain configuration, the Navigator achieves a fuel economy rating of 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The technology included in the Navigator is user-friendly and the interior is comfortable providing more space for passengers than the majority of its rivals. The Navigator is directly comparable to the Infiniti QX80 but the Navigator outperforms the QX80 in interior quality, space, and reliability.
Standard infotainment in the Navigator includes a 10-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, 14 speakers, satellite radio, six USB ports, and wireless device charging. The Navigator offers Lincoln's four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Between the reliability rating, safety rating, and provided warranty, the Lincoln Navigator is the ultimate contender in the luxury SUV segment.
Browse 2021 Lincoln Navigator listings here.
9. 2021 Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 provides generous seating and cargo space for up to seven and is offered in either FWD or AWD drivetrains. The XC90 achieves good fuel economy getting 18-21 mpg city and 26-30 mpg highway. The XC90 scores average for its class in reliably, scoring 71 out of 100 points. The 2021 XC90 model year includes adaptive headlights, front parking sensors, and a smartphone charging pad as standard.
The XC90 has a large list of standard safety features to include; a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and six more additional standard features. The XC90 has the most expansive standard safety features list in our comparison today.
The XC90 is offered in four different trim levels that include the XC90 Momentum, XC90 R-Design, XC90 Inscription, and the XC90 Inscription Expression.
Browse 2021 Volvo XC90 listings here.
10. 2021 Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan received a reliability rating of 77 out of 100, placing the Macan on the higher end of average in reliability. The Macan is a luxury compact SUV that offers seating for five and comes standard with an AWD drivetrain. The Macan is offered in different trim levels and engine choices that range from 248 horsepower to 434 horsepower.
The Macan is packed with safety features but most of the features are optional and do not come standard. The interior quality of the Macan is what we have come to expect from Porsche and does not disappoint, providing high-end leather and soft-touch plastics. The infotainment system is user-friendly and includes a 10.9-inch touch screen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, four USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10-speaker stereo, and satellite radio standard.
The base model Macan has a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway which is significantly lower than other vehicles in the luxury compact SUV segment. The Macan is, however, the best-handling SUV in its class which is not a surprise due to its sports car heritage.
