Motor Trend 2017 Car of the Year

And the winner is….. Nominees for the prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year, SUV of the Year and Truck of the Year awards include Tesla S60 and Model X, Chevrolet Bolt, Volvo S90, Jaguar XE and F-Pace and Ford F-150.  Winners are being announced during a live stream and gala event in Los Angeles on Monday, November 14.  It’s the kick-off event for LA Auto Show week.

Ecoxplorer Evelyn Kanter will be there, and will try to tweet in between award announcements and applause.

2017 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year Finalists

Twenty-three all-new or significantly updated cars for the 2017 model year were in contention for MOTOR TREND Car of the Year. After a week of exhausting testing and evaluation at Hyundai Motor Group’s California Proving Grounds, nine finalists were chosen in categories including Car of the Year and SUV of the Year. In no particular order, they are:

•  Audi A4
•  Jaguar XE
• Cadillac CT6
• Porsche 911
• Chevrolet Bolt
• Tesla Model S 60
• Chrysler Pacifica
• Volvo S90
• Genesis G90

The unveiling of the “Golden Calipers” award winners takes place during a red carpet ceremony and livestream in front of an audience of industry insiders and celebrity guests.

Leading up to, and during the event, MOTOR TREND Award content is being featured on its website, culminating with the gala showcasing the winners of MOTOR TREND’s 2017 Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, SUV of the Year and Person of the Yearm streamed live on MOTOR TREND’s YouTube channel at 7:30 p.m. PST on November 14, 2016.

This year’s MOTOR TREND Award finalists were evaluated against six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended functions, including a week of testing at Hyundai Motor Group’s California Proving Grounds in California. Judges for each program come from MOTOR TREND staff and also trusted industry experts.

Here’s what the experts say about the models nominated for Car of the Year:

The Audi A4 delivers high marks for overall engineering, build quality, and technology that is unmatched in its class and price point. Volvo’s S90 is closely on par with the German luxury players, with a smooth and refined ride.

In the EV segment, the Tesla Model S 60 shows impressive handling with significant software upgrades for this year, while the Chevrolet Bolt delivers a benchmark electric vehicle that’s compact, smooth, and provides impressive battery range at a mass-market price.

For a loaded luxury sedan with all-wheel drive and virtually everything standard, Hyundai’s Genesis G90 brings value that’s tough to beat, while the Chrysler Pacifica defines functionality, with comfortable stow ‘n go seats and a rear suspension that feels like a luxury sedan.

Cadillac’s CT6 presents an upscale and muscular exterior with a smooth two-liter engine, accurate steering, and firm brakes.

Meanwhile, the Jaguar XE redefines the ‘sport’ in sport sedan, and the Porsche 911 has improved on its performance and status as one of the world’s premier sports cars.

2017 MOTOR TREND’s Truck of the Year Finalists

Based on testing staged from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Arizona proving ground, the three finalists for MOTOR TREND’s 2017 Truck of the Year feature two manufacturers who represent excellence in a highly competitive category:

• Ford F-150
• Ford Super Duty F-250/F-350
• Honda Ridgeline

Ford’s offerings impressed the judges all around, with the F-150 powered by a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed transmission and incorporating touches such as aluminum body panels, multiple camera views, and towing assistance. The Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 both feature a new Power Stroke diesel engine that makes both trucks powerhouses in the category. The third finalist, the Honda Ridgeline, leverages a unibody structure and independent rear suspension for smooth and precise handling.

2017 MOTOR TREND’s SUV of the Year Finalists

More automakers are building crossover vehicles to meet consumer appetites, making our SUV of the Year contest that much more competitive. Our testing was staged out of Honda’s recently renovated proving ground near Mojave, California, and after lengthy deliberation, six finalists were chosen from a field of 19 contenders:

• Audi Q7
• Mazda CX-9
• GMC Acadia
• Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Jaguar F-PACE
• Tesla Model X

Here’s what the reviewers said about the nominees for SUV of the Year:

Audi delivers an elegant Q7 with high-quality materials and top technology all around. Tesla continues to surprise and delight, bringing a high level of driver engagement with the Model X along with stunning performance. Mercedes-Benz impressed the judges with the GLC luxury SUV, outfitted with a high-end interior and strong turbo engine. The GMC Acadia brings a great long-haul vehicle that defines livability, with spacious second-row seating and cargo area. Mazda’s upscale CX-9 impressed with sharp steering and perfectly tuned transmission, all housed in an elegant package that can accommodate seven adults. Rounding out the finalists, Jaguar’s F-PACE redefines the sport-utility vehicle segment with an entry that drives and is styled like a sports car, but is also quite capable off-road.

All the nominees are winners.  There are no losers in this group.  Which one would you buy?

About MOTOR TREND
MOTOR TREND®, a media brand of TEN: The Enthusiast Network, was founded in 1949 and is internationally recognized as one of the leading names in the automotive category. The MOTOR TREND brand is composed of MOTOR TREND magazine; the award-winning website MotorTrend.com; Motor Trend OnDemand subscription video on-demand service, Motor Trend Auto Shows; Motor Trend Audio; Motor Trend en Español; Motor Trend India; and the renowned Motor Trend Car of the Year, SUV of the Year, Truck of the Year, Person of the Year, and Best Driver’s Car awards programs.

AboutTEN: The Enthusiast Network
TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier transmedia network of enthusiast brands, such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, and GRINDTV. With more than 60 websites, 50 publications, 50 annual events, the Motor Trend OnDemand subscription video-on-demand service, as well as the world’s largest automotive and action/adventure sports media platforms, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit enthusiastnetwork.com.