Cadillac ATS and Ram 1500 win North American Car and Truck of the Year

The Cadillac ATS and Ram 1500 have just been announced as winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year in Detroit at NAIAS.

The compact luxury Cadillac won the title in the category of Car of the Year by beating the other nominees Ford Fusion and Honda Accord. But the Ram 1500 Truck won in the category of models Ford C-Max Hybrid and Mazda CX-5.

To be nominated for the prize, the models must be new or significantly modified that year. A group of 50 journalists in the auto industry in North America experiencing each vehicle for several weeks before voting.

North American Car and Truck of the Year Award

The award is given every year at the North American International Auto Show and voted on by a group of 50 North American automotive journalists. 

Cadillac ATS

The ATS has Cadillac offering a smaller luxury compact to take on the 3 Series and A4. There are three engines but the sweet spot is the turbocharged four-cylinder in the middle. The CTS has room to grow now and reporedly it will next generation to take on the 5 Series.

Ford Fusion

The second generation has Ford doing whatever it can to take on the market-leading Toyota Camry. It has five powertrain options and styling that makes it look significantly more expensive thatn it is. Reviews say it drives great too. Unfortunately, higher quality also means a higher price.

Honda Accord

The new Accord kept the car's size the same but stretched the wheelbase to increase interior room. It also added new direct-injection engines and more safety equipment. There is also a new hybrid version. 

Ford C-Max

The C-Max Hybrid is Ford's attempt to take on the Toyota Prius V, but according to Ford, the C-Max is larger and more efficient. Honestly, lumping this with the trucks seems misplaced. It is more of a wagon. 

Mazda CX-5

The CX-5 gave Mazda a smaller more efficient SUV that would sell better in Europe. It also introduced its new Skyactiv gas and diesel engines with higher compression and better efficiency. 

Ram 1500

The upgraded Ram 1500 stressed interior quality and efficiency. The new Pentastar V6 is more powerful and more efficient than the smaller V6 it replaced. 

More on autoviva

Ram 1500 Offering Better Power, Economy and New Eight-Speed Gearbox

Honda Accord Will Start at $21,680 and Have 36mpg Highway

The Smaller Cadillac ATS is Not Really That Small

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Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi Greening Up the US in 2012

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