Despite electric vehicles being represented in all three categories of the 2022 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards, none won. Instead, the 2022 Honda Civic, the 2022 Ford Maverick, and the 2021 Ford Bronco won their respective categories.
A victory for Ford, then, with a pair of vehicles entering new segments for it, as well as for Honda, whose 11th-generation Civic managed to continue the car’s long legacy of excellence.
The Civic was one of three finalists in the car of the year category, beating out the Mk8 Golf GTI/R, as well as the much more expensive Lucid Air. Designed to deliver a peerless driving experience from the base model, though, the Civic impresses thanks to its solid performance and low price.
“The new Civic shows Honda at its very best,” said juror, Lawrence Ulrich. “Bulletproof, brilliantly engineered, and fun-to-drive, the Civic is the kind of affordable car that every automaker should aspire to.”
Read Also: These Are The 9 Finalists For The 2022 North American Car, Truck And Utility Vehicle Of The Year
The Ford Maverick beat out the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Rivian R1T to take home the title of truck of the year. Beating out its direct competitor, as well as a newfangled electric truck many consider a game-changer in the space is no doubt gratifying for Ford. Doesn’t hurt that the hybrid truckling can go 600 miles on a tank of fuel and deliver 42 mpg.
“The Ford Maverick hybrid establishes the first new vehicle category since the Chrysler minivan of the 1980s,” said juror, Dan Carney. “Would-be contenders in this segment have been too expensive, too thirsty, or too precious. The Maverick is the first affordable, efficient, entry-level vehicle that happens to provide pickup truck utility.”
Finally, the Ford Bronco beat out the Genesis GV70 and the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 to take home its crown as SUV of the year. Although it has been plagued by production issues, the desperation customers felt to get one speaks to Ford’s success in bringing back the off-road icon.
“The Ford Bronco is a home run, a credible competitor to the Jeep Wrangler that also bears the looks and electronic wizardry to take on the more expensive Land Rover Defender,” said juror, Henry Payne. “If the Bond bad guys had had the Bronco’s Sasquatch package, ol’ James might have been in trouble.”
2022 North American Car of the Year:
Honda Civic -241
Lucid Air – 170
Volkswagen Golf Mk VIII (Golf R/Golf GTI) – 89
2022 North America Truck of the Year:
Ford Maverick – 277 points
Rivian R1T – 126 points
Hyundai Santa Cruz – 97 points
2022 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year:
Ford Bronco – 234 points
Hyundai IONIQ 5 – 153 points
Genesis GV70 – 113 points
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