U.S. News' Best Cars of 2021

U.S. News Overall Score: 8.7/10 | Price: $25,350

A perennial leader of a remarkably competitive segment, the Honda CR-V is our best SUV of 2021. Boasting an excellent score of 8.7 out of 10, it has the highest overall U.S. News rating of any affordable SUV. Several entrants came close in this hotly contested group, but the well-rounded CR-V emerged as the best.

This compact SUV hits the mark in delivering the most desirable aspects of a family-friendly crossover utility vehicle. There is a ton of space for people and cargo, while good fuel economy and decent acceleration make for a road trip chariot that’s both economical and entertaining. Whatever your needs are for your new SUV, the CR-V has you covered.

Performance Score: 8.4/10 | Interior Score: 8.3/10

The perfect daily driver doesn’t need to leave skid marks at every stop light, but a capable engine helps give the driver a sense of confidence and even enjoyment while navigating traffic. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine in the CR-V won't be breaking any records, but it delivers capable acceleration for passing maneuvers. As a bonus, it also provides impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid. If maximizing fuel economy is a priority, the CR-V Hybrid delivers up to 38 mpg in combined driving.

Ride quality in the CR-V deserves a shout out as well, smoothing out bumps at low speeds and controlling body motion on the highway. Passengers are removed from the rough pavement through comfortable seats with enough room for each person to stretch out. If you’re trading people for cargo, you can fold the seats down and open up nearly 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is competitive among rivals.

When the seats are upright and occupied by people (especially small ones), safety quickly takes priority. The CR-V earns excellent crash test ratings, and also comes standard with popular safety tech like lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and road departure mitigation.

If you’re shopping for a well-rounded and affordable SUV, the CR-V should be at the top of the list. As a daily driver, family hauler, or adventure sled, the CR-V can do it all. Take a look at this month’s Honda deals for the best finance and lease incentives available now. To find the dealer offering the lowest price in your area, use the U.S. News Best Price Program.

U.S. News Overall Score: 8.4/10 | Price: $24,770

Sedan design has become a refined science over the years, and the Honda Accord is a great example of this collective expertise. It’s built well, has plenty of space for passengers, and even lets drivers have some fun behind the wheel. The way the Accord nails this recipe is why it has long been one of the most popular cars on sale, and will likely continue to be well into the future, even in the shadow of consumers’ taste for crossovers.

With a U.S. News overall score of 8.4 out of 10, it ranks at the top of the midsize car segment. It’s been a top contender for multiple years, battling with the likes of the stalwart Toyota Camry.

Performance Score: 8.3/10 | Interior Score: 8.1/10

The best affordable sedans on the market today do an equally good job of providing a comfortable and accommodating interior for passengers. That said, the Accord is among the best in terms of space and comfort for both driver and passengers. The seats themselves are supportive, and the quality of materials used to build the cabin are among the best in class.

Where the Accord shines among midsize cars is its performance. Equipped on the Sport and Touring trims, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine shoots the Accord out of turns and away from stop lights. The smaller 1.5-liter base engine is no slouch either. The handling capability of this car delivers some of the most fun available in an affordable family sedan.

Despite the popularity of crossovers SUVs, sedans like the Accord are still a common choice for family-oriented shoppers. It’s well-equipped to keep family members safe, outfitted with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also gave the 2021 Accord a perfect five out of five rating in each of its crash tests.

The Accord excels in just about every category, and rightly earns the title of the best car for 2021. If you’re interested in buying one, make sure to check out our Honda deals page for the latest financing and lease incentives available now that can help you save some money. Also try out our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership near you with the lowest price.

U.S. News Overall Score: 8.9/10 | Price: $54,750

After a redesign in 2020, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has become the clear front-runner among luxury SUVs. Its overall score of 8.9 out of 10 beats out other popular SUVs like the BMW X3, as well as last year’s winner the Lincoln Navigator. The GLE held the top rank among luxury midsize SUVs for all of 2020 and maintains it heading into 2021.

The GLE displays the extravagance that you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz. The GLE’s roomy cabin has opulent materials to go along with its top-notch infotainment system. It also has several standard safety features including emergency automatic braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Numerous robust engine options are available.

Performance Score: 8.2/10 | Interior Score: 8.0/10

Under the hood, the GLE has several powerful engine options, ranging up to a brawny twin-turbo V8 in the AMG GLE 63 S. Each engine comes attached to a transmission that makes smooth gear changes. Handling and ride comfort are excellent as well; when equipped with optional air suspension, the GLE makes any road imperfections seem like the smoothest driving surface.

Inside, the GLE lives up to its Mercedes-Benz standards with lavish materials and comfortable seats. The first two rows have plenty of room and will fit tall passengers with ease. The GLE SUV also has above average cargo space for the luxury midsize SUV class.

The GLE is also outfitted with Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment technology. It features a 12.3-inch touch screen that can be controlled in several ways and responds quickly to inputs, including a voice recognition system. 

If you’re ready to buy a new luxury SUV, test driving the GLE is a great place to start. Visit our Mercedes-Benz deals page for current financing and lease incentives for ways to save some money. To find the dealer offering the lowest price in your area, use the U.S. News Best Price Program.

U.S. News Overall Score: 8.8/10 | Price: $36,000

Since its introduction in 2019, the Genesis G70 has consistently ranked among the top of the luxury small car segment, and currently holds the top spot. With an overall score of 8.8 out of 10, it beats out its midsize sibling, the G90.

The G70 is crowned the best luxury car of 2021 thanks to a top-notch interior design, as well as agile handling and a long list of standard features. Even though the G70 carries over this year, it continues to provide plenty of power and a luxurious cabin experience that buyers expect from an upscale brand.

Performance Score: 8.5/10 | Interior Score: 7.0/10

There is plenty of performance on tap with the G70, as even the base-level turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 252 horsepower. It packs a punch, but if you want something stronger, there’s also an available twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 with 365 horsepower. Either way, your ride will be serene, while also engaging with limited body roll.

If you’re looking for a luxury vehicle with an upscale cabin, the G70 offers an interior with plenty of soft touch surfaces and premium leather. An 8-inch touch screen infotainment with well-organized menus comes standard. The G70 also comes with a plethora of standard features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and rear cross traffic alert. 

Overall, the G70 is an excellent option in the luxury car market. To find the dealer offering the lowest price in your area, check out the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program.

If any of the top cars of 2021 interest you, head over to our best purchase deals page and our best lease deals page. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.

You should also peruse our new car rankings to find and compare vehicles against the award winners in this slideshow.

If you’re already sure what vehicle you want, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership offering the lowest price in your area. Whether you’re buying or leasing, shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new car.