North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year Awards Announce 2024 Semi-Finalists
The North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) awards have revealed the semi-finalists for the 2024 prize at the Detroit auto show. Ten cars, five trucks, and ten utility vehicles have advanced to the next round in this prestigious competition.
There have been a few surprises in the list of nominees. In the SUV category, the iconic Jeep Wrangler did not make the cut, possibly because its 2024 model was more of an update rather than a remake. Additionally, the jury seems to have a preference for electric vehicles, as they were particularly impressed by expensive EVs like the $56,000 Chevrolet Blazer EV and the $68,000 Genesis GV70 Electrified. Despite their affordability and compact nature, clever SUVs like the all-new Chevy Trax and Buick Envista were also overlooked. These vehicles have sticker prices under $30,000, which is especially important as many Americans struggle to afford the average new vehicle price of $50,000. The top 25 nominees were selected from a pool of 52 eligible 2024 models.
Other notable omissions include the Subaru Crosstrek in the SUV category and the Alfa Romeo Tonale in the utility vehicles category. The Subaru Impreza hatchback, however, did receive a nomination in the car category. The luxury brand Alfa Romeo was hoping to make a mark with its peppy plug-in hybrid Tonale, which represents a new era of electrification for the Italian automaker. The list of utility nominees includes the first electric Chevrolet Equinox, the quick Dodge Hornet, the stylish Mazda CX-90, and the Kia EV9, which is the first three-row electric SUV.
The NACTOY awards are highly regarded within the industry and involve the judgment of 50 independent journalists from the United States and Canada who have spent a year extensively testing the vehicles. The top 25 semi-finalists will be further narrowed down to three finalists in each category and the winners will be announced on January 4th, 2024, in Detroit.
Jeff Gilbert, the president of NACTOY, emphasized the value of these awards, stating that they come from the combined expertise and diverse perspectives of the jurors. He also mentioned that the jurors look forward to learning more about the vehicles and comparing them to the competition.
The truck category also had some surprises. The highly anticipated Tesla Cybertruck did not make the list, most likely because Tesla did not make it available for media testing. Another surprise was the absence of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which is a much-anticipated remake of the best-selling mid-size pickup in its segment. However, the Tacoma will be available for media testing this year and will likely be featured on the NACTOY list next fall as a 2025 model.
In the absence of the Tacoma, the competition in the truck category will be among five semi-finalists: the Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford Ranger, Ford Super Duty, and GMC Canyon. Despite the current popularity of electric vehicles, the Silverado’s price range of $50,000 to $106,000 may raise some eyebrows. The Colorado and Ranger are expected to have a fierce battle for the top honors.
Although car demand has decreased in recent years due to Americans’ preference for SUVs, the best car category is highly competitive. Nominees include well-known vehicles like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray (which is the first all-wheel-drive Corvette), the BMW 5-series, and the Toyota Prius. The Prius, which has been transformed into a swan without compromising fuel economy, is expected to be a favorite. It will face strong competition from the stylish Honda Accord, which aims to achieve 50% hybrid sales, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6, known for its beautiful sedan design. Performance enthusiasts may be disappointed that the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and 911 Dakar did not make the cut, but the Toyota GR Corolla, an all-wheel-drive vehicle with a snarling engine, will represent the need for speed.
The auto industry stands at a crossroads as government regulators push automakers to go all-electric or face increasing fines from 2026 to 2035. However, consumers seem hesitant to embrace EVs other than those produced by Tesla. This has resulted in gas-powered trucks and SUVs continuing to be popular choices among buyers.
For the past 30 years, NACTOY has recognized automakers who have made significant innovations in design, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, and value. With the influx of new electric vehicles, the jurors are determined to recognize the best of the new breed while also considering consumer needs.
As the awards season heats up, stay tuned for more news regarding the NACTOY awards and the final winners, who will be announced early next year.
Contact:
Henry Payne
Auto Critic, The Detroit News
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HenryEPayne