Koreans Win Big At 2019 North American Car, Utility And Truck Of The Year Awards

The road to the 2019 North American Car, Utility and Truck (NACTOY) of the Year has ended at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.

The winners for each of the 3 different categories were chosen by a panel of 54 jurors from the U.S.A. and Canada, who voted based on “segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar”.

Notably, two out of the three awards went to the Hyundai group, and specifically, the Hyundai brand and it’s newborn luxury badge, Genesis, while RAM saved the day for American marques by nabbing the first place in the truck segment.

Car of the Year

The Genesis G70 has been crowned Car of the Year. The premium compact sedan has been favored over the other two finalists, the Honda Insight and Volvo S60/V60.

“The Genesis G70 doesn’t just go toe-to-toe with segment mainstays like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class – it beats them all in driver engagement while positively slaying them on value for the dollar”, commented Chris Paukert, Roadshow by CNET Executive Editor. “No longer just a value play, it’s the real deal.”

Utility of the Year

Coming in front of 20 other models eligible in the category, and proving to be better than the Acura RDX and Jaguar I-Pace, the Hyundai Kona/Kona EV has been named Utility of the Year.

“The Kona Electric is the first mass-market electric car that truly works for the market”, said U.S. News & World Report Best Cars Executive Editor, Jamie Page Deaton. “A livable EV range, affordable price and practical cabin combine with lively driving dynamics to make the Kona EV a true pleasure. It’s the kind of EV that could convince the most ardent EV-skeptic.”

Truck of the Year

FCA is among the 2019 winners in the Truck of the Year category, with the Ram 1500. The pickup truck managed to beat the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 in the final leg of the awards.

“Ram continues to lead the way in making a big truck double as a big family pleaser with as much attention paid to interior conveniences and ride comfort, as to cargo hauling and towing”, stated Executive Producer at MotorWeek, John Davis.

Last year, the awards went to the Honda Accord, Volvo XC60 and Lincoln Navigator, in the Car, Utility and Truck of the Year categories, respectively.