© Hyundai Motor America
2021 North American Car of the Year
At a virtual event this morning in Detroit, the all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra took top honors as 2021 North American Car of the Year. The popular small sedan becomes a two-time victor of this prestigious award, winning previously in 2012. Elantra bested two strong competitors — its distant cousin Genesis G80 as well as the Nissan Sentra.
© Hyundai Motor America
Many Thanks
Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America Jose Munoz accepted the award on Hyundai’s behalf. “Thank you to all of the jurors. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire company, our Alabama and Ulsan plant employees who build Elantra and our dealer,” said Munoz. “Elantra is a symbol of our blend of dynamic design, advanced technology and great fuel economy. Elantra customers are going to experience all of the hard work and dedication that went into making this class-leading car,” Munoz enthused.
© Hyundai Motor America
Embracing Sedans
Although many car companies have abandoned the sedan market, Hyundai continues to produce great new cars like the all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra. With standout styling and a range of high-end features as well as the first hybrid version, Elantra is clearly sticking around. Hyundai has been selling the car in America since 1992, and this seventh-generation model features a longer wheelbase, wider stance and lower roofline for a premium look.
© Hyundai Motor America
High-End Interior
With pricing that starts below, $20,000, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra’s interior feels like a much more expensive model. The sedan is available with two connected 10.25-inch display interfaces under one pane of glass to give the cabin a futuristic vibe. This innovative impression gets further enhanced by slim air vents and an overall cockpit-like design. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as a smartphone-based digital key add to the high-tech nature of the new Elantra.
© Hyundai Motor America
Fuel Efficiency and Performance
Hyundai offers the 2021 Elantra with a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain — a first for the Elantra line. The system produces 139 horsepower and boasts a U.S. EPA fuel economy rating of 54 mpg combined. A high-performance Elantra N will be joining the lineup later this year.
© NACTOY
About the Award
The annual North American Car of the Year award winner gets announced each January in Detroit. Although most accolades of this type are presented by an individual publication or study, this award remains unique because an independent jury of automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada casts ballots to determine the winner. In order to be eligible, a vehicle must be all new or substantially redesigned. According to the group, winners excel in design, innovation, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Continue reading for past winners.
NACOY History
Past Winners
Since the NACOTY award’s inception in 1994, domestic-brand automakers have won 14 times, Japanese carmakers have been victorious six times, European companies five times and Korean automakers twice. The following are previous winners.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
2020: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
This was the third time Corvette has earned this award — the C7 Corvette won in 2014, and the fifth-generation ‘Vette took the top spot in 1998. The all-new 8th-generation Corvette Stingray bested two tough competitors: the Toyota Supra, which returned from a long hiatus, as well as the completely redesigned Hyundai Sonata. After years of rumors about a mid-engine Corvette, Chevrolet introduced the eighth generation of this legendary sports car as the first mid-engine Corvette in history. The mid-engine design of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers more performance, technology and luxury than previous generations. The new design features better weight distribution with a rear weight bias to improve both straightline and on-track performance, as well as better responsiveness and sense of control with the driver positioned closer to the front axle. Corvette is available as a coupe or convertible, the latter featuring a retractable hardtop.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
2019: Genesis G70
The Genesis brand may still be in its infancy, but last year the luxury arm of Hyundai took the North American Car of the Year award with the all-new G70 sport sedan. The G70 is available with rear-or all-wheel drive, and in a surprising move Genesis offers the G70 with an available manual gearbox. Exterior styling matches that of the rest of the Genesis lineup, while inside G70 designers created a nice mixture of luxury amenities with a driver focus. The G70 gets power from either a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 365 horsepower.
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2018: Honda Accord
Some argue that this new Honda Accord is the best version ever built, and it seems the jury of auto journalists that decides the winner agrees, naming the popular Honda Accord the winner of the 2018 trophy. The Accord was completely redesigned for the 2017 model year; Honda called it the most dramatic remake since the car debuted more than 40 years ago. In addition to new exterior styling and updated interior, the Accord rode on an all-new chassis designed to improve safety, handling and comfort. Accord was available with two new turbocharged engines as well as a fuel-efficient two-motor hybrid system.
