Here are the 10 best cars, trucks, and SUVs we tested in 2021

I can barely imagine it is as soon as once more that point of 12 months after I sit down and look by way of every part we drove over the past 12 months to see what stood out. And what a 12 months they have been, with a variety of extremely anticipated new fashions, together with fairly a number of new battery electrical automobiles. In actual fact, greater than half of my high 10 are BEVs, which says good issues about ever-expanding client choices. Learn on to seek out out what impressed in 2021.

1. Hyundai Ioniq 5

OK, I boxed myself into this nook earlier this month after I wrote a headline proclaiming that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was the very best EV we drove all 12 months. I have never modified that opinion within the final week, both. Hyundai’s days of unreliable, poorly made vehicles are lengthy behind it, and its electrical powertrains have been already the very best of the non-Tesla relaxation.

Now it has a brand-new 800 V platform for bigger, extra premium BEVs, and the Ioniq 5 is the primary outcome. It has pin-sharp styling and TARDIS-like ranges of inside area, and it rapid-charges in simply 18 minutes. And the absolutely loaded AWD model remains to be below $55,000 earlier than any tax credit or incentives. Watch this area for a extra highly effective, sportier Ioniq 5 N.

2. Porsche Taycan 4S

I resisted the urge to award the highest spot to the Porsche Taycan, because the Ioniq 5 is undoubtedly a extra related automobile to many extra individuals. However have been cash no object (and my co-op lastly letting us set up chargers), there’d be a Porsche Taycan parked in my spot. And it would not even should be one of many costlier ones—a Taycan 4S is greater than sufficient. I am keen on the way in which it seems to be on the surface, and it could actually nonetheless hit 60 mph from a standstill in effectively below 4 seconds.

From the motive force’s seat, you’re feeling as at house as you’ll in that of a 911, with the same view over curved wheel arches and a plunging hood. I additionally favor the Taycan’s inside to that of the 911 though it is over-reliant on touchscreens. I additionally like the truth that you’ll be able to drive the automobile exhausting with out the same old dose of local weather guilt that comes with a strong inner combustion engine. Porsche got down to guarantee its first EV was a real Porsche, and it completely succeeded.

3. Ford Maverick

I am undecided the Ford Maverick was even on my radar initially of the 12 months. However the large and optimistic viewers response to its reveal meant I used to be curious to see if it was worthy of the hype. Reader, it was. It is a refreshing antidote to the ever-increasing dimension and value of the typical North American truck, with a sub-$20,000 base mannequin and a wholesome dose of “can-do, maker” angle.

A front-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain comes as normal and will exceed 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km), however even the turbocharged AWD model can see 33.3 mpg (7 L/100 km). My choose can be the XLT since I am a sucker for orange trim, however then I would additionally want a 3D printer so I might print my very own equipment.

4. Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

Ford and Volkswagen are sharing fourth place with a pair of crucial electrical crossovers—I am letting Ford go first as a result of F comes earlier than V. I first drove a Mustang Mach-E in February, however that launch version truly underwhelmed me a bit of. I do not actually wish to reignite the “is it a Mustang?” debate [too late!], however I used to be disenchanted that the driving dynamics shared so little with all of the fine-handling Fords I beloved in years previous.

That was lastly remedied in October once we sampled the Mustang Mach-E GT. You will need the efficiency pack, which transforms this BEV with the addition of significantly better tires and a few magnetorheological dampers. I am nonetheless curious to know simply how a lot of the development is all the way down to the tires alone—fairly a bit, I would guess—however, lastly, here’s a Mach-E that gives a driving expertise worthy of the Mustang badge—worthier than loads of Mustangs previous, too.