The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has been selected Car of the Year during Automobility LA by the Hispanic Motor Press. The 2021 Hispanic Motor Press Awards (HMPA) jury panel included 24 Hispanic automotive journalists, content creators, and industry influencers, who analyzed more than 100 new 2020 and 2021 vehicles.
Now in its 11th year, the annual awards program recognizes the best new vehicles for Hispanic buyers, using styling, driving satisfaction, technology, safety, environmental impact, mechanical reliability, and value as the criteria. Coincidentally, the Elantra happens to be one of the top new vehicles purchased by Hispanic buyers.
“In a world where crossovers and SUVs keep gaining market share, it is refreshing to see that a manufacturer has not forgotten the sedan class,” said Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, president Hispanic Motor Press.” “Being one of the best-selling cars in the world, the Hyundai Elantra has to deliver to the most demanding customers across the globe. The all-new Elantra includes a full line up from the hybrid version to a sportier version with the N model. The build quality of built and overall performance is proof that this Korean automaker has become a force in the industry.”
“On behalf of our entire team at Hyundai Motor North America, I would like to thank each member of the Hispanic Motor Press jury panel for selecting the 2021 Hyundai Elantra as the Car of the Year. The all-new, seventh generation Elantra provides exciting driving dynamics and the most progressive in-car experience in its class with many segment-first features,” said José Muñoz, Hyundai Motor North America president and CEO. “The Elantra family now also includes a first-ever Hybrid version with up to 54 MPG combined fuel economy rating, and the N Line performance model that enthusiasts will love.”
Production will begin in Ulsan, Korea and at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in the fall, with shipments to dealers in the fourth quarter.
Around my neck of the woods, the Hispanic car of choice (both on the road and at Pick a Part is a two decade old Chrysler minivan. But the award has only been given for 11 years so it didn’t get one when sold new.
Every Tiburon I’ve seen was driven by a Hispanic. So, Hyundai screwed up big when they discontinued a nameplate.
Here I see Hispanics driving F150s.
Being from Latin America this is quite interesting. The Elantra is well sold in my country(Panama), although in lesser numbers than the Accent, Rio, Versa and Yaris subcompacts. I assume that in areas near the Mexican border Nissans are better appreciated as they are a giant south of the border.
It’s no different than the PT Cruiser chosen The Motor Trend Car of the Year when its sales were crazy, like 400K a year. Or the Chevy Citation.
Or was it Car and Driver? Who cares, it says nothing about the car itself.
It was MT. But in fairness, the Citations that GM sent the press were apparently all hand-built ringers, and MT wasn’t the only one taken in by the scam – Car and Driver was too. If MT had reviewed an actual production vehicle, I suspect the outcome would have been far different.
How much lipstick can you put on a pig? Also there was some payola going on. GM owned part of MT or something like that. But I realize better choice are ruled out if they’re not new for the year or have major changes.
Well, the main issue with the Citation was build quality, so sending out some hand-built, thoroughly-massaged examples definitely helped.
And I hadn’t heard that GM owned part of Motor Trend. Might explain a lot.
The Hispanic Motor Press does mention “mechanical reliablility” as one of the criteria for its award. That is one difference compared to Motor Trend.
It’s numbers game, telling most of the subscribers or audience what they want to hear, even though their biggest criteria is likely price/payments.
How do you really measure mechanical reliability on a brand-new model with no track record, though? I’m sure it’ll be reliable enough –
recent-model Elantras have a good rep in this in this regard – but declaring it “reliable” seems a bit premature.
Perhaps they’re basing it on previous reliability, same as “Consumer Reports” and the like.
I’m sure they’re basing it on previous reliability. What other kind is there?
Those who correctly point out that this is a “brand new” model need to keep in mind that the mechanicals are mildly tuned and mildly updated from previous models.
Base models run happily on a range of conventional oil grades, with no turbochargers or GDI to worry about. Even the CVT is not new; it’s had its teething period and is one of the better-performing units on the market. In a world without guarantees, that’s about as safe as it gets.
I don’t believe that. SEAT and Nissan are more popular brands in Spain than Hyudai and Kia.
Oh how this just reeks of cynicism. I’m kinda surprised that J.D. Power didn’t come up with this sooner. This is pure advertising genius/evil. Step 1: Send out dubious “customer surveys” to your targeted demographic. Step 1 and 1/2, have companies advertise in your magazine the same month said survey runs. Step 2: Announce the “results” of your “survey”. Oddly notice how the company running the most advertising has the winning product in the “survey”. Once you’ve convinced some company that yes, they are well represented to that particular demographic, move on to the next one. Personally I want all the discounts a left-handed bourbon drinker can get.