It's that time of year again. The Motor Trend COTY goes to....

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Toronado
I agree, but secretly, so YSSMAN doesn't beat me with a stick.
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Thats what the folks at Honda say. Personally, I don't even consider it a "truck" by any sense of the word.
 
The Prius is still expensive to buy and maintain, and furthermore, has little benefit to anyone who lives outside of a large metropolitan area. Sure, I live in the "city," but most of my driving is done at 60+ MPH, and it just isn't what the Prius was designed to do. Factor in other issues like the more expensive tires, the so-so "brake when I feel like it" system, and the often reported "computer crash" issues... Well, I just wouldn't want to take the chance.

Jetta TDI FTW!
 
Tophaticent
I still think that the Enclave should've been the SUOTY.
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The Enclave is a crossover, it is not an SUV...but neither was the CX-9 that won. The SUV of the year thing is a joke, they should have called in the CUV of the year.

Anyways what other cars were up against the CTS? The new Motor Trend wasn't in the school's book store so I couldn't have a look yesterday.
 
YSSMAN
The Prius is still expensive to buy and maintain, and furthermore, has little benefit to anyone who lives outside of a large metropolitan area. Sure, I live in the "city," but most of my driving is done at 60+ MPH, and it just isn't what the Prius was designed to do. Factor in other issues like the more expensive tires, the so-so "brake when I feel like it" system, and the often reported "computer crash" issues... Well, I just wouldn't want to take the chance.
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My fraternity brother/next door neighbor has a 2006 Prius, and has no problems with it. Recently he drove the car from Atlanta to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida and back and had no problems except with the slightly outdated navigation system. The way you're talking you've clearly not driven one on the highway. The vehicle actually feels like it has considerable weight at speed. I was told this is because of its battery packs. I'm not what sure what you're referring to regarding the 'brake when I feel like it' system. I drove the car for some time around Atlanta and enjoyed it. It was even considerably quicker than I thought it would be.

I suggest you drive a Prius and let me know what you think. It's spectacularly usable. I know it's not the most efficient vehicle in total, and I too would rather have a diesel Jetta, but as a car, the Prius isn't so bad. As a day-to-day vehicle, it's just fine. It feels no different from any normal car.
 
If it indeed is as unoffensive as the Scion xD, they have succeeded, but even then, that car isn't for everyone. I still have a hard time understanding why people would even consider a Prius over a Corolla. Hell, even a Prius over a Camry Hybrid. At least we know that one will drive like a car...

Even if diesel is priced to high-heaven, you still get your money back far faster than you do with a Hybrid (and I don't care where you got your hybrid from), and furthermore, you're likely more ecologically responsible as well.

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So CTOY next year? Predictions anyone?

I've already said the Chevrolet Camaro and Lincoln MKS are predictable front-runners, but that being said, I can't think of too many other vehicles that would be deserving of the title. Maybe the Jetta TDI (now that it has been delayed, again)?
 
My guesses?

1. Chevrolet Camaro - It's like the second coming.

2. Pontiac G8 - The first in a line of superior RWD products to come from GM. Time for Zeta to live up to its promises.

3. Lincoln MKS - The car that should save Lincoln, and put FoMoCo back into the luxury game


What else is going to be out in the next few months that is supposed to be uttlery spectacular?
 
YSSMAN
If it indeed is as unoffensive as the Scion xD, they have succeeded, but even then, that car isn't for everyone. I still have a hard time understanding why people would even consider a Prius over a Corolla. Hell, even a Prius over a Camry Hybrid. At least we know that one will drive like a car...
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Brad, 'drive like a car?' Come on now. The Prius really does drive like a car... it's completely normal in every single respect except its ridiculously high initial cost and its abnormally high fuel economy. The car is completely normal.
 
Except that it supposedly has no steering feel, according to some magazines.
 
Tophaticent
Except that it supposedly has no steering feel, according to some magazines.
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As stated, I've driven the car - and I've driven nearly every other car in its class (Elantra, Lancer, Cobalt, Focus, Corolla, etc.). It's just fine for what it is. No, steering feel isn't above ordinary, but these are economy cars. It's not supposed to be.
 
The Focus has steering feel. Supposedly. It also handles like a sports car. Supposedly.
 
Tophaticent
The Focus has steering feel. Supposedly. It also handles like a sports car. Supposedly.
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I haven't driven the new Focus, but I drove plenty of old Focuses. Nothing in that segment has steering feel - even the Mazda 3. They're all comparable to the Prius, and none of them are very good.

Cool fact: the Saleen S7 shares turn signal and wiper stalks with the 2000-2007 Focus.
 
That is partially to blame on the "special" tires and the electric steering.

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RE: Predictions?

- Chevrolet Camaro: My guess is that this stands one of the better chances simply because we've been waiting for so long, and at least presumably, the Zeta chassis should be able to deliver. Assuming they make it cheap and fun to drive, GM shouldn't have too hard of a time taking one in.

- Pontiac G8: I'd assume that its going to be much the same case for the Zeta sedan as the Zeta coupe. Excellent dynamics, quality and performance should make it stand out among other vehicles on the list, but my only issue is likely that they may deem it "not American enough" and it may not get the votes that it needs/deserves. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see it remove the Chrysler LX cars on the Car and Driver 10 Best list...

- Lincoln MKS: If it is indeed as good as it looks, it should be hard for this car to dominate. Yes, its a highly modified version of the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable, but they've done an exceptionally good job of making it a completely different car. Quality will likely be the key here, and if the MKS/Fusion/Milan is any way to estimate it overall, well, one would hope it to be top-notch.

New Models:

- Dodge Challenger: For the same reasons as the Camaro, I can see this one working. However, the Dodge has one weakness; price. They're expensive, all of them, and it will still be a while until the "base" R/T versions are on the street as well. I'm still very interested to see how things work out between it and the Camaro.

- New Honda Fit: It has already taken the "Japan COTY" award, and with it not too far from our shores, its certainly a good foot to start on. Its already well-loved by almost everyone who drives it, and if this new one is that much better, it seems like a no-brainer that it would do well again.

- New Toyota Corolla: If it can win, it will be on price and predictability. Considering how little fanfare it received when it debuted, I'm doubtful if anything.
 

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