Parallel parking and even normal parking in a crowded parking lot are among the most stressful parts of daily driving. Many modern vehicles include parking assist systems and can park themselves. This technology is the most beneficial on large SUVs that are often a huge pain to park. But if you're shopping for an SUV in 2021, how do you know which models come with park assist? Luckily, we've researched all of the models and have them on a list for you here.
For the model year 2021, there are a total of 39 SUVs that come with a form of self-parking technology. The best five models according to the overall driver-assist features are:
- Lincoln Navigator (Full-size)
- Cadillac XT6
- Hyundai Sante Fe
- Kia Sorento
- Volkswagen Atlas
The vehicles above are only the top five out of the complete list of 39 SUVs with park assist in 2021. Please continue reading this post to see the complete list of SUVs and find out more about parking assist technology.
2021 SUVs with Automatic Parking
The SUVs on this list sometimes come with the various types of automatic parking technologies as a standard feature. Some manufacturers only include these technologies in their higher-end trims and models. Please check each automaker's website for specific information on the SUV you are interested in. Here is the complete list separated by size.
Full-size SUVs
- Cadillac Escalade
- Ford Expedition
- Infiniti QX80
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Lincoln Navigator
- Mercedes-Benz GLS
Medium Size SUVs
- Buick Enclave
- Buick Avenir
- Cadillac XT4
- Cadillac XT5
- Cadillac XT6
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Terrain
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Kona
- Jaguar F-Pace
- Jaguar E-Pace
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Jeep Cherokee
- Jeep Compass
- Kia Sorento
- Range Rover Evoque
- Range Rover Sport
- Range Rover Discovery
- Lincoln Aviator
- Mercedes GLC
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Volvo XC40
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo XC90
- Porsche Macan
- Porsche Cayenne
- Audi Q8
- Audi E-Tron
Most Popular 2021 SUVs with Self-Parking
Thirty-nine SUVs are far too many to cover in detail, so we decided to narrow the list to a top five based on the self-parking technology and other driver-assist technologies included in each SUV. Generally, these five SUVs are the best-in-class for self-parking technology, but that doesn't mean others on the list that we don't cover in detail are not comparable.
1. Lincoln Navigator
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV with a park assist that aids the driver with both parallel and regular perpendicular parking. The park assist will scan a row of vehicles for a suitable parallel parking space before you let it engage in parking you in the space it has designated as large enough. From there, you'll have to do the braking and accelerating, but the park assist will handle the steering wheel and spacing. A similar process occurs with perpendicular spaces.
2. Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 also has park assist capabilities for parallel and perpendicular parking. This mid-size SUV has either a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine or a 3.6-liter V6 for extra towing power. The XT6 comes standard with seating for up to seven passengers, a power liftgate, heated seats, and an UltraView sunroof. Premium trims of the XT6 come with a heated steering wheel and power-folding rear seats to make cargo storage even easier.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2021 Santa Fe from Hyundai is a mid-sized SUV with something special than most SUVs in this lineup, remote parking. Buttons on the key fob allow you to command your Santa Fe to pull in and out of tight perpendicular parking spots automatically. Also available in a hybrid model, the 2.5-liter engine on every spec of the Sante Fe will perform better than most SUVs. The Sante Fe also comes with collision avoidance and blind-spot detection, among other safety features.
4. Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is another medium-sized SUV with a self-parking capability and a remote parking feature, just like the Sante Fe before it. The Sorento is a safe SUV with standard emergency braking collision avoidance that helps protect its seven passengers. Other safety features include a 360-degree exterior view monitor system and rear occupant alert so that children and pets aren't accidentally left behind. With the hybrid version, you get to get up to 37 miles per gallon, nearly unheard of in the SUV world.
5. Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is a mid-sized SUV with a plethora of driver assistance technology and its park assist. Among these are the dynamic road sign display, which helps keeps you aware of speed limits and local traffic situations, and Light Assist, which automatically turns your brights on and off when you need them and when cars are oncoming.
The Atlas has the option of either having a 2.0-liter turbo or a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood, depending on your preference. The SUV also includes safety technologies like automatic braking post-collision and an intelligent crash response system.
Is park assist worth it?
After reading all of the details from the top ten driver-assist capable SUVs, you're probably wondering if this is a feature you need on your next car. If you are someone who typically has to make a second attempt at parking because the first time didn't go so well, then this is the feature for you. Parallel parking specifically can be incredibly stressful so having a technology that not only parks for you but can even identify the perfect space as you drive by is definitely worth it.
Does parking assist only work for parallel parking?
We mentioned that a few of the parking assists on the top ten also could help you park in a normal parking space. The Active Park Assist feature on the Lincoln SUVs is one of the more advanced automatic parking systems that can help you park in a regular parking space.
Active Park Assist helps you back into normal parking spaces by having you pull past the parking space, engage the system, and then follow the on-screen, hands-free directions while gently accelerating or braking. The car will then perfectly back itself into the parking space.
How do I know if I have park assist?
The best resource to use to know if you have parking assist technology is the operator's manual for your vehicle. Many vehicles with parking assist tech have a button either on the dashboard, steering wheel, or gear shift which can be an indicator of the presence of the feature. When all else fails, check on Google or YouTube for tutorials or reviews of your vehicle, there is certainly no shortage of them.
How do you test parking assist sensors?
If you're still unsure if you have parking assist sensors, you might want to attempt a test. Another reason to conduct a test is to know you have parking assistance on your vehicle and it isn't working properly. To conduct a quick and easy test of your parking sensors, follow these steps:
- Place the car in reverse and apply the parking brake.
- Exit the vehicle and make your way to the back.
- Block the back bumper with your hands or body and listen for a beep in your car.
Tip: you may also hear the sound of clicking coming from the sensors. If you can't hear it, try taking a video recording of your back bumper to capture the audio. The sensitive microphone will pick up the clicking, and if you hear it, your sensors are working.
How do I turn on park assist?
If you know you have a parking assist feature on your car but it isn't working, you may have to activate it. The method for turning on a park assist varies by make and model, but you should be able to affect these features through your settings section on your center display screen. Always consult your instruction manual for specifics on operating this section of your vehicle and how to enable your parking assistance.
How do I turn off park assist?
If you are more of an old-fashioned driver and don't want to use any parking assistance, you might want to deactivate your park assist. Turning off the parking assist should also be completed by going through the settings menu in your center or dashboard display screen. There are some vehicles where a physical button toggles the park assist feature on and off.
In Closing
If you live in an area where you'll frequently have to parallel park, make your next SUV one with self-parking capabilities. SUVs that have these park assist technologies are usually fitted with other safety and comfort technologies that will make your SUV the talk of the neighborhood. Hopefully, this list has been helpful, and always be on the lookout for more emerging self-driving and self-parking technologies as newer models are released.
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