Photo: Ford
The 2021 North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year awards have crowned three vehicles as the best of the best in their respective segments. As far as passenger cars are concerned, the Hyundai Elantra came out on top of the Genesis G80 luxury sedan and Nissan Sentra.
Described as "understated yet impressive, the Elantra presents an exceptional blend of left- and right-brain attributes.” Looking beyond this interesting wording, I think we can all agree that Hyundai developed a very honest means of personal transportation that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Priced from $19,650 excluding destination charge, the Elantra undercuts the Kona and Venue crossovers in the South Korean automaker’s lineup. SE is how the entry-level trim is called, which comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Highlights also include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot collision avoidance, a 2.0-liter four-pot engine mated to a Smartstream CVT, and 37 MPG (6.3 liters per 100 kilometers).
Turning our attention over to SUVs, the Ford Motor Company bested Genesis and Land Rover with the Mustang Mach-E. The first proper EV from the Blue Oval is a proper competitor for the Tesla Model Y, and looking at the bigger picture, it leapfrogs many European rivals as well. I mean, would you even consider the bland-looking Volkswagen ID.4 over the Mach-E?
Available from $42,895 excluding destination, the all-electric sibling of the Mustang isn’t too shabby in the most affordable specification available at the time of writing. The standard battery and rear-wheel drive are rated by the EPA at 230 miles (370 kilometers), which is more than adequate for a compact crossover that tips the scales at two tonnes (4,394 pounds).
Last but certainly not least, the best-selling vehicle in the United States takes the cake in the truck category. The F-150 is the undisputed leader in the half-ton segment, and for the 2021 model year, the Blue Oval has also pushed the envelope with a proper hybrid based on the EcoBoost V6.
PowerBoost is how the Ford Motor Company calls the fuel-sipping powertrain, which integrates an electric motor into the 10-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to 25 MPG (9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle, the hybrid truck offers a maximum range of 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) on a full tank of gas.
Priced from $19,650 excluding destination charge, the Elantra undercuts the Kona and Venue crossovers in the South Korean automaker’s lineup. SE is how the entry-level trim is called, which comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Highlights also include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot collision avoidance, a 2.0-liter four-pot engine mated to a Smartstream CVT, and 37 MPG (6.3 liters per 100 kilometers).
Turning our attention over to SUVs, the Ford Motor Company bested Genesis and Land Rover with the Mustang Mach-E. The first proper EV from the Blue Oval is a proper competitor for the Tesla Model Y, and looking at the bigger picture, it leapfrogs many European rivals as well. I mean, would you even consider the bland-looking Volkswagen ID.4 over the Mach-E?
Available from $42,895 excluding destination, the all-electric sibling of the Mustang isn’t too shabby in the most affordable specification available at the time of writing. The standard battery and rear-wheel drive are rated by the EPA at 230 miles (370 kilometers), which is more than adequate for a compact crossover that tips the scales at two tonnes (4,394 pounds).
Last but certainly not least, the best-selling vehicle in the United States takes the cake in the truck category. The F-150 is the undisputed leader in the half-ton segment, and for the 2021 model year, the Blue Oval has also pushed the envelope with a proper hybrid based on the EcoBoost V6.
PowerBoost is how the Ford Motor Company calls the fuel-sipping powertrain, which integrates an electric motor into the 10-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to 25 MPG (9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle, the hybrid truck offers a maximum range of 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) on a full tank of gas.
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