Award Winning Vehicles
If you spend any amount of time watching television, you have seen a multitude of car commercials. Each one bragging about a prestigious award that has been bestowed upon them by one organization or another but what do these awards really mean? How are they awarded to these automakers? Should we the consumer really care, and what vehicles are prevailing in 2024?
J.D. Power and Associates
J.D. Power is an American analytics company. Before founding J.D. Power in 1968, James David Power III worked for Ford Motor Company. Today J.D. Power and Associates is a marketing firm that issues awards annually in over 200 various categories. The marketing corporation draws analysis from consumer opinions and data on various automobiles and then sells this data to automakers who want to include it in their promotional campaigns. This one seems more like an advertising initiative than an “award.”
Motor Trend
Making its debut in 1949 and considered to be the most trusted publication in the auto industry, Motor Trend is a monthly automotive magazine. The Motor Trend Car of the Year (COTY) award recognizes the best new or significantly refreshed car every model year. Motor Trend subjects vehicles to a battery of tests such as efficiency, safety and value. Because it is based on performance and not consumer opinion, Motor Trend COTY is highly respected.
North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards (NACTOY)
The North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) Awards are given each January in Detroit at the American International Auto Show. Fifty independent, professional automotive journalists from the US and Canada judge based on innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience, driver satisfaction and value. These NACTOY critics test and evaluate a long list of new or substantially changed vehicles through three rounds of voting. NACTOY are the longest running awards not associated with any specific publication and are considered one of the most prestigious.
So, who won what in 2024?
The NACTOY 2024 truck of the year is the Ford Super Duty. The jurors feel that these Ford trucks are not only different from the competition but different from previous versions of itself. In 2023 these trucks underwent a total overhaul from the tires up. NACTOY contributors feel that four powertrain options, a suite of new technology, and plenty of tow-ready updates make this the most capable and versatile Super Duty to date.
NACTOY and Motor Trend both bestowed car of the year to the Toyota Prius. Really?? A Prius?? Apparently, Toyota’s red headed stepchild got a glow-up in 2023. “It’s more attractive, more efficient, better to drive, and just as affordable as before.” With a new polished sporty exterior, a 60% increase in power, and an estimated 57 MPG the Prius may be on its way to more consumer buy in.
Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year for 2024 is the Chevrolet Colorado. This midsize Chevy truck also received a complete overhaul in 2023. Cosmetically the Colorado boasts a chiseled new exterior and modernized user-friendly interior. This combined with a longer wheelbase, higher ground clearance and an upgraded 2.7 L turbo 4 gave this smaller hauler the best-in-class award from Motor Trend.
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