Luxury SUV of the Year

Shortlist

Audi e-tron

BMW X5

Lexus UX300e

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes-Benz GLE PHEV

SUVs make great electric and hybrid cars as there’s plenty of room under the floor to stash the battery pack. And our shortlist includes both full electric and PHEV models. In the end, it was a battery-electric car that triumphed. With an outstanding combination of space, quality and performance, our Luxury SUV of the year is the Audi e-tron.

MPV of the Year

Shortlist

BMW 225xe

Ford S-Max Hybrid

Ford Tourneo Custom PHEV

Mercedes-Benz EQV

Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life

The seven-seater market has changed over the years, and van-based people-movers are now the standard. This year’s MPV of the Year has been a genuine game-changer for chauffeurs looking to offer an electric option. With a class-leading combination of high build quality and cavernous interior space, the winner is the Mercedes-Benz EQV.

Estate car of the Year

Shortlist

BMW 330e Touring

BMW 530e Touring

Mercedes-Benz E300de

MG5 Electric

Skoda Octavia iV

Volkswagen Passat GTE

Volvo V90 T6

For many operators, an estate gives more versatility than a saloon – especially if you’ve got to carry passengers with luggage. The Estate Car of the Year category was a closely fought contest, where plug-in hybrids are still the main option. Our winner is the Volvo V90 T6, offering great looks and class-leading loadspace.

Executive car of the Year

BMW 330e

BMW 530e

Mercedes-Benz E300de

Polestar 2

Tesla Model 3

Volvo S90 T6

The Executive Car is the lifeblood of the chauffeur sector – and this is a very competitive sector. Over the years BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volvo have all taken the honours. But this year we had a very different outcome. You have to go electric to avoid the London congestion charge, and the car the judges all agreed was the best in this class was the Tesla Model 3.

Private Hire car of the Year

Citroen e-C4

Ford Musang Mach-e

Kia e-Niro

Kia Soul EV

MG5 Electric

Nissan Leaf

Skoda Enyaq iV

Skoda Octavia iV

Skoda Superb iV

Toyota Mirai FCEV

Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen Passat GTE

What’s the best car for private hire use? This was the most intensely-fought battleground, with the new generation of electric cars going head-to-head with more traditional plug-in hybrid versions of familiar saloons. But you can’t stop the march of progress. And it was an electric car that triumphed. With more than 250 miles of range, plenty of interior space and class-leading manufacturer support, our Private Hire Car of the Year is already becoming the default option for some operators. It’s the Kia e-Niro.

Chauffeur car of the Year

Shortlist

Audi A8L PHEV

BMW 745Le

Mercedes-Benz S350L

Porsche Taycan

Porsche Panamera PHEV

Chauffeurs are still waiting for truly effective electric cars, so plug-in hybrids are still the only real option for now. This is always a close contest, but this year we had a clear winner. Spacious, good-looking and incredibly smooth, the Chauffeur Car of the Year is the BMW 745Le plug-in hybrid.

Professional Driver Car of the Year, 2021

Shortlist

Audi e-tron

BMW 745Le

Kia e-Niro

Mercedes-Benz EQV

Tesla Model 3

Volvo V90 T6

Our overall Professional Driver Car of the Year is chosen from the six category winners. A solid selection indeed, and with a number of new models winning their classes, it proved to be a difficult choice for the overall winner, with several cars making a strong case.

Ultimately, our Car of the Year was the clear winner in its category. It’s been a game-changer for the market, and – it’s fully electric, with an electric range in real world use of more than 250 miles.

Offering exceptional versatility as anything from an events shuttle to an aircrew transporter to a mobile boardroom. It offers high levels of comfort, massive luggage space and that crucial prestige brand. The Professional Driver Car of the Year, 2021, is the Mercedes-Benz EQV.