North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced

Buick61 · 09-22-2008, 01:35 PM

North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced

A panel of automotive journalists has narrowed the field for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders to just 14 cars and 12 trucks and SUVs that were deemed new and noteworthy enough to be considered for the prestigious award. The winners, which will all be on sale to the public by the time the award is presented, will be announced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

The award’s 2008 winners were the Chevrolet Malibu and the Mazda CX-9.

Contenders for 2009 Car of the Year include:

Audi A4
BMW 1-Series
Cadillac CTS-V
Dodge Challenger
Ford Flex
Honda Fit
Hyundai Genesis
Jaguar XF
Lincoln MKS
Mazda Mazda6
Nissan GT-R
Pontiac G8
Toyota Venza
Volkswagen Jetta TDI

And the contenders for the 2009 Truck of the Year include:

BMW X6
Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Ram
Ford F-150
Honda Pilot
Infiniti FX 35/50
Kia Borrego
Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec
Nissan Murano
Saturn Vue Hybrid
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

http://www.leftlanenews.com/north-am...announced.html

TuffG929 · 09-22-2008, 01:43 PM

My picks: Ram, CTS-V
Likely winners: I think the Vue has a chance and the media types are in love with the GT-R, so it's probably a shoe-in.

eurohazard · 09-22-2008, 01:43 PM

My prediction:

Car 2009 = Hyundai Genesis
Truck 2009 = Dodge Ram

Michael_S · 09-22-2008, 01:47 PM

I think if you're going to pick based on the models that make the biggest changes or new trends, these would be your finalists:

Car:
Hyundai Genesis (Hyundai proves it can build a competent $35,000 sedan.)
Jaguar XF (Jaguar gives its most competitive and beautiful sedan in decades.)
Mazda6 (Mazda has a legitimate shot at best-in-class midsize sedan.)
Nissan GT-R (Now the Corvette Z06 is not the only exotic-fighter to come from outside Europe)

Truck:
Dodge Ram (For the first time in decades you can have a competent half ton with a truly comfortable ride, at least in theory.)
Mercedes ML-320 (A fuel efficient, adequately fast diesel SUV. Before now, only the Liberty diesel qualified, and it's dead.)
Saturn Vue Hybrid (There's a new king of the SUV hybrid hill in town.)

I think I would give the wins to the Genesis and Vue Hybrid.

EldoFan · 09-22-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurohazard

My prediction:

Car 2009 = Hyundai Genesis
Truck 2009 = Dodge Ram

Agreed

genjy · 09-22-2008, 02:06 PM

This year is easy.

Car: Nissan GT-R
Truck: BMW X6

elderon · 09-22-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurohazard

My prediction:

Car 2009 = Hyundai Genesis
Truck 2009 = Dodge Ram

I agree too. Although possibly the new F150 instead of the RAM.

I agree with Michael_S for his Genesis reasons as well.

Pedal 2 Metal · 09-22-2008, 02:14 PM

Ram has it. There are lots of good cars to chose from though. CTS-V, GT-R, Genisis...

BigThreeForever · 09-22-2008, 02:27 PM

My personal selections:

Car: Lincoln MKS or Jaguar XF . . . it's a tough call

Truck: Dodge Ram or Ford F-150, again, a tough one

On another note, why is the Ford Flex classed as a car and the Subaru Forester as a truck?

We really are going to have to define what constitutes a car, a truck and the difference between them.

HoosierRon · 09-22-2008, 02:27 PM

Since when is the BMW X6 a truck? That's like calling a Legacy a truck.

bcjohnso99 · 09-22-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_S

I think if you're going to pick based on the models that make the biggest changes or new trends, these would be your finalists:

Car:
Hyundai Genesis (Hyundai proves it can build a competent $35,000 sedan.)
Jaguar XF (Jaguar gives its most competitive and beautiful sedan in decades.)
Mazda6 (Mazda has a legitimate shot at best-in-class midsize sedan.)
Nissan GT-R (Now the Corvette Z06 is not the only exotic-fighter to come from outside Europe)

Truck:
Dodge Ram (For the first time in decades you can have a competent half ton with a truly comfortable ride, at least in theory.)
Mercedes ML-320 (A fuel efficient, adequately fast diesel SUV. Before now, only the Liberty diesel qualified, and it's dead.)
Saturn Vue Hybrid (There's a new king of the SUV hybrid hill in town.)

I think I would give the wins to the Genesis and Vue Hybrid.

Good summary but I'm having a hard time finding anything here that will have an notable impact on the industry. I guess they have to pick something so I'll go with:

Genesis: could mark the beginning of the end for Japanese luxury vehicle profit

Ram: making the pickup a more mainstream utility vehicle (ram box, better ride/handling, etc)

Rocket 88 · 09-22-2008, 02:30 PM

My "All Reich" winners are:

Car: Audi A4

Truck: ML320 BlueTec

I'm not saying I agree, but if I'm putting down money....

