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The most popular cars of 2021

Craig Duff

Posted December 28, 2021

As the sun sets on 2021, we take a look back at your favourite five cars from a year swathed in innovation, ingenuity, and interference.

COVID-19 hammered the global automotive industry in 2021 with supply chains in disarray at seemingly every point.

Not enough semiconductors, shipping delays and staff shortages has had a devastating impact on vehicle production and delivery. Despite that, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries still projects more than a million sales in Australia this year.

Despite the uncertainty of when buyers will be able to collect their new rides, it hasn’t stopped anyone from enjoying a bit of window shopping.

We’ve rounded-up the top five models that piqued your interest in 2021.

Our readers’ favourite cars

Toyota LandCruiser 300-Series

The most talked about car in Australia this year is a rugged SUV with a starting price of close to $100,000 on the road.

The 300-Series is the first new LandCruiser in 14 years. Part of its appeal lies in its reputation for reliability when heading bush. Plenty of families own a ’Cruiser with every expectation of making it to the Simpson Desert _ one day.

In the interim, its versatility as a tow vehicle for horse floats, boats or caravans and the capacity to carry up to seven people make it a go-to model for those who can afford it.

The LC300 VX is the sweet spot in the range, though there’s no sugar-coating a starting price of $113,990. That money buys heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a car-like finish to the interior.

Check out the full review here.

 

The LandCruiser 300-Series in its native environment

The LandCruiser 300-Series

 

MG ZS and ZST

The MG ZS and ZST (the latter uses the same platform with more standard gear) is the top-selling small SUV in the country, having shifted more than 16,000 vehicles in the first 11 months.

The British-branded, Chinese-built marque sells by being a bargain buy, with prices ranging from $21,990 to $32,990 (though the $44,990 electric variant is the cheapest EV in Australia).

There’s a solid suite of safety gear and the design inside and out isn’t going to upset many potential owners.

The downside is the driving experience. Basic ZS versions with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litrre engine are underpowered and while the more expensive versions use a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, it is blighted by turbo lag off the line and struggles with hills.

Combine that with an overly stiff suspension tune and this is a car you are buying to commute in, not enjoy the driving experience.

See the full road test review here.

 

The MG ZS is Australia's top-selling small SUV

The MG ZST is the best-selling small SUV in the country

 

Genesis GV80          

Hyundai’s luxury offshoot is shooting for the big time with its GV80 flagship SUV.

The seven-seater can’t be matched for specification at this price, with the rear-wheel-drive 2.5-litre petrol engine starting at $90,476 and climbing to $108,476 for the 3.5-litre turbo petrol. Diesel drivers are catered for with a 3.0-litre turbo engine that costs $103,476 before on-roads.

It’s major Germanic rivals are $5000 to $10,000 more expensive and don’t pack nearly the same level of equipment.

History shows, though, that Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz buyers tend to be “welded on” to the respective brands, so it will take time for Genesis to make inroads into the market even with incentives this enticing.

A five-star ANCAP safety rating is matched with a luxurious interior _ think thick leather and wood grain detailing _ along with a 14.5-inch touchscreen with a complementary rotary controller for those who prefer a traditional interface, huge head-up display and a panoramic sunroof.

See the full review here.

 

The Genesis GV80 challenges the European interpretation of a luxury SUV

The Genesis GV80 challenges the Euro interpretation of a luxury SUV.

 

Ford Escape

The mid-sized Escape SUV comes as a front and all-wheel drive model, all powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine. with prices starting at $35,990 and rising to $49,590.

A plug-in hybrid will add a semi-electric option to the range when it lands next year powered by a 2.5-litre engine and a battery pack good for a claimed 56km (based on the WLTP testing cycle). The PHEV extends the Escape’s cost to $52,940

This is the third generation of the Escape and maintains its predecessors reputation for being one of the better drives in the medium SUV ranks. It plays in a tough division, with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Tucson topping the sales charts.

For those who appreciate a sportier SUV, it earned its place as one of your preferred SUVs in the segment.

Check out the full road test review here.

 

The Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is a popular choice with driving enthusiasts.

 

Audi Q5 Sportback

BMW invented the modern coupe-styled SUV when it launched the menacing X6 back in 2008.

Since then, every man and his canine have had a crack at it and Audi’s interpretation of the swoopy-tailed SUV is a notable addition. Based on the Q5 - the brand’s second most popular car after the compact Q3 - the Sportback is competing directly against the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

As is the case with all vehicles in this segment, there’s a touch more standard equipment than the donor car, but buyers are essentially paying a premium for the look.

The range starts at $77,700 for a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine driving all four wheels, in the 40 TDI, rises to $86,300 for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol in the 45 TFSI and tops out at $110,900 for the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel in the SQ5.

Despite the sloping roofline there is enough headroom for all but the tallest rear seat passengers and the boot is still a practical 510 litres.

See the full review here.

 

The Audi Q5 Sportback

The Audi Q5 Sportback joins the ranks of the coupe-styled SUVs.

 

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.