Karl on Cars
Vehicle Awards
September 19, 2008
The short list of candidates for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year
includes everything from the Audi A4 to the Volkswagen Tiguan.
I've driven both of those vehicles, along with most of the other 24 vehicles. I feel like we are in the middle of a transition period where, even within a single brand, you have vehicles that represent the past and the future.
For instance, the Honda Fit and Honda Pilot are both on the list, but I know which of those two feels more like an award-winning car in 2009 (hint: it's not the one that averages less than 20 mpg).
Some other intra-brand variations, such as the BMW 1 Series and X6, make my choice in voting easy. Once again, when I think BMW I think sporty and luxurious sedan. Yeah, I know the X5 has been around for a decade and contributed quite effectively to BMW's bottom line, but I still don't think of BMW as a crossover company. And if the X5 can't earn my enthusiasm, you don't want to hear what I think about the X6...
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- Karl Brauer September 19, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive News, Vehicle Awards
- Technorati Tags:
- North American Car and Truck of the Year
May 20, 2008
You may have already heard this, but BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine took home the International Engine of the Year award for 2008. If you've experienced this powertrain you know that title is well and properly earned, as the 3.0-liter's combination of horsepower, torque and even fuel efficiency make it one of the best engines in history.
But that got me thinking: What are the best engines in the history of the automobile? There are no internationally recognized test parameters to answer this question, so it's basically a judgement call. With that said, here are the 10 engines I would place in the annals of "Best Engines of All Time."
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- Karl Brauer May 20, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive News, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Porsche, Vehicle Awards
March 25, 2008
I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:
In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:
"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."
Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!
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- Karl Brauer March 25, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Hummer, Mazda, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
December 13, 2007
The first round of 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year votes are in...
Car Finalists:
1. Cadillac CTS 2. Chevrolet Malibu 3. Honda Accord
Truck Finalists:
1. Buick Enclave 2. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 3. Mazda CX-9
The final winnners will be announced the morning of January 13th as part of the kickoff for the 2008 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show). I just sent my second-round ballot in, so my part in voting for the car and truck winners is over. I won't know the results before that January 13th announcement, though obviously I know who I voted for.
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- Karl Brauer December 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Vehicle Awards
June 7, 2007
The 2007 J.D. Power initial quality study
is out, and it says Ford vehicles are best -- if you include Mazda, Mercury and Lincoln and if you ask owners 90 days after purchase. I hate to pick these studies apart...but I will anyway. I think my biggest problem is the timing of the survey...
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- Karl Brauer June 7, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Vehicle Awards
May 4, 2007
The results are tallied, and it appears a change is in the air. For the first time since Edmunds started the Consumers' Most Wanted
voting in 2002 a GM division has taken home the most wins. Chevrolet scored with five models (Cobalt, two Corvettes, Silverado and Suburban/Tahoe) while Cadillac and Honda tied for second with four wins each. The Most Significant award also went to a GM product, the GMC Acadia...
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- Karl Brauer May 4, 2007, 6:01 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, GMC, Vehicle Awards
April 27, 2007
By now you've all heard that -- at least in terms of first quarter sales for 2007 --Toyota is the world's number one automaker. What I find most interesting is that Toyota slipped past the General in worldwide auto sales just as GM is having its best year in decades as far as product is concerned. Saturn and Cadillac are flush with promising new cars, the Lambda and GMT900 platforms have officially attained that most sought after of Karl Brauer titles ("Kick Ass"), and while I can't reveal specifics about our 2007 Consumers' Most Wanted awards -- yet -- I can tell you that GM won more categories than ever before in the awards' five-year history.
At the same time, Toyota's Tundra has not sold up to expectations, the Prius has been jumping on and off the incentive wagon, and Toyota's interior quality and recall activity are not where they were five years ago (i.e...
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- Karl Brauer April 27, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
April 24, 2007
I'm having lunch with Tom Purves today. Mr. Purves is the Chairman and CEO of BMW North America, and I'm visiting the corporate offices in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey to hand over the various Editors Most Wanted Awards for 2007
. BMW captured two awards for 2007, Sedan under $35,000 (3 Series) and Sedan under $60,000 (5 Series). Mini also captured the "Coupe under $30,000" category so I'll be presenting that award as well. In past years
BMW has captured as many as six awards, and that's when we had fewer segments to vote on. So why has BMW lost some ground to other makes, particularly Audi, in recent years? I think iDrive and Chris Bangle are two of the culprits, but I'd be interested in hearing your opinions. Of course I'm only talking in terms of Edmunds Most Wanted awards. In terms of sales, the company has never been stronger.
Also, if you have anything you want to say to Tom, and you get your comment posted by noon eastern time, I can try to pass on your thoughts.
