Motor Trend 2006 Car of the Year

[Proetus]

Honda Civic Named Top Car for 2006

Nov 22, 2005 — The Honda Civic, which in its latest incarnation offers drivers a more sleek and upscale take on the popular compact car, has claimed the honor of 2006 Car of the Year from Motor Trend magazine.

All four new Civic models a sedan, a coupe, a high-performance model called the Si and a gasoline-electric hybrid were given the award.

"Honda deserves a standing ovation for not playing it safe again," Motor Trend's editor in chief, Angus MacKenzie, said in a statement Tuesday. "The engineering passion that Honda … was founded on radiates from these new Civics."

...continued

[mgescuro]

Why am I not surprised??

[Squachy]

must be bias.....

[Stéphane Dumas]

I'm agree with you Squachy, to my eyes, the Sonata and the Fusion desserved the title.

and here in the Great White North, we had to wait in February to see our COTY chosed by the AJAC (Automobile journalists association of Canada and if you like to see the list of the previous winners http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Car_of_the_Year )

But then, some MT COTY recieve some "curses" overs the years (Corvair, Vega, Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare, Renault Alliance) the 300C had escaped the curse, will the Civic avoid the COTY curse?

[Proetus]

There is a very good article from Autoextremist about this award

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/p...ess002043.html

Motor Trend's "Car Of The Year," Or, Do We Have A Marketing Opportunity For You!

Reprinted with the blessings( well maybe not the blessing but permission) of the author Peter M. DeLorenzo, Autoextremist

In one of my previous advertising lives, I had the perverse pleasure of witnessing the Motor Trend "Car Of The Year" scam first hand. I'm hearing groans from our readers…you're shaking and shuddering and you just can't believe it? No, tell us it's not true! You can't possibly mean that the awards are, at best, dubious? Yes, my friends, Motor Trend's "COTY" (car company ad agencies learn to absolutely despise those initials and everything they stand for) is one of the most brilliantly consieved marketing schemes of all time.

Petersen Publishing, the publishing juggernaut behind Motor Trend's COTY, has cajoled, bartered, badgered and threatened their way in to the hearts and minds of the(primarily) domestic car companies, to the point that I've seen"powerful" (allegedly-ed.) auto company executives literally begging for their consideration.

First of all, you should understand one thing about Motor Trend's COTY: It's not about the "best" car. It has never been about the "best"car. It's about what car company will come up with the best media spending package that suits their interest in selling cars and that suits Motor Trend's interest in selling magazines and making money.

And anyone who insists differently is either dreaming or a liar. But as outrageous as that may sound,here's the best part: Imagine having to literally grovel before the feet of the Peterson brass to first even be considered for this"award." And what do the car companies get for their multi-million dollar commitment to Motor Trend's COTY? Car companies and their agencies must first present their marketing plans for promoting their victory should their car be fortunate enough to be chosen. Huh? Yes, that's right.

continued...

[wpbharry]

This isn't Honda & Driver. Motor Trend tends to be more kind to other manufacturers. But, it was obvious that the Sonata and Fusion weren't in the running, after last month's mid-size comparo.

Honestly, I thought the Solstice had it bagged.

Most reviews I've seen of the Civic have been good, but with some reservations. Even MotorWeek on PBS, who normally NEVER says ANYTHING negative about a vehicle it tests, complained about the tiny trunk and reduced interior dimensions.

I'm not impressed. Nor was I with the XTerra. And I think the current MT editor is an idiot. MT is headed in the wrong direction, overall, IMO.

[Ridge1]

cool review from Edmunds on the Civic Si. The new Civic deserves the honor.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...9/pageNumber=1

This particularly caught my attention.

Our Civic Si went to the test track the same day as a Corvette Z06, a Viper and a Ford GT, yet, it stayed with these high rollers in the slalom, running through the 600-foot cone course at almost 68 mph. That's faster than the Viper and only a hair behind the Corvette's performance.

[Hudson]

Does this story need TWO threads rehashing the same "media bias" conspiracy theories?

[Tiger]

So, the award is/has become a Motor Trend magazine publicity promotion?

:hurl

[IAMCANADIAN]

Congrats Honda Civic, I would imagine it probably would be as it's probably the best Honda Civic to date. Although the styling won't win any awards. Whether the Car of the Year is really that important or not or is a marketing scheme like Proteus said, COTY doesn't do anything to say if it will be reliable or hold up over the years. Remember when Motor Trend gave COTY to the X-Bodies, didn't I remember them being plagued with issues and recalls not long after lol. I'm just saying that COTY is more of an advertising gimmick than actually saying it's the best car all around, as many times it's the complete opposite.

[citric acid]

Originally Posted by Proetus

There is a very good article from Autoextremist about this award

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/p...ess002043.html

You know, given how MT has given out the award in the past, I have no doubt that the article is probably correct.

I actually like the Civic, and think it worthy of a real award. A shame that MT's COTY award isn't actually a real award.

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Noooooooooooooo!
Bull ****************!
This Is A Hunk Of ****************!
The Civic Is A Stupid Japanese Piece Of Crap!

The Fusion Or Impala Should Have One!
I Am Really Mad!

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by FordRules

Noooooooooooooo!
Bull ****************!
This Is A Hunk Of ****************!
The Civic Is A Stupid Japanese Piece Of Crap!

The Fusion Or Impala Should Have One!
I Am Really Mad!

You're losing a downhill battle.

[Vintalage]

Well deserved. I've driven the new '06 Civic and it is a great car.

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by Ridge1

Our Civic Si went to the test track the same day as a Corvette Z06, a Viper and a Ford GT, yet, it stayed with these high rollers in the slalom, running through the 600-foot cone course at almost 68 mph. That's faster than the Viper and only a hair behind the Corvette's performance.

Only you would make a tremendous point of that.

Anyway. The Civic probably deserves it. I don't think bias is at hand. But Motor Trend tends to contradict themsleves.

But I agree. Fusion, Sonata, and especially the Impala make an extremly good case. The thing that won it for the Civic was the fact it can be a hybrid.