Hyundai Genesis, Ford F-150 win North American Car and Truck of the Year

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Trucks/Pickups, Ford, Hyundai

Like an automotive continuation of the BCS bowls, winners were crowned for the 16th North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year awards at the Detroit Auto Show this morning. Voted on by 50 automotive journalists in various media from the U.S. and Canada (where's Mexico?), winners took home a bit of brand polish and a big lump of crystal.

The award selects "the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar." For a shot at the title, eligible vehicles must be "all-new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model.

Taking the monogrammed plaque in the car category was the Hyundai Genesis, beating back two other finalists, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Ford Flex. It's the first time a diesel has been a finalist, and it was only beat by a car that is gathering plaudits everywhere and for everything.

The truck field was narrowed down to the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Mercedes ML320 BlueTEC. With the highest available towing capacity, the highest payload capacity, and class-tying fuel economy -- not to mention being the best selling vehicle for more than three decades -- it's no wonder who won.Hyundai Genesis, Ford F-150 win North American Car and Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[DieselHybrid]

Gentlemen,

The bar has been officially raised. Hyundai has thrown the gauntlet at Lexus and the other luxury brands and won.

Affordable luxury is finally here.

Bravo, Hyundai. Now if only the Detroit 3 would wake up and build similar cars!

Peace.

 

[R-mart]

I was wondering when the Genesis would get it's rightful recognition! I have been driving my Genesis 3.8 for six months now and of the 90+ cars I've owned, I can't think of a car I've been more pleased to own. As for the quality of the car, I would put it against any other car. I have been in Quality Management for over 40 years and know what quality is, and the Genesis IS Quality!

 

[CLHauk]

Woo-hoo! I sure picked the right day to buy my 3.8!
I just drove it home.
I wasn't going to buy it for another couple of weeks, but my wife got tired of me talking about it, called the local dealership, set up the deal and told me to take the checkbook over, pick my color, and get it done already!
LOVE IT!

 

[Jon@VB]

Just read the news. Awesome !

Congrat to Hyundai !

Falling in love with my V8 - it gets better by the miles...

 

[Gold Z]

It was already a winner in my book..........glad other people agree.

 

[Calvin]

Another well deserved feather in Hyundai's hat! I'm sure glad we have such a great warranty since I'm planning on keeping this one for a long long time!!

 

[DanTheMan]

It was already a winner in my book..........glad other people agree.

Yeah...glad everyone else is finally figuring out what I (and many others) already knew!!!

Dan :>)

 

[Roger]

Dec. 18, 08, picked up my 3.8, Cabrenet/Cashmere, Premium Plus w/Wings bag & wheel caps. That's the day I decided that the Hyundai Genesis was "The Car of The Year" Roger