Drive Car of the Year aerial photo mobileDrive Car of the Year 2021 aerial photo

The 2021 Drive Car of the Year Awards is our biggest yet! In its 15th year, we tested over 80 vehicles across 25 categories making this the most relevant Award to new car buyers. Our team of judges have tested the absolute best of what’s next and what represents the biggest step forward for you, the Australian car buyer.


2021 Drive Car of the Year Passenger Car Awards

Hatchbacks, sedans and wagons are popular choices amongst the Australian car buyer, thanks largely to their styling, driver comfort and practicality. Here, we’ve rounded up the best cars for urban drivers focusing on technology, efficiency, running costs and space.

Best City Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best City Car 2021
Best Small Luxury Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Small Luxury Car 2021
Best Small Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Small Car 2021
Best People Mover 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best People Mover 2021
Best Medium Luxury Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Medium Luxury Car 2021
Best Medium To Large Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Medium To Large Car 2021
Best Large Luxury Car 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Large Luxury Car 2021


2021 Drive Car of the Year Light Commercial Awards

No other vehicle segment has undergone such a radical change as commercial vehicles. Once the home of rough and basic vans and utes, this segment is now loaded with technology, refinement, safety and appeal, and is even dipping its toes into performance.

Best Van 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Van 2021
Best Dual Cab Ute 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Dual Cab Ute 2021

2021 Drive Car of the Year Best Electric Vehicle Awards

Australians are fast embracing electric technology and are increasingly being spoilt for choice with new models on offer. The biggest shift we’ve seen in this category is in affordability making this sustainable technology more accessible for you, the buyer.

Best Electric Vehicle 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Electric Vehicle 2021

2021 Drive Car of the Year Sports Car Awards

This award is guaranteed to get your heart racing. While we love the chance to put these vehicles through their paces, they need to perform as convincingly off the track as they do on. These cars don’t necessarily need to break the bank either, the discerning motoring purist can get a lot of pop for their money in this competitive performance category.

Best Super Sports Car Over $100K 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Super Sports Car Over $100K 2021
Best Sports Car Under $100K 2021
DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR 2021
Best Sports Car Under $100K 2021


2021 Drive Car of the Year Speciality Awards

People buy cars for many different reasons, not just by style and shape. the 2021 Drive Car of the Year range of specialty awards acknowledge these different drivers of choice.

Our Judges

Our expert judging panel is made up of Australia's most experienced motoring journalists. The judging panel have road-tested hundreds of new cars in 2021, combing through them, crawling under them and assessing their performance on roads and racetrack.

James Ward
James Ward

Director of Content

Trent Nikolic
Trent Nikolic

Managing Editor

Rob Margeit
Rob Margeit

Features Editor

Joshua Dowling
Joshua Dowling

National Motoring Editor

Sam Purcell
Sam Purcell

Off-Road Editor

Justin Narayan
Justin Narayan

Senior Journalist

Emma Notarfrancesco
Emma Notarfrancesco

Senior Presenter

Charlie Bullis
Charlie Bullis

Jez Spinks
Jez Spinks



Drive Car of the Year Past Winners

As Drive turns 25, we're also celebrating 15 years of bringing you Drive Car of the Year Awards. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we look at the previous winners of this prestigious award.