Article highlights for MotorTrend’s best SUV of the year:

• MotorTrend picked five of the best SUVs for 2021 and 2022
• Brands included Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo
• These are the first five contendors for the SUV of the Year competition

The MotorTrend SUV of the Year competition is going to be a difficult choice this year. The options below are the first five up for the best SUV of the year. With the best SUVs on the market, which new car will take home the win at the end of the week?

The first option for the best SUV: the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

MotorTrend took a bunch of SUVs out to the Honda Proving Center of California in the Mojave Desert. With over 23 different nameplates considered and 35 SUVs total, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was one of the picks. MotorTrend says the 2022 Outlander is “leaps and bounds” better than its predecessor. It offers a 181 hp gasoline engine and will offer a plug-in hybrid later in the year.

The 2021 Nissan Pathfinder made the list

The 2021 Nissan Pathfinder recently got some upgrades. The three-row SUV has a more aggressive look for this year and is considered more rugged. The third row is easy to access and offers passengers a lot of space. MotorTrend also liked the driver assist systems that come with the new SUV. Not a bad contender from Nissan.

The best SUV for 2022 might be the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo?

The 2022 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo has a long name and a long list of reasons why it could win. MotorTrend says the Porsche Taycan is gorgeous and a blast to drive, plus it is surprisingly capable off-road. However, there are arguments that the Taycan isn’t really an SUV. That’s up for debate because it is cool regardless.

The 2021 Volkswagen Taos might not make the finals

The 2021 Volkswagen Taos offers drivers a spacious interior and a comfortable drive. It gets solid fuel economy for an SUV and looks updated from the outside. “The cushy ride, light steering, and punchy four-pot would make for a compelling combination at the right price,” MotorTrend’s Detroit editor Alisa Priddle said. The Taos is a bit expensive for what you get, at the end of the day.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is an exciting addition to the EV market

The new 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV is relatively exciting. It’s Volvo’s first electric vehicle in almost 100 years of being a company. The XC40 Recharge gets 402 hp and 482 lb-ft of torque, which tied the Jeep Wrangler 392 in a competition for fast acceleration. Besides being relatively quick, it offers drivers real ground clearance and “strong regenerative braking.” It doesn’t provide the most impressive range compared to similar vehicles, and it has quite a premium price tag.

Who will win this prestegious competition?

MotorTrend has 20 other SUVs to choose from the rest of the week, so which one will be the best? If one SUV on this list could advance, the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo might have it. The Volkswagen Taos might not be the best SUV hitting the market, so that option might not make it to round two. What is missing from this list so far? The Kia Telluride, Porsche Macan, and Toyota 4Runner are definitely MIA.