A Closer Look at the Award Winning Vehicles of 2024
The automotive world is a highly competitive arena, one where design and performance collide to define (or redefine!) the industry’s future. It’s a dynamic and often crowded landscape, but like any stadium, some contenders stand a little taller than others – and it is those lucky champions we celebrate today.
So, let’s meet the vehicles that successfully outshone their competition this past year, capturing the attention of industry experts and discerning drivers alike. These are the cars, trucks, and SUVs that earned top awards and honors for 2024 from three of the top sources – NACTOY, MotorTrend, and Green Car Awards.
NACTOY 2024
Considered a barometer for top-notch vehicles, the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards – or NACTOY – are the longest-running new-vehicle awards not associated with a single publication, website, radio or television station. Instead, they are judged by a variety of independent automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.
The following three vehicles have been deemed standouts in innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction, user experience, and value.
Car of the Year: Toyota Prius & Prius Prime
You may be thinking: A Prius, really? Really, and we’ll tell you why. Toyota’s ugly duckling got a serious glow-up in 2023 – and the world took notice.
In addition to wearing a noticeably sleeker and sportier exterior, the fifth-gen Prius punches up performance with a new 194-hp 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain. That’s a 60% increase in power from the outgoing model, helping it shave a full 3.4 seconds off its 0-60 time. AWD models squeeze out an extra two ponies and both models see an estimated 57 combined MPG.
Those looking to further maximize fuel efficiency can pick up an equally svelte-looking Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which produces an impressive 220 hp and can travel up to 44 miles using only electric power.
While they still don’t carry the mainstream appeal of more traditional sedans and hatchbacks, the Prius and Prius Prime definitely just moved to a cooler table in the school cafeteria. Expect to see more consumer buy-in for these peppy hybrids in the days ahead.
Truck of the Year: Ford Super Duty
One has to wonder if the jurors were pulling a gag picking such wildly dissimilar vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Ford Super Duty at the same time, but hey– this is America! It’s our differences that make us great.
And the Ford Super Duty is, in fact, different. Not only from its competitors, but also previous versions of itself. From the tires up, this beast of a truck underwent a total overhaul in 2023 and landed on the market like Sylvester Stallone emerging from the Russian mountains at the end of his Rocky IV training montage.
Four powertrain options, a suite of new technology, and plenty of tow-ready updates make this the most capable and versatile Super Duty to date. The venerable 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbodiesel also cranks up the power, now pumping out an incredible 500 hp and 1,200 pound-feet of torque – the best in its class. Somehow, it still manages to be efficient too, returning 20 mpg on Car and Driver’s 75-mph highway fuel economy route.
This is a work truck, yes, but one that recognizes the value of a professional appearance and good road manners. For that reason, the Super Duty is as comfortable hauling concrete as it is towing a luxury fifth-wheel, putting a new spin on the long-held “utilitarian” moniker.
Utility Vehicle of the Year: Kia EV9
Lauded as the first true family-friendly option to hit the electric market, the all-new Kia EV9 packs power, range, tech, and comfort into a three-row package that starts under $60,000 – marking it as a zero-emissions ride with actual mainstream appeal.
The design is noticeably contemporary, with strong hard lines and minimalist styling, but not so far left-of-field as to alienate buyers. The modern family friendly vibes continue inside, where generous space and lounge-style comfort are the name of the game. Think: big touchscreens, swively second-row kids’ seats, and lots of cupholders and charging points.
If that sounds suspiciously like a minivan, you’re not too far off base as early driving impressions suggest that’s exactly what’s hiding under the brawny exterior. While entry-level models offer a sleepy 215 hp and 230 miles of driving range, the higher-trim AWD versions pump out 379 hp and as much as 304 miles per charge. The latter also makes an impressive 516 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to propel the hulking seven-seater from 0-60 in under 5 seconds. (We dare any minivan to match that.)
Add in a 5-star safety rating, 5,000-lb towing capacity, and significantly improved infotainment novelties, and we can see why this captured juror recognition. We expect it will capture consumers’ too, particularly among those Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander owners seeking an electric upgrade.
MotorTrend Awards
Next on the awards circuit is MotorTrend. The publication has been handing out accolades since Truman was in the White House, but crowned its first single vehicle model in 1958 with the T-bird. Since then, the “best of the year” awards have expanded and evolved to meet the industry’s changes. Today, a panel of nine judges test drives the contenders for each category – car, truck, and SUV of the year – and assesses everything from performance and comfort to design and safety systems.
Car of the Year: Toyota Prius
Reading about the Prius’ compelling redesign, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see it pick up multiple awards. After all, 2024 is predicted to be the “year of the hybrid,” and how would it look to have the first and most popular mass-produced example languishing on the has-been pile?
Toyota understood the assignment – and the current market.
“In a world where the Tesla Model Y is among the bestselling vehicles, the Prius is no longer the default option when it comes to affordable, efficient transportation,” writes MotorTrend. “To continue its success, Toyota needed to broaden its appeal well beyond its traditional base. The company did just that with the 2024 Prius. It’s more attractive, more efficient, better to drive, and just as affordable as before.”
Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevy Colorado received a complete generational overhaul for 2023, one that upped the ante on an already true utility player. Offering better performance, capability, comfort, convenience, styling, and a pulse-pounding offroad variant, the mid-size staple successfully outclasses the competition.
A new chassis gives the Colorado a longer wheelbase, higher ground clearance, and better approach angle while the upgraded 2.7-L turbo four that’s shared across all models gains more durability. Thanks to the updates, Chevy’s smaller hauler now has the advantage in pulling power, offering a best-in-class max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds.
Compared to previous generations, the new Colorado looks like a successful weight-loss ad. The exterior is downright chiseled, ditching the big-and-bulky styling that has dominated the pickup segment for years. The makeover continues inside, where a thoroughly modernized interior serves up a more user-friendly layout and upgraded tech. In addition to wireless phone charging and a standard 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, drivers also gain up to 10 available camera views, the most of any competitor in the class.
The strong redesign, paired with impressive capability both on- and off-road (not to mention a well-honed menu of trims and packages) give this model some serious value prop – and enough of an edge to nab it a fresh set of MotorTrend’s Golden Calipers.
SUV of the Year: Chevrolet Blazer EV
In 2017, the Chevy Bolt EV captured judges with its ability to not only meet contest criteria but also present a real possibility for “democratized” electric driving. For MotorTrend, the Chevy Blazer EV builds upon its predecessor’s accomplishments and makes smart improvements in the process.
Sleeker styling, an intuitive cabin layout, and a Cheesecake Factory menu of powertrain options all combine to help this family-friendly crossover stand out from the pack. (Indeed, power ranges from a peppy 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque to a whopping 557 hp and 648 lb-ft, the latter of which delivers a sub-4.0-second 0-60 time.) The lack of a frunk and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability are notable omissions, but the publication argues the Blazer EV is more than the sum of its parts.
“The Blazer EV just works like a modern EV should, taking advantage of all the bright ideas that battery power allows,” features editor, Scott Evans stressed. “It’s the first EV from a legacy automaker to truly incorporate cutting-edge EV startup thinking, embracing and refining some of the best ideas from the Teslas, Rivians, and Lucids of the world.”
However, it’s worth noting that shortly after the Chevy Blazer EV received its MotorTrend trophy, GM issued a stop-sale. According to the automaker, a limited number of owners have experienced some software quality issues. According to Edmunds and InsideEVs – both of whose test models failed shortly after taking delivery – there are serious bugs to work out in the infotainment system and charging infrastructure. So, perhaps not every champion will keep its crown.
Green Car Awards
As environmental stewardship becomes a bigger talking point, the Green Car Awards naturally take on greater significance. Handed out annually by Green Car Journal for the past 18 years, these accolades highlight “green” vehicles that champion better environmental performance alongside key consumer metrics like cost, value, safety, performance, and functionality.
2024 Green Car of the Year – Toyota Prius Prime
Are you sensing a theme here, yet? Yep, the Prius designers can hang another ribbon on their wall, as the impressive plug-in hybrid version nabbed 2024 Green Car of the Year. This accolade is likely the least surprising of the list, but no less notable.
While the judges recognized the Prius Prime’s improved styling and performance, the big takeaway for them was the model’s ability to combat travel anxiety by delivering an overall range of 600 miles as a hybrid. “Given the average daily miles driven by consumers, that means most Prius Prime owners will find their daily driving experience to be one behind the wheel of a zero-emission electric vehicle,” the publication wrote.
2024 Green SUV of the Year – Alfa Romeo Tonale
Another plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the Alfa Romeo Tonale is a new venture for the automaker in this sphere – and it appears the first time’s the charm.
Blending the marque’s iconic Italian styling and driving behavior with genuine functionality and a high-class (and high-tech) interior, the Tonale “offers an exciting and sporty way to drive electric,” said Green Car Journal’s editor and publisher, Ron Cogan.
A 90-kW electric motor on the rear axle bolsters the turbo 1.3-liter four-cylinder under the hood, pushing out best-in-class 285 horsepower and 347 lb.-ft. of torque. A 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery provides an electric range of 33 miles before the engine takes over. Overall driving range is 360 miles, delivering what the publication calls “a fulfilling journey without worrying about needing a charge.”
2024 Family Green Car of the Year – Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The final vehicle to grace the list of 2024 award winners has the honor of claiming back-to-back titles. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – yep, another plug-in hybrid – scored its second consecutive Family Green Car title. “The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid has been a perennial favorite of our editors because it offers so much confidence and convenience in such a clever, capable, and flexible package,” said Cogan.
Similar to the Kia EV9 above, the Outlander PHEV offers a realistic and affordable option to big families looking to keep a small carbon footprint. It’s stylish and comfortable, with lots of family-friendly configurable interior space and plenty of bells and whistles. More importantly for Green Car Journal, the model’s efficient powertrain delivers 38 miles of battery electric range as an EV, plus a total 420-mile driving range overall, allowing for eco-friendly motoring without the range anxiety.
