2021 Auto123.com Awards: Meet the Vehicle of the Year Finalists! The big winners will be announced one week from today

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2021 LUXURY COMPACT SUV OF THE YEAR

Acura RDX - BMW X3 - Lincoln Corsair

What's hot on the mass-market side is just as hot in the luxury-vehicle market. And in 2021, the finalists in the red-hot premium compact SUV category come from three separate continents.

The Acura RDX has already earned a solid reputation as a sporty SUV, with the powertrain borrowed from the Civic Type R contributing to that claim.

BMW X3, on the other hand, is more of a vehicle that can cater to a wider range of customers, from the 4-cylinder X3 to the inline 6-cylinder X3 M, not to mention the plug-in hybrid option.

Finally, the Lincoln Corsair plays the role of black sheep, but its exceptional driving skills could thwart the prognosis.

Photo: Acura
Acura RDX
Photo: V.Aubé
BMW X3
Photo: Auto123.com
Lincoln Corsair

2021 LUXURY MIDSIZE SUV OF THE YEAR

BMW X5 - Land Rover Defender - Lexus RX

If the previous category is highly contested, so is the one that offers us even more posh and massive models. Here, image is more important than function. Buyers proudly display their models and for manufacturers, it's an opportunity to fill the coffers, because profit margins are important here, as is sales volume. This year's finalists include the BMW X5, the Land Rover Defender and the Lexus RX.

Photo: D.Heyman
BMW X5
Photo: D.Heyman
Land Rover Defender
Photo: Lexus
Lexus RX