2013 North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced | CarAdvice

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2013 North American Car and Truck of the Year contenders announced

By Tim Beissmann
FIND DEALS

The contenders for the 2013 North American Car of the Year and 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year awards have been announced, revealing two diverse lists of all-new and heavily updated models.

The comprehensive line-ups essentially name all of the vehicles eligible for the 2013 awards. From the 45 cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs named below, the 50-member jury will create a shortlist of approximately a dozen later this year, before culling those to leave three finalists in both categories.

After the votes have been tallied, the winners will be revealed at the 2013 Detroit motor show in January.

An important name change has taken place this year, with the old award for trucks (what Australians call utes) now revised to officially encompass trucks and utilities (called SUVs in Australia). The updated category comprises both traditional body-on-frame commercial vehicles and more modern crossover-style vehicles.

Last year’s prizes were awarded to the Hyundai Elantra and the Range Rover Evoque.

 

2013 North American Car of the Year contenders:

  • Acura ILX
  • BMW 3-Series
  • BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe
  • Cadillac ATS
  • Cadillac XTS
  • Chevrolet Malibu
  • Chevrolet Spark (Holden Barina Spark)
  • Dodge Dart
  • Ford Fusion
  • Ford Focus Electric
  • Honda Accord
  • Honda Fit EV (Jazz EV)
  • Hyundai Azera
  • Hyundai Elantra GT (i30 hatch)
  • Lexus ES
  • Lexus GS
  • Lexus LS
  • Lincoln MKZ
  • Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  • Nissan Altima
  • Nissan Sentra
  • Porsche 911
  • Porsche Boxster
  • Scion FR-S
  • SRT Viper
  • Subaru BRZ
  • Tesla Model S
  • Toyota Avalon
  • Toyota Yaris
  • Toyota Prius C

 

2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year contenders:

  • Acura RDX
  • Audi A4 Allroad
  • BMW X1
  • Ford Escape (Kuga)
  • Ford C-Max
  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Infiniti JX35
  • Mazda CX-5
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  • Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  • Nissan Pathfinder
  • Ram 1500
  • Subaru XV
  • Toyota RAV4 EV

 
  • Schn

    I think the Mazda CX-5 will most likely win the title

    • B.

      Highly doubtful. American’s aren’t overly fond of Mazda’s!

  • Gibbo

    The only vehicle in the finalists for Truck of the year, that resembles a truck is the Ram 1500, with the exception of the Benz G and GL classes they are all just soft roaders that can’t really pull or carry much.

    • Legnab

      And the award goes to the dinosaur RAM 1500 from the jurasic period .

  • Captain Nemo

    What no VeeDuds on the list? 

    • Phil

      Every “all new or substantially changed” car is a “contender” for this award if released to the USA market this year regardless of whether they’re actually any good or whether there are previous year model cars on the market that are better.

      VW didn’t release any “new or substantially changed” cars to the USA market.

  • Save It For The Track

    If the Spark makes the shortlist we know the award has absolutely NO credibility. Interesting that Subaru BRZ is on but not the Toyota 86.

    • Captain Nemo

      It is on the list in the US its called Scion FR-S

  • pixxxels

    The vast majority of these cars havn’t even been released to reviewers yet, how the hell is anyone supposed to make a judgment on the quality of a car that hasn’t been driven?

    • Phil

      It’s a highlight of how stupid this award is – in the same way that Wheels car of the year is.

      The only criteria these “contenders” have met is that they are: “all new or substantially changed” for the 2012 year.
      To hell with cars released prior which might be still better  - thats why we often see awards from certain organisations going to substandard cars as there were no decent cars/trucks released in that particular year.

      • Doctor

        Wheels is the only credible award – remember it gave it to the Leyland P38.
        If it gets the Wheels award, 9 times out of 10 its a dud!

      • Doctor

        Wheels is the only credible award – remember it gave it to the Leyland P38.
        If it gets the Wheels award, 9 times out of 10 its a dud!

  • gt86.com.au

    Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S aka Toyota 86 in Aus and Toyota GT86 is Europe, should take the title this year IMHO!! Easily the most exciting new cars affordable by the masses in a very long time!!