Two vehicles were just awarded the most exclusive award in North America. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year and the 2012 Range Rover Evoque was named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.
A jury of 50 independent North American automotive journalists evaluates each of the new cars and trucks introduced last year and chooses their top 3 for each category. From the top three they then must choose the best. The vehicles are judged on a number of factors including innovation, impact on the industry, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, and value for the dollar.
2012 Hyundai Elantra
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra beat out the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Focus. “Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”
Elantra’s standard fuel economy is EPA-rated at 29 miles per gallon city and 40 miles per gallon highway – these figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Elantra’s strong EPA ratings are backed up by the highest owner satisfaction with real-world fuel economy in the compact class, according to data from J.D. Power and Associates.
2012 Range Rover Evoque
“We are honored that the all-new Range Rover Evoque has been named the 2012 North American Truck of the Year, one of the most celebrated automotive awards in our industry,” said Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “This recognition is in keeping with the overwhelmingly positive global response from consumers who are selecting the vehicle for its ideal combination of luxury and capability, within a sustainable package.”
The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is the lightest and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever produced. The vehicle also stays true to the brands core values of luxury, craftsmanship, performance, and multi-terrain capability. The Evoque also sends a message to the industry that the company is committed to sustainability and determined to deliver vehicles that are both relevant and highly desirable.
The Range Rover Evoque has garnered many other awards since its debut including Motor Trend’s Sport/Utility of the Year, Automobile Magazine’s 2012 All-Star Award, and Bloomberg News’ Crossover Car of the Year.