While safety, reliability, and aesthetics are key factors when shopping for a new vehicle, the most important factor is the way it drives. After all, what’s the point of buying any new car if you don’t like the way it steers, handles, or makes you feel when you slip behind the wheel? For our inaugural vehicle awards, the editors at MotorBiscuit combed through the cars that we drove this year and picked a few that gave us the best overall driving experience of 2021. It was a tough decision, but here are the three finalists.

The stately 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 is nimble and comfortable

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E450 not only looks like a million bucks, but it drives like it’s worth a million dollars as well. We put the E450 through its paces and found that it was able to handle aggressive corners well despite the small amount of body roll that it exuded. In terms of steering feel, the E450 never felt vague or disconnected and its suspension handled every road with great precision.

While it’s not exactly a sports car, the Mercedes-Benz E450 is a luxury sedan that can take turns and soak up road imperfections with ease. This dual-purpose nature makes it easy to drive on normal commutes, but fun when the road gets twisty. Couple that athleticism with a 362-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, and you have yourself a fun-to-drive and comfortable luxury cruiser that can be had as a sedan or a convertible.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offers a rush of power

If you crave a lot of power from your luxury crossover, then you’ll find a lot to like about the 2022 Genesis GV70. Opting for the 3.5T trim level equips the GV70 with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough gusto to push you and your passengers back in your seats with a rush of power as the engine hastily swings through the RPM band.

The GV70 isn’t just about power, though, as it did handle well on curvy roads and shined when driven on the highway. Its soft suspension makes for a comfortable ride on short and long commutes as it soaks up bumps and dips in the road with ease. As an added plus, the 2022 GV70 is also available in rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations, which makes it a viable crossover option no matter where you live in the country.

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 is a luxurious exotic cruiser that can handle almost any curve

Take one look at the 2021 Lexus LC 500 and we wouldn’t blame you if you thought it was a genuine exotic car like the Audi R8. It technically is, but the LC 500 errs more on the side of luxury than it does on the side of sportiness. The LC500’s adaptive suspension makes it comfortable enough to be driven daily, but turn it into the “sport” setting and you’ll be ready to tackle some corners.

What really makes the Lexus LC 500’s driving experience a blast is its potent 5.0-liter V8 engine that pushes out 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. This smooth-revving V8 screams with an intoxicating rumble as it quickly makes its way up the powerband. Every shift from the car’s 10-speed automatic transmission is crisp and every steering input is direct. If you’re looking for a luxury coupe or convertible with exotic looks that will turn heads and drives exceptionally smooth, then the Lexus LC 500 is hard to beat.

Which vehicle will win the award for the “Best Driving Experience” for 2021?

Each of these vehicles has its own unique set of performance and handling attributes to bring to the table, so it’ll be a tough choice. But stay tuned to see which one of these three finalists will take home the MotorBiscuit award for the “Best Driving Experience” for 2021.