Yahoo Autos Editors' Picks October 2021 | VW ID.4, Nissan Frontier and Kia Stinger
October saw us award a trio of cars with Editors' Pick status, and the three are all vastly different from each other. There's an EV, a new midsize truck and a sport-focused grand tourer. As the year winds down, we expect many more 2022 model year update cars to be eligible for Editors' Picks, so look out for even more soon. Read on below to see what made the cut for October.
In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on what’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get Editors’ Pick status. Those are the ones we’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody who’s curious and asks the question. The list that you’ll find below consists of every car we rated in October that earned an Editors’ Pick.
2021 Volkswagen ID.4
Quick take: A fun-to-drive EV with plenty of range, lots of utility and slick styling. It's let down by unnecessarily difficult-to-use tech, but nails all the other vital aspects of an electric car.
Score: 7.5
What it competes with: Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV
Pros: Comfortable with excellent handling, spacious, plenty of range
Cons: In-car tech frustrates, plain/barren interior
From the editors
Senior Editor, Green John Beltz Snyder — "The ID.4 isn’t perfect, but its quirky tech and touch interfaces are easy to overlook when you consider its other qualities. It’s plenty quick, with surprisingly sharp handling. It’s also quite roomy, with lots of space for both passengers and cargo. I’d take this over a Tiguan any day."
In-depth analysis: 2021 VW ID.4 Review | Price, range, interior space, pictures
2022 Nissan Frontier
Quick take: Nissan has a midsize truck to compete with the best of them now, as the Frontier has a great powertrain, superb looks and a modern, tech-festooned interior.
Score: 7.5
What it competes with: Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator
