2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year -- the short list

Contenders have been announced for the 2009 North American Car of the Year, along with the 2009 North American Truck of the Year. To be eligible, vehicles have to be completely new or represent a redesign for the model year. This list and the final accolades are determined by a panel of automotive journalists. The winners will be announced Jan. 11 at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Let’s check out the car category hopefuls first.

Flying the home flag is the Ford Flex SUV/crossover. As its name suggests, the interior offers plenty of scope for various combinations of passengers and cargo. It’s comfortable, practical and drives well. Plus, with the Scion xB, Nissan Cube and Kia Soul coming from the East, the time of the box is nigh. The Flex is flung by a 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6; it comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; and starts at $28,295.

Fresh from winning the 2009 Green Car of the Year is Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI with its Clean Diesel technology. If ever there was a car for the times, this could be it. This sedan (or wagon) is compact yet sturdy, thrifty yet nifty, and there are no pesky hybrid-related batteries to worry about at the end of the car’s life. Emissions-wise, it gets a clean enough bill of health to be legal in all 50 states. Fuel consumption is rated at 30 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, and it starts at $21,990.

More contenders after the jump...

The Hyundai Genesis is the first Korean car to ever make the short list for NACotY. It’s also the furthest Hyundai has ever ventured into the luxury car segment. Following the formula of class-above space and amenities for class-below money, the Genesis could well appeal to people who were thinking of buying a smaller Lexus, Infiniti or Acura. The available Lexicon high-end audio system is only found in one other marque -- Rolls-Royce. Being considered for NACotY is proof of how convincing the Genesis can be. Yet it starts at $32,250.

Here come the trucks...

The Dodge Ram pickup now offers three different cab configurations, including a new Crew Cab to go with the Regular and Quad models. It comes with rear-drive or all-wheel drive, torquey V-6 or V-8 engine options (210, 310 or 390 hp), and a much improved interior over its predecessor. The range starts at $21,270 for the 1500 Regular Cab 4x2.

Already deemed one of the best redesigns for 2009 by Kelley Blue Book, and "car of the year" by our own car critic, Dan Neil, the Ford F-150 pickup is one of the Blue Oval’s perennial best sellers. It has a class-leading hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds along with the noise, vibration and harshness of a luxury car. Stability control is standard, as is trailer-sway control. The range starts at $21,095 (Regular Cab 4x2) -- and that’s with a 248-hp 4.6-liter V8.

Diesel fuel’s rehabilitation gathers apace; the Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec luxury mid-size SUV/crossover completes the NATotY list. Its turbocharged V6 engine is 50-state legal. From the emissions and fuel consumption points of view, the ML320 Bluetec makes owning an SUV more acceptable. From a driving point of view, its plentiful torque is perfectly suited to this type of vehicle. Prices start at $48,600.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo credits: Ford, VW, Hyundai, Chrysler/Dodge, Ford, Mercedes-Benz

Comments

[martin weiss]

Just in case the big three might read this, I want a four-cylinder turbo-diesel, six-speed manual, 50+ m.p.g., 4x4 pickup-- with sunroof, for less than 20 grand. I will gladly sacrifice fast-off-the-line for the 50 m.p.g.
Also, could I please have 100% bio-diesel? No petroleum, thanks. Reminder: none of this requires new technology, just different priorities, and could theoretically have been done twenty years ago.

[Clive Roberts]

Ford should just bring their UK Ford Kuga, 4x4, diesel, 6-speed manual or auto, etc etc about 38 MPG combined. Check the Ford UK website. They already make the good cars - but sell them elsewhere.

Dump the coverage of gas hogs. Please.

[Jerry Rioux]

It's interesting that none of these is an American CAR, just trucks. No wonder the big three are bankrupt.