EVs dominate finalists for top car, truck, SUV awards; Hyundai-Kia comes up big

Electric vehicles dominate the list of finalists for 2023 North American Car, Truck and Utility vehicle like never before, holding six of the nine spots.

All three finalists for Utility Vehicle of the Year — the auto industry’s best-selling segment — are electric:

  • Cadillac Lyriq
  • Genesis GV60
  • Kia EV6.
The new North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards trophy. Eric Seals/Detroit Free Press

The finalists for Truck of the Year are the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 pickup, powered by internal combustion engines, and a pair of EVs: the Endurance from startup Lordstown Motors and Ford F-150 Lightning.

The finalists for Car of the Year are:

  • Acura Integra
  • Genesis G80 EV
  • Nissan Z

The G80 is the only electric finalist for Car of the Year.

Hyundai-Kia leads all automakers

Four of the finalists are produced by U.S.-based companies: the Lyriq, F-150 Lightning, Silverado ZR2 and Endurance.

The list is a tour de force by Korean giant Hyundai-Kia, which also makes Genesis luxury vehicles. It placed three finalists, the Kia EV6, Genesis GV60 and G80 EV.

No European-based brand has a vehicle among the finalists.

The North American Car, Truck and Utility awards are among the most prestigious and influential. They are awarded by a jury of journalists who cover the auto industry for media across the United States and Canada. You can see and hear our work on outlets ranging from newspapers, magazines and websites to podcasts, streaming video, social media, radio and television.

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I’m one of the jurors. My colleagues and I consider factors including value, innovation, performance and design.

The winners will be announced in Detroit on Jan. 11, 2023.

Finalists’ strengths and weaknesses

Cars

Acura Integra

Base price: $30,800 All prices exclude destination charges.

2023 Acura Integra prices start at $30,800.

Pros: A sporty and affordable compact that recalls the cars that made Acura the first Japanese luxury brand.

Cons: Doesn’t break any new ground, despite being attractive, affordable and fun to drive.

Genesis G80 EV

Base price: $79,825

Pros: Electric vehicle of luxury sport sedan.

Cons: Conventional vehicles modified for electric power are seldom as good as those engineered as EVs from scratch.

Nissan Z

Base price: $39,990

Pros: The latest version of one of Japan’s historic sports cars boasts updated features and performance.

2023 Nissan Z

Cons: Only seats two, small trunk. Declining interest in small sport coupes.

Trucks

Chevrolet Silverado ZR2

Base price: $67,500

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.

Pros: Rugged looks and added features boost popular trucks off-road cred.

Cons: Doesn’t break new ground

Ford F-150 Lightning

Base price: $39,974

Pros: Electrifying America’s best-selling vehicle creates a host of new features.

Cons: Prices rise fast with popular features, long waiting list.

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

Lordstown Endurance

Base price: $65,060

Pros: EV startup builds a credible light-duty EV pickup for commercial customers

Cons: Basic ‘work truck’ features and trim, uncertain prospects for manufacturer

Utilities

Cadillac Lyriq

Base price: $61,795

Pros: Cadillac’s first EV has looks, luxury tech – and it’s a surprising value.

Cons: AWD not available at launch; glitchy software on early evaluation vehicles.

The 2023 Lyriq SUV is Cadillac's first electric vehicle

Genesis GV60

Base price: $59,290

Pros: Innovative features like fingerprint scan and facial recognition.

Cons: Similar power and architecture to less expensive Kia EV6

Kia EV6

Base price: $41,400

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

Pros: Value, looks, technology – and a 576-hp GT model.

Cons: Prices rise fast from affordable base figure.

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

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