Motor Trend Car of the Year

The Motor Trend Car of the Year (COTY) is an annual Car of the Year award given by Motor Trend magazine to recognize the best new or significantly refreshed car in a given model year.

Background Motor Trend, which debuted in 1949, was the first publication to name a Car of the Year. The inaugural Motor Trend Car of the Year award recognized Cadillac's V8 engine in .

The earliest awards were given to the manufacturer or division, not for a specific vehicle. The 1958 Ford Thunderbird became the first single model to be selected. In 1970, the Ford Torino won the COTY while Motor Trend selected the Porsche 914 for its first Import COTY award.

In 1972, the low-volume imported Citroën SM won the overall COTY award. Between 1976 and 1999, the COTY award was split in two: Domestic COTY and Import COTY.

The trophy was recombined in 2000 because the distinctions between domestic and import cars became increasingly difficult. The award has expanded to include a pickup truck (starting in 1979) and a separate sport utility vehicle (starting in 1999), which are recognized separately from the Car of the Year.

Over time, other publications and organizations have copied Motor Trend's Car of the Year award and created their own. These COTY designations may focus on regional markets, vehicle types, specific market segments, or other criteria. Some examples include the European Car of the Year that began in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines, the Green Car of the Year selected by a panel of automotive and environmental experts, the Tow Car of the Year chosen by selected sponsors in the industry, and the Fleet Car of the Year that is voted by professional fleet managers.

Impact Motor Trends Car of the Year is "one of the most prestigious honors bestowed in the auto industry."

The trophy for the winner, a depiction of calipers, is often used in the winning automaker's marketing and advertising. Most cars that win the award report a spike in sales.

Criteria To be eligible for the award, a car must be an "all-new" or "substantially upgraded" vehicle that has been on sale within twelve months from the previous November, vehicles that have been on sale for over five years are ineligible for the award.

Between the contenders, it is not a comparison test. In 2014 as an example, the Motor Trend judges debated and evaluate each vehicle against six key criteria:

CriteriaNoteDesign Advancementwell-executed exterior and interior styling; innovative vehicle packaging; selection of materialsEngineering Excellencevehicle concept and execution; clever solutions to packaging, manufacturing and dynamics issues; cost-effective technology that benefits the consumerEfficiencylow fuel consumption and carbon footprint, relative to the vehicle's competitive setSafetyactive: help the driver avoid a crash; secondary: protect occupants from harm during a crashValuecompetitive price and equipment levels, measured against vehicles in the same market segmentPerformance of Intended Functionhow well the vehicle does the job its planners, designers, and engineers intended

Motor Trend also only considers cars with base MSRPs less than $150,000 in order to avoid expensive luxury and super cars dominating the competition.

Vehicles are subjected to a battery of tests: standard car tests such as skid-pad ratings, acceleration and quarter-mile times, and evaluations of the interiors are combined with a track run conducted by Sports Car Club of America-licensed testers and taking the cars out on normal roads to test their drivability under normal conditions, and fuel economy. Trucks and SUVs add towing capacity and speed, plus an off-road course, to the normal regimen.

Car of the Year Winners Note that in 1970 and between 1976–2000, the Car of the Year award was split into two categories, domestic and import. +YearWinner2026Volkswagen Golf GTI / Golf R2025Mercedes-Benz E-Class / All-Terrain2024Toyota Prius / Prius Prime2023Genesis G902022Lucid Air2021Mercedes Benz E-Class2020Chevrolet Corvette Stingray2019Genesis G702018Alfa Romeo Giulia / Giulia Quadrifoglio2017Chevrolet Bolt EV2016Chevrolet Camaro2015Volkswagen Golf2014Cadillac CTS2013Tesla Model S2012Volkswagen Passat2011Chevrolet Volt2010Ford Fusion2009Nissan GT-R2008Cadillac CTS2007Toyota Camry2006Honda Civic2005Chrysler 3002004Toyota Prius2003Infiniti G352002Ford Thunderbird2001Chrysler PT Cruiser2000Lincoln LS1999Chrysler 300M1998Chevrolet Corvette1997Chevrolet Malibu1996Dodge Caravan1995Chrysler Cirrus1994Ford Mustang1993Ford Probe GT1992Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan (STS)1991Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ1990Lincoln Town Car1989Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe1988Pontiac Grand Prix1987Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe1986Ford Taurus LX1985Volkswagen GTI (built at Volkswagen's Pennsylvania plant)1984Chevrolet Corvette1983Renault Alliance (built at AMC's Wisconsin plant)1982Chevrolet Camaro Z281981Chrysler K Cars (Dodge Aries / Plymouth Reliant) 1980Chevrolet Citation1979Buick Riviera S1978Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon1977Chevrolet Caprice1976Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volaré 1975Chevrolet Monza 2+21974Ford Mustang1973Chevrolet Monte Carlo1972Citroën SM (imported vehicle, selected "Overall Car of the Year")1971Chevrolet Vega1970Ford Torino1969Plymouth Road Runner1968Pontiac GTO1967Mercury Cougar1966Oldsmobile Toronado1965Pontiac Motor Division1964Ford Motor Company1963American Motors (AMC) Rambler (all models; American, Classic, Ambassador)1962Buick Special1961Pontiac Tempest1960Chevrolet Corvair1959Pontiac Motor Division1958Ford Thunderbird1957Chrysler Corporation (Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, Imperial)1956Ford Motor Company1955Chevrolet Motor Division1954No Award1953No Award1952Cadillac Motor Division1951Chrysler Corporation1950No Award1949Cadillac Motor Division

