Land Rover Defender makes Women's World Car of the Year 2021 list

MANILA: Journalists of the Women’s World Car of the Year have selected the Land Rover Defender as the World’s Best Car of 2021.

An international team of judges comprised of 50 female motoring specialists from five continents and 38 countries tested and assessed numerous models. 

Nine vehicles were able to enter the final stage and each of them were declared winners in their respective categories.

The finalists included the Honda e (Best Electric Vehicle or EV category), Ford F-150 (Best 4x4 and Pick-up), Kia Sorento (Best Large SUV), Land Rover Defender (Best Medium SUV), Peugeot 2008 (Best Urban SUV), Ferrari F8 Spider (Best Performance Car), Lexus LC 500 Cabrio (Best Luxury CR), Skoda Octavia (Best Family CR), and Peugeot 208 (Best Urban Car). 

In earning the votes of motoring experts, various factors in the Land Rover Defender were considered such as value for money, innovation, comfort, performance, and safety.

The basis of this year’s voting system for the Women’s World Car of the Year was the selection in the first round of the three best vehicles in each segment. This took into consideration the models that were introduced between January and December 2020. 

During the second round, the jurors selected only one — the best in every segment with respect to its competitors in the same category.

The third round was considered as the most challenging since the finalists were the category winners mentioned, and all vehicles turned out to perform excellently.

Executive President of the Women’s World Car of the Year Marta Garcia declared, “The Women's World Car of the Year is the only jury in the world made up entirely of women motoring journalists. This gives it enormous value because its decisions represent the liking and preferences of millions of women drivers around the globe. But cars have no gender and are not subject to stereotypes so the winners of these awards are, quite simply, the best cars in the world. And this year's top winner is the Land Rover Defender."

Grant Thornton verified the voting at the office in Auckland, New Zealand. According to Paul Kane, one of the partners in the firm, the company has been validating results of the Women’s World Car of the Year since it began in 2009.

Photos from Land Rover

Also read: Land Rover Defender receives 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP