NACTOY Releases 2021 Vehicle Eligibility List

June 24, 2020

Jurors will evaluate 36-plus new models for North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards.

June 24, 2020—The North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year Awards released a list of 36 models eligible for the 2021 awards, according to a press release.

According to the release, automakers are planning to announce 10 new cars, three trucks and no fewer than 23 utilities due in dealerships by the end of this year.

All of these vehicles will be eligible for one of three awards – North American Car of the Year, North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, and North American Truck of the Year. Of the 36 vehicles announced, 10 are from domestic automakers, nine are European, and 17 are Asian.

Jurors will conduct a preliminary vote to narrow the list to up to 12 models in each category in September, then will conduct additional driving evaluations through the rest of the year, including during an October comparison drive in Ann Arbor, Mich. Semi-Finalists in each category will be announced at the LA Auto Show in November, Finalists in December, and category winners in Detroit in January.

Many automakers have delayed product launches due to COVID-19-caused vehicle development and production delays, making it likely that the total number of eligible vehicles will grow as the year unfolds.

To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially new and must be available at dealerships before the end of the year.

Here is the full 2021 NACTOY eligibility list:

Car of the Year