And yes, I'll be humming The Sopranos theme song as I'm riding toward the Newark airport in the taxi.
Update on April 25: Read Tom Purves' responses to your questions!
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- Karl Brauer April 24, 2007, 6:08 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
March 26, 2007
It's that time of year again -- time for you to pick the Most Wanted cars and trucks of 2007. Last fall we voted for the 2007 Editors' Most Wanted vehicles
, and of course we got plenty of feedback (as usual, not all of it complimentary regarding our choices). So now it's your turn. In a twist on the old saying, it's time for you to "click up or shut up" -- and as a proponent of self expression I'd prefer you excercise your right to vote...
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- Karl Brauer March 26, 2007, 4:04 PM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
January 2, 2007
With the New Year started it seems fitting to highlight where we were in 2006 and where we're going for 2007. This news release came out a couple of weeks ago, but in case you missed it here are some interesting facts from 2006 and the primary activities/trends we see occurring in the world of new cars and trucks over the next 12 months. Unlike the official news release that covered this topic, I'll include some personal thoughts on these issues in this post:
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- Karl Brauer January 2, 2007, 8:22 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
December 29, 2006
Mazda was good enough to get me a Mazda CX-7 right before the final deadline (January 2nd) for the North American Car and Truck of the Year voting. I've just completed my NACTOY vote and sent in the ballot, but the winners won't be announced until January 7th at the Detroit Show. Each juror was given 10 points to distribute among the three car finalists (Fit, Aura, Camry) and three truck Finalists (Silverado, Edge, CX-7).
I'm not going to share my point distribution until after the winners are announced, but I will say the CX-7 is an excellent example of where the market for people movers sits in the year 2007...
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- Karl Brauer December 29, 2006, 10:01 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Mazda, Vehicle Awards
December 27, 2006
I've never been too enthusiastic about Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award. Basically, it comes down to a "redesigned this year" award, and in a market as narrow as trucks that doesn't leave a lot to chance. The domestics have always been the major players for this award, and they never redesign their full-size trucks in the same model year (thus they aren't competing for the spotlight -- or the Motor Trend calipers). So, basically you have a rotating award for whichever company's truck is in "all-new, redesigned, we-need-publicity-for-our-launch" mode...
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- Karl Brauer December 27, 2006, 10:51 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Vehicle Awards
December 26, 2006
You already know what Edmunds picked as the Most Significant Vehicle for 2006 -- the Pontiac Solstice
. And you may have seen our "final call" on the vehicle regarding our ownership experience for the past year
. Yeah, we weren't too impressed by Pontiac's Miata killer, primarily because of its weak interior (in both design and material quality), lackluster engine and less-than-thrilling driving dynamics.
But, I stand by the "Most Significant" award for two reasons:
1...
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- Karl Brauer December 26, 2006, 9:58 AM
- Categories:
- Pontiac, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
December 14, 2006
We're down to three car and three truck finalists for the 2007 North American Car and Truck of the Year award. On the car side we have the Honda Fit, Saturn Aura and Toyota Camry. On the Truck side it's the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Edge or Mazda CX-7. I (along with 49 other NACTOY jury members) will be voting on these final six over the next couple weeks, and the winners will be announced on January 7th at the Detroit Auto Show...
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- Karl Brauer December 14, 2006, 8:18 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Saturn, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
November 28, 2006
In case you missed it, the Toyota Camry has been named Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2007
. As yet another award in the growing list of automotive awards I sometimes wonder just how much weight the average consumer gives a specific winning title. After the recent, um...discussion over Edmunds' 2007 Most Wanted winners
(where the new Toyota tundra took Most Significant Vehicle of the Year) I reiterated the point that our awards should serve as nothing more than an additional factor to consider when shopping for a vehicle. In other words, I've never fooled myself into thinking that a consumer's vehicle choice would be completely decided by looking at our award list...
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- Karl Brauer November 28, 2006, 8:36 AM
- Categories:
- Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
November 2, 2006
First, to really understand this post you must read a short paragraph at autoextremist.com
. Just follow the link and read the second paragraph (hint: it starts out saying "Edmunds.com").
Now, the various points Peter DeLorenzo is attempting to make really boil down to this:
A. He thinks Edmunds should have picked more domestics for the 2007 Most Wanted winnners
B. He thinks the list of winners is a clear reflection of my personal "anti-Detroit" bias
Let's examine these points, shall we?
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- Karl Brauer November 2, 2006, 9:12 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Vehicle Awards
October 24, 2006
Today marks the final update our our "40 Years of Most Significant Vehicles" study that began back in July with the 1966 Dodge Charger. Every week we've added a few models until we got to 1999 (the Lexus RX 300) as part of Edmunds' 40th Anniversary celebration. Of course, for 2000 through 2006 we have already picked Most Significant winners, as we started the award seven years ago with the Honda Insight. You can see the entire list of 40 cars here
, and the bulk of them also include a complete model history (Generations) on each vehicle...
