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Subaru Outback And Crosstrek Score Best SUV Buys - Ascent Is Left Out

What are the best SUVs for 2021? The Car Guide has awarded the 2021 Subaru Outback and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Best SUV Buys. Forester scores high; Ascent gets left out.

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Every year, The Car Guide recommends the best SUVs, cars, and pickups for 2021 across twenty-six categories. The Subaru SUVs score well in all categories except one. According to The Car Guide, the 2021 Subaru Outback is the best buy for Mid-Size SUV shoppers, and the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the best buy for shoppers looking for a Subcompact SUV. The Ascent family hauler gets left out.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, recognized with a Best Buy award in the Mid-Size SUV category, was praised for its car-like handling and capability. Car Guide says, “In a world of SUVs, the Outback brings a breath of fresh air thanks to a handling approach that resembles that of a car, and this without compromising the cargo space and winter capacities.”

2021 Subaru Outback, features, specs
Photo credit: Adventure Subaru

The Subaru Outback received a complete remodel for the 2020 model year and is Subaru’s number two selling model. The Crosstrek gets a refresh for 2021 and a new Sport trim with a 2.5-liter Boxer engine with 30 more horsepower than the previous year.

The Car Guide panel noted the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek’s new 2.5-liter engine, new to the Sport and Limited trims. “The Crosstrek stood out with good handling, competent all-wheel drive, and a robust lineup,” said Car Guide. “The addition of a new Sport trim and a more powerful engine for 2021 also worked in its favor.”

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Photo credit: Adventure Subaru

The 2021 Subaru Forester scores well, coming in number two with the Toyota RAV4 taking the number one spot in the compact SUV category. The Subaru Legacy Mid-Size sedan scored another second place in The Car Guide awards with the Toyota Camry, the number one pick. And in the compact Sports car category, the Subaru WRX STI scored number three with the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai Veloster N numbers one and two, respectively.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent family hauler gets blanked in the Mid-Size 3-Row SUV category with the all-new Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Honda Pilot taking the top three spots. The Ascent was all-new for the 2019 model year and has been a big hit with families looking to move up to a 3-Row SUV. It’s the largest model in Subaru’s stable of all-wheel-drive models.

The BRZ sports coupe also gets left out in the Sports Car category, with the Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5, and all-new Toyota Supra the top recommendations for 2021. The BRZ two-door coupe is getting a complete remodel and will make its global debut early next year.

The 2021 Subaru Outback and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are top picks as the best SUVs in The Car Guide 2021 Best Buys. In the Mid-Size SUV and Subcompact SUV categories, they both score number one.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Adventure Subaru Fayetteville, AR

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