We’re still not having a New York International Auto Show in April this year for obvious reasons. But the World Car Awards are proceeding as scheduled online. Last year, the Kia Telluride took home the title. The finalists for this year were revealed earlier this month.
Check out the five winners for 2021 here.
These 5 Cars Were Named Best in the World in 2021
Huge day for German manufacturers.
VW
Most Practical Electric SUV: Volkswagen ID.4
Horsepower: 295 (AWD)Torque: 339 lb-ft (AWD)Top Range: 275 miles (RWD)Starting MSRP: $38,995What is it: The Volkswagen ID.4 is an electric compact crossover. It’s VW’s first EV to go on sale in America on VW’s MEB platform.
What we liked: The ID.4 offers a roomy passenger cabin and cargo space on par with non-electric crossovers, with 30.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 64.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. It offers a decent amount of range and looks better than your typical VW crossover.
What to watch out for: The minimalist ID.4 infotainment and climate controls are an unintuitive ergonomic nightmare. It’s competent but not particularly thrilling or engaging behind the wheel.
Will Sabel Courtney
Finalist, World Car / Urban Car / Car Design of the Year: Honda e
Sjoerd van der Wal
Finalist, World Performance Car of the Year: Porsche 911 Turbo
Porsche
Finalist, World Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes S-Class
Mercedes-Benz
Not one, but two V8-powered Defender are reportedly on the way
According to the report, Land Rover has not one but two V8 versions of the Defender planned for the U.S. They would be different tunings of the same engine, with the higher output edition reportedly carrying Land Rover’s SV badging. Even more excitingly, you will allegedly be able to get the V8 in the smaller Defender 90.
The big question for now is, where will Land Rover get the engine from if they shelve the 5.0-liter V8? BMW is a possibility, as we’ve heard from MT and elsewhere.
Land Rover
Enter to win this stunning electric Himalaya Defender
Love the idea of a vintage Defender, but not so keen on the poor fuel economy? Well, Himalaya, one of the best custom Defender builders out there, built an electric one — and it’s being given away in an Omaze sweepstakes. Every donation supports the African Community & Conservation Foundation.
Omaze
The semiconductor shortage is starting to bite the auto industry
We knew back in January that the semiconductor shortage would be bad for the auto industry — even the humblest car is now a complicated computer — but the gravity is settling here in February. GM has been forced to idle three North American plants; Ford, in maybe the most glaring sign there’s an issue, is cutting back F-150 production.
Ford