Import Car of the Year Winners Introduced in 1970 for one year and then brought back in 1976 due to differences between imports and American cars. The award was discontinued after the 1999 model year when the difference between what was a domestic and an import had started to become problematic. +YearWinner1999Volkswagen New Beetle1998Lexus GS1997BMW 5-Series1996Mercedes-Benz E-Class1995Nissan Maxima1994Honda Accord (imported nameplate, locally built at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant)1993Mazda RX-71992Lexus SC 4001991Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-41990Nissan 300ZX Turbo1989Mitsubishi Galant GS1988Honda CR-X Si1987Acura Legend Coupe1986Mazda RX-71985Toyota MR21984Honda Civic CR-X1983Mazda 6261982Toyota Celica Supra1981Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbodiesel1980Honda Civic1979Datsun 280ZX1978Toyota Celica1977Mercedes-Benz 280E1976Toyota Celica Liftback1975No Award1974No Award1973No Award1972No Award1971No Award1970Porsche 914

Truck of the Year Winners +YearWinner2026Ford Maverick2025Ram 15002024Chevrolet Colorado2023Ford F-150 Lightning2022Rivian R1T2021Ram 1500 TRX2020Ram Heavy Duty2019Ram 15002018Ford F-150 / F-150 Raptor2017Ford Super Duty2016Chevrolet Colorado Duramax Diesel2015Chevrolet Colorado2014Ram 1500 EcoDiesel2013Ram 15002012Ford F-1502011Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty2010Ram Heavy Duty2009Ford F-1502008Toyota Tundra2007Chevrolet Silverado2006Honda Ridgeline2005Toyota Tacoma2004Ford F-1502003Dodge Ram Heavy Duty2002Chevrolet Avalanche2001Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty2000Toyota Tundra1999Chevrolet Silverado1998Mercedes-Benz ML3201997Ford F-1501996Chevrolet Tahoe1995Chevrolet Blazer1994Dodge Ram1993Jeep Grand Cherokee1992Ford Econoline / Club Wagon1991Mazda Navajo1990Ford Aerostar 4WD1989Toyota Pickup XtraCab SR5 V61988No Award1987No Award1986No Award1985No Award1984No Award1983No Award1982No Award1981No Award1980Volkswagen Vanagon1979Chevrolet LUV1978Ford Econoline

SUV of the Year Winners "SUV of the Year" was split from "Truck of the Year" in 1999. +YearWinner2026Cadillac Escalade IQ2025Lincoln Nautilus2024Chevrolet Blazer EV2023Hyundai Ioniq 52022Genesis GV702021Land Rover Defender 1102020Kia Telluride2019Jeep Wrangler / Wrangler Unlimited2018Honda CR-V2017Mercedes Benz GLC-Class2016Volvo XC902015Honda CR-V2014Subaru Forester2013Mercedes-Benz GL2012Land Rover Range Rover Evoque2011Porsche Cayenne2010Subaru Outback2009Subaru Forester2008Mazda CX-92007Mercedes-Benz GL-Class2006Nissan Xterra2005Land Rover LR32004Volkswagen Touareg2003Volvo XC902002GMC Envoy2001Acura MDX2000Nissan Xterra1999Lexus RX 300

Performance Vehicle of the Year Winners Motor Trend began their Performance Vehicle of the Year award in 2022. In 2025, Motor Trend discontinued the Performance Vehicle of the Year Award. +YearWinner2024BMW M22023Chevrolet Corvette Z062022Porsche 911 GT3

Car of the Year (China) Motor Trend magazine's China-market cousin, Auto Club-Motor Trend, also issues a "Car of the Year" award for that market.

Car of the Year 2011: BMW Brilliance 5 Series (long wheelbase) 2010: Shanghai-GM Buick Regal 2009: GAC-Honda Accord 2008: FAW-Volkswagen Magotan(Passat B6) 2007: GAC-Toyota Camry 2006: FAW-Toyota Crown 2005: Changan-Ford Mondeo 2004: FAW-Mazda 6 2003: Shanghai Volkswagen Polo

SUV of the Year Winners 2011: FAW-Volkswagen Audi Q5 2010: GAC Toyota Highlander 2009: Dongfeng Nissan X-Trail 2008: Guangqi Honda CRV 2007: Countermanded 2006: Shanghai GM SRX 2005: Guangqi Honda CRV 2004: Changfeng Automobile Liebao Feiteng

See also

List of motor vehicle awards

References