Most awarded cars of 2021
If your plans for the new year include buying a new car, then KBB’s 10 best lists are a great place to start your shopping. Whether it’s a family car, luxury SUV, or something in between, we’ve compiled lists of the best cars in a wide range of categories. The standouts are strong enough that they often appear on multiple lists. Read on to see KBB’s 10 most awarded cars of 2021.
10. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback
Subaru
Standard all-wheel drive and a durable interior designed to withstand outdoor adventures make the 2021 Subaru FUJHY, -3.16% Outback a great choice for active lifestyles. It combines its capability with a comfortable ride and good cargo room. The Outback is a great value, earning spots on KBB’s Best Resale Value Awards and 5-Year Cost to Own Awards lists. It’s also one of the 10 Best Road Trip Cars of 2021.
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9. Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2021 Hyundai HYMTF, -0.92% Santa Fe has room for the family and all their stuff in a quiet and well-appointed interior. It was named one of the 14 Best New and Redesigned SUVs for 2021 and one of the 12 Best Family Cars of 2021. In addition to its fuel-efficient gas engine, there’s a hybrid that also received recognition. This Best Buy Award winner was also named one of the 8 Best Hybrid Cars Under $ 40,000.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid
Hyundai
8. Toyota Tacoma
Toyota TM, -1.14% is our Most Awarded Brand of 2021 so it’s no surprise to see several of its vehicles here. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma pickup can carry a payload and tow larger items while having more city-friendly dimensions. It’s one of our 10 Coolest Cars Under $ 30,000 for 2021 and earned a Best Resale Value and a Best Buy Award.
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7. Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos
Kia
The 2021 Kia 000270, +0.36% Seltos compact SUV has seating for five people with good room for cargo and eye-catching styling. It also packs in lots of features for the price, making it a great value. This fun little vehicle was named one of the 14 Best New and Redesigned SUVs for 2021. It also earned kudos as one of the 10 Best Family Cars Under $ 25,000 and received two Best Buy Awards, including Best New Model.
6. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla
Toyota
Toyota earns a second spot on our list for the 2021 Toyota Corolla. It’s available in a wide range of configurations with multiple engine options, all with quality materials and affordable pricing. The hatchback is one of our 10 Coolest Cars Under $ 20,000 for 2021 and a 10 Best Family Cars Under $ 25,000 winner. The sedan was recognized as one of the 10 Best Sedans Under $ 30,000, while the hybrid earned a spot on our list of 10 Best Hybrid Cars Under $ 30,000.
See: Toyota has sold its 50 millionth Corolla
5. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is a 3-row SUV with all the comfort and features busy families crave. It has a smooth, quiet ride and lots of room for cargo along with a beautiful, upscale interior. This SUV earned recognition as one of our 10 Best Road Trip Cars of 2021 and as one of our 12 Best Family Cars of 2021. It also received Best Buy and Best Resale Value Awards.
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4. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler
Jeep
Long a top pick for off-road enthusiasts, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler can go where other vehicles don’t stand a chance. Available as a 2-door or 4-door, it also adds the ability to remove the doors and roof to fully enjoy the outdoors. It earned a Best Resale Value Award and 5-Year Cost to Own Award, highlighting the Wrangler’s good value. It was also one of our 10 Most Fun SUVs of 2021 and 10 Coolest Cars Under $ 30,000 for 2021.
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3. Toyota Sienna
The 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan adds the ultimate family hauler to our list. Room for everyone and their stuff, the convenience of sliding doors, available all-wheel drive, and a standard hybrid engine make it a solid option. It received a Best Resale Value Award and Best Buy Award as a value-conscious choice. It was also named one of our 10 Best Road Trip Cars of 2021, 12 Best Family Cars of 2021, and one of the 8 Best Hybrid Cars Under $ 40,000.
Also see: The best 2-row and 3-row midsize luxury SUVs in 2021
2. Hyundai Elantra
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has a cool look, thanks to a Lamborghini designer.
Hyundai
The roomy 2021 Hyundai Elantra sedan is available with gas and hybrid engines. The performance-focused Elantra N was named one of the 10 Coolest Cars Under $ 30,000 for 2021. The hybrid made our list of 10 Best Hybrid Cars Under $ 30,000. The Elantra was also one of our 10 Best Road Trip Cars of 2021, 10 Best Sedans Under $ 30,000, and earned both a Best Buy Award and 5-Year Cost to Own Award.
1. Toyota RAV4
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is our most awarded car of the year. This 5-passenger SUV is roomy and comfortable with a wide range of trims and engine options. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid earned a spot on the list of 14 Best New and Redesigned SUVs for 2021, as well as a Best Buy Award. The RAV4 was also a Best Buy Award winner and one of the 12 Best Family Cars of 2021.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.