Chevrolet, Chrysler, Honda Receive Top Honors

Jan. 9, 2017

Jan. 9, 2017—The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt electric car, Honda Ridgeline pickup and Chrysler Pacifica minivan were named 2017 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year, respectively, Monday by North American Car of the Year.

The announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The Bolt electric car received 364 points from the jury of automotive journalists across the United States and Canada. The Genesis G90 sedan from Hyundai's new luxury brand was second with 105, followed by the Volvo S90 sedan with 101.

The Bolt boasts an EPA-certified range of 238 miles on a single charge and prices that start under $30,000 after applying tax credits.

The Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup received 364 points to beat the Ford F-series Super Duty, 193, and Nissan Titan, 72.

The Ridgeline was engineered to offer a pickup bed for cargo on a car-style chassis that delivers a smoother ride than most pickups. It offers unusual features like a "trunk" under its cargo bed's floor and a double-hinged tailgate that opens down or from the side.

The Chrysler Pacifica minivan got 300 points to top the Mazda CX-9, 135, and Jaguar F-Pace, 125. The award for utility vehicle of the year is new for 2017. It includes sport utility vehicles and minivans. It was added due to surging consumer interest in SUVs, many of which compete with minivans as kid-friendly family transportation.

The Pacifica minivan replaces FCA’s Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. Its innovative features include a plug-in hybrid model that can go 35 miles on a charge, enough to cover daily driving for many minivans.

The award for Utility Vehicle of the Year is new for 2017, in recognition of the growing popularity of SUV-style vehicles. Passenger-oriented minivans are also eligible for Utility of the Year. Vehicles eligible for Truck of the Year include pickups of all sizes and light- and medium-duty commercial vans.

The North American Car and Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards honor excellence in innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction and value.

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