Motor Trend’s “Car Of The Year” Winner Might Surprise You

After many days of deliberating and plenty of vehicles tested, Motor Trend finally announced its Car of the Year winners, in all three categories, “Car of the Year”, “SUV of the Year” and “Truck of the Year”.

Having to choose from no less than seven finalists in the “Car of the Year”, which included the Audi TT, BMW 7-Series, Chevrolet Camaro, Honda Civic, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-AMG GT S and Toyota Mirai, Motor Trend’s answer might surprise some of you.

The winner is…the new Chevrolet Camaro. The muscle car was officially presented to the public earlier this year adding a 2.0-liter four-pot turbo engine under its hood that produces 270hp and 295lb-ft of torque. Buyers looking for more can order the new 3.6-liter V6, with 330hp, or the 6.2-liter LT1 V8, from the Corvette, in the range-topping Camaro SS.

“Our 2016 Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Camaro, is one of the finest driving vehicles in the world at any price,” said MT editor-in-chief, Edward Loh, “though its price is well within reach of the average consumer.”

The 2016 Motor Trend SUV of the Year is the Volvo XC90, which competed against the Honda Pilot, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz GLE / GLE Coupe and Nissan Murano. The Swedish SUV is in its second generation and it comes with two petrol engines and a plug-in hybrid with 400hp. Europeans also get a couple of diesel burners too.

“The Volvo XC90 is one of the most handsome SUVs on the road,” said MT senior features editor, Jonny Lieberman. “And it’s as capable off-road as it is a delight to drive on-road; seven-passenger people movers aren’t supposed to drive like this.”

Last but not least, the 2016 Motor Trend Truck of the Year is the Chevrolet Colorado, for the second consecutive year, after “Chevy took a swing at building the ultimate midsize truck from the ground up”. The pickup truck was in the same list as the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Canyon, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan XD and Toyota Tacoma.

“Our Truck of the Year is not only stylish and capable on-road and off, it recorded the highest fuel economy numbers we’ve ever seen, when equipped with its class-exclusive diesel engine,” said senior features editor, Jason Cammisa.