2009 Motor Trend COTY: Who Will Win?

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Joey D

Joey D

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Since we just got through several weeks of debating and deciding on GTP's COTY, I figured we'd like to see how a legitimate magazine decides. Granted there isn't an Audi R8 in the mix and all of these cars are US market ones, but still it could be interesting to see who wins it all.

Motor Trend
2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year: The Contenders are revealed, what's your pick?

Judging for 2009 Motor Trend Car of the Year -- our signature award -- is underway. We're in the midst of our exhaustive evaluation process, which features intensive performance testing and flogging at the Hyundai/Kia testing facility in Mojave, California, with each of this year's field of 17 contenders. The field is then whittled down to 10 finalists, and then we evaluate them further on a demanding road loop. From econoboxes like the Toyota Corolla to midsize sedans such as the Mazda6 and Audi A4, to the Nissan GT-R supercar, this year's field is one of the strongest in some time.


As with all of our OTY contests, Car of the Year is not a comparison test. It's open only to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles that have gone on sale in the 12 months from November 1, 2007. We do not revisit vehicles that have been on sale for the past five years.

Each COTY contender is being evaluated against three simple criteria:

1. Superiority. We look at engineering excellence, advancement in design, utilization of resources, and safety. Vehicle concept and execution are important, as are use of materials, packaging, dynamics, styling, and fuel consumption.
2. Significance. How well the vehicle does the job its maker intended and impacts its particular market segment, influences consumer perceptions, and transforms product-development trends.
3. Value. How each vehicle compares against its direct rivals. A vehicle with a low sticker price might not be as good a value as a more expensive vehicle that delivers outstanding performance, quality, and functionality.

Below is this year's field. What do you think? What's your pick as the early favorite? The folks in the MT.com forums are already having their say. Stay tuned to motortrend.com and check out the January 2009 issue of Motor Trend for the complete story and more on this year's field, our testing process, and the vehicle that will take home the Calipers.
Click to expand...

The Contenders:

* Acura TL
* Acura TSX
* Audi A4
* BMW 1 Series
* Dodge Challenger
* Honda Fit
* Hyundai Genesis
* Jaguar XF
* Lincoln MKS
* Mazda6
* Nissan GT-R
* Nissan Maxima
* Pontiac G8
* Pontiac Vibe
* Toyota Corolla
* Toyota Matrix
* Volkswagen CC

I think my pick is for the Hyundai Genesis since it is probably the most influential car on that list in my opinion. It's changing the way us state side view Korean cars and I think it's showing that anyone can really produce a good luxury car.
 
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A smattering of visuals...

coty.jpg
 
The Mazda6 is the best all-rounder; The GT-R is the best all-rounder with power; The Jaguar XF is a Jaguar; The Challenger is ultra cool.

One of those four. Probably the GT-R.
 
Hyundai Genesis, for being brilliant and Korean. It may be only car in that list to substantially change how we think about the motoring industry.
 
I could see them picking the Fit, Mazda 6 or G8. The Fit looks like a good choice since it's a good overall car and the interior...well it doesn't look like the Yaris interior.
 
The R35 GT-R

1. It was said at the Tokyo Motorshow that it's economical as an average car so you don't have to worry about it be a gas guzzler. It's a very technical car that has been engineered beautifuly to set engineering to the next level for the future

2. This is Nissan's halo car

3. It might be the most expensive out of the rest of the competition but it is also the fastest out of the rest

Edit: forgot to add a couple of things, thanks for spotting that Joey D

3. (continued) The GT-R is also a very good detector on what things it requires or what needs to be replaced, it's also a very calm car at high speed so you can feel confident so you don't feel scared, plus it also has a multifunction meter and gives you infromation that you don't find in a normal car but more like from a racing car
 
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If they pick the G8 I will have an issue because that isn't a new car, the Holden Commodore came out in what 2006?

gator of kana
3. It might be the most expensive out of the rest of the competition but it is also the fastest out of the rest
Click to expand...

It's not a sole performance test though.
 
I'd expect the Genesis, Mazda 6 or Honda Fit to win it, but out of the list only the 1-series, Jag XF and Mazda 6 register on my car interest radar. So given the overlap, I'll go for the 6 for the win.
 
gator of kana
Edit: forgot to add a couple of things, thanks for spotting that Joey D

3. (continued) The GT-R is also a very good detector on what things it requires or what needs to be replaced, it's also a very calm car at high speed so you can feel confident so you don't feel scared, plus it also has a multifunction meter and gives you infromation that you don't find in a normal car but more like from a racing car
Click to expand...

Yep, you know it's accurate with telling you when stuff should be replaced because you own and operate one regularly, correct?

It's a calm car at high speed? Again, you know this because you have driven a GT-R at high speed, correct?

Wow, multifunction meter. So? Doesn't serve any real purpose other than DISTRACTION as it does NOT datalog to my knowledge. So er... You can get data you wouldn't from a normal car, but you have to look away from where you're going... MMMKay.
 
If I had to pick three, I'd put my money on the Genesis, the GT-R, and the Challenger. But it could be the G8, the Fit, or the Mazda6 too.
 
I'd got for the GT-R myself. Not sure what the magazine will pick though as I don't really read Motor Trend.
 
lol GT-R kthxbai.

Although i think the new Altima is pretty dead sexy, for a sedan. The new G35 is better, but whatever.
 
What I'd expect?

- Nissan GT-R
- Honda Fit
- Pontiac G8
- Mazda 6
- Hyundai Genesis

...in that order...

The Honda is definitely the upset pick here, the Nissan pretty much being the odds-on favorite. Knowing that MT has a love for things American (and a bit of hoonage), the G8 and Challenger line up easily too, but I can see them voting for practicality this time around. The Genesis, although important, has kinda fallen on deaf ears at this point. I just can't see it willing.
 
