Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards of 2021

Let These Awards Guide You

As part of Kelley Blue Book’s mission of enabling consumers to find the right vehicle at the right price, we present our annual Best Buy Awards. In its seventh year, this comprehensive award program highlights the top model in vehicle segments most relevant to new car shoppers. Whether you’re looking for family transportation, a vehicle that uses electricity instead of gas, or a truck that is suitable for daily commuting and weekend work, we’ve got you covered.

Best Buy Award categories also reflect the changing automotive landscape. Full-size family sedans are no longer the dominant players they once were. In their place, buyers now embrace full- and midsize crossover SUVs for their family needs. Another growing segment in both the mainstream and luxury markets is small SUVs that are just right for city dwellers and suburbanites alike.

With their 4-door crew cab configurations, pickup trucks are also more popular than ever, and not just in the full-size segment. We’ve seen tremendous growth in both the sales volume and model count among midsize pickups. EVs are also coming into their own with more models offering real-world driving ranges that top 250 miles, with sticker prices coming down to nearly match the average cost of a new vehicle. Despite these changes, there remains a core of vehicles that deliver traditional values in the midsize sedan, minivan, and compact car segments.

What hasn’t changed is how Kelley Blue Book editors evaluate the models eligible for Best Buy consideration. We look for those models that offer the best blend of comfort, quality, dependability, low ownership costs, and affordability in a package that is easy and fun to drive. Also paramount is safety, especially when it comes to the availability of driver assists that inspire confidence and provide peace of mind. Taking all these factors into consideration, a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy is a car, truck, or SUV that best meets a buyer’s needs. Category winners should definitely earn a spot on your shopping list.

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Process

The awards announced here are the culmination of Kelley Blue Book editors’ year-round efforts driving, testing, and reviewing hundreds of new vehicles including cars, trucks, crossover SUVs, and electrics ranging from plug-in hybrids to pure EVs. These insights appear in the wealth of information on KBB.com, including Top 10 lists, Buyer’s Guides, Expert Reviews, and comparisons. In addition to starting with a baseline that includes the previous year’s winners, we add all-new models, major makeovers, and other data affecting the competitive set to consider candidates that compete in the various categories.

The winnowing process continues through the summer. By September, we have a roster of vehicles that we bring to our Irvine, CA, headquarters for a series of rigorous side-by-side tests. We drive these vehicles in a series of test loops that resemble everyday drivers’ daily traffic and roads. We also closely inspect the vehicles, checking out their roominess, ease of use of the various features and technology, and consider each vehicle’s build and quality of materials. There’s also additional research focused on affordability, with comparisons of sticker prices, 5-year operating costs, and resale values using data from Kelley Blue Book valuation experts. We also factor in the manufacturer’s reputation for quality, reliability, durability, and various warranties, including bumper-to-bumper and powertrain offerings.

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards encompass 16 categories covering virtually the entire spectrum of automotive needs, along with an award for the Best New Model for 2021. These awards are an important aid in helping buyers make the right vehicle choice.

Best New Model

2021 Kia Seltos

When it comes to offering substance, space, and style, the 2021 Kia Seltos is the complete package. Read more

Category Best Buys

Compact Car 2021 Hyundai Elantra In addition to its excellent quality, fuel efficiency, and greater variety, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra offers a generous level of standard equipment. Read more
Midsize Car 2021 Honda Accord The Honda Accord is the complete package, from its affordable price to its traditionally high resale value. Read more
Subcompact SUV 2021 Kia Seltos The Kia Seltos has modern tech, a choice of two excellent engines, and striking good looks. It also has generous cargo space and rear-seat legroom. Read more
Compact SUV 2021 Toyota RAV4 The Toyota RAV4 has an expansive lineup, efficient yet energetic powertrains, a can-do attitude, and a strong set of features. Read more
Midsize SUV — Two-Row 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe For 2021, Hyundai has updated the Santa Fe’s design aesthetics, safety features, and technology. This SUV is not just the best it’s ever been, but best in class. Read more
Midsize SUV — Three-Row 2021 Kia Telluride We continue to be impressed by the Kia Telluride on many fronts, including its design, comfort, utility, and value. Read more
Full-Size SUV 2021 Ford Expedition The 2021 Ford Expedition has fought off some serious new challengers to once again stake its claim as a KBB Best Buy. Read more
Pickup Truck — Midsize 2021 Toyota Tacoma The Toyota Tacoma has proven durability, excellent off-road prowess, and work and lifestyle versatility. Read more
Pickup Truck — Full-Size 2021 Ford F-150 Whether you use your truck for hard work or on the weekend, the 2021 Ford F-150 is ready for anything. Read more
Minivan 2021 Toyota Sienna The 2021 Toyota Sienna has a highly fuel-efficient standard hybrid powertrain, available AWD, and a comfortable and flexible interior. Read more

Electric Vehicle 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric Hyundai’s secret to making the Kona Electric so good is that it managed to make it simple to forget that you are driving an electric car. Read more
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime is an AWD performance SUV that can also take you upwards of 600 miles with a full charge and a full tank of gas. Read more
Luxury Car 2021 Lexus ES The 2021 Lexus ES offers a blend of elegant styling, a high-quality interior, refined road manners, and pricing that makes it a value. Read more
Subcompact Luxury SUV 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA The new Mercedes-Benz GLA is shorter but roomier and packed with style, substance, and Mercedes elegance and ability. Read more
Compact Luxury SUV 2021 Audi Q5 With innovative technology, great safety systems, and all-around practicality – all awash in the premium Audi experience – the Q5 delivers. Read more
Midsize Luxury SUV 2021 Genesis GV80 The all-new 2021 Genesis GV80 has a high level of sophistication and elegance, and is packed with a generous amount of standard equipment. Read more