At a time of unprecedented demand for new cars in short supply, 50 respected jurors from print, electronic, radio and audio media in the United States and Canada tested dozens of the latest vehicles and selected the Honda Civic, Ford Maverick and Bronco. North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year.
These awards are unique and are among the most recognized in the industry because they are chosen by a large panel of jurors from various media and backgrounds, and the fact that NACTOY is an independent, non-profit organization, with journalistic dues paid members led by elected officers.
It sounds cliched, but there are no losers on the list of nine finalists for the 2022 NACTOY.
All of them stand out in the factors judges take into account: sector leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and dollar value. And given the fact that stocks will be tight this year, here are six great alternatives in case your first picks aren’t available.
To me, “value for dollars” seems to have been the theme this year, with relatively affordable cars winning the day in a field that spans from a Ford Maverick with a base price of around $20,000 to top-of-the-line Lucid Air Dream Edition cars at $170,000. (Less-expensive models will be available later, priced at $78,000.)
The Maverick stands out in my mind because in more than three decades of automotive journalism I have never seen an automaker put more design efforts and innovative ideas into an entry-level car. Have you ever seen a car with strategically placed QR codes that give owners tips and YouTube videos on how to customize their car or perform certain functions? I did not do.
civic (pictured below) It’s also rock solid all around. It looks great, it’s a blast to drive and has a great interior. Finally, the Ford Bronco injects the SUV class with new levels of fun and nostalgic style.
To me, “value for dollars” is a fluid concept.
In addition to being a member of the NACTOY jury, I am also an arbitrator for Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems, Wards 10 Best Interiors, and Wards 10 Best UX. I’ve also spent the past year writing about what the cockpits of the future vehicles will look like.
In judging Wards, I don’t get a lot of points for high-priced vehicles with amazing cockpit designs or innovative propulsion systems. The Wards Awards are industry awards, and they recognize industry achievements in design and innovation. New industry standards deserve credit as they eventually seep into more affordable models.
But the NACTOY Awards are for consumers. With the average American household income hovering around $67,000 and average new car transaction prices over $45,000, it’s hard for me to vote for vehicles that cost twice that amount or more to honor NACTOY. I think a lot of the jurors felt the same way.
But when I put on my cockpit design expert hat, my head wants to explode when I look at the final nine contestants. From the top of the price range to the bottom, each cockpit is an amazing feat in its own way.
That doubles for the three electric vehicles among the finalists: the Lucid Air luxury sedan, the Rivian R1T SUV, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV. Although they didn’t win, each of them brings new design ideas and concepts to the table. I’m surprised that at least one electric car didn’t make the final cut.
Ford Bronco rolls into a rock wall left during a test drive in Austin, Texas.
Who knew the desirability of electric cars other than Tesla would go from 0 to 60 in two seconds this year?
Yes, the top-of-the-line Lucid Air Dream Edition has 1,000 horsepower, 500 miles (805 kilometers) of range and an impressive $170,000 price tag, but its cockpit is uniquely stunning. Space, light and glass are used to create a new kind of open and airy environment. This new interior language will be available on less expensive models, priced at approximately $78,000.
Rivian R1T is the first electric SUV with a traditional luxury interior with truly rich materials and luxurious wood trim. In addition, it can be ordered with an excellent electric grill that slides from a special compartment behind the cabin for outdoor cooking.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the cheapest of the three cars, with a base price of $41,000.
In addition to a range of more than 300 miles (483 km), it has a cockpit that is spacious, open and wonderfully quiet.
Although it has a simple appearance like some other electric vehicles, it is not boring. Instead, it has a clean and spacious Bauhaus feel that is as relaxing and distraction-limiting as the apartment’s open plan design.
I loved testing each of these vehicles and can recommend each one, not just the finalists.
It’s been two tough years, but 2022 will be a great year for new cars, trucks, and SUVs of all kinds.
2022 Ford Maverick.