From luxury electric cars to family-friendly SUVs, here is our list of the best new cars for 2021.
It’s no surprise to see electric vehicles making headlines in terms of new releases, with SEAT, Skoda, Dacia, and BMW all making bold strides into the world of electric cars. These range from the BMW i4, intended to compete with the highly popular Tesla Model 3 supercar, to the Dacia Spring, which aims to take turns in the most affordable end of the market.
Another trend for newly launched vehicles is that the SUV boom of recent years continues! Alfa Romeo will launch the Tonale and Hyundai the Kona N, which don’t quite make this list. What we do include, however, are an updated Kia Sorento, a new Peugeot, an electric SUV from VW, and a unique SUV-type crossover from Yaris.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN THESE NEW CAR REVIEWS?
The cars on this list are all what we consider the “best in their category” of new cars launched in 2021. But how do we decide which is the best? We’ve broken it down into four categories that signal an excellent all-around vehicle, and all the cars on our list excel in each of these categories. Whether it’s new 4×4 cars, roadsters, or family sedans, here’s what we look for in each vehicle.
POWER AND ECONOMY
Even when buying a family engine that will never do anything more arduous than the school run, people still want to know the power statistics. What is the horsepower? How much torque does it have? Of course, these questions are often asked without really understanding what they mean. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that any new car you get in 2021 has the means to take you where you need to go, which is why we’ve considered the type of engine and transmission, speed and acceleration, and the fuel economy the engine will offer you.
COMFORT
Comfort comes down to a few key elements, including size, space, and materials used. For these cars, we’ll consider how spacious they are in the cabin, the size of the rear and front seats, loading space, the materials used for the seats and interiors, as well as the driving comfort. The latter will be related to the suspension system, steering response, and handling.
For electric and hybrid vehicles, we’ve also considered the range as part of comfort; it wouldn’t be very comfortable to know that suddenly you only have 15 minutes of juice left when you’re 2 hours from home. It’s not easy to get all this exactly right when a new car is released, but it’s easy to spot when a car has gotten it wrong.
LUXURIES AND EXTRAS
For a car to be truly considered better than all the others, it must have features that set it apart and offer high-end technology. These will obviously vary from vehicle to vehicle, but you can probably expect these top 10 new cars to have some of the following: USB connection points, touchscreen infotainment systems, voice recognition identification systems, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a rotary selector, built-in satellite navigation, and heated seats. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of the gadgets cars can come with, but hopefully it has whetted your appetite.
VALUE FOR THE FUTURE
This category may seem self-explanatory since a car’s future value is its resale value. However, what we mean here is not only the share of its value that the car will retain in the future but also the extent to which it will fit into a rapidly and constantly evolving landscape of automotive legislation. If you’re considering buying a diesel or petrol car in 2021, not only will the resale value likely decrease in a few years, but the cost will skyrocket due to new legislation. It also won’t do the environment any favors. So here, value for the future doesn’t just mean the value of your car, but what it will cost you in the future, whether it’s a financial cost or a cost to the planet’s ecosystems. You can expect electric vehicles and new hybrid cars as well as conventional vehicles on our list.
1. DACIA SPRING
The Dacia Spring will be launched, you guessed it, in spring 2021 and will be the cheapest European electric vehicle at under £20,000. Stealing the SUV style with wheel arch cladding, a range of 140 miles, and a top speed of 78 mph, it definitely has a spring in its step. When it comes to new cars, electric cars like this are a great way to prepare for the future.
2. BMW I4
The Tesla Model 3 has dominated the electric supercar market and is often considered the best electric vehicle on the market. However, BMW has long been the gold standard for conventional vehicles, and they now want a piece of the electric pie. 523 hp electric motor. Top speed: 124 mph. Range: 373 miles. Move over, Tesla.
3. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is an electric SUV that can travel up to 323 miles on a single charge and follows the ID.3 sedan, which has been a huge success. The tactile icons or the central touchscreen infotainment system all contribute to making it a luxury family vehicle.
4. PEUGEOT 3008
Another future family favorite, the 3008 is fantastic. Its massive grille and LED front and rear headlights set it apart from the crowd, and the technology is enough to impress people once inside. Night vision safety technology, lane positioning assist, automatic emergency braking. The list goes on and on.
5. KIA SORENTO
The 2021 Kia Sorento version brings all the usual Sorento features and more: FWD and AWD versions, a superb new “tiger nose” body shape, more off-road capabilities than ever before, and a hybrid engine with a pure electric range of 30 miles. It will certainly be one of the best new 4×4 cars.
6. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS
A true SUV that combines Toyota’s expertise in small cars and SUV heritage, the Yaris Cross offers distinctive design and dynamic performance. It features an intelligent all-wheel-drive system and Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid system. The main 1.5 L full hybrid powertrain elevates energy efficiency, low emissions, and fully electric driving to new heights.
7. CUPRA EL-BORN
SEAT’s performance brand, Cupra, unveiled the el-Born for 2021. It has a claimed electric range of 310 miles and can reach 30 mph in 2.9 seconds, if upgrading in the city is that important to you. Still need convincing that it’s something special? Four words: augmented reality head-up display.
8. SKODA ENYAQ IV
Skoda’s Enyaq iV is the Czech brand’s first purpose-built electric car. The most expensive model offers 125 kW that will charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 40 minutes and has a range of 260 miles. In terms of luxury, this sharp-looking sedan is equipped with dual-zone air conditioning and keyless operation.
9. ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE ROADSTER
The new James Bond film may be delayed, but you can feel like him in the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster. With a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds, a roaring AMG V8 engine that sounds fierce, and 20-inch wheels, there’s no better way to feel the wind in your hair.
10. MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS
As Mercedes’ marketing manager Bettina Fetzer said, “the S-Class is the centerpiece of our brand.” It has a long-standing reputation for excellence, and the 2021 model is no different. It comes with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive systems, a V-8 engine, and there will be a plug-in hybrid version with over 60 miles of electric range.