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2017: Chevrolet Bolt EV
Chevrolet’s Bolt EV was introduced in 2016, boasting a 238-mile range, which exceeded almost every other electric vehicle on the market — the one exception being Tesla. However, the Bolt was less than half the price of the Model S. In addition to its impressive electric range, the Bolt EV served up good performance with 200 horsepower on tap. The Bolt EV was loaded with innovations. A Bluetooth low-energy system — designed specifically for the Bolt EV — connects to a smartphone as the driver approaches the car. A large 10.2-inch touchscreen display and rear camera mirror are also available, and a dedicated EV nav system plans a route while taking into account terrain that will affect the battery’s depletion rate.
© American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
2016: Honda Civic
The 2016 Civic was reborn from the ground up with a completely new vehicle architecture, new interior and exterior styling, a more spacious interior and two advanced new engines. Buyers had a choice of a 2.0-liter 158-horsepower engine — the most powerful base engine ever offered in a Civic — or a turbocharged 1.5-liter motor putting out an impressive 174 horsepower. Fuel economy was rated at more than 40 mpg on the highway with either engine. Civic was available with a number of premium features and technologies including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Smart Entry with Push Button Start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated rear seats and rain-sensing wipers.
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2015: Volkswagen Golf
This popular Volkswagen was completely redesigned for the 2015 model year, offering a number of choices for consumers. Available as a 2-door, 4-door or wagon, Golf variants included the electric-powered e-Golf, the high-performance AWD Golf R or the diesel-powered Golf TDI.
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2014: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The seventh-generation Corvette debuted in 2013 with an all-new frame and a new powertrain, as well as fresh styling inside and out. With a 455-horsepower V8 under the hood, the C7 Corvette Stingray was the most powerful standard Corvette ever, with the ability to sprint to 60 mph in less than four seconds and achieve an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the highway.
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2013: Cadillac ATS
It had been more than 10 years since Cadillac had a small sedan in its lineup, so in 2013 GM’s luxury brand introduced the all-new ATS. With styling that matches the rest of the Cadillac family, the ATS was based on an all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture and offers excellent performance thanks to its lightweight construction and available high-performance engines.
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2012: Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai introduced the fifth-generation Elantra late in 2011. The new compact car showcased the brand’s new “Fluidic Sculpture” design and featured advanced convenience and safety features not commonly found in this level of passenger car. The new 1.8-liter Nu 4-cylinder engine provided more power and better fuel economy compared to the outgoing model.
© General Motors
2011: Chevrolet Volt
One of the most innovative vehicles ever to emerge from General Motors, the Volt is an electric car with a gas engine that acts as a generator. Batteries provided a range of about 40 miles, but with the gas engine charging the batteries the range was extended to more than 300 miles. Volt can be plugged in or filled with gasoline, providing drivers with an electric option without the associated “range anxiety” of other electric vehicles.
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2010: Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford’s midsize Fusion received a complete refresh for the 2010 model year, but it was the impressive hybrid version that received accolades from the NACOTY jury. The Fusion’s 2.5-liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor produced a combined 191 horsepower and earned an EPA fuel-economy rating of more than 40 mpg in the city. Unlike other hybrids of the time, Fusion was able to reach 47 mph on electric power alone.
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2009: Hyundai Genesis
A brand new model for Hyundai in 2009, Genesis was the Korean automaker’s first rear-wheel-drive luxury car sold in America. Available with features such as traffic alerts, adaptive front lighting, a high-end Lexicon audio system and premium leather seats, Genesis was available with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 375 horsepower.
© General Motors
2008: Chevrolet Malibu
The Malibu name has been around since the first generation in 1964, but it was the seventh-gen Malibu that became one of Chevrolet’s most decorated vehicles. With a distinctive design, longer wheelbase and a number of new features, this new Malibu shared a platform with the previous year’s winner, the Saturn Aura
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2007: Saturn Aura
After years of building less-than-exciting cars, Saturn introduced the all-new Aura with European styling and a more attractive interior. A number of powertrains were available, including a hybrid as well as a 252-horsepower V6 in the top-level XR. Unfortunately the Aura was not enough of a game-changer to save the brand, which ceased production at the end of 2009.
© American Honda Motor Co., Inc
2006: Honda Civic
Honda had a banner year in 2006, winning North American Car of the Year for the first time as well as winning Truck of the Year — making it the first brand ever to sweep both awards. This was the eighth generation of the popular compact car and it featured fresh styling, new high-tech features and impressive fuel economy.
