The current issue of Automobile Magazine features their All Stars. But, unlike in past years, they've decided to name the COTY--which isn't among the ten All Stars--in the next issue.

Notable new cars missing from the All Stars:

Acura MDX

Acura RDX

Honda Fit

Lexus LS

Mazda CX-7

Saturn Outlook (eligible?)

Toyota Camry

Motor Trend already named Camry its COTY. Automobile doing the same would seem like yesterday's news. The magazines haven't been crazy about the new big Lexus, and the new S-Class which they all prefer is among the All Stars.

The All Stars list doesn't include a single SUV. So maybe one of the Acuras or the Mazda will clinch it.

Or the Saturn Outlook might emerge as a dark horse. Which might explain the delay, as some subscribers received magazines before the press embargo lapsed. Also, no car on the list can carry more than five people. Supposedly this is a dream garage, such that the Ridgeline is on it as the dream garage pickup. Would a dream garage include a people hauler? Picking the Outlook would also let Automobile proclaim that GM has turned a corner, which they'd enjoy doing.

But small cars are hot right now, and SUVs are not, so I think the Fit has the best shot at it, with the Outlook next most likely.

 

I knew we were on to somethin'
http://autos.aol.com/article/general...11132809990001

 

I LIKE THE PART ABOUT THE FITS CAPABILITY TO CHANGE LANES. IT'S AS GOOD AS A FERRARI'S (but its a wee bit cheaper).

 

Still to be chosen by the Auto Writer's from Canada, but the Fit made the top 13.
Tops in it's category.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...d=970599119419

 

Looking at it cynically, Fits are mostly still sold before they hit the dealer and Honda isn't increasing supply, so honouring it isn't going to bring in ad revenue.

 

Yeaaaahhhh! Another prize!! I love my Fit

 

I must admit I neglected to consider that factor. I don't know if Automobile asks finalists to put together a proposed ad package like Autoextremist says MT does: "If you won, how would you advertise the win?"

Guess we'll find out next month.

 

Here's the article:
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS

Go FIT!

 

I think we will lose to the Camry...Camry seems to be the safe choice...

 

Notice how the Fit is the only picture that is blurry?

Probably right about the Toyota winning. More people will buy them.

 

I think the camry will win too. The fit is a great car, but it's short of what camry does. I looked at consumer reports. Fit isn't a "must have" despite it being called "most space efficient vehicle in US". The fit lacks too much: no nav system, moon roof, bluetooth, leather options etc. In the end, the fit is a fast and efficient car, w/ a relatively (to other econoboxes) expensive looking interior.

The fit has a chance next year...HOpefully next year the US fits will be better: SH-AWD, diesel, better interior, R-type, etc.

 

I could care less about which car wins- I'm a little skeptical about how those selections are made anyway. To me, after owning 33 cars, some that have been "Car of Year" winners- my Fit has proven to be the best all around car I have owned!

 

and they're revoting on the truck of the year award because they left the Jeep Wrangler off the original ballot. it'd be awefully nice to see Fit and Wrangler both take top honors...my fiance'll be trading in for the jeep when the GPS becomes available and i'm hoping to pick up a fit from the new plant in Indiana when it begins production.

 

Many favorable comments on the FIT on today's Autoline Detroit TV show. It's a finalist for the North American International Auto Show Car and Truck of the Year awards. Click here: http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/autoli...hp?stream=1045

I doubt the FIT will win; the competition is too mainstream.

I'm in the market for a small car like the FIT but I've yet to find one a dealer lot in my area, so I have no comment on the car I've never driven - yet.

 

hell yea FIT FTW

 

FWIW, my original title for the thread included the phrase "pure speculation." But we'll know soon on Automobile's COTY--subscribers should start receiving the new magazine any day now.

 

Volkswagen GTI wins Automobile's COTY

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16367016/from/RS.5/

 

Didn't see that coming, largely because I don't think of the GTI as a new car. The GTI is a GLI with a hatch instead of a trunk, and the GLI was a 2006 rather than a 2006.5. So I suppose if Mazda decided that the Mazda3 sedan and the Mazda3 hatch were really two separate cars, and gave them two separate names, and then introduced the hatch a half-year later, they'd have an extra shot at awards like this one.

The Jetta GLI isn't even among their All-Stars. Apparently replacing the hatch with a trunk really hurts the car.

 

Can anyone explain why Saturn Aura beat out the Fit? It looks like a fairly ordinary sedan. I heard it is responsive and has a nice interior, but the gas mileage isn't so good and it doesn't look any more attractive than half a dozen other sedans. Of course we're all partial to the Fit, but doesn't it make sense to give credit to a car that changed the whole perception of "econobox"? Were the reviewers getting worried about the American car industry?

 

lol how did the fit change the whole perception of the econobox?