The Motor Trend Car of the Year (COTY) is an annual Car of the Year award given by Motor Trend magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year.[1]
Motor Trend Car of the Year "golden calipers" trophy
Motor Trend, which debuted in 1949, was the first publication to name a Car of the Year. The inaugural Motor Trend Car of the Year award recognized Cadillac's V8 engine in 1949 (75 years ago) (1949).[2]
The earliest awards were given to the manufacturer or division, not for a specific vehicle. The 1958 Ford Thunderbird became the first single model to be selected.[3] In 1970, the Ford Torino won the COTY while Motor Trend selected the Porsche 914 for its first Import COTY award.[4]
In 1972, the low-volume imported Citroën SM won the overall COTY award. Between 1976 and 1999, the COTY award was split in two: Domestic COTY and Import COTY.
The trophy was recombined in 2000 because the distinctions between domestic and import cars became increasingly difficult. The award has expanded to include a pickup truck (starting in 1979) and a separate sport utility vehicle (starting in 1999), which are recognized separately from the Car of the Year.
Over time, other publications and organizations have copied Motor Trend's Car of the Year award and created their own. These COTY designations may focus on regional markets, vehicle types, specific market segments, or other criteria. Some examples include the European Car of the Year that began in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines, the Green Car of the Year selected by a panel of automotive and environmental experts, the Tow Car of the Year chosen by selected sponsors in the industry, and the Fleet Car of the Year that is voted by professional fleet managers.[5][6]
Impactedit
Motor Trend's Car of the Year is "one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry."[7]
The trophy for the winner, a depiction of calipers, is often used in the winning automaker's marketing and advertising.[8][9] Most cars that win the award report a spike in sales.[10][11]
Criteriaedit
To be eligible for the award, a car must be an "all-new" or "substantially upgraded" vehicle that has been on sale within twelve months from the previous November, vehicles that have been on sale for over five years are ineligible for the award.
Between the contenders, it is not a comparison test. In 2014 as an example, the Motor Trend judges debated and evaluate each vehicle against six key criteria:[12]
Criteria
Note
Design Advancement
well-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; selection of materials
Engineering Excellence
vehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective technology that benefits the consumer
Efficiency
low fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive set
Safety
active: help the driver avoid a crash; secondary: protect occupants from harm during a crash
Value
competitive price and equipment levels, measured against vehicles in the same market segment
Performance of Intended Function
how well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended
Motor Trend also only considers cars with base MSRPs less than $100,000 in order to avoid expensive luxury and super cars dominating the competition.[13]
Vehicles are subjected to a battery of tests: standard car tests such as skid-pad ratings, acceleration and quarter-mile times, and evaluations of the interiors are combined with a track run conducted by Sports Car Club of America-licensed testers and taking the cars out on normal roads to test their drivability under normal conditions, and fuel economy. add towing capacity and speed, plus an off-road course, to the normal regimen.
Car of the Year Winnersedit
Note that in 1970 and between 1976-2000, the Car of the Year award was split into two categories, domestic and import.
Introduced in 1970 for one year and then brought back in 1976 due to differences between imports and American cars. The award was discontinued after the 1999 model year when the difference between what was a domestic and an import had started to become problematic.
^Lieberman, Jonny (January 2014). . Motor Trend. 66 (1): 42–45. ISSN 0027-2094. OCLC 423854316. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2015-05-18. Our mission was to determine exactly which of this year's 22 new or significantly refreshed contenders is in fact the best.
^Mueller, Mike (2006). American Horsepower: 100 Years of Great Car Engines. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing. p. 79. ISBN978-0-7603-2327-4. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
^Gunnell, John (2003). Standard Catalog of Thunderbird, 1955-2004. Krause Publications. p. 7. ISBN9780873497565. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
^"The Way We Were: 1970 Motor Trend Import Car of the Year". Motor Trend. May 2006. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
^"Tow Car Awards". thetowcarawards.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
^"Fleet Car of the Year". Automotive Fleet. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
^Fombrun, Charles J. (1996). Reputation: Realizing Value from the Corporate Image. Harvard Business Press. p. 172. ISBN978-0-87584-633-0. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
^"Rambler Wins 1963 Motor Trend "Car of the Year" Award". Life. Vol. 54, no. 10. 1963-03-08. p. 105. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
^Dudley, Kathryn Marie (1997). The End of the Line: Lost Jobs, New Lives in Postindustrial America. University of Chicago Press. p. 11. ISBN978-0-226-16910-1. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
^Hyde, Charles K. (2003). Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation. Wayne State University Press. p. 214. ISBN978-0-8143-3091-3. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
^"Cadillac CTS Scores Second Motor Trend Car of the Year Award" (Press release). Cadillac Pressroom. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
^Michael, Floyd (2008-09-25). "2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year: The Contenders Are Revealed, What's Your Pick?". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
^Evans, Scott (December 13, 2021). "The Rivian R1T Is the 2022 MotorTrend Truck of the Year". Motor Trend. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
^Killeen, Scott (February 1, 1996). "1994 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT - Long-Term Wrap-Up". Motor Trend. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
^"Jeep Grand Cherokee: Motor Trend's 1993 Truck Of The Year". Motor Trend. December 1993. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
^"The Chevrolet Blazer EV Is the 2024 MotorTrend SUV of the Year". 25 October 2023.
^"MotorTrend's 2023 SUV of the Year is Here: The Criteria". 20 October 2022.
March 16, 2024
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The Motor Trend Car of the Year COTY is an annual Car of the Year award given by Motor Trend magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year 1 Motor Trend Car of the Year golden calipers trophyContents 1 Background 2 Impact 3 Criteria 4 Car of the Year Winners 5 Import Car of the Year Winners 6 Truck of the Year Winners 7 SUV of the Year Winners 8 Car of the Year China 8 1 Car of the Year 8 2 SUV of the Year Winners 9 See also 10 ReferencesBackground editMotor Trend which debuted in 1949 was the first publication to name a Car of the Year The inaugural Motor Trend Car of the Year award recognized Cadillac s V8 engine in 1949 75 years ago 1949 2 The earliest awards were given to the manufacturer or division not for a specific vehicle The 1958 Ford Thunderbird became the first single model to be selected 3 In 1970 the Ford Torino won the COTY while Motor Trend selected the Porsche 914 for its first Import COTY award 4 In 1972 the low volume imported Citroen SM won the overall COTY award Between 1976 and 1999 the COTY award was split in two Domestic COTY and Import COTY The trophy was recombined in 2000 because the distinctions between domestic and import cars became increasingly difficult The award has expanded to include a pickup truck starting in 1979 and a separate sport utility vehicle starting in 1999 which are recognized separately from the Car of the Year Over time other publications and organizations have copied Motor Trend s Car of the Year award and created their own These COTY designations may focus on regional markets vehicle types specific market segments or other criteria Some examples include the European Car of the Year that began in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines the Green Car of the Year selected by a panel of automotive and environmental experts the Tow Car of the Year chosen by selected sponsors in the industry and the Fleet Car of the Year that is voted by professional fleet managers 5 6 Impact editMotor Trend s Car of the Year is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry 7 The trophy for the winner a depiction of calipers is often used in the winning automaker s marketing and advertising 8 9 Most cars that win the award report a spike in sales 10 11 Criteria editTo be eligible for the award a car must be an all new or substantially upgraded vehicle that has been on sale within twelve months from the previous November vehicles that have been on sale for over five years are ineligible for the award Between the contenders it is not a comparison test In 2014 as an example the Motor Trend judges debated and evaluate each vehicle against six key criteria 12 Criteria NoteDesign Advancement well executed exterior and interior styling innovative vehicle packaging selection of materialsEngineering Excellence vehicle concept and execution clever solutions to packaging manufacturing and dynamics issues cost effective technology that benefits the consumerEfficiency low fuel consumption and carbon footprint relative to the vehicle s competitive setSafety active help the driver avoid a crash secondary protect occupants from harm during a crashValue competitive price and equipment levels measured against vehicles in the same market segmentPerformance of Intended Function how well the vehicle does the job its planners designers and engineers intendedMotor Trend also only considers cars with base MSRPs less than 100 000 in order to avoid expensive luxury and super cars dominating the competition 13 Vehicles are subjected to a battery of tests standard car tests such as skid pad ratings acceleration and quarter mile times and evaluations of the interiors are combined with a track run conducted by Sports Car Club of America licensed testers and taking the cars out on normal roads to test their drivability under normal conditions and fuel economy Trucks and SUVs add towing capacity and speed plus an off road course to the normal regimen Car of the Year Winners editNote that in 1970 and between 1976 2000 the Car of