Displaying items by tag: Car Of The Year

A jury composed of 50 automotive journalists from 38 countries around the world yesterday chose the Land Rover Defender as the best car of 2021.

After dozens of tests, the British SUV won the most points in the women's selection for "Car of the Year". The new Defender is the overall winner, while the following models have won awards in other categories.

Thus, the Peugeot 208 is the "Best City Model", the Škoda Octavia is the "Best Family Car", the Lexus LC 500 Cabrio has won the title of "Best Luxury Convertible", while the Ferrari F8 Spider has triumphed among sports models. In the category "Best City Crossover", Peugeot 2008 won, and Land Rover Defender is the best in the class of medium SUV models.

The Kia Sorento received the most points in the "Large SUV" category, and the best pick-up was the Ford F-150. In the end, the Honda E was chosen as the best electric model.

Model testing was conducted throughout 2020, and after scoring in various categories, such as safety, performance, comfort, technology and value, automotive journalists gave the most points to Land Rover Defender.

Published in Blog/News

After Europe chose "Car of the Year 2021", now follows the world selection. The semi-finalists are known, and we will get the finalists on March 30, while the ceremony of announcing the winner is expected on April 20. He looks at which car models are in the inner circle.

After we learned that the Toyota Yaris is the European "Car of the Year", the semi-finalists for the World Car of the Year have now been announced. The European winner is also shortlisted, and according to current estimates sent to this selection as the biggest candidates for victory, two electric models are also mentioned. Here is who is on the list:

  • Audi a3
  • BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
  • BMW 4 Series
  • Honda e
  • Kia K5
  • Kia Sorento
  • Mazda MX-30
  • Mercedes GLA
  • Toyota Yaris
  • Volkswagen ID.4.

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At the same time, the selection for the "World City Car" is being held, and five finalists are known: Honda e, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i10 and Hyundai i20.

Aston Martin DBX, BMW X6, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes S-Class and Polestar 2 were nominated for the title of the best in the class of luxury cars.

In the most interesting category of sports cars, the nominees are: Audi RS Q8, BMW M2 CS, BMW X5 M / X6 M, Porsche 911 Turbo and Toyota GR Yaris.

And finally, when it comes to design, these five models entered the semifinals here: Honda e, Land Rover Defender, Mazda MX-30, Polestar 2 and Porsche 911 Turbo.

The finalists will be announced on March 30, and the winner on April 20.

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If you were going to list the key attributes any executive saloon needed to posses, it would read like a checklist for the new Mercedes E-Class: style, space, comfort and an element of luxury, efficiency, performance and technology.

 The updated E received a mid-life boost earlier this year, which elevated it to the top of its class. As well as some styling tweaks designed to bring its look into line with newer models of the family, Mercedes’ revised MBUX infotainment system, complete with twin 12.3-inch screens, was key to the upgrades.
 
With more connectivity, sharper graphics and features such as augmented reality for the sat-nav, it’s as advanced as in-car tech comes. That’s supported by the availability of Mercedes’ excellent semi-autonomous driver aids – which will help take the strain off during the long motorway trips cars like this routinely make – as well as a strong level of safety tech, because these saloons (the E-Class is also available as an estate, coupé or convertible) double as family transport for many buyers, too.
 
There’s pure-diesel power, mild-hybrid petrol or a pair of plug-ins available. The E 220 d is still the entry point, and a fine power unit with even more refinement, but for business users the E 300 e (petrol) and E 300 de (diesel) EQ Power plug-ins could be of more interest, with a claimed all-electric range of 34 miles for both cars and efficiency of up to 235.4mpg for the diesel PHEV. When you consider that it takes just 90 minutes to recharge its 13.5kWh battery using a home wallbox, it shows how far this class has come.
 
The E-Class rides as well as ever, absorbing bumps with a languid flow to its damping to deliver plenty of comfort to occupants. While the saloon handles well enough, it’s the refinement and quality the Mercedes offers that’s key.
New versions of rivals are set to hit the market soon, with updated plug-in powertrains, so the Mercedes faces a stiff challenge in the future, but the ability that has cemented the E-Class in top spot in this Executive Car class means it has the potential to reign supreme for some time to come.
 
Our choice

 Mercedes E 220 d AMG Line (£41,555)
AMG Line trim offers style and substance, with nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of the dual-widescreen infotainment display, plus heated seats and wireless phone charging on top of some strong safety kit. The 220 d engine combines refinement, punch and efficiency, claiming economy of 53.3mpg.


 
Commended

Audi A6
With a plug-in model joining the range, the high-tech, well built and spacious A6 delivers an incredible breadth of ability across the range. Audi’s usual level of infotainment and quality means the A6 is a tempting alternative to the E-Class.


 

Volvo S90
If you don’t want a German saloon but do like the idea of electrification, with plug-in hybrid power offering huge performance and efficiency potential, the Volvo S90 offers a slice of Scandi cool with real eco appeal, too. 

Source: mercedes-world.com

Published in Mercedes

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