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

  • 2021 Acura TLX
  • 2021 BMW 330e and 330e xDrive
  • 2021 BMW 430i, 430i xDrive and M440i xDrive
  • 2021 BMW 545e xDrive
  • 2021 Genesis G80
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra family (includes N Line and HEV)
  • 2021 Lexus IS
  • 2021 Mercedes-Benz E Class Sedan, All-Terrain, Coupe, Cabriolet
  • 2021 MINI Cooper SE
  • 2020 Nissan Sentra

Utility of the Year

  • 2021 BMW X2 xDrive25e
  • 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e and xDrive45e
  • 2021 Buick Encore GX
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
  • 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E
  • 2021 Genesis GV80
  • 2021 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL
  • 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
  • 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2021 Hyundai Venue
  • 2021 Kia Seltos
  • 2020 Land Rover Defender 90 and 110
  • 2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring
  • 2020 Mazda CX-30
  • 2021 Nissan Rogue
  • 2021 Toyota Venza
  • 2021 Toyota Sienna
  • 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime
  • 2020 Toyota Highlander
  • 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
  • 2021 Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge

Truck of the Year

  • 2020 Ford Super Duty
  • 2021 Ford F-150
  • 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave

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