NACTOY Announces 2021 Candidates
Yes, COVID-19 notwithstanding, there are still significant car launches happening this year
#Acura
Although the automotive world (like the non-automotive one) has been upended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year Awards announced today the vehicles that are under consideration for the 2021 awards.
These are vehicles that are all-new or determined by the NACTOY board to be “significantly” modified.
![NACTOY logo](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/ABG/2020-ABG/nactoy-logo.png;maxWidth=720)
There is one slight change (so far) from previous years of the NACTOY judging protocol. Because of the pandemic, some OEMs have significant vehicles that will have a late launch. So while there will be a winnowing of the candidates by the 50 jurors from print, online, radio and broadcast media in U.S. and Canada (full disclosure: I am one of them) until the finalists are announced in December, there will also be additions to the list.
The list of vehicles was announced today at a (virtual) meeting of the Automotive Press Association, a meeting that also included representatives of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA).
In addition, NACTOY announced today that it has awarded $40,000 in scholarships and charitable donations to the College for Creative Studies (CCS) and Feeding America. Each of those organizations is receiving $20,000. The charitable donations were made through a partnership between NACTOY and the NAIAS.
We’ll keep you apprised as how things develop for the vehicle consideration list.
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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
![2020 Sentra](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/ABG/2020-ABG/2020sentra.jpg;maxWidth=385)
2020 Nissan Sentra. (Image: Nissan)
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
![VW CrossSport](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/ABG/2020-ABG/vwcrosssport.jpg;maxWidth=385)
VW Atlas Cross Sport (Image: VW)
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
![Jeep Gladiator Mojave](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/ABG/2020-ABG/jeepmohave.jpg;maxWidth=720)
Jeep Gladiator Mojave (Image: FCA)
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