Here’s how I voted for 2023 car, truck and SUV of the year finalists — and why

It’s award season. Next Thursday, nine finalists for North America’s most widely based, diversely judged and — I believe — most-influential automotive awards, the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year, will be announced at the Los Angeles auto show.

The new North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards trophy. Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press

I’m one of the 50 jurors for NACTOY, as the awards are called. We cover the auto industry and review vehicles and technologies for a wide range of outlets across the U.S. and Canada. You can see and hear our work in a wide range of places, from newspapers, magazines and websites to podcasts, streaming video, social media, radio and television.

Unfortunately — to my mind — NACTOY doesn’t yet have any jurors who are based in Mexico. That’s because, while nearly every vehicle sold in the U.S. is also available in Canada, Mexico gets a number of vehicles — and some whole brands — that the other countries don’t. That makes the markets significantly different. Journalists in the U.S. and Canada never get a chance to evaluate some significant vehicles sold in Mexico, and vice versa.

More:Electric vehicles and hybrids dominate semifinalist list for North American vehicle honors

2022 Kia Sportage plug-in hybrid

The evaluation process is fun, fascinating and frustrating. For this year’s honors, I’ve been driving eligible vehicles since January 2022. I spent days over the last month getting reacquainted with the 26 semifinalists, including conversations with my fellow jurors and other people whose judgment and experience I trust: “What do you like? Why?”

26 semifinalists, no losers

Despite all that seat time and research, I still wavered and rethought my choices as I filled out my electronic ballot Tuesday morning.

Very few bad vehicles are introduced these days.

The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq is Cadillac's first electric vehicle.

Sure, I ask myself, “What were they thinking?” a few times each year, but even those misbegotten vehicles nearly all provide safe, reliable transportation.

By the time the jury has narrowed the field from every new vehicle that went on sale in 2022, there are no bad candidates. We’re choosing between degrees of excellence.

2023 Genesis G90 interior

Jurors consider a number of factors, including value, innovation, performance and design. Those categories are intentionally broad, allowing jurors to bring their experience to the process.

NACTOY judging is about much more than lowest price, fastest 0-60 mph time, highest towing capacity or biggest battery.

The semifinalists for 2023 North American vehicles of the year are:

North American Car of the Year

  • Acura Integra
  • BMW i4 eDrive 40
  • Genesis G80 EV
  • Genesis G90
  • Mercedes-Benz C Class
  • Mercedes-Benz EQE
  • Nissan Z
  • Subaru WRX
  • Toyota Crown
  • Toyota GR Corolla
The first-ever Silverado ZR2 is Chevy’s new flagship off-road truck and the latest addition to a successful lineup of off-road, factory-installed lifted trucks.

North American Truck of the Year

  • Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
  • Ford F-150 Lightning
  • Lordstown Endurance
Prices for Lordstown Motors' Endurance electric pickup start at $63,365, excluding destination charge.

North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

  • Audi Q4 e-tron
  • BMW iX xDrive 50
  • Cadillac Lyriq
  • Genesis GV60
  • Honda CR-V
  • Honda HR-V
  • Kia EV6
  • Kia Sportage
  • Lexus RX
  • Mazda CX-50
  • Nissan Ariya
  • Rivian R1S
  • Volvo C40 Recharge

What happens next?

Each juror has 25 points to divide among semifinalists in each category. You can’t give any vehicle more than 10 points, and you can only give 10 points to one vehicle.

Jurors can divide their points however they like. I like to maximize the impact of my votes, so I divide them among my top three vehicles. Some jurors divide their points widely, giving fewer points to each of a greater number of vehicles.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro. Pre-production model with available features shown.

After the finalists are announced, jurors have time for further evaluation and research. I expect to drive each of the finalists again before my vote for a winner is due Jan. 6. On that final ballot, each juror has 10 points they can allot as they wish, giving all 10 to a single vehicle or dividing them.

The winners will be announced Jan. 11 in Detroit.

Here’s how and why I voted for 2023 NACTOY finalists:

My choices for North American Car of the Year

First choice: Acura Integra

What is it? Front-wheel drive sporty compact sedan. Prices start at $30,800. All prices exclude destination charges.

The sleek Integra is a welcome throwback to Acura’s early days, when its cars had style, names and a sporty character.

2023 Acura Integra prices start at $30,800.

Second choice:Genesis G90

What is it? Large all-wheel drive luxury sedan. Prices start at $88,400.

The 2023 G90 is gorgeous inside and out, the most refined and advanced sedan yet from Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand.

Third choice: Subaru WRX

What is it? All-wheel-drive performance compact sedan. Prices start at $29,605.

2022 Subaru WRX instrument panel

Building on the WRX’s history of performance, the 2022, the 2023 model adds room and ride comfort. A stiffer chassis and sparkling steering complete the picture.

My choices for North American Truck of the Year

First choice: Ford F-150 Lightning

What is it? Full-size electric pickup. Prices start at $39,7974.

The F-150 Lightning changed how America thinks about EVs, lending the technology the credibility of the country’s perennially best-selling vehicle.

The first-ever Silverado ZR2 is Chevy’s new flagship off-road truck and the latest addition to a successful lineup of off-road, factory-installed lifted trucks.

Second choice: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2

What is it? Full-size crew cab pickup with off-road gear. Prices start at $67,500.

The new shocks and springs increase wheel articulation to negotiate rugged terrain. Other additions include electronic control for rock climbing, locking front and rear differentials and 33-inch, off-road tires.

Prices for Lordstown Motors' Endurance electric pickup start at $63,365, excluding destination charge.

Third choice: Lordstown Endurance

What is it? Full-size crew cab electric pickup. Prices start at $63,365.

Available only to commercial customers, the light-duty Endurance is proof of life from financially challenged EV startup Lordstown Motors. Power comes from electric motors located in the wheel hubs, an innovation that has stymied other automakers.

My choices for North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

First choice: Cadillac Lyriq

What is it? Luxury rear- or all-wheel-drive midsize electric SUV. Base price: $61,795.

The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq is Cadillac's first electric vehicle.

The Lyriq’s styling, interior design and advanced features make Cadillac’s first electric vehicle a keeper and augurs well for GM’s Ultium ecosystem of EV batteries, motors and controls.

Second choice: Kia EV6

What is it? Rear- or all-wheel-drive sporty electric midsize SUV Base price: $41,400.

The EV6’s dramatic looks and advanced 800-volt charging system made it one of the year’s hit EVs. The 576-hp EV6 GT promises to broaden its appeal.

The sleek and modern 2022 Kia EV6's styling and technology stand out from other small SUVs.

Third choice: Kia Sportage

What is it? Compact front- or all-wheel-drive SUV. Base price: $25,990.

The stylish Sportage offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid models and useful infotainment and driver assistance features.

Contact Mark Phelan:mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletterBecome a subscriber.

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