the Year award was split into two categories domestic and import Year Winner2024 Toyota Prius2023 Genesis G902022 Lucid Air2021 Mercedes Benz E Class2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray2019 Genesis G702018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Giulia Quadrifoglio2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV2016 Chevrolet Camaro2015 Volkswagen Golf2014 Cadillac CTS2013 Tesla Model S2012 Volkswagen Passat2011 Chevrolet Volt2010 Ford Fusion2009 Nissan GT R2008 Cadillac CTS2007 Toyota Camry2006 Honda Civic2005 Chrysler 3002004 Toyota Prius2003 Infiniti G352002 Ford Thunderbird2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser2000 Lincoln LS1999 Chrysler 300M1998 Chevrolet Corvette1997 Chevrolet Malibu1996 Dodge Caravan1995 Chrysler Cirrus1994 Ford Mustang1993 Ford Probe GT1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan STS 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ1990 Lincoln Town Car1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe1988 Pontiac Grand Prix1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe1986 Ford Taurus LX1985 Volkswagen GTI built at Volkswagen s Pennsylvania plant 1984 Chevrolet Corvette1983 Renault Alliance built at AMC s Wisconsin plant 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z281981 Chrysler K Cars Dodge Aries Plymouth Reliant 1980 Chevrolet Citation1979 Buick Rivera S1978 Dodge Omni Plymouth Horizon1977 Chevrolet Caprice1976 Dodge Aspen Plymouth Volare1975 Chevrolet Monza 2 21974 Ford Mustang1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo1972 Citroen SM imported vehicle selected Overall Car of the Year 1971 Chevrolet Vega1970 Ford Torino1969 Plymouth Road Runner1968 Pontiac GTO1967 Mercury Cougar1966 Oldsmobile Toronado1965 Pontiac Motor Division1964 Ford Motor Company1963 American Motors AMC Rambler all models American Classic Ambassador 1962 Buick Special1961 Pontiac Tempest1960 Chevrolet Corvair1959 Pontiac Motor Division1958 Ford Thunderbird1957 Chrysler Corporation Plymouth Dodge DeSoto Chrysler Imperial 1956 Ford Motor Company1955 Chevrolet Motor Division1954 No Award1953 No Award1952 Cadillac Motor Division1951 Chrysler Corporation1950 No Award1949 Cadillac Motor DivisionImport Car of the Year Winners editIntroduced in 1970 for one year and then brought back in 1976 due to differences between imports and American cars The award was discontinued after the 1999 model year when the difference between what was a domestic and an import had started to become problematic Year Winner1999 Volkswagen New Beetle1998 Lexus GS1997 BMW 5 Series1996 Mercedes Benz E Class1995 Nissan Maxima1994 Honda Accord1993 Mazda RX 71992 Lexus SC 4001991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR 41990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo1989 Mitsubishi Galant GS1988 Honda CR X Si1987 Acura Legend Coupe1986 Mazda RX 71985 Toyota MR21984 Honda Civic CR X1983 Mazda 6261982 Toyota Celica Supra1981 Mercedes Benz 300SD Turbodiesel1980 Honda Civic1979 Datsun 280ZX1978 Toyota Celica1977 Mercedes Benz 280E1976 Toyota Celica Liftback1975 No Award1974 No Award1973 No Award1972 No Award1971 No Award1970 Porsche 914Truck of the Year Winners editYear Winner2024 Chevrolet Colorado2023 Ford F 150 Lightning2022 Rivian R1T 14 2021 Ram 1500 TRX2020 Ram Heavy Duty2019 Ram 15002018 Ford F 150 F 150 Raptor2017 Ford Super Duty2016 Chevrolet Colorado Duramax Diesel2015 Chevrolet Colorado2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel2013 Ram 15002012 Ford F 1502011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty2010 Ram Heavy Duty2009 Ford F 1502008 Toyota Tundra2007 Chevrolet Silverado2006 Honda Ridgeline2005 Toyota Tacoma2004 Ford F 1502003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty2002 Chevrolet Avalanche2001 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty2000 Toyota Tundra1999 Chevrolet Silverado1998 Mercedes Benz ML3201997 Ford F 1501996 Chevrolet Tahoe1995 Chevrolet Blazer1994 Dodge Ram 15 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 16 1992 Ford Econoline Club Wagon1991 Mazda Navajo1990 Ford Aerostar 4WD1989 Toyota Pickup XtraCab SR5 V61988 No Award1987 