NACTOY is naming the semifinalists for the 2023 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards. Following a vote by NACTOY judges, 26 semifinalists from an initial list of 47 eligible cars, trucks and utility vehicles have been selected to advance to the next round of voting. NACTOY shared the semifinalist list during the North American International Auto Show last week. It includes ten cars, three trucks and 13 utility vehicles that are all new or substantially new and are or will be on sale this year.
"This year's group of semifinalists highlights the changes we've seen sweeping across the automotive industry in recent years: Most mainstream vehicles now fall into the Utility category; most vehicles in the Car category are focused on performance or luxury; and more electric vehicles than ever before are starting to hit the market," said NACTOY President Gary Witzenburg. "NACTOY jurors look forward to testing and evaluating these vehicles before the next vote."
The NACTOY awards are evaluated throughout the year by 50 respected jurors from print, online, radio and broadcast media across the U.S. and Canada. They vote three times during the year to whittle down the list of eligible vehicles down to semifinalists, finalists and, finally, the winners.
"I would also like to thank Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, for the opportunity to announce our semifinalists here at the Detroit Auto Show," Witzenburg said. "Last year's semifinalist announcement at Motor Bella delivered the excitement of a new format, and it's invigorating to be part of re-launching the Auto Show in its new fall schedule with this year's slate of estimable vehicles."
Next up - jurors will evaluate the 26 vehicles in a comparison drive in October which will determine which make the finalist cut. The finalists will be announced at the LA Auto Show on November 16, and winners will be announced at a special event in Detroit on January 11, 2023.
2023 Semifinalists:
North American Car of the Year
- Acura Integra
- BMW i4 eDrive40
- Genesis G80 EV
- Genesis G90
- Mercedes-Benz C Class
- Mercedes-Benz EQE
- Nissan Z
- Subaru WRX
- Toyota Crown
- Toyota GR Corolla
North American Truck of the Year
- Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
- Ford F-150 Lightning
- Lordstown Endurance
North American Utility Vehicle of the Year
- Audi Q4 e-tron
- BMW iX xDrive50
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Genesis GV60
- Honda CR-V
- Honda HR-V
- Kia EV6
- Kia Sportage
- Lexus RX
- Mazda CX-50
- Nissan Ariya
- Rivian R1S
- Volvo C40 Recharge
Photo: NACTOY.