[stein_325i]

Car of the Year: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Is the 2021 MotorTrend Car of the Year

SUV of the Year: The Land Rover Defender Is the 2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year

Excerpts from Car of the Year:

Originally Posted by MotorTrend

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class carries the stout imprimatur of old-school luxury, from the graining of the dashboard wood to the suppleness of the heated and ventilated, posture-correct leather seats. But it is also thoroughly modern, from the robust yet efficient responsiveness of its engines to the plethora of high-tech and high-zoot features. The E-Class epitomizes an automotive brand in full, one whose currency in the current zeitgeist of automotive wants and desires is unmatched.

Yes, our Car of the Year is a mere midcycle update to a vehicle that has been on the market for several years. Some of you may wonder how and why such a car merits this award—especially when our COTY field boasted the innovation of the Porsche Taycan, the flash of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, and the newfound value story of the Nissan Sentra. But when there is a midcycle change so dramatic, so striking, so … well, excellent, we open our garage doors.

Whatever the shape or task, the E-Class excels. The sedan is firmly in the "family transport" milieu without sacrificing performance when needed. The coupe is rigid and gutsy, the convertible a luxe seaside conveyance with a top-down "Air Cap" that won't disturb your intentionally tousled coif, and the AMG E 63 S Wagon is a thunderbolt that will transform anyone's preconceived idea of a Montessori-mobile.

In addition, clicking through drive modes provides actual dynamic differences in throttle, braking, and suspension response. You want to loaf along with your family? Done. You want to charge up a canyon? Check. You want to tackle an autocross? Can do—though testing director Kim Reynolds noted that the sedans felt "fast but heavy" in the figure eight. Hey, you want bank vault safety and an indomitable ride? That adds some pounds, but as Reynolds added, "It's as solid as granite."

As a result of this new tech, the E 450 4Matic sedan accelerates like a V-8 (with a rapid 0-60 of 4.6 seconds and a quarter mile of 13.3 seconds at 103.2 mph in our tests) while also delivering 23/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined in the most recent EPA fuel economy tests. Not quick enough for you? You can upgrade to the 429-hp E 53 or even to the bonkers 603-hp AMG E 63 S 4Matic+, which will turn a blistering three-flat 0-60 and an 11.2-second quarter mile at 124.2 mph. Meanwhile, for those on less than a baller's budget, the base E 350 comes with a 2.0-liter turbo-four that generates 255 hp and 273 lb-ft and still gets to 60 mph in a claimed 6.1 seconds while returning 22/31 mpg city/highway.

"The Mercedes feels three times as well built, as well engineered, as sophisticated as the competition," Lieberman said. "The Mercedes is a superior vehicle in terms of ride quality, dynamics, kinematics, or any other measurements you can think of. You feel the difference."

And that is the definition of excellence in motion.

Excerpts from SUV of the Year:

Originally Posted by MotorTrend

You would be forgiven for assuming the judges of our 2021 SUV of the Year competition simply walked around the parking lot filled with 28 new and refreshed SUVs and pinned the award on the Land Rover Defender without starting a single vehicle. Unlike most of this year's field, the all-new Defender actually looks the part of a proper sport utility vehicle.

There is no mistaking the Land Rover Defender for one of these poseurs. That said, the Defender itself has metamorphosed to play in the current times. It ditches the decades-old steel frame of the previous L316 version (itself an evolution of the original "Series" Land Rovers, a chromosome or two removed from a farm tractor). Instead, the new L663 Defender sports an aluminum unibody. Perhaps most shocking of all to loyalists and off-roading aficionados, the live axles have been dropped in favor of fully independent suspension. How do you say "sacrilege" in the Queen's English? Yet if asked to traverse great swaths of rutted, tumbling African trails, the Defender is a steadfast, undeterred companion and guide.

"I'm glad I've lived long enough to see the return of the Land Rover Defender," head of editorial Ed Loh said. "I'm also happy to report that it's good. Really good. Definitely the most emotional choice here. No vehicle made me smile more." Added Seabaugh: "Man, this thing just puts a smile on my face." See? The Defender just feels good. It feels right.

"The commanding seating position is impressive, especially considering how low its center of gravity is," Rechtin said. The design is also a breath of fresh air, Cortina said: "Land Rover designers thought about a bunch of details to make this interior the way it is. The exposed bolts, the multifunction center console, the intelligent cubbies—all of it contributes to a great-looking interior."

The new L663 Defender's engineering, on the other hand, blew us all away. "I love this engine and transmission," Evans said about the 395-hp, 406-lb-ft 3.0-liter turbocharged and electric supercharged I-6 mated to an eight-speed ZF auto sending power to all four wheels. "This thing gets up and runs with no problem. Anyone who thought it needed a V-8 is mistaken." Seabaugh, one of our most avid off-roaders, had much to say: "Simply put, I've never driven a serious off-roader that was this capable on-pavement. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Ford F-150 Raptor come close, but this takes the cake. The Defender feels supple yet planted. It steers shockingly well, with fingertip light (as is classic British style) but still talkative steering—amazing considering the tires on this thing."

It's a heady and compelling mixture. Then there is the element that's not an official part of our six criteria but that I always lobby for: Winners should have some sort of X-factor, a secret sauce that reminds us why we chose to write about cars instead of refrigerators or computers. We love cars, trucks, and in this case SUVs. The Defender has these ineffable qualities in spades. The Defender received every first-place vote but one. See? It's special.

[GOLFFRR]

side note, land rovers photographers know how to pitch their vehicles, wow those are great shots, makes me want one! Even though almost everyone who buys one will be driving back and fourth to the mall

[ntg44]

Interesting. Don't have an opinion on the E class, but I'm surprised the Bronco didn't get SUV award.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Interesting. Don't have an opinion on the E class, but I'm surprised the Bronco didn't get SUV award.

Bronco isn't available for testing yet. Has to be a production vehicle. Will likely be included for 2022's testing.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Bronco isn't available for testing yet. Has to be a production vehicle. Will likely be included for 2022's testing.

Thanks. Seems like the Defender just got announced so I was surprised it was included and not the Bronco. This makes sense.

[scoale]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

side note, land rovers photographers know how to pitch their vehicles, wow those are great shots, makes me want one! Even though almost everyone who buys one will be driving back and fourth to the mall

Agree. The thing looks the business.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Thanks. Seems like the Defender just got announced so I was surprised it was included and not the Bronco. This makes sense.

Yep they were surprisingly quick to arrive at dealers. Someone in my neighborhood even bought one, they look quite good in person.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

side note, land rovers photographers know how to pitch their vehicles, wow those are great shots, makes me want one! Even though almost everyone who buys one will be driving back and fourth to the mall

Those photos really do hide the "lifted Honda Element" vibes.

[SteveinArizona]

Notice how much nicer the MB looks with the wide but not tall grill. Anyone listening at BMW? I doubt it.

MB might be my next vehicle.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Thanks. Seems like the Defender just got announced so I was surprised it was included and not the Bronco. This makes sense.

I have seen quite a few Defenders already. Should sell well for Land Rover.

[383vett]

Land Rover did a good job on the Defender.

[MmmmmM2]

Well at least an Inline 6 made it onto the list!

[stein_325i]

List of Contenders and Finalists from this year:

2021 MotorTrend Car of the Year: Finalists and Contenders

2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year: Finalists and Contenders