Ford has made a few tweaks to its mid-size crossover for 2021, such as making heated seats standard on the XLT, offering a heated steering wheel as an optional feature on that model, and including an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat on the Limited, ST, and Platinum models. A Sport Appearance package is now available on the XLT trim, and it includes 20-inch aluminum wheels that are coated in Carbonized Gray paint.
Pros Smooth and controlled ride, cargo friendly interior design, comfortable front seats.
Cons Third row space is tight, plasticky interior bits, most desirable models are pricey.
The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list.
Pros Wide range of powertrains Good looks Great active safety tech Available hybrid Quiet interio
Cons Hybrid isn’t refined Not a great value Cramped third row Clunky second row
New Sport Appearance package available on XLT trim.Minor changes to standard and optional feature availability.
Pros Strong engines for quick acceleration Rear-wheel-drive platform improves handling and towing Roomy cargo area
Cons Too much wind noise at highway speeds The price can get frighteningly expensive in a hurry Lackluster interior material quality
PROS It's properly fast Hatch-like handling Feels properly special
CONS Tight interior relative to rivals Options can still get expensive Do you really need a GTS?
Porsche updated the Macan's front and rear bumpers and added new wheel designs to the order form for 2022. The interior sports a reworked center console, steering wheel, and shift lever. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder now makes 261 horsepower, and the Macan S inherits the 375-hp twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 from last year's GTS. Porsche cut the Turbo from the list but transferred its 434-hp V-6 to the GTS.
PROS Spry handling, eager powertrains, sporty exterior styling.
CONS Standard interior materials don't impress, snug rear seat, most rivals offer more cargo space.
