Detroit Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan happens to spend more time driving cars than any dozen people you know—a dozen pre-COVID drivers. Somehow, the pandemic hasn’t inhibited Phelan’s seat time.
Each year Phelan picks what he considers to be the best vehicles introduced during the past year.
And his list has been revealed:
Cadillac Escalade: Utility of the Year
Ford F-150: Truck of the Year
Hyundai Elantra: Car of the Year
As for place and show?
For utes:
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford Bronco Sport
For trucks:
Ram TRX
Jeep Gladiator Mojave
For cars:
Nissan Sentra
Genesis G80
Realize that these are vehicles that have been introduced during the past year, so it isn’t a rating of the best companies.
That said, it can’t be overlooked that Ford has not only a first-place win, but a full third of the list.
Hyundai Motor Group—which has Genesis under its awning—has a win and two vehicles on the list.
And FCA—soon to be Stellantis—missed first place, but had two on the list.
ooo
How competitive the industry is can be determined by taking a look at the list of the semifinalists that were announced by the jury of the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year. (Full disclosure: Mark Phelan and I are both jurors.)
Cars:
Acura TLX
Cadillac CT4/CT4-V\Genesis G80
Hyundai Elantra family (includes N Line and HEV)
Kia K5
Mercedes-Benz E Class Sedan, All-Terrain, Coupe, Cabriolet
Nissan Sentra
Polestar 2
Utilities:
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Ford Bronco Sport
Ford Mustang Mach E
Genesis GV80
Hyundai Santa Fe
Kia Seltos
Kia Sorento
Land Rover Defender
Mazda CX-30
Nissan Rogue
Toyota RAV4 Prime
Toyota Venza
Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge
Truck:
Ford Super Duty
Ford F-150
Ram 1500 TRX
Jeep Gladiator Mojave
The category finalists that NACTOY picked are not unlike Phelan’s, with a couple of exceptions:
Car:
Genesis G80
Hyundai Elantra
Nissan Sentra
Truck:
Ford F-150
Jeep Gladiator Mojave
Ram 1500 TRX
Utility:
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Genesis GV80
Land Rover Defender
The results of that will be announced on January 11, 2021.
Here’s one thing that can be said about all of those vehicles:
Tough crowd.