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- Karl Brauer October 24, 2006, 12:47 PM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
The official announcement will go live on Edmunds.com in a few hours, but those visiting my blog will hear it here first. (drum roll please...)
Our 2007 pick for the Most Significant Vehicle of theYear is...the Toyota Tundra! The short answer comes in the form of Toyota -- finally
-- going full throttle after the last domestic-dominated vehicle segment. General Motors, Ford and Chyrsler have owned the lucrative full-size truck market ever since it was a market. Toyota began dipping their toe in the water with the T100 back in 1993, and got a little more serious with the Tundra in 2000. Then Nissan took a wack at it in 2004 with the Titan, a vehicle that won our Most Significant honors that year despite its limited range of body styles (two) and available drivetrains (one). But the 2007 Tundra is something altogether different. Unlike the Titan and previous Tundras, this one matches -- or beats -- the domestics on key full-size truck parameters. Much of the Tundra's spec sheet is still embargoed, but we've driven it and we can say this much -- the thing is BIG in more ways than one. It's got a powerful V8 option, several body styles, and montrous towing capacity. Trust us, this one will make the typically patriotic truckers out there re-evaluate their loyalties.
We also announced our 2007 Edmunds Editors' Most Wanted winners today. There are 32 categories and the winners are listed here:
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- Karl Brauer October 24, 2006, 8:54 AM
- Categories:
- Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
September 20, 2006
The votes are in, and the "short list" of candidates for North American Car and Truck of the Year is final. Every all-new or redesigned car is eligible to win, but the following list represents the cars and trucks that jury members have voted on to make the "first cut" in the process. Only one winner will be picked from each category, though the top three cars and trucks will be announced in early December. The winners will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 7th. The bummer is that some 2007 models are coming too late for jurors to vote on. Examples include the all-new Toyota Tundra and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Tundra wasn't even on the long list because it's coming too late for voting purposes, and the Outlander, while on the long list, was only driven by 11 of the 50 jurors before the voting deadline (and I wasn't one of those 11). Any guesses on what will win in each category? Here's the list:
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- Karl Brauer September 20, 2006, 8:24 AM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
July 18, 2006
Middle age can be rough, but at 40 years old I think Edmunds is aging like the proverbial fine wine (call me bias). To celebrate our 40th Anniversay Edmunds.com will be picking the Most Significant Vehicle for each model year from 1966 to 1999. Of course we've already picked a Most Significant Vehicle for the years 2000 through 2006, and we'll revisit those choices as well when the time comes. Beginning today you can expect to see two new "Most Significant Vehicle" picks each week for the next 15 weeks. You can see the first winners, for years 1966 and 1967, by clicking here
and next week we'll cover 1968 and 1969...
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- Karl Brauer July 18, 2006, 12:28 PM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
June 1, 2006
Not everyone can afford a shiny new vehicle, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with a crappy old vehicle, either. Every year we offer our Used Car Best Bets for people looking to maximize their car-buying dollar. Our latest picks for 2006 went live today, and you can see them here
. It can be challenging to identify these vehicles, as there are plenty of good used cars out there...
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- Karl Brauer June 1, 2006, 3:54 PM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
April 25, 2006
For those who haven't seen it yet, we are in the midst of our annual Consumers Most Wanted voting. Simply go to this page
and you can vote on all the same categories we voted on for the 2006 Editors' Most Wanted winners
last fall. If you disagreed with our choices here's your chance to plug your favorite vehicles -- and possibly even get them in the spotlight (the winners will be featured for the next year on Edmunds.com). We'll announce the results in a few weeks, but voting ends in just over a week. Let your automotive voice be heard!
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- Karl Brauer April 25, 2006, 12:19 PM
- Categories:
- Vehicle Awards
January 8, 2006
Ford and Honda both had entries in the Car and Truck categories, but Honda swept it with the Civic and Ridgeline. I personally thought Solstice was a shoe-in, but I did give some of my voting points to Civic, as I suspect every one of the 49 jurors did on the jury.
I still have some issues with the Ridgeline's supposed "off-road" ability, but it's an exceptionally packaged vehicle with great functionality for what 95 percent of buyers will do 95 percent of the time.
And of course the Civic is a great car (I'm already in love with our long-term Si that we just got last Tuesday)...
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- Karl Brauer January 8, 2006, 9:20 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Honda, Vehicle Awards
December 13, 2005
And then there were six. The finalists for North American Car and Truck of the Year (2006) were announced today.
They are:
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- Karl Brauer December 13, 2005, 5:27 PM
- Categories:
- Pontiac, Vehicle Awards
