2021 AAA Car Guide Highlights the Latest in Vehicle Tech
Tesla Model Y and other eco-friendly options take top honors in annual AAA ranking
Vehicle safety technologies, environmental concerns, and several other factors are highlights of the 2021 AAA Car Guide, an annual report to help consumers navigate the marketplace. The AAA Car Guide ranks and rates the latest in vehicle technology, including alternative fuel vehicles. The guide includes comprehensive, easy-to-read reviews of each vehicle, which are based on 13 criteria, including the number of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) safety features, emissions, braking, fuel economy, handling, ride comfort and acceleration.
These vehicles are tested, scored and placed in one of five vehicle categories by the Automotive Research Center (ARC) of the Automobile Club of Southern California, a member of the AAA federation of motor clubs.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range EV SUV has earned the overall top score in this year’s rankings. The majority of the category winners for 2021 are either electric, plug-in electric hybrids or hybrids since manufacturers tend to load up these with the newest in safety technology.
“Consumers are showing a growing interest in electric vehicles and new, improved safety features,” says Mike Hoshaw, vice president of automotive services, AAA East Central. “As long as motorists aren’t over relying on these technologies, it is encouraging to see these trends proliferate as vehicles evolve.”
The AAA Car Guide also contains a compendium of AAA’s recent research of current automotive technologies and topics, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), gasoline quality, headlight effectiveness and safely transporting a pet in the vehicle.
Winners, detailed evaluation criteria, vehicle reviews and an in-depth analysis of the ADAS technology can be found at aaa.com/carguide.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members. Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.