Put a supercharged pickup, an electric Subaru, a commercial truck and a Corvette on the same awards list, and you have my attention. TopGear.com has announced its second annual U.S. Car Awards, recognizing vehicles, technology, a manufacturer and an industry executive. Published Oct. 28, the 2027 awards offer quite a mix of winners, with something for people who appreciate practicality and those who apparently consider tire smoke a food group.
For readers unfamiliar with Top Gear, its roots go back to a British automotive television program launched in 1977. A 2002 reboot helped establish its combination of car reviews, ambitious stunts, celebrity appearances and humor. The brand also includes a magazine and website, with coverage ranging from everyday transportation to exotic machinery. TopGear.com is a commercial website from BBC Studios, and its automotive coverage leaves plenty of room for personality alongside the road testing.
Here is the complete list of winners announced by TopGear.com:
- Car of the Year: Subaru Trailseeker
- Truck of the Year: Ram 1500 TRX SRT
- SUV of the Year: Rivian R2
- Supercar of the Year: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
- Sports Car of the Year: Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
- Restomod of the Year: Gunther Werks Turbo
- Manufacturer of the Year: BMW
- Engine of the Year: Chevrolet LS6
- Design of the Year: Genesis Magma GT
- TG Tech Award: Tesla Semi
- Person of the Year: Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis head of American brands
The overall winner deserves a closer look. Subaru’s all-electric Trailseeker took Car of the Year honors, with Subaru reporting that Top Gear’s editors recognized its versatility, capability and performance on pavement and off the beaten path. The choice puts a useful, adventure-oriented vehicle at the top of a list that also celebrates some seriously extravagant performance machines.
According to Subaru’s announcement, the Trailseeker has standard all-wheel drive, dual electric motors producing a combined 375 horsepower and 8.5 inches of ground clearance. Subaru lists acceleration from zero to 60 mph at 4.4 seconds. That ought to keep the camping equipment moving right along.
Subaru also reports available range of up to 281 miles and a standard North American Charging Standard port supporting charging speeds up to 150 kilowatts. Seating accommodates five, and a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Those details help explain the Trailseeker’s combination of everyday usefulness and electric performance.
Chevrolet, meanwhile, has plenty to celebrate. The Corvette family collected three awards, covering its Grand Sport, range-topping ZR1X and new LS6 V8 engine. According to General Motors, the 6.7-liter LS6 produces 535 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque, powering both the 2027 Stingray and Grand Sport.
GM describes the returning Grand Sport as combining the Stingray’s daily usability with features from the higher-performance Z06 and ZR1. In its account of the awards, GM highlighted Top Gear’s praise for the Grand Sport’s engaging engine, track capability and enjoyable street manners.
The ZR1X operates in another performance neighborhood altogether. GM lists a combined 1,250 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged V8 and front electric drive unit. Top Gear’s recognition gives Chevrolet bragging rights across the engine, sports car and supercar categories. Somewhere, a trophy cabinet needs reinforcing.
What makes this collection interesting is its breadth. An electric family vehicle earns the overall title while a V8 engine gets its own recognition, and a commercial truck wins the technology award. There is room here for several very different ideas about automotive progress. For shoppers, the useful next step is deciding which of those ideas fits their own driveway, budget and daily routine. A trophy is interesting; finding the right vehicle is what matters.
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