It takes a special car or truck to stand out from the pack. The 2012 Audi A7 and the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque do just that, and they have been named Best of the Best/Car and Truck for 2012 by the editors of Autoweek magazine.
"With the A7, Audi has crafted a vehicle with few true peers by starting with stunning luxury-sedan design and marrying that to the functionality of a hatchback," said Autoweek Editor Wes Raynal.
I test drove the 2012 Audi A7 recently, and agree with Autoweek that its performance, creature comforts and good looks are exceptional.
Raynal describes the Evoque as retaining “the luxury, refinement and off-road capability we've come to expect from Land Rover, combined with compact dimensions, carlike ride and efficiency that redefine the brand."
Only vehicles that are completely or substantially new and available for sale in North America can be considered for this Best of the Best award. Minor facelifts or mechanical updates didn't count. The process begins each January, with models graded on drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior, interior design and fun factor. Points were tallied for each vehicle, and the car or truck receiving the most points took the win.
Cars were defined as sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and wagons, while trucks included classic pickups, crossovers, minivans and SUVs. Among the finalists were the Ford Focus, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 and the BMW X3.
The A7 and the Evoque were selected under the radar, without any manufacturer knowledge. No automaker saw the results, lobbied or provided specially prepped test vehicles.
Audi and Land Rover will be presented with their Best of the Best awards at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, open to the public January 14-22, 2012. The winning A7 and Evoque featured in the Jan. 9 edition of Autoweek.
Find news about the best 2012 cars under $20,000 on Great Drives.
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