The ‘Oscars of the automotive industry’ have been handed over to the big winners at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show.
One of the vehicles that managed to stand out in the 2018 North American Car of the Year awards, turning out to be more popular than the other two finalists – Kia Stinger and Toyota Camry, is the new generation Honda Accord.
Unveiled last summer and launched a few months later, it has a more modern styling and higher-tech cabin with new technologies, including 4G LTE connectivity and wireless smartphone charger, and three powertrains, including a hybrid.
Receiving top honors from the jurors is the new Volvo XC60, which walked home with the 2018 Utility of the Year award.
The small luxury SUV faced the Honda Odyssey and Alfa Romeo Stelvio in the final, but it managed to impress the 60 jurors from the United States and Canada, who appreciated its “safety and driver assistance systems” in “a package that exudes Scandinavian design”, according to the NACTOY President, Mark Phelan.
Last, but definitely not least, the Lincoln Navigator has been named 2018 North American Truck of the Year, being favored over the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Ford Expedition.
This is the first time a Lincoln vehicle walks home with such an award, making the brand’s President, Kumar Galhotra, say that the team “is honored to be named the best among such a strong field of competitors”.
The road to the 2019 North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year will start this summer, when the nominees will be announced in each category.