The redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion is a strong candidate for the North
American Car of the Year award. See the full list of eligible vehicles
below.
Every year since 1994, several dozen automotive journalists have cast their ballots to name the top new car and truck, based on "value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction."
The results of their ballots are released at the North American International Auto Show as the North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACOTY) winners, designations that typically fill the victors' advertisements.
The voters' top three choices in each the car and the truck category are released in December, with the winner named at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.
But in the meantime, the NACOTY organization has released all the vehicles that are eligible for the awards: those that are new or "substantially changed" either for the 2010 model year or since the previous award. The list ranges from all-new vehicles like the Acura ZDX sporty SUV, to redesigned cars and trucks like the Ford Fusion midsize sedan, to new versions of existing cars like the Cadillac CTS station wagon -- though the latter type has never won the award.
Recent Car of the Year winners include the 2007 Saturn Aura, 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2009 Hyundai Genesis; recent Trucks of the Year include the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, 2008 Mazda CX-9, and 2009 Ford F-150. See full list
Included in the list of nominees are two SUVs that have yet to be shown publicly: the Honda Crosstour and a redesigned Toyota 4Runner. But the rest have plenty of information widely available online, for those who get to make the final decision on the winners and those who don't.
If you've been following the industry, what would you pick, and why? See the DC Car Examiner's choices below the list of eligible vehicles, and leave your own in the comments section below the article.
2010 North American Car of the Year Nominees
Audi S4
BMW Z4
BMW 335d
BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
Buick LaCrosse
Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid (read review)
Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500 (read review)
Ford Taurus and Taurus SHO
Honda Insight (read review)
Hyundai Genesis Coupe (read review)
Hyundai Elantra Touring (read review)
Jaguar XFR
Kia Forte (read review)
Kia Soul (read review)
Lexus HS250h
Lexus IS250C and IS350C
Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 (read review)
Mercedes E-Class
Nissan Cube (read review)
Nissan 370Z
Porsche Panamera
Subaru Legacy (read review)
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius (read review)
Volkswagen Golf and Golf TDI
2010 North American Truck of the Year Nominees
Acura ZDX
Audi Q5
BMW X5 xDrive35d
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox (read review)
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
Ford Transit Connect
GMC Terrain
GMC Sierra Hybrid
Honda Crosstour
Land Rover LR4
Lexus RX350 and RX450h (read review)
Lincoln MKT
Subaru Outback
Toyota 4Runner
Volvo XC60 (read review)
Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI
DC Car Examiner top picks:
Among cars, the Ford Fusion stands out for offering solid driving dynamics and good gas mileage at budget pricing. Though its 2010 update was not a full redesign of the 2006 version (which was a NACOTY finalist in that year but ultimately lost to the Honda Civic) it rectified the car's greatest shortcomings to make it a top-tier vehicle. The new gas-electric hybrid version is also impressive.
Other potentially deserving vehicles are the long-awaited Chevrolet Camaro, reintroduced for 2010 with eye-catching retro styling after disappearing in 2002. The Camaro has distinctive looks, impressive performance specifications, and strong market demand. Another possible choice could prove to be the Suzuki Kizashi compact sports sedan, a relative unknown that would be a formidable player if it does live up to all the lofty promises Suzuki has made about it.
Another car that would have been a worthy Car of the Year if it had delivered what it promised is the Honda Insight hybrid, which is billed as the "hybrid for everyone" for offering most of the benchmark Toyota Prius's gas mileage for much less money and with better driving dynamics. But in reality, its lead is insignificant in both those areas, and it's too small inside, its gas-electric hybrid operation is crude, and its gas mileage is 10 miles per gallon less than the Toyota's.
Among trucks, another Ford, the Transit Connect compact van, is the most revolutionary. Brought over from Europe, it offers lots of space and acceptable gas mileage for little money, offering a compact but still useful alternative to a full-size van like Ford's own Econoline or the Chevrolet Express. It's not a vehicle that will directly affect most consumers, as it's aimed at the commercial market, but it will get some cumbersome and gas-guzzling Econolines off the streets, which helps everyone.
A more traditional top choice would be the redesigned and greatly improved Chevrolet Equinox SUV, which offers top-notch gas mileage for a big vehicle, as well as comfort and refinement at higher levels than other inexpensive SUVs. The Audi Q5 also serves as a good runner-up for its blend of sporty driving dynamics with a decent level of practicality and a high level of luxury.
What are your choices?
Comments
I am leaning towards the Kazashi for cars and the Silverado for trucks. I know it's too early to tell, but based on preliminary figures the Kazashi looks like it could steal sales from Subaru in the mountain states and New England or the Pacific Northwest, particularly from the Impreza. It seems like the Legacy might be in another league still, in terms of size and available performance.
The Silverado is still a seriously good buy even in the face of the F-150 and a new Ram. Decent quality, strong power-train options, good fuel economy relative to other pickups, etc.
We just turned in our 2005 Acura MDX for an 09. I see why. :)
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