Audi A8

Ford offers three rows of seats and plentiful room for hauling cargo, and it comes equipped with much of the connectivity and safety features that are on most buyers wish lists. The base and XLT models come standard with a turbocharged fourcylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional. Optional is a hybrid powertrain, and the top-spec Platinum and sporty ST models come with a twin-turbo V-6. Overall, the Explorer is a decent choice, but rivals such as the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Mazda CX-9 offer more polish.

Ford has made a few upgrades, 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. In addition to the upgraded wheels, the package brings a mesh grille with Carbonized Gray accents as well as unique lower-body cladding, dual exhaust outlets, Light Slate–colored interior upholstery, faux skid plates, and more. A new cargo organizer is optional on XLT, Limited, and ST models; the Platinum trim receives this feature as standard. A Ranch Trim joins the lineup and features unique mahogany-colored leather upholstery; a sporty Enthusiast ST trim is also new for 2021 and provides the performance of the more expensive ST trim with less features and a lower price. The hybrid powertrain is available on the Platinum trim and buyers can now order a rear-wheel drive version of the Explorer's top trim.

The mid-level Limited model is the best Explorer for the money. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine to be sufficiently potent and more efficient on the highway. It can tow a sizeable 5300 pounds when equipped with the towing package. Apart from that, we think the Limited trim's desirable standard features should suffice. These include a 12-speaker B&O audio system, 20-inch wheels, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, a power-folding third row, and upgraded driver assists such as adaptive cruise control. Base, XLT, and Limited trims come with a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, and it motivates the Explorer with authority. The lead-foot drivers among us will prefer either the Platinum model, with its 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, or the sporty Explorer ST, which uses a 400-hp version of the same engine. A hybrid joined the Explorer lineup for 2020. It pairs a 3.3-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 318 horsepower. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5600 pounds. The Explorer rides on an optional all-new rear-wheel-drive platform. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. Ride and handling are agreeable and composed. The Explorer ST is athletic, and its power and stiffer suspension make it a real performance SUV.

The rear-drive hybrid model estimates up to 27 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Adding all-wheel drive reduces the hybrid's ratings by 3 and 4 mpg, respectively. The 200-mile highway route, 24 mpg. Comparatively, the 400-hp Explorer ST earned 25 mpg in our testing, which beat its EPA rating by 1. We also tested the four-cylinder Explorer with all-wheel drive. The government estimates that version will earn 20 mpg city and 27 highway; we saw 28 mpg.

The Explorer's cabin is functional and comfortable. Getting into the standard third row is now easier thanks to a new mechanism that moves the second-row seat out of the way at the touch of a button. You can fit four carry-on suitcases behind the Ford's third row, and we fit a total of 31 bags with both back rows folded flat.

Although the Mazda CX-30 is close in size to the CX-3 SUV, it's a more modern—and hugely desirable—offering. It borrows its styling, interior design, and powertrain from the Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, and adds a slightly lifted suspension that gives it an SUV-like feel. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides adequate power and can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. A far more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter comes standard with all-wheel drive. Mazda throws in a host of standard driver-assistance features as well. If you insist on a subcompact SUV the CX-30 belongs at the very top of your list.

The CX-30's standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower paired with a six-speed automatic which chooses gears wisely based on driving conditions. A turbocharged 2.5-liter engine provides 250 horsepower. Selecting this powertrain adds all-wheel drive. If you're a fan of the Mazda 3 hatchback, you'll find the CX-30 just as nimble, athletic, and fun to drive. Its crisp steering and fluid body movements make it a pleasure to pilot on a twisty road and provide a sense of stability when cruising. The CX-30 dawdled to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds.

Front-wheel-drive CX-30 models receive fuel-economy estimates of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined from the EPA; all-wheel drive drops the estimates for the nonturbo model to 24 city, 31 mpg, and 26 mpg. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test route, our all-wheel-drive CX-30 Premium test vehicle managed to exactly match its EPA rating of 31 mpg. Fuel economy estimates for the new turbocharged engine are not yet available.

The 2021 CX-30 has a handsome, well-crafted interior; it's shared with that of the Mazda 3 that women really like. An infotainment display sprouts from the center of the dashboard and is controlled by a rotary knob on the center console; a row of climate-control buttons divide the upper and lower dash panels.

Buyers can choose between either an eight- or 12-speaker audio system and can upgrade to available heated front seats. Going with the top-spec Premium trim adds leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, and other luxury items that put the CX-30 in contention with luxury-brand offerings. As far as cargo-carrying capability goes, the CX-30 isn't the most voluminous SUV you can buy, but we did fit six carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and 16 in total with the rear seats folded.

The CX-30 comes with a standard 8.8-inch screen and Mazda Connected Services, which allows owners to lock and unlock, remote start, and monitor their vehicle through the MyMazda app. The CX-30 also is equipped with standard Bluetooth, two front USB inputs, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Available features include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and SiriusXM satellite radio.