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Finalists Announced: N. American Car and Truck of the Year

Finalists Announced: N. American Car and Truck of the Year

By Colin Mathews's avatar Colin MathewsColin Mathews December 18th, 2008

2009 Ford Flex

2009 Ford Flex

Enlarge Photo

Today at Cobo Center, the six finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year were unveiled. A panel of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada selected the finalists, according to the Detroit News.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

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2009 Hyundai Genesis

2009 Hyundai Genesis

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The three car finalists are the Ford Flex, the Hyundai Genesis, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Ford's Flex shows much promise for domestics in the land of the crossover; Marty Padgett was suitably impressed ferrying it around the traffic-clogged hills of suburban Atlanta. Despite a few journalistic jeers due to its softie suspension tuning, Hyundai worked hard on its Genesis sedan, and its Tau V-8 and interior do nothing but impress. Finally, you've heard me rave about the Volkswagen Jetta TDI's killer torque, awesome DSG transmission, and fun driving experience; the folks at Green Car Journal agreed, naming the VW the Green Car of the Year.

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2009 Dodge Ram 1500 ST

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 ST

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2009 Ford F-150 Platinum

2009 Ford F-150 Platinum

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The truck finalists are represented by the blue oval (2009 Ford F-150), the Pentastar (2009 Dodge Ram), and the three-pointed star (Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTEC). Ford has been cleaning up in the truck awards so far with its new F-150, having taken both Truck of Texas honors as well as snagging Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. Wonder if Chrysler will emerge victorious in Detroit? Mercedes-Benz and all the other Germans have their work cut out for them in trying to repopularize diesels in America. Diesels make sense in heavy SUVs like the ML 320 BlueTEC, where they can average mid-20s mpg, a whole lot better than your neighbor's Escalade. Time will tell whether BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and VW's clean diesel experiment will pay off in '09/'10, but a win in Detroit surely wouldn't hurt. It's too bad Chrysler doesn't have its new mid-size V-8 diesel ready for duty in the new Ram, as that would be quite the compelling entry in this competition.--Colin Mathews
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2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC

2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC

Enlarge Photo

2009 Ford FlexEnlarge PhotoToday at Cobo Center, the six finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year were unveiled. A panel of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada selected the finalists, according to the Detroit News. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDIEnlarge Photo 2009 Hyundai Genesis Enlarge PhotoThe three car finalists are the Ford Flex, the Hyundai Genesis, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Ford's Flex shows much promise for domestics in the land of the crossover; Marty Padgett was suitably impressed ferrying it around the traffic-clogged hills of suburban Atlanta. Despite a few journalistic jeers due to its softie suspension tuning, Hyundai worked hard on its Genesis sedan, and its Tau V-8 and interior do nothing but impress. Finally, you've heard me rave about the Volkswagen Jetta TDI's killer torque, awesome DSG transmission, and fun driving experience; the folks at Green Car Journal agreed, naming the VW the Green Car of the Year. --- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 STEnlarge Photo 2009 Ford F-150 PlatinumEnlarge PhotoThe truck finalists are represented by the blue oval (2009 Ford F-150), the Pentastar (2009 Dodge Ram), and the three-pointed star (Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTEC). Ford has been cleaning up in the truck awards so far with its new F-150, having taken both Truck of Texas honors as well as snagging Motor Trend's Truck of the Year. Wonder if Chrysler will emerge victorious in Detroit? Mercedes-Benz and all the other Germans have their work cut out for them in trying to repopularize diesels in America. Diesels make sense in heavy SUVs like the ML 320 BlueTEC, where they can average mid-20s mpg, a whole lot better than your neighbor's Escalade. Time will tell whether BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and VW's clean diesel experiment will pay off in '09/'10, but a win in Detroit surely wouldn't hurt. It's too bad Chrysler doesn't have its new mid-size V-8 diesel ready for duty in the new Ram, as that would be quite the compelling entry in this competition.--Colin Mathews --- Make sure you check out our partner sites dedicated to focused news, reviews and more for Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, and the Toyota Prius. 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTECEnlarge Photo

Tags: North America, Marketing, Industry, Detroit Auto Show, Cars We Love

Posted in: 2009, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Green, Diesel



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Responses (4 total)

  1. By Ed #1, Posted: 12/19/2008

    I vote for the Jetta TDI and the Merc Bluetec
    The other candidates are largely JOKES, or of no consequence (Genesis)

  2. By  John McNeill #2, Posted: 12/19/2008

    I am distressed about the people who offer their comments about articles published on this site. Most of them are patently negative about American automotive products. Indeed, there was a time (the late 70's and early 80's) when American offerings were sub-standard, but that is not true today. The Chevrolet Malibu, Silverado, Cadillac CTS, Ford Fusion, Milan, MKZ, MKS and F series pickup trucks are among the best cars in the world for the price charged.
    My grandfather had a saying which went like this: "Damn a bird that befouls its own nest!" Her's to you, Ed.

  3. By JKD #3, Posted: 12/19/2008

    Don't be distressed about people having their opinion - it's America, John. It's the last freedom we have, so let us enjoy it while it lasts.
    What about the popular small cars or vans? Have the "domestic" offerings truly been that wonderful? I mean, seriously, you want people to drive Cobalts and overpriced 175 hp Canadian T&Cs instead of its competition?
    And not to sound like a broken record but I'll pick up the US-made Camry or Accord over the Mexican Fusion in every case. You and your grandfather could even lock them up in internment camps but consumers are not that stupid.

  4. By Overseas Observer #4, Posted: 12/22/2008

    The two diesels are heads and shoulders above the rest
    So if I could vote, I'd go for the JETTA and the BLUTEC
    Regardless how much I despise SUVs.

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