The finalists for car of the year were the Ford Fusion hybrid, the Buick LaCrosse and the Volkswagen Golf. Among new trucks, the finalists were the Subaru Outback crossover wagon, the Ford Transit Connect and Chevrolet Equinox crossover.
A panel of 49 North American automotive journalists selects the winners based on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. A model must be substantially changed or new to be eligible.
More than 50 models were considered this year.
Hybrids have been honored five times.
U.S. automakers have won the car of the year award nine times, Japanese automakers three times and a European automaker has been honored four times.
The top truck award has been awarded to a U.S. automaker 11 times. Japanese automakers have grabbed the top truck award four years, while European automakers have won the top truck award twice.




















