Hurricane · 09-22-2008, 02:30 PM

What - no Pontiac G3? This is outrageous!

civilzues · 09-22-2008, 02:34 PM

HONDA FIT?!?!?!

fp115 · 09-22-2008, 02:47 PM

2010 will be a much more interesting year :P

09-22-2008, 01:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Buick61 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: DC Metro Area Drives: 58 Belvedere; 61 LeSabre; 96 Fleetwood; 07 SRX Posts: 8,495	North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced A panel of automotive journalists has narrowed the field for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders to just 14 cars and 12 trucks and SUVs that were deemed new and noteworthy enough to be considered for the prestigious award. The winners, which will all be on sale to the public by the time the award is presented, will be announced at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The award’s 2008 winners were the Chevrolet Malibu and the Mazda CX-9. Contenders for 2009 Car of the Year include: Audi A4 BMW 1-Series Cadillac CTS-V Dodge Challenger Ford Flex Honda Fit Hyundai Genesis Jaguar XF Lincoln MKS Mazda Mazda6 Nissan GT-R Pontiac G8 Toyota Venza Volkswagen Jetta TDI And the contenders for the 2009 Truck of the Year include: BMW X6 Chevrolet Traverse Dodge Ram Ford F-150 Honda Pilot Infiniti FX 35/50 Kia Borrego Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec Nissan Murano Saturn Vue Hybrid Subaru Forester Volkswagen Tiguan http://www.leftlanenews.com/north-am...announced.html __________________ Used to own: 1959 Cadillac Series 62, 1960 AMC Rambler Six, 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 2000 Saturn LS2, 2005 Chrysler 300C, 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP

09-22-2008, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
TuffG929 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New York Posts: 2,472	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced My picks: Ram, CTS-V Likely winners: I think the Vue has a chance and the media types are in love with the GT-R, so it's probably a shoe-in.

09-22-2008, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
eurohazard 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Travis AFB, CA Posts: 1,742	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced My prediction: Car 2009 = Hyundai Genesis Truck 2009 = Dodge Ram __________________ - 1971 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, 110k miles - 2006 Nissan Armada 4x4, 27k miles - 1993 Toyota Camry I4 AT, 179k miles - 2007 Coachmen 19flb travel trailer - 2007 Regal 1900 boat: 225 hp FI V6 (GM 4.3)

09-22-2008, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Michael_S 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,912	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced I think if you're going to pick based on the models that make the biggest changes or new trends, these would be your finalists: Car: Hyundai Genesis (Hyundai proves it can build a competent $35,000 sedan.) Jaguar XF (Jaguar gives its most competitive and beautiful sedan in decades.) Mazda6 (Mazda has a legitimate shot at best-in-class midsize sedan.) Nissan GT-R (Now the Corvette Z06 is not the only exotic-fighter to come from outside Europe) Truck: Dodge Ram (For the first time in decades you can have a competent half ton with a truly comfortable ride, at least in theory.) Mercedes ML-320 (A fuel efficient, adequately fast diesel SUV. Before now, only the Liberty diesel qualified, and it's dead.) Saturn Vue Hybrid (There's a new king of the SUV hybrid hill in town.) I think I would give the wins to the Genesis and Vue Hybrid.

09-22-2008, 02:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
genjy 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 5,123	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced This year is easy. Car: Nissan GT-R Truck: BMW X6 __________________ 2008 5-cylinder turbo hatchback w/ 6sp manual 2006 4-cylinder minivan w/ 5sp manual Animal Crossing Wii 1805-5749-4471 mooz of DK MTN PM me your info and I will add you!

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09-22-2008, 02:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pedal 2 Metal 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 308	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced Ram has it. There are lots of good cars to chose from though. CTS-V, GT-R, Genisis... __________________ Ron Paul has consistently been right about the economy time and time again. When will people wake up and start listening?

09-22-2008, 02:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
BigThreeForever 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Middle TN Drives: 1996 Silverado, 1990 Grand Marquis, 1994 Caprice W Posts: 355	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced My personal selections: Car: Lincoln MKS or Jaguar XF . . . it's a tough call Truck: Dodge Ram or Ford F-150, again, a tough one On another note, why is the Ford Flex classed as a car and the Subaru Forester as a truck? We really are going to have to define what constitutes a car, a truck and the difference between them. __________________ Take heart. Do not be dejected. Remember, the US still has a world-class fast food industry. McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut . . . American industrial might!

09-22-2008, 02:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
HoosierRon Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,666	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced Since when is the BMW X6 a truck? That's like calling a Legacy a truck.

09-22-2008, 02:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rocket 88 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Sep 2007 Drives: '06 Saturn Vue Posts: 565	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced My "All Reich" winners are: Car: Audi A4 Truck: ML320 BlueTec I'm not saying I agree, but if I'm putting down money.... __________________

09-22-2008, 02:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Hurricane 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,548	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced What - no Pontiac G3? This is outrageous! __________________ 2007 Yukon XL Denali 2006 Chevrolet Corvette

09-22-2008, 02:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
civilzues 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Drives: 2008 Mazda3S Posts: 1,847	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced HONDA FIT?!?!?! __________________ Wanted: an RWD 'Alpha' Buick, just no corporate radio this coming from a 24 year old!

09-22-2008, 02:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
fp115 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 2,757	Re: North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced 2010 will be a much more interesting year :P

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