North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists Announced

Why would they bend over for the Passat, inferior to the Camry at every turn?
A lawn mower base engine that is slow, noisy, and inefficient, and a diesel that is slow and inefficient.

Fortunately, The People cut the Passat from their list first.......
BD

coz the new Passat is a 'made in real America - for the USDM' car that has received good reviews, while the Camry got more boring and had 'unintended acceleration' problems and several recalls this year. If the biggest drumbeater for the Japs (Consumer Reports) panned it, then there's got to be some sense in nominating the Passat over it

I agree with okbeartoy though - the lack of trucks (not even ladder-frame SUvehicles) in the truck category is kinda sissy

You really want to compare Passat's track record against a Camry?
You might want to smarten up.

By the way, the NHTSA said those UI issues turned out to be false and without merit, based on the Camry's construction. Same goes for Prius, etc.
BD

WOW! BlackDynamite! If you blow the Toyota horn any louder your going to burst a lung.

Are you on Toyota's payroll as official Toyota troll for all car websites...Your love of one brand and hate of most others is getting old.

The Passat is a good car that is employing a lot of Americans.

X3/Elantra

Love the new X3. Looks good.

BD,

Don't hate until you've driven it, apparently...the Passat has been winning comparos like mad recently.

The Camry is tied with the Accord as the most American car you can buy, based on where it's built and it's content. It's technically more "American" than the Passat. And the Camry is also a "designed for the US" car. The Passat being built in the US is good, but it isn't an advantage over the Camry, it's at best a tie.

That isn't to say that Passat isn't a good car. The fact that it offers a diesel (which is more useful to me, for my driving, than a hybrid) is a big plus, and the reviews on it so far say is it is "okay" and "not bad". Sure, it won't set speed records, but you won't be the slowest car on the road by a long shot. As for the V6 gasser, it offers more HP and torque than the Camry, has more front and rear legroom (but less headroom) and a little bit more trunk space. The Camry does have a proven reliability record, despite perceptions created by the non-problem with unintended acceleration. VW's reliability is okay but not great.

The lack of any real trucks in the "truck" category is sad and disappointing.

I should've checked out the Passat at the LA Auto Show, because it has been winning a lot of comparisons lately. It just looked so bland and I dismissed it as being cheapened like the latest Hefts. But apparently the dull and spartan appearance conceals a very good car. I'll have to check it out.

I've had plenty of time in both the Elantra and Focus though. I've rented both and have driven long distance through deserts and across mountains. That being said, I much pefer the Hyundai. And I've been a Focus enthusiast since the original debuted and I still love my ZX5. The Focus was the sportier of the two and holds the road more tenaciously. But the Elantra isn't too far behind and is much roomier and looks just as good. The Focus has a confusing control panel and an overly wide center console that impedes on legroom. It made the car feel very cramped. On a day-to-day basis it would get infuriating and the Car of the Year shouldn't make one feel that way.

blackdynamite is a Toyota troll who goes on just about every auto site spamming the virtues of Toyota and making silly derogatory comments about the competition.

I'd say the favorites to win are the Evoque and Passat.

Time to rename the Truck of the Year category.

@stovt001

Seriously. I didn't see a truck in the lot.

Passat is losing in it's test drive comparisons.

VW has been banging the drum since the Superbowl to guild traffic, pounding the billboards and the airwaves. What has it gotten them in 2 months?

11k sales, and a lot of salesmen who won't have a very Merry Christmas.
No.......
BD

Yeah, these are kinda crummy choices.

The only COTY finalist I'd keep is the Focus. I think the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Camry deserved the other two spots. Even if you want to throw a Hyundai up there, it should've been the Accent, not the Elantra.

As for SUVOTY, I'd rather see the M-Class than the CR-V.

BD, now you're just hating to be funny.

It's the Motor Trend COTY, by the way...and no, it hasn't lost in a single one I've seen. Maybe in "Toyota Weekly".

zoom
You have a point. The mags creme themselves about it.

It's only a consistent loser to buyers........
BD

You should read HOW the Passat got the MTCOTY, competing directly against the Camry, and Sonata, in 3 comparison tests

Pretty original way to judge. Make the weakest performer with the lowest efficiency the winner.
Novel.......
BD

Which truck can I put a camper shell on?

Passat
CR-V

Evoque and Focus although I really want to check out a Passat and see what all the fuss is about!

BD...

You should really stop posting. Toyota might have a chance if it wasn't for tools like you. I want to root for cars like the Fr-s and might even be ok with the Camry, but you make me hate the brand because you are so smug.

You are the new 1487, when you show up the party is crashed.

I hope you aren't this much of a know it all around your family...you won't have anyone to spend Christmas with.

Somebody must have big brass cajones to put the Focus in this competition. What with MyFordTouch and that dog of an automatic I think it qualifies for the "Biggest Disappointment" prize.