Motor Trend picks Car, Truck, SUV of the Year finalists
Motor Trend
magazine has announced finalists for its car, truck and SUV of the year as automotive awards season heats up.
The finalists for car of the year lean heavily on luxury brands, with a couple of mass-market competitors.
Motor Trend’s editors said:
•The Audi A4. The car gets “high marks for overall engineering, build quality and technology that is unmatched in its class and price point.”
•Jaguar XE. The new XE “redefines the ‘sport’ in sport sedan.”
•The Chrysler Pacifica. The minivan “defines functionality, with comfortable stow ‘n' go seats and a rear suspension that feels like a luxury sedan.”
•The Chevrolet Bolt. The Bolt “delivers a benchmark electric vehicle that’s compact, smooth and provides impressive battery range at a mass-market price.”
On the SUV side, highlights include:
•Audi Q7. "An elegant (Audi) Q7 with high-quality materials and top technology all around.”
•Mercedes-Benz GLC. "Mercedes-Benz impressed the judges with the GLC luxury SUV, outfitted with a high-end interior and strong turbo engine.”
•Jaguar’s F-Pace. It "redefines the sport-utility vehicle segment with an entry that drives and is styled like a sports car, but is also quite capable off-road.”
Highlights among pickups include:
•Honda Ridgeline. It "leverages a unibody structure and independent rear suspension for smooth and precise handling.”
•Ford Super Duty. "The Ford F-250 and F-350 both feature a new Power Stroke diesel engine that makes both trucks powerhouses.”
If you’re a car-award junkie, you may notice some differences in vehicles and categories between Motor Trend and the North American Car of the Year jury. That comes down to how each defines its categories and sets eligibility. For instance, the Chrysler minivan competes among utility vehicles for NACTOY, while Motor Trend classes it as a car. For another example, the Ford F-150 is eligible for MT truck of the year because it has a new engine and transmission, but that’s not enough to qualify as a new truck by NACTOY’s standards.
Motor Trend will present its awards in Los Angeles Nov. 14.