Automotive Excellence: Winners, Please!

PM Workhorse Pick: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

We’re in the season where car magazines, consumer groups and bloggers are announcing their top picks for the latest models on the market. The 2010 model year is in full swing which means that the announcements are rolling out as you read this.

Subaru Outback

Last month, Motor Trend named the Subaru Outback as its pick for 2010 SUV/Truck  of the Year and will declare its car winner later this month. I have a hunch on who the winner will be, but I’ll keep that guess to myself.

The 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards were announced last week, the fourth year that this popular men’s publication has named cars which it believes “…represent the innovation and foresight that will keep this industry moving forward.”

The Winners

By category, the editors have chosen:

• Performance: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
• Design: Chevrolet Camaro
• Value: Kia Soul
• Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Prius
• Versatility: Subaru Outback
• Fun to Drive: Hyundai Genesis Coupe
• Off-Road Ability: Ford F-150 Raptor
• Technical Innovation: Lexus Remote Touch
• Luxury: BMW 335d
• Workhorse: Ford Transit Connect

I don’t see any surprises on the list as each model or product is well known to industry insiders.  Popular Mechanics (PM) says that they test more than 100 new vehicles when making their determination, driving more than 100,000 miles to find the right vehicle for the right category.

Early Releases

Given that many of the 2010 models have been out for some time, I can see how they rack up the miles so quickly.  Though not featured on the list, the 2010 Mercedes GLK has been on sale since the first days of the new year. Clearly, model years are merging and blending, but the PM list is something worth looking at.

By the way, you’ll have to wait until the tenth of this month before the December issue hits news stands. PM’s top picks will be featured along with more in depth analysis and evaluations of the winners.

The Cute Little SUV That Could!

The 2009 Subaru Forester -- Motor Trend Magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year.

MotorTrend Magazine’s 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year has been announced and the Subaru Forester is the winner, beating out twelve other contenders for the prize. Yes, consumers still want their SUVs and the Forester gives buyers every reason why they might buy one: the vehicle is compact, strong, well made, economical, and affordable.

“We are proud and honored to receive this award for the Subaru Forester,” said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president, Subaru of America. “The previous Forester had become a byword for practicality and durability and we knew the 2009 Forester had a tough act to follow. So, we made the new Forester bigger, more powerful and more economical than ever—while retaining its legendary reliability and safety, only in a more complete package. The improvements to the new Forester are also being reflected in consumer demand, with sales up 32% over the previous year.”

With a sticker price of $19,995, the price reflects a $1200 drop compared to the 2008 model. Its all-new platform is now 103 inches long, an increase of 3.6 inches which Subaru says helps to improve ride and interior space, particularly rear legroom. In addition, the automaker says the 2009 Forester offers improved hip and shoulder area room.

Powered by a 2.5L I4 engine producing 177 h.p., buyers can upgrade to a powerful 244 h.p. turbocharged engine for optimum power. The Forester comes equipped with front, seat-mounted side, and side-curtain airbags and ABS. Stability and traction control systems with a roll-over sensor is offered standard across all Forester models.

The Forester was recently awarded a four-star rollover rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which also gave the car its highest rating of five-stars for frontal and side impact crashes.

For more information about the Forester visit www.subaru.com.

(Source: Subaru of America, Inc.)