Toyota Yaris WRC named Autosport Rally Car of the Year

The Yaris was victorious on nine of the 12 World Rally Championship events in 2021, scooping both the manufacturers’ crown and a 1-2 in the drivers’ table with Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans.

Autosport readers have voted the Yaris the best rally car of 2021, ahead of its WRC rivals the Hyundai i20 Coupe and Ford Fiesta, and the Dakar Rally-winning Mini JCW Buggy. It is the third consecutive time the Yaris has taken the honour.

Toyota’s success was announced on 6 February at the Autosport Awards, which returned to a live event at Grosvenor House on Park Lane following the online-only competition of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Previous winners of the illustrious accolade, which was one of the first Autosport awards introduced in 1982 and is open to rally cars competing from international to national level, include the Audi Quattro, Group B Peugeot 205 T16, Lancia Delta HF Integrale, Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer.

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Sébastien Ogier, Julien Ingrassia, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Other categories decided by fan voting include International Racing Driver of the Year presented by Pirelli, British Competition Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year, International Racing Car of the Year presented by Blink Experience, International Rally Driver of the Year, National Driver of the Year and Esports Driver of the Year presented by Motorsport Games.

Further awards, decided by expert judging panels, include the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, and the Pioneering and Innovation Award presented by Mahindra Racing incorporating the John Bolster Trophy for Technical Achievement. New awards for 2021 include the Gold Medal incorporating the Gregor Grant Award and Esports Team of the Year presented by Motorsport Games.

To find out who our other Award winners are, go to autosport.com/awards.