Starin\’ at the Highway Through My Rear View: 2021

The 2021 Aubernon Highway Podium

Compared to 2020, quite a few cars arrived at the Aubernon Highway Roadhouse. Thus, plenty of candidates for the top three of 2021. My selections are based on how I feel about them a month or so removed from my part of my landlord\’s driveway (mainly whether or not I would consider owning one).

Before getting to them, though, here are my honorable mentions:

Honorable Mention: 2021 Toyota Venza Limited

The reason the second-gen Venza is here? Spaceship noises. When I heard this approach the roadhouse back in the summer, I never heard such a sound come from a hybrid before. That alone gets an honorable mention in my book.

Honorable Mention: 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited

When I needed a ride to the 2021 WAPA Rally, Hyundai came through with the perfect vehicle: the 2022 Sonata Limited Hybrid. Between the solar-panel roof and the absurd fuel economy on a single tank for 600-plus-mile round trip, this is definitely a car I would consider taking on another long road trip once more.

And now, the top three on the Aubernon Highway Podium in 2021:

Bronze: 2021 Hyundai Veloster N

Now the sole member of the Hyundai Veloster family, the Veloster N delivered the fun around town. Even the sudden need to repair one of the Pirellis at a tire shop didn\’t diminish the joy I had driving this hot hatch at the start of the summer. Still would like a second door on the driver\’s side, though.

Silver: 2021 Toyota GR Supra 3.0

Though this is a BMW Z4 at heart, the Toyota GR Supra 3.0 gets more attention. Everywhere I went, no one could take their eyes off this bright yellow sports car. We\’ll see on the used lot in the years to come if having that much Teutonic blood in the genes was the right move. For now, though, this is a machine I\’d be glad to drive again.

Gold: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition

Do you know how close I am to replacing my RAV4 with a Bronco Sport? Well, if I had the cash, I would get one right now (or the Maverick). The spiritual successor to the Bronco II, this off-road-ready crossover grabbed me in a way no other vehicle could in 2021. The only way to top this experience would be, of course, to welcome the Bronco into the stable for a week.