2021 Autocar Awards: Winners & Key Highlights Recap

content: Event Overview & Core Focus

The 2021 Autocar Awards, held at the historic Brooklyn Museum and sponsored by British Vault, celebrated not just the year’s best cars but the people behind them. Autocar’s legacy—dating back to inventing the road test in the 1920s—shone through as it honored 5-star rated vehicles, industry leaders, and innovators who pushed automotive boundaries. This recap covers all key winners and their impact.

content: Top 5-Star Rated Cars

Autocar’s rigorous road tests awarded only three cars a 5-star verdict in 2021:

Porsche Taycan

The electric Porsche proved EVs can be driver-focused, with precise steering, balanced ride quality, and daily usability. It redefined what electric cars can offer for enthusiasts.

Toyota GR Yaris

A rally-inspired gem, this compact car won over judges with its engaging dynamics and affordability. It’s a "proper little rally refugee" that brings joy to everyday driving.

Alpena B3 Touring

A luxury practicality masterclass, it blends 3 Series styling with M-division engine power, fitness for purpose, and dynamic prowess—turning everyday commutes into a pleasure.

content: Industry Honors & Lifetime Achievement

Mundy Award for Engineering

Won by Aston Martin’s Matt Becker, who transformed the brand’s dynamics (notably the DBX SUV, which handles like a sports car) after a stellar career at Lotus.

Design Hero

Klaus Busa took the title for overseeing stylish, successful models: the electric Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo’s lineup, and the Maserati MC20 (a new era for the brand).

Lifetime Achievement (Posthumous)

Richard Perry-Jones (Ford’s ex-CTO) revolutionized affordable car dynamics in Europe, forcing competitors to improve. His legacy lives on in cars like the Mondeo.

content: Performance & Motorsport Winners

Best Driver’s Cars

• Affordable Category: Toyota GR Yaris (won with 3/6 judges giving near-perfect scores for its British road suitability).
• Overall: Ariel Atom IV (back-to-back winner, impressing even in wet Castle Combe conditions with its tactile feedback and simplicity).

Motorsport Hero

Alejandro Agag launched Formula E (electric single-seaters) and Extreme E (off-road electric SUVs), driving motorsport’s green revolution.

content: Leadership & Innovation

Outstanding UK Leaders

• Alison Jones: Stellantis’s regional manager merged PSA and FCA brands, navigated the pandemic, and led electrification efforts.
• Eddie Hawthorne: Arnold Clark’s CEO steered the dealership group to profitability amid tough times, crediting his team.

Innovation Award

Bentley’s Crisis Management Team developed 250 safety measures, 15k COVID tests, and an in-house trace app to keep production running while protecting employees.

content: Readers’ Choice & Editor’s Picks

Readers’ Champion

With a £100k fantasy budget, readers chose:

1. Volkswagen Golf GTI (daily driver, ~£30k)
2. Alpine A110 (fun car, ~£50k)
3. Classic Land Rover Defender (wildcard, ~£20k)

Editor’s Award

Lewis Hamilton won for his 7 F1 titles (clean racing) and activism (anti-racism, environmental causes, Hamilton Commission for diverse engineering).

Used Car Hero

Matt Saunders picked the E39 BMW M5—last manual M5 with a V8, affordable (~£20k), and full of nostalgic charm.

content: Prestigious Trophies

Sturmy Award

Thomas Ingenlath (Polestar CEO) was honored for building a green car company with sustainable manufacturing and EV innovation.

Isagonist Trophy

You Son Chung (Hyundai Motor Group) won for leading the brand’s global growth—EVs like Ioniq5, hydrogen tech, and future mobility (autonomous driving, robotics).

content: Toolbox & Action Guide

Immediately Actionable Checklist

1. Grab Autocar’s June 9, 2021 issue for full award details.
2. Listen to the Autocar podcast for winner interviews.
3. Explore the 5-star cars online to learn their features.
4. Follow Autocar’s social media for future award updates.

Advanced Resources

• Autocar June 2021 Issue: Comprehensive coverage of all winners.
• Polestar Website: Dive into Thomas Ingenlath’s green vision.
• Hyundai EV Page: Learn about Ioniq5 and the EGMP platform.

content: Conclusion & Engagement

The 2021 Autocar Awards celebrated excellence across cars, people, and innovation—from EV breakthroughs to pandemic resilience. It highlighted how automotive leaders are shaping a sustainable, exciting future.

Which 2021 Autocar Award winner resonates most with you? Share your favorite in the comments below!