The stage is set for the final round of the North American Car, Truck, & Utility Vehicle Of The Year awards for 2023. From 26 finalists across three categories, the selection has been whittled down to just nine, with the top three of each category set to battle it out for final honors.
This year a panel of 50 jurors from the world of print, online, radio, and broadcast media were tasked with thinning the herd of vehicles. With 47 vehicles initially in the running, each car had to be brand new and available at dealerships across North America before the end of the year.
So, without further ado, here, are the finalists of each category.
Contesting for North American Car of the Year: Acura Integra, Genesis G80 EV, and Nissan Z
With a new lease of life for the Integra name comes a newfound love for it in the hearts of the judges, as the Acura makes it into the top three. Next up, moving in alphabetical order, is the Genesis G80 EV — a luxurious full-size EV from the upmarket brand. Last but not least in contention is the Nissan Z, the sports coupe that hopes to tug at the heartstrings of the buying public as it offers a combination of good looks and an affordable MSRP.
The final three car candidates managed to beat out the semi-finalists that, consisted of the BMW i4 eDrive40, Genesis G90, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Subaru WRX, Toyota Crown, and Toyota GR Corolla.
Contesting for North American Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Lordstown Endurance
While the car category only had one EV offering, the trucks get two, as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Lordstown Endurance will fight their corner for electric supremacy. However, an internal-combustion threat still remains in the form of the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2.
Of course, this year, the top three semi-finalist places were virtually a guarantee, with only three entries in the semi-finals for the truck category.
Contesting for North American Utility Vehicle of the Year: Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, And Kia EV6
It’s an EV lock-out in the Utility Vehicle category — the first time in any category of the NACTOY — with the Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, and Kia EV6 all proving to be the judge’s favorites.
Utility vehicles continue to gain popularity, but for the semi-finalists that didn’t make it, their journey to the top ends here. That includes the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX xDrive50, Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Kia Sportage, Lexus RX, Mazda CX-50, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1S, and Volvo C40 Recharge, which all fall by the wayside.
