Honda and Volvo Win Car, Truck of the Year Awards

DETROIT – Kicking off the North American International Auto Show, the Honda Civic and Volvo XC90 edged out almost 50 eligible vehicles and were named the North American Car and Truck of the year, respectively, this morning.

Both vehicles have won the award before; the Civic in 2006 and the XC90 in 2003.

Fifty-three automotive journalists voted, judging the cars on innovation, safety, handling, value and handling. Vehicles must also be “substantially changed” from the previous year’s model to be eligible. ].

The Civic was “redesigned from the ground up,” according to Honda, and features a turbocharged engine, variable transmission, a seven-inch touch screen display and a “driver information interface” on the dash behind the steering wheel.

“The all-new Civic was developed and is built in North America, making this North American Car of the Year win even sweeter,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda senior vice president and general manager, in a release. “Civic is a cornerstone of the Honda lineup, and we’re delighted that the automotive press has recognized the new levels of styling, performance, advanced technology, safety and value that characterize the new Civic.”

The XC90 is the first vehicle developed and released by Volvo since Chinese automaker Geely bought the brand from Ford during the Great Recession. It features a new chassis and engine style that will be used across all Volvo models. Making its debut in the XC90 was the Sensus “infotainment” system.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the XC90 has won this prestigious and most respected award,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, said in a release. “There is a lot more to come. By 2019 Volvo will have a totally renewed product portfolio. By then the all-new XC90 will be the oldest car in the showroom.”

The two others finalists for Car of the Year were the Chevrolet Malibu and Mazda MX-5 Miata, while the Honda Pilot and Nissan Titan XD were finalists for Truck of the Year.

Pictured: The 2016 Volvo XC90, winner of the 2016 North American Truck of the Year award.

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