Cars of 2021: The hits and misses

We tested dozens of new cars in 2021, coming away impressed by many and disappointed by a handful. These are the hits and misses. See the list.

We tested dozens of new cars in 2021, coming away impressed by many and disappointed by a handful.

These are the hits and misses of our motoring year.

HITS

Hyundai Ioniq 5

There’s more to our new Car of the Year than its retro-futurist looks. Hyundai’s first proper go at an electric car has a spacious cabin stuffed to its panoramic glass roof with clever touches such as the ability to run household appliances from its enormous battery. It’s great to drive and sensibly priced, so we weren’t surprised to see the Ioniq 5 sell out in just a couple of hours.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 provided a glimpse of the future. Picture: Supplied

Subaru Outback

Safe, dependable and practical, the Subaru Outback made it into our top three at car of the year by virtue of being a damn good car. It flew under the radar as it’s not particularly fashionable, exciting to drive or beautiful to behold but the Outback is still a relevant, affordable and impressively polished machine that will serve Australian families dutifully.

A quality choice for families not obsessed with SUVs. Picture: Supplied

Porsche Taycan Turbo

We weren’t convinced by the first electric cars offered by many mainstream manufacturers but Porsche’s Taycan was the exception. It reset the benchmark for battery-powered machines, delivering brain-bending acceleration, peerless dynamics and first-class build quality that the likes of Tesla can’t match. It’s not cheap, but more affordable than the petrol-powered Porsche Panamera.

The Porsche Taycan isn’t cheap but it is an engineering marvel. Picture: Supplied

Hyundai i20 N

The Hyundai i20 N provides proof that fun cars need not be expensive. The compact hot hatch is a cracking machine available for less than $40,000. A ball of laughs on the right road, the Hyundai doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evidenced by flames on its digital dashboard and a reminder to use sports mode on twisty roads. The automatic Hyundai i30 N also impressed, delivering more power, sharper handling and a slick-shifting dual-clutch auto.

Hyundai’s i20 N delivers excitement in an affordable package. Picture: Supplied

Honourable mentions

BMW’s rapid and polished M3 nails its brief in a way few cars manage, the Skoda Scala is a wonderfully sorted hatchback and Ford’s Mustang Mach 1 is the complete muscle car package. The scintillating thrill of Porsche’s 911 GT3 is hard to beat and electric vehicle fans have a new darling in the Polestar 2.

BMW’s M3 ticked all the right boxes. Picture: Supplied

MISSES

Volkswagen Golf

The new Volkswagen Golf is the best small car you can buy. So why is it on this side of the ledger?

Because it’s no longer the people’s car. This eighth-generation version starts just shy of $40,000 drive-away, an eye-watering figure for a model that sold for closer to $20,000 up until quite recently. Even if you can afford it, supply shortages mean you can’t get one.

Volkswagen’s new Gold range is excellent but too expensive. Picture: Supplied

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a fine car. But the S-Class used to be the best car in the world and we’re not sure that’s the case any more. Where the industry once looked to this flagship for inspiration and innovation, the new model looks increasingly irrelevant in the face of electrification and sustainability offered by rivals – including Benz’s own EQS.

Once the pinnacle of automotive excellence, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has fallen from its perch. Picture: Supplied

Mitsubishi Outlander

The new Outlander presented a golden opportunity for Mitsubishi to build a car worthy of taking on the best in class. It looks amazing inside and out and boasts an impressive combination of space and equipment. But the driving experience is middle-of-the-road at best. The engine is thirsty and underpowered, while the ride lacks refinement.

Mitsubishi’s new Outlander is impressive inside, but disappointing to drive. Picture: Supplied

Mazda MX-30

We were scratching our heads after driving Mazda’s first electric car. Interesting looks and clever materials weren’t enough to offset the high price ($71,000 drive-away) and low range (about 200 kilometres) of the MX-30. Factor in the compromised practicality of its rear-hinged “suicide” back doors and it’s clear the MX-30 is not one of Mazda’s best efforts.

Mazda’s first electric vehicle is expensive and impractical. Picture: Supplied

Haval Jolion

Chinese vehicles have taken the local market by storm this year, but Haval’s Jolion might be the least impressive new car released in 2021. It’s well equipped and sensibly priced at $25,490 drive-away, but it’s also thirstier and less powerful than key rivals, has a wayward transmission and less-than-polished dynamics. Frustrating elements include a huge camera pointed at your face, along with unwanted driving advice such as “please watch out your surrounding” and “pls drive with attention”.

In a year when sales of Chinese cars surged, the Haval Jolion Lux failed to make a mark. Picture: Supplied

 HIT HIT    HIT    MISS   MISS   MISS   MISS   MISS 

Originally published as Cars of 2021: The hits and misses