It is 2021, and it has been over a century since the first automobile was ever made. It literally blew people’s minds with its then seemingly scorching speed of 16km/hr. Fast forward 135 years later, and instead of having flying cars like the 80s purported we would by now, we are still making cars that are in no particular rush to get anywhere.

Granted, not everyone wants to drive like greased lightning in a ridiculously expensive Bugatti Chiron, but it would be nice to know that if you suddenly crossed paths with a vindictive ostrich and it gave you a death glare, flooring your car would actually put some distance between you and the bird!

There’s something to be said about the trade-off between speed and safety, but the problem with some of the slow-mobiles we’re beginning to see on the street is that despite them plodding along at 50mph on a 75mph highway, they still wouldn't make it to the safest cars list. However, a rocket engine is hardly going to serve its purpose if you live within a city that is gridlocked pretty much always, and a turtle on wheels may actually be exactly what you need.

Here is a curated list of 2021 vehicles whose speed is so agonizingly slow, you may as well jog to your destination. For reference, we have indicated how fast each can get to 60mph.

Related: Ranking The Fastest British Sports Cars From The 60s

Toyota Corolla Hybrid 10.3 seconds

Via: Mynewsfit.com

The Corolla Hybrid is not particularly impressive, especially given its rather bland visual vocabulary. Then again, no one accused the vehicle of attempting to be a luxury brand. Starting out at $23,400 MSRP, it is actually good value for the money, all things considered. One key aspect where it shines is in its ungodly 50 mpg fuel rating. Its infotainment and safety technology are also quite generous for that price. It’s the fastest among this list of sloths; it has that going for it.

Ford EcoSport – 10.4 seconds

2021 Ford EcoSport
Via: Motor1

The 2021 Ford EcoSport looks pretty decent, and that’s where our compliments end. This vehicle has been wrought with problems since 2018, and while some of them have been alleviated, Ford can’t seem to stop making this car just to fill out their vehicle lineup with subcompact crossovers. It has a rather underpowered 3-cylinder 128 hp engine that will do a very average 27 mpg. The interior is so small you'd feel like a hostage. On a positive note, again, it looks pretty decent.

2021 Ford Transit Connect - 10.5 seconds

2021 Ford Transit Connect
Via: YouTube

The 2021 Ford Transit Connect is actually a pretty respectable van. The instrumentation on the inside could do with some redesign, as it feels rather crowded but the roomy, homey feeling of the cabin makes it a perfect sleeper van. The van comes with a 2.0l 162 hp engine and an optional 2.5l 169 hp engine for fleet customers. We don’t recommend using it as a passenger van though.

2021 Smart Fortwo – 10.7 seconds

2021 Smart Fortwo
Via: YouTube

This is strictly a city car. The Smart Fortwo is pretty much out of its depth on the open road, and if you like to live dangerously and decide to risk it anyway, you’ll probably have to tow it back. This tiny vehicle has an average range between 75 and 84 miles between charges and is perfect for slow-moving traffic within cities. It’s hardly the best in its class, however, which is why it crash-landed onto this list.

Related: 10 Ordinary Cars That Are Surprisingly Fun To Drive

2021 Toyota C-HR – 11 seconds

2021 Toyota C-HR
Via: CarScoops

Now, 11 seconds acceleration for a car made in 2021? Ludicrous! The Toyota C-HR is an upsetting car. See this car is all show and no go. It is the sportiest looking car on this list, and its disappointing saunter to 60mph, therefore, hits that much harder. This vehicle is simply underpowered at 144hp, but its 40mpg mileage does put a positive spin on it.

2021 Citroen Berlingo – 11.3 seconds

2021 Citroen Berlingo
Via: CarScoops

Ignoring the Berlingo’s lethargic acceleration, it is a pretty respectable MPV. The van ticks every checkbox on practicality. Sadly, it does lose out to more fun-to-drive competition like the Volkswagen Touran, but for a cost-conscious family, the vehicle will give you between 46 and 51 mpg. Sadly, it welcomes us into the bottom 5 abyss of stunted acceleration.

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage – 12 seconds (Tie)

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage
Via: Mitsubishi Motors

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage recently received a design bump, giving it a sportier look. Having replaced the Mitsubishi Colt, the Mirage needed the design upgrades. The Mirage is home to a hilarious 78hp engine, and it is to the shock of absolutely no one who’s driven this car that it would make it onto this list. You’d expect its mpg to be its saving grace, but at 33 in the city and 41 on the highway, it isn’t.

2021 Great Wall Steed – 12 seconds (Tie)

2021 Great Wall Steed
Via: Whichcar.com

The Great Wall Steed is not something you will meet every day. It does have some merit in that it was the first Chinese-branded vehicle to hit the UK market. It looks like your average double-cab pickup-up, but it just doesn’t drive like one. It starts out at just under $25,000, but you’d probably be better off shelling out just a bit more for one of its rivals.

2021 Niva Legend – 16.2 seconds

Lada Niva Legend
Via: autoreview.ru

If ever there was a sloth on the road, this is it. The engine will cough out 83hp, and the car is rather lacking in features by comparison to other SUVs in its class. You will hardly be impressed by its 28mpg, but it probably won’t be hitting the Western market any time soon anyway. Brand new, it would generously go for around $9,650.

2021 Hyundai H-1 – 17.5 seconds

2021 Hundai H-1
Via: best-new-cars.com

The H-1 engine will give you 126 hp at 6,000 rpm, but it is not very efficient at it. Closing out this list, it's a surprise that the car can actually leave the garage with that acceleration. That being said, the vehicle is quite huge and roomy. However, Hyundai will definitely need to take a second look at their offering with this van.

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