Knowing the test's history, I'd put my money on something like the Corolla. They gave it to the latest Thunderbird one time, so you can't really use logic to predict this one.
 
Motor Trend considers technical innovation and value, so don't count the Genesis out (though not much on technical innovation, the value provided by what tech is available at the price is good.

I'd wager the Fit, the GT-R, the Mazda6, and the Genesis are in the running... a dark horse pick would be the XF, the Maxima or the Challenger... (you never know... shrugs)... just watched the Fifth Gear review of the Challenger SRT8... the car looks and sounds epic. Didn't handle that well... but the sheer sensory impact might give it a good placing.
 
My take, and thier likelihood of winning the MTCoTY award.

* Acura TL.- as with anything from Honda, a nice car, well designed that ticks all the right boxes. Pity they uglyfied it while making techinical improvements. Import a Euro Honda Legend front end if you must have one. FAIL.

* Acura TSX.- See above. Substitute Euro Accord for Legend.

* Audi A4.- Audi has managed to move the game on with each version of the A4. Sometimes its a small step, others it's more of a giant lunge. This one is less nose heavy than its predecessors, still has the best interior, but that scores it no points. Every entrant is supposed to do whatever it does well, and do it very well; a sharp knife gets no points for being sharp. FAIL.

* BMW 1 Series.- Overpriced, small and more importantly, no diesels. Epic FAIL.

* Dodge Challenger.- Too late to the retro party and overweight too boot. But sexy as hell. If it signals a new direction in styling, quality of interior materials and engineering from Chrysler, then it gets a win. Coming on the heels of the Stratus and Patriot, it gets a FAIL.

* Honda Fit.- Does nothing significant that its forbearer didn't do. Significant vis- a- vis the current price of fuel and the resulting mindset; do more with less, in a compact, sporty package; but a FAIL nonetheless.

* Hyundai Genesis.- Whoah. This is a Hyundai? How much????? Epic WIN.

* Jaguar XF.- Too little too late. A good effort, but the CLS has changed the way we look at cars in this class. Even though it's squished looking and ugly. But hey, nice auto transmission shifter button thingy, and prety cool touch with the "heartbeat," Pity my Macbook did the pulse thing already. FAIL.

* Lincoln MKS.- Didn't get the Memo? Obnoxious chrome grilles are passe. And you didn't bring anything to the party. FAIL.

* Mazda6.- A pretty good car in a segment filled with pretty good cars. And checks a lot of the proper boxes. Its hard to be sexy when youre supposed to be Miss Plain Jane Vanilla. But this is sure has the looks and the temperament of a vixen. PASS.

* Nissan GT-R.- Godzilla returns. And is available in the US. Fap Fap Fap and yet I say Bah Humbug. But PASS for the epic performance.

* Nissan Maxima.- Not and absolute epic fail like its predecessor. But not exactly a pass either. Does nothing to move the game on. FAIL.

* Pontiac G8.- Return of American muscle. And properly well done. PASS.

* Pontiac Vibe.- Do not pass go, Do NOT collect $200.

* Toyota Corolla.- And what have you done for me lately? Worse fuel economy than your antecedent? FAIL.

* Toyota Matrix.- Significantly new. Significantly the same. FAIL.

* Volkswagen CC.- The Cabrio for the new set. Overpriced for being a Golf in drag. Wait, isnt the Audi TT supposed to be the Gold in a pretty frock? And doesn't it have a convertible version too? FAIL.

================

I end up with the same last four as most of you; Godzilla, G8, Genesis, 6.

MAZDA 6 FTMFW!!!!!
 
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i know MT. from that list, I would bet you anything the walk away COTY winner will be the TL. if this was CR, the ONLY thing they'd talk about is the Hondas! (and you thought MT and CD had biases!)

the general consensus is either the Corolla or the Genesis. the Genesis won't quite cut it, and the corolla is in the bland catagory.
 
Believe it or not...I wouldn't count out the Lincoln, either. Of course, we all really know it comes down to which manufacturer will slip MT the biggest advert bill...
 
ZOMG, dis magazine noes nuthin', we decided Audi R8 and they not even nomnated it.:dunce:

But seriously, why is there a Pontiac Vibe in there?:crazy:

I'm going to cheer for the G8 and Genesis, but I have no idea what way they'll go.
 
As I've said the G8 shouldn't even be considered because the Holden Commodore came out in 2006, it's not a new car for 2009. The Vibe and Matrix are what get me though, they are the same car essentially.
 
Joey D
As I've said the G8 shouldn't even be considered because the Holden Commodore came out in 2006, it's not a new car for 2009. The Vibe and Matrix are what get me though, they are the same car essentially.
Click to expand...

Don't ask me their reasoning, I never liked these things anyway, as I tend to base 90% of my opinion of a car on performance. They dedicate lots of points to things like features, price, fuel economy, their own opinion of how it looks etc etc.
 
Joey D
As I've said the G8 shouldn't even be considered because the Holden Commodore came out in 2006, it's not a new car for 2009.
Click to expand...
:sigh:

Joey D
The Vibe and Matrix are what get me though, they are the same car essentially.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but for some unknown reason Motor Trend has always rated the Toyota version as being somehow better.


For great justice, I hope none of the Acuras win. I'm going to guess the A4, the Fit, the Mazda 6 or the G8.
 
Whaaaaat? No MINI or the FIAT 500? 👎
But considering the line up for the COTY, I'm thinking that none of them are as good as the one we set up on our poll. The GT-R is gonna win it, simply because it is just awesome in every single way. Ask yourself why the GT-R is in the front middle row of that shot? ;)
 

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