Electric vehicles dominated new vehicle introductions in this year, but the internal combustion engine will be around for years, and it still powers some exceptional vehicles.
That came home to me as I evaluated finalists for both the Free Press and North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.
Automakers have shifted their attention and investment to developing new EVs, but gasoline engines remain relevant, and are the powertrain of choice for some of the year’s best vehicles.
That’s why the 2023 Free Press Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year — the Ford F-150 Lightning and Kia EV6, respectively, are electric vehicles, but the Free Press Car of the Year — the Acura Integra — is powered by a gasoline engine.
The F-150 Lightning, EV6 and Integra also got my votes for North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year. The winners of those awards, selected by a jury of 50 automotive journalists including myself, will be announced Jan. 11.
All prices exclude destination charges.
2023 Free Press Truck of the Year: Ford F-150 Lightning
Base price: $46,974
The F-150 single-handedly changed the conversation about electric vehicles. When Ford revealed a version of America’s perennially bestselling vehicle with electric power, you could almost hear a vast new portion of the American public — crucially, including small business owners — say, “Hmm, maybe I could use an EV.”
Ford’s strategy of using its strongest, most revered vehicles to introduce electric vehicles — first the Mustang Mach-E, now the F-150 — was inspired. So was the decision to launch the vehicles with models priced in the heart of the market, not the six-digit halo models some automakers chose for EVs revealed this year.
Ford built work trucks — base price, $46,974, excluding destination charges — from the start. No limited edition, costs as much as four years of college, launch models for America’s favorite vehicle.
Admittedly, you’re on your own finding one at that price, but Ford is paying a bit more than lip service to the idea that EVs should be affordable for everyone.
The next frontier: The engineers and tech experts of the SAE, or some equally respected and trustworthy body, must come up with a standardized test for EV range when towing. When buyers can compare that key criterion, EVs will really have hit the mainstream.
Second place: Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
Base price: $67,500
Chevy’s top-selling model joins the off-road brigade with beefy upgrades including 33-inch tires, new shocks, springs and electronic aids. Americans love pickup trucks, and that’s not going to change as long as automakers continue to add appealing models like this to their lineups.
Third place: Lordstown Endurance
Base price: $65,060
The first vehicle from a plucky startup that took over a former GM assembly plant, the Endurance electric pickup targets small business owners willing to be tech leaders, with the promise of lower operating and maintenance costs.
2023 Free Press Car of the Year: Acura Integra
Base price: $30,800
The compact Integra sport sedan recaptures all the reasons Acura was an instant hit when it debuted as the first Japanese luxury brand in 1986: Value, performance, style, and simply more fun per dollar than just about any other brand offers.
Priced thousands of dollars below the pandemic-inflated average new-vehicle price, the Integra is a reminder that an automaker’s greatest achievement is to build a great car that most people can afford.
Second place: Genesis G90
Base price: $88,400
Genesis’ big sedan is the Korean luxury brand’s most luxurious and advanced vehicle yet, priced far below competitors from established luxury brands.
At this rate, Genesis won’t have to offer its vehicles for less than the likes of Lexus, Cadillac and Infiniti for long. Get one while they’re still a bargain.
Third place: Subaru WRX
Base price: $29,605
The legendary all-wheel-drive performance compact adds room and comfort without losing the performance, spirit and affordability that made it a global icon.
2023 Free Press Utility Vehicle of the Year: Kia EV6
Base price: $41,400
The EV6 electric SUV hit the market early this year with futuristic looks, and an advanced electric system only Porsche — and Kia’s corporate cousins Hyundai and Genesis — can match. It ended 2022 with the surprise introduction of an electric super-SUV: the 576-hp EV6 GT.
The EV6 GT delivers 0-60-mph sprints in 3.4 seconds, but the EV6’s most impressive performance is financial, matching the style, features and comfort of luxury-brand EVs that cost thousands of dollars more.
Second place: Cadillac Lyriq
Base price: $61,795
The Lyriq electric luxury SUV has style, technology, performance and value, but production delays have kept Cadillac from getting a meaningful number on the road, months after sales began. Unable to demonstrate that early software glitches have been remedied, and without an AWD model until sometime in 2023, the Lyriq fell short of the EV6’s standard.
3rd place: Kia Sportage
Base price: $25,990
The Sportage compact SUV offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, giving it something for virtually every driver. Style and advanced safety and infotainment features make it a winner in the largest and most competitive segment in the U.S. car market.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.