These cars will be discontinued by automakers in 2021 as new models are developed.
Every year Edmunds’ experts put their heads together to determine the very best new vehicles on sale. Spread across eight categories, the Edmunds Top Rated Awards are given to the cars, trucks and SUVs that rank at the top of their class according to Edmunds’ vehicle testing program. That means each winner has been tested at the Edmunds test track and thoroughly evaluated over many miles of real-world use.
We’ve highlighted the four first-time winners for 2021, along with a returning champion from last year’s awards. The vehicles are listed in ascending order by manufacturer’s suggested retail price and include destination charges.
Best vehicles of 2021
Top-rated sedan: 2021 Kia K5
This undated photo provided by Kia shows the 2021 Kia K5, which is Edmunds' top-rated sedan for 2021. It's impressively easy to drive and offers an exceptionally quiet cabin alongside a rich set of features.
Starting MSRP: $24,455
What Edmunds’ experts say: “The all-new Kia K5 has the style and substance to set it apart from other midsize family sedans. It’s impressively easy to drive and comfortable on longer trips thanks to a smooth ride and an exceptionally quiet cabin. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard, and that’s just the beginning of a rich feature list that somehow manages to undercut the competition on price at every level.”
Counterpoint: The K5’s sloping roofline can make it hard to get in and out for taller rear passengers.
Top-rated truck: 2021 Ford F-150
This undated photo provided by Ford shows the 2021 Ford F-150, which is Edmunds' top-rated truck for 2021.
Starting MSRP: $30,635
What Edmunds’ experts say: “The Edmunds Top Rated Truck must balance capability, comfort, technology, innovative features and value. The Ford F-150 was already one of the best pickup trucks on the market; its significant list of additions and improvements for 2021 could cement its standing for years to come. Thanks to a raft of new features and high-end tech advancements the F-150 unseats the Ram 1500 as Edmunds’ top truck for 2021.”
Counterpoint: If you’re looking for a premium feel, the F-150’s cabin might not seem as luxurious as the Ram’s.
Top-rated SUV: 2021 Kia Telluride
This undated photo provided by Kia shows the 2021 Kia Telluride, which retains its crown as Edmunds' top-rated SUV for 2021. It stands out from the competition with its more premium look and feel.
Starting MSRP: $33,160
What Edmunds’ experts say: “It seems like Kia went for a ‘baby Land Rover’ look and nailed it. Inside and out, the three-row midsize Telluride has a more premium look and feel than the competition. It also boasts an impressively smooth ride, a third-row seat roomy enough for adults, and plenty of features for the money. It was Edmunds Top Rated SUV last year, and it’s back in the winner’s circle for 2021.”
Counterpoint: There are fewer storage bins and cubbies than you’ll find in some rival SUVs.
Top-rated luxury EV: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
This undated photo provided by Ford shows the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which is Edmunds' top-rated luxury EV for 2021. It offers a premium cabin and an experience behind the wheel worthy of its Mustang namesake.
Starting MSRP: $43,995
What Edmunds’ experts say: “In some cases, a non-luxury brand enters luxury territory with an EV offering, and so it is with the all-new Ford Mustang Mach-E. An electric SUV with Mustang-influenced styling, the Mach-E stands out with its premium cabin and easy-to-use controls. It lives up to its Mustang namesake, too, with approximately 300 miles or so between charges, depending on configuration, plus a projected 0-60 mph time of less than 4 seconds in the upcoming GT version.”
Counterpoint: The Mach-E’s front seats can be somewhat uncomfortable for taller drivers.
Top-rated luxury sedan: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-CLASS
This undated photo provided by Mercedes shows the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which is Edmunds' top-rated luxury sedan for 2021. The E-Class delivers a true luxury experience and offers a strong value in a premium segment.
Starting MSRP: $55,300
What Edmunds’ experts say: “A true luxury experience is the main focus of this award, but value is also taken strongly into account. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class delivers on both fronts, with a refresh for 2021 helping it move into the No. 1 spot for this category. A particular highlight is the car’s new infotainment system that allows you to operate most of the car’s systems with voice commands. A smooth ride, top-notch construction and excellent advanced driver safety aids.”
