As we gear up to welcome more and more 2011 vehicles to dealerships nationwide, we are looking back at some of the big players of 2010. Here are some 2010 autos that have wowed this year, and others that left us less than impressed:
The Ford Fusion Hybrid was a standout for 2010. Ford has continued to impress us with innovative and affordable automobiles, and the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was no different. With its advanced features like Ford’s SYNC system and its handsome, non-hybrid styling, the Fusion Hybrid was able to compete with, and outshine long-time hybrid frontrunner, the Toyota Prius.
One 2010 auto we were slightly disappointed with this year was the Honda Accord Crosstour. Expectations were high for this midsize SUV, with the immense success its coupe and sedan versions have had over the years. Unfortunately, when put up against its midsize SUV competitors, the Accord Crosstour simply falls short for us in terms of cargo space, styling and price. While it falls short in those areas, though, it still possesses the quality and reliability that you get from Honda vehicles.
Despite the wave of recalls, abundance of lawsuits and continuous negative media attention this year, the Toyota Camry has surprisingly still remained one of the bestselling cars in the country. The 2010 Camry has been a strong competitor against other midsize cars this year; this speaks volumes about the reputation of Toyota and the trust and confidence consumers have in the brand.
Although Toyota Motor Company continues to put forth quality cars like the Camry, they fell short for us this year with their luxury division, Lexus, and the 2010 HS. As the first hybrid-dedicated luxury car, the HS is fuel-efficient, but not as fuel-efficient as the Toyota Prius; and is luxurious, but not as luxurious as other Lexus models. The 2010 HS is still a good hybrid vehicle, but we feel it lacks the luxury that Lexus fans know and love.
The 2010 Chevy Equinox has been a frontrunner in the crossover SUV category this year. New-and-improved-for-2010, the Equinox has better styling, standard features and fuel economy, while remaining extremely affordable. With this new makeover, the Equinox now has all the potential to be a class leader.
The automotive industry has given us some great (and some not-so-great) models for 2010. Automakers are constantly trying to make each new model year better than the last and we can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next!