Best car videos 2021: watch our video highlights of the year
We rank our top 10 most popular videos and see which one takes the honours for 2021
Bigger, better and simply more of them – that’s how we approached making our videos through 2021. We published 74 brand new videos and generated almost 10 million views in 2021, with a watch time of nearly half a million hours.
Thanks to our excellent videos covering the latest news, exciting reviews, gripping track battles and fascinating features, the Auto Express YouTube channel smashed past 500,000 subscribers in 2021. But which were our personal favourites? Read on to find out...
1. Every generation of VW Golf GTI: which is best of all?
Over the past five decades, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has become part of the automotive furniture. And this year, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the world’s most iconic hot hatch, we sent Steve Sutcliffe to sample all eight generations of GTI. The results were intriguing. The peaks were very high indeed; the Mk7 model, in particular, stood out as what might be the sweetest model in the entire lineage. The low points, namely the Mk4, were less endearing. Nevertheless, this was a rare opportunity to bring all eight Golf GTI models together for one very special group test.
2. New Toyota Aygo X walkaround: the Aygo becomes a baby crossover!
Say goodbye to the Aygo, and hello to the Aygo X. Toyota's entry-level hatch has been beefed up with off-road inspired looks and a new architecture. Rising costs and tightening rules on emissions may have forced many manufacturers to abandon their smallest models, but Toyota still believes there’s a future in the city car. Yousuf Ashraf takes you through the design, practicality and interior tech of the new Aygo X.
3. Porsche 911 GT3 vs 911 Turbo S track battle: Steve Sutcliffe on the limit
The Porsche 911 GT3 and Turbo S are two very different interpretations of a fast 911. The Turbo S uses raw firepower, four-wheel drive and secure handling to decimate the road in front of it, while the GT3 uses a sharp, naturally aspirated flat-six, two driven wheels and less weight to scythe around a track. Which is best? Steve Sutcliffe takes each to the limit, against the stopwatch, to reveal all.
4. Porsche 911 GT3 vs Lamborghini Huracán EVO RWD: epic road and track test with Steve Sutcliffe
The new, 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 is one of the best road-going Porsche's ever built. But is that enough to see off one of the most competent Lamborghini's in recent memory - the wild, 601bhp Huracán EVO RWD? Steve Sutcliffe drives both on some of the UK's best roads, and then to the limit on track, to celebrate two of the best supercars on sale.
5. Citroen C5 X first look: could this be the most comfortable car ever built?
This is the all new Citroen C5 X: a car which on the face of it is a tough car to pigeonhole. The French brand reckons that it takes elements of a traditional saloon, spacious estate and a high-riding SUV and rolls them all up into one quirky package. But one thing is for sure - few cars on sale today place so much of a strong focus on comfort. So is this a case of a confused identity, or a true return to the big, soft Citroens like the CX and the C6? We examine the details.
6. Toyota Hilux 2021 first drive review - tough pickup is transformed by its 2.8 diesel engine
Toyota has refreshed its Toyota Hilux pickup for 2021. Along with the updated styling and improved infotainment tech, Toyota has focussed on improving refinement - including introducing a more powerful diesel engine option. But is it enough to take the Hilux to the top of the class? We find out in this quick drive review in top spec Invincible trim.
7. 2021 BMW M3 Competition vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio: Steve Sutcliffe Track Battle
It's only March, but we're already looking what could be one of the biggest track battles of 2021. BMW's all-new M3 takes on the brilliant Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - also mildly updated late in 2020 - around Llandow circuit. Which of these staggering 500bhp-plus super saloons will come out on top? Steve Sutcliffe adjudicates.
8. Hyundai i20 N vs Hyundai i30 N: Steve Sutcliffe track battle
The new Hyundai i20 N has already proven itself as an accomplished hot hatch in isolation, but we wanted to put it up against its sibling - the i30 N - to really test its mettle. The i30 N has a sizeable 77bhp advantage over the newcomer, as well as a new dual-clutch gearbox, but it also carries a hefty 315kg weight penalty. Will that be the i30 Ns undoing around the technical Llandow Circuit? Steve Sutcliffe set a lap time in both to find out.
9. BMW M4 Competition vs Porsche Cayman GT4: Steve Sutcliffe track battle
The G82 M4 Competition has already proved itself as one of the most capable sports coupes on sale - an explosive turbocharged straight-six and a sharp, beautifully balanced chassis combine to make it a serious weapon on track. But is it faster than the brilliant Porsche Cayman GT4, which has a mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated flat-six, a PDK dual-clutch gearbox and far less weight to hall around? We find the answers in this on-track review.
10. New 2022 Range Rover first look: luxury features, interior and powertrains
The all-new fifth-generation Range Rover is here. It may look similar to the outgoing model from the outside but as you'll find out in our walkaround, plenty has changed on this new car. There'll be two plug-in hybrid versions on offer - both using a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with up to 503bhp available. Mild-hybrid tech will also be an option with a pair of 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesels and a petrol version as well. Top of the range will be a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 petrol pumping out 523bhp. From 2024 the range will include a fully-electric model.
Check out the rest of our 2021 round-up below...