Counterpoint: The E-Class sedan’s trunk capacity is small by segment standards, although the available E-Class wagon solves that problem.
Rust in peace: These cars aren't returning in 2021
Rust in peace
Buick Regal
In the pantheon of cool Buick names like Invicta and Electra, this Opel import with the blue-hair name was doomed from the start, although its remarkably unremarkable personality didn't help.
Acura RLX
A perfectly anonymous car with an equally anonymous name, the RLX is a stark reminder of how far Acura's product development and marketing has fallen from the excellence established by the Legend.
Alfa Romeo 4C
Now that America has become a nation of SUV-loving truck drivers, where dreary practicality triumphs over sheer fun, pure sports cars like the fun-to-drive 4C are sadly overlooked also-rans.
BMW i8
You'd think a gas-electric hybrid as attractive as the BMW i8, with handling to match, would succeed. But $147,500 for a car powered by the Mini's three-cylinder engine? Really?
Chevrolet Impala
While car buyers think nothing of buying enormous SUVs, they think twice about buying a large car, even one as good as the Impala. That said, a more inspired design would have helped.
Cadillac CT6
With a name only a lifeless marketer would love, this flagship sedan was sabotaged by tepid styling that lacked the Escalade's unmitigated swagger, and a cabin far too cheap for its station.
Chevrolet Sonic
With exorbitant gasoline prices now a distant memory, this funky and fun little hatchback lost its raison d'etre. Its platform lives on, however, in the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore.
Ford Fusion
Ford may blame lack of buyer interest with killing the Fusion. The absence of any meaningful update for years has much more to do with it. A sad, self-inflicted end to a well-respected and popular car.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Cheap to buy and very practical, but the end has come for this minivan after 35 years as Dodge focuses on performance-oriented products. Its replacement, the Chrysler Voyager, is now on sale.
Dodge Journey
Outclassed in every respect except for its low price and archaic Ultradrive four-speed automatic transmission, this sad relic of the DaimlerChrysler era is thankfully seeing its journey come to an end.
Honda Fit
Its beauty was its utility, which was far larger than its size suggested thanks to the flexibility of its seating system. And it was unexpectedly fun to drive, something rarely said of cheap utilitarian cars.
Honda Civic Coupe
While the whole sport compact scene grew out of cars like the Civic Coupe, its time has come and gone, as buyers are unwilling to put up with an iota of inconvenience in the name of fashion.
Jaguar XE
Like the X-Type before it, this entry-level British sports sedan never possessed the requisite grace, pace and space needed to steal buyers away from the BMW 3-Series.
Lincoln Continental
Developed using a front-wheel-drive Ford Fusion platform to save money and lacking the requisite aura of the concept car that foreshadowed it. The Continental's fate was sealed from the start.
Lincoln MKZ
This gussied-up Ford Fusion with a crummy name was bound to exit once the Fusion did. Aside from seniors who liked nabbing a Lincoln at a low price, the MKZ was never special enough.
Lexus GS
Always the middle child, never as popular as the Lexus LS or ES sedans. Toyota President Akio Toyoda wanted to kill the GS in 2011. Executives saved the car, but sales never improved. Now, Akio gets his wish.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
If you thought that the idea of a Jaguar station wagon seemed a bit off, you're not alone, even though this was a fabulously fun-to-drive alternative to the overwhelming overabundance of SUVs.
Mercedes-Benz SL
Mercedes-Benz has killed the two-seat SL-Class, but online reports speculate that the renowned roadster could return as a 2+2 for 2022, built by Mercedes-AMG.
Mercedes-Benz SLC
With buyers ignoring everything except SUVs, this cut-rate convertible is circling the block for the last time, still in need of the upscale elan, space and build quality that its larger siblings possess.
Toyota Yaris
Americans hate subcompacts, especially when gas prices are low. So even though this disguised rendition of the Mazda2 is fun to drive, downsized cars are DOA.