Avoid the 2021 Chevy Blazer for an 'Under the Radar' Hyundai
Alex Healey
· 4 min read
Midsize SUVs offer more space and comfort than compact cars, with better fuel efficiency than larger vehicles. They are more popular than ever, but with so many choices, buying a new one can be stressful.
You might be tempted to pick a bestseller, but that doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. After all, the best selling midsize SUV this year, the 2021 Ford Explorer, was panned by critics.
You might be loyal to a particular brand, like
Hyundai
or Chevrolet, but when spending thousands of dollars, how do you know it’s really the right choice?Fortunately, Consumer Reports have done some great research into the best midsize SUVs on the market. By following their advice, and test-driving a few models, you can be confident of making the right decision.
How did Consumer Reports’ determine the best midsize SUV?
Consumer Reports
ranked several models of midsize SUV, based on road tests, reliability, safety equipment, and crash test scores.They have presented the findings for two and three-row models as follows:
- A popular model to avoid
- A better choice
- An under the radar alternative
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Good news for Hyundai, bad news for Chevy
In the midsize two-row category, Consumer Reports say the 2021 Chevrolet Blazer is one to avoid. It looks good and is very comfortable, but has poor fuel efficiency and a below-average predicted reliability score.
The 2021 Ford Edge is presented as a better choice, largely thanks to the impressive safety features of its Co-Pilot360 system. The Edge also has better acceleration and fuel economy than the Blazer.
When it comes to a midsize two-row SUV that has flown under the radar, Consumer Reports gives a seal of approval to the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe is credited for responsive handling, a spacious interior, and stylish design. It also boasts good predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
In the three-row category, Consumer Reports recommends avoiding the clunky and unreliable 2021 Ford Explorer. Instead, drivers are encouraged to consider the 2021 Kia Telluride (if you can afford one!), or the lesser known 2021 Mazda CX-9.
The Mazda CX-9 offers great handling, a responsive engine, smooth transmission, and a comfortable ride. It has scored well in crash tests and has good reliability. The only downsides are a tight third row and slightly tricky infotainment system, but these are minor complaints for an otherwise excellent choice.
While the CX-9 hasn’t sold as well as some competitors, Mazda’s entire 2021 lineup made Car and Driver’s list of safest SUVs.
Finding the right insurance for your new midsize SUV
When it comes to picking a new car, everyone has a different opinion. Design, driveability, and owner satisfaction are all very subjective.
As a result, the only way to really know if you will love your new car is by taking it for a test drive. Heck, test drive as many cars as you like. A new SUV is a big purchase, and you don’t want to be rushed into a decision.
One more thing to take into consideration is the cost of
car insurance
. You can use Jerry to compare insurance rates of different vehicles before you buy. If you are down to a choice of two, knowing which SUV is cheaper to insure can be a good tie-breaker.A licensed broker,
Jerry
does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it one of the top insurance apps in the country.