2005 Chrysler 300 Limited
2005: Chrysler 300
The 2005 Chrysler 300 was a big deal for the company, moving from front-drive, cab-forward designs of the past to a bold-looking, rear-wheel-drive performance/luxury sedan. Unlike the 300M from a few years earlier, the new 300 felt like a proper continuation of the legendary Chrysler 300 from the late 1950s and early 1960s. This 300 was even available with HEMI V8 putting out 340 horsepower.
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2004: Toyota Prius
The 2004 Prius was the first year of the hybrid’s second generation. The new model was larger, more powerful and more fuel efficient than its predecessor, and with an EPA rating of almost 60 mpg the Prius became a badge of honor for all environmentalists. The larger size and added features made it more of a mainstream family car; however, the Prius was still not enjoyable to drive.
© BMW AG
2003: MINI Cooper
When the MINI Cooper launched in America in 2002, it honored the original MINI and also introduced American buyers to the notion of a small car being a premium vehicle. With a unique interior featuring high-end materials and retro switches, the reimagined MINI was an absolute blast to drive, with many reviewers comparing the small car’s handling characteristics to a go-kart.
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2002: Nissan Altima
In late 2001 Nissan introduced the completely revised third-generation Altima. Possessing all-new styling and features, the Altima was much larger than its predecessor with improved structural rigidity and greatly-improved driving dynamics. This new Altima was also the first to offer V6 power — a 3.5-liter engine putting out 240 horsepower.
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2001: Chrysler PT Cruiser
When the PT Cruiser went on sale in 2000 it became one of the hottest vehicles on the market. The combination of retro styling and useful interior space made it an instant hit. “Chrysler PT Cruiser dramatically changes the Chrysler brand profile and the way people think of the brand,” said A. C. (Bud) Liebler, who was senior vice president of marketing for DaimlerChrysler. The PT Cruiser sold through the 2010 model year.
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2000: Ford Focus
The Ford Focus premiered in the U.S. for the 2000 model year as a replacement for the Escort. A welcome upgrade for the aging Escort, the new Focus featured Ford’s New Edge styling treatment. The Focus was both fuel efficient and fun to drive — two traits that were rare in domestic-branded small cars of the time.
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1999: Volkswagen New Beetle
The biggest news at the 1998 Detroit Auto Show was the return of the legendary Volkswagen Beetle. After a hiatus of around 20 years, the New Beetle came to market with the same basic shape as the original, but thoroughly modernized with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive configuration. The New Beetle was available with either a gasoline engine or an efficient diesel powerplant.
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1998: Chevrolet Corvette
The fifth generation of the Corvette earned NACOTY’s top honor in 1998. A major change from the previous version, the C5 Corvette was longer and wider yet lighter by about 100 pounds. Part of the weight savings came from an all-new aluminum LS1 V8 engine that produced 345 horsepower.
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1997: Mercedes-Benz SLK
Nineteen ninety-seven was the first year of this small sporty roadster, and at the time the SLK was one of the first cars to feature a retractable hardtop. Competing against the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3, the SLK had a supercharged engine producing 185 horsepower. Unlike the other two sports car contenders, the SLK’s only transmission offering was a 5-speed automatic.
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1996: Chrysler Minivans
The third generation of Chrysler’s minivans — the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager — premiered for 1996 on an all-new platform. New innovative features introduced for 1996 included Easy-Out Roller Seats, adjustable cupholders, an adjustable reclining rear child seat with a molded seat cushion, and dual-action rear drum brakes. This generation of Chrysler minivans was the first to market with an available sliding door on the driver’s side.
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1995: Chrysler Cirrus
The Cirrus was the first of three new midsize sedans from Chrysler — the others were the Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze. Designed as a replacement for the aging LeBaron sedan and possessing more flowing lines than previous boxy-looking models, the Cirrus also employed what Chrysler called “cab-forward” design with a long windshield and short overhangs. The Cirrus was discontinued after the 2000 model year.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
1994: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
In 1994 Mercedes introduced this all-new C-Class, replacing the not-so-great 190 series. The 190 was an inexpensive way for buyers to get into a Mercedes and it felt underpowered and cheap. This made the C-Class even more welcome, since it was such a step up from the older model. The winning Mercedes was available as a C220 or C280.