No Award1986 No Award1985 No Award1984 No Award1983 No Award1982 No Award1981 No Award1980 Volkswagen Vanagon1979 Chevrolet LUV1978 Ford EconolineSUV of the Year Winners edit SUV of the Year was split from Truck of the Year in 1999 Year Winner2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV 17 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 18 2022 Genesis GV702021 Land Rover Defender 1102020 Kia Telluride2019 Jeep Wrangler Wrangler Unlimited2018 Honda CR V2017 Mercedes Benz GLC Class2016 Volvo XC902015 Honda CR V2014 Subaru Forester2013 Mercedes Benz GL2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque2011 Porsche Cayenne2010 Subaru Outback2009 Subaru Forester2008 Mazda CX 92007 Mercedes Benz GL Class2006 Nissan Xterra2005 Land Rover LR32004 Volkswagen Touareg2003 Volvo XC902002 GMC Envoy2001 Acura MDX2000 Nissan Xterra1999 Lexus RX 300Car of the Year China editMotor Trend magazine s China market cousin Auto Club Motor Trend also issues a Car of the Year award for that market Car of the Year edit 2011 BMW Brilliance 5 Series long wheelbase 2010 Shanghai GM Buick Regal 2009 GAC Honda Accord 2008 FAW Volkswagen Magotan Passat B6 2007 GAC Toyota Camry 2006 FAW Toyota Crown 2005 Changan Ford Mondeo 2004 FAW Mazda 6 2003 Shanghai Volkswagen PoloSUV of the Year Winners edit 2011 FAW Volkswagen Audi Q5 2010 GAC Toyota Highlander 2009 Dongfeng Nissan X Trail 2008 Guangqi Honda CRV 2007 Countermanded 2006 Shanghai GM SRX 2005 Guangqi Honda CRV 2004 Changfeng Automobile Liebao FeitengSee also editList of motor vehicle awardsReferences edit Lieberman Jonny January 2014 Motor Trend Car of the Year 2014 The Strong Thrive The 65th Anniversary of our Signature Award Finds the Automotive Industry Stronger Than Ever Motor Trend 66 1 42 45 ISSN 0027 2094 OCLC 423854316 Archived from the original on 2013 12 11 Retrieved 2015 05 18 Our mission was to determine exactly which of this year s 22 new or significantly refreshed contenders is in fact the best Mueller Mike 2006 American Horsepower 100 Years of Great Car Engines MotorBooks MBI Publishing p 79 ISBN 978 0 7603 2327 4 Retrieved 2015 05 18 Gunnell John 2003 Standard Catalog of Thunderbird 1955 2004 Krause Publications p 7 ISBN 9780873497565 Retrieved 2015 05 19 The Way We Were 1970 Motor Trend Import Car of the Year Motor Trend May 2006 Retrieved 2015 05 19 Tow Car Awards thetowcarawards com Retrieved 2015 05 19 Fleet Car of the Year Automotive Fleet Retrieved 2015 05 19 Fifty Years of Motor Trend MotorBooks MBI Publishing 1999 ISBN 978 0 7603 0781 6 Fombrun Charles J 1996 Reputation Realizing Value from the Corporate Image Harvard Business Press p 172 ISBN 978 0 87584 633 0 Retrieved 2010 10 20 Rambler Wins 1963 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award Life Vol 54 no 10 1963 03 08 p 105 Retrieved 2015 05 18 Dudley Kathryn Marie 1997 The End of the Line Lost Jobs New Lives in Postindustrial America University of Chicago Press p 11 ISBN 978 0 226 16910 1 Retrieved 2010 10 20 Hyde Charles K 2003 Riding the Roller Coaster A History of the Chrysler Corporation Wayne State University Press p 214 ISBN 978 0 8143 3091 3 Retrieved 2010 10 19 Cadillac CTS Scores Second Motor Trend Car of the Year Award Press release Cadillac Pressroom 2013 11 07 Retrieved 2015 05 18 Michael Floyd 2008 09 25 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year The Contenders Are Revealed What s Your Pick Motor Trend Retrieved 2015 05 18 Evans Scott December 13 2021 The Rivian R1T Is the 2022 MotorTrend Truck of the Year Motor Trend Retrieved December 13 2021 Killeen Scott February 1 1996 1994 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT Long Term Wrap Up Motor Trend Retrieved February 9 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Motor Trend s 1993 Truck Of The Year Motor Trend December 1993 Retrieved 2015 05 18 The Chevrolet Blazer EV Is the 2024 MotorTrend SUV of the Year 25 October 2023 MotorTrend s 2023 SUV of the Year is Here The Criteria 20 October 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Motor Trend Car of the Year amp oldid 1196365634 Truck of the Year Winners, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
