Another Motor Trend award was announced at the end of November,and this is the big one: Motor Trend’s 2019 Car of the Year!
In my opinion, this is the second year they got it right! But, I also understand that a lot of people might think so.
So, before we make any more judgements, and before I handout any more of my own personal opinions and observations, let’s analyze the competition:
Audi A6
The A6 looks good, performs well, and offers outstanding practicality. In other words, it does everything really well, without overdoing anything or under whelming anybody. Not trying too hard and just being itself has a lot of benefits, including being nominated for Car of the Year.
Audi A7
The A7, the second Audi and another finalist in this competition, does everything the A6 does but in a little more stylish way. This is the car that represents the coupe-sedan craze, and it’s still making a strong case for itself here.
Buick Regal
Deep down, I kind of hoped the Regal would win. It’s a bit uncharacteristic of what many people think of when they think about the Buick brand. That’s also why it’s here and what gives it that something special. Good for Buick! We just hope this car doesn’t go away with some of its other GM brothers and sisters.
Ford Mustang
I’ve said it before, but the Mustang didn’t really have a chance to win. It has become better with each new model, it’s an extremely affordable performance car, and Mustangs are everywhere. That’s a great combination,but we’ve just kind of expected all of this. Sure, it might make you say wow, but didn’t you see that coming?
Ford Transit Connect
It’s a Ford Transit, just in a tidier package. We already know that the Transit can do just about everything. Think of it like a tablet or cell phone. You get a smaller package with almost the same capability that you’d get with a lot of laptop computers now.
Hyundai Accent
The Accent hits high marks in the value portion of this award, and was one of the numerous Hyundai contenders for the title. Like the Mustang, the Accent is a car that nobody really expects to win, but unlike the Mustang, nobody really expects it to be in this race to begin with… props to you Hyundai!
Hyundai Elantra
Another Hyundai getting good marks in value and economy, the Elantra is closer to a Toyota Corolla than a Mazda 3 in terms of practicality and driving characteristics. Something that the Corolla doesn’t have is the momentum that Hyundai has built up with its recent additions and redesigns in their lineup.
Hyundai Veloster
The Veloster is the biggest surprise of any other Hyundai here. Perhaps not a surprise that the car itself was in this competition, the biggest surprise of being even better than anticipated has brought many of the media and industry experts more delight than many though possible. It made it all the way to the finals.
Honda Clarity
The Clarity isn’t very well-known or well-established in the automotive world, but being here will probably help. It’s a plug-in hybrid, but also offers a full-electric option for those who want it. I think it still looks a bit goofy – like most EVs or plug-ins – but that didn’t affect its appearance as a contender.
Honda Insight
The Insight showed strong in this competition, bested its sibling, the Clarity, and made it all the way to the top. It signals a new era for Honda and their direction for the future. On top of that, it shows the public that a hybrid or electric vehicle doesn’t have to look like a two-year old’s first attempt at drawing… something.
Kia Forte
If you like the Kia Stinger, you will like the Forte. Sure, it isn’t supposed to be and do what the Stinger is and does, but it’s supposed to be a viable option for those who can’t afford one and need something to look the part. You can clearly see the family resemblance,and that’s pretty cool.
Lexus ES
Why would the Lexus ES not be here? It’s a Toyota Camry underneath, but of course, this year it’s become even better than before. Being a Camry isn’t a bad thing, especially when you want a Camry, but if you can afford to spend a little more to get a little more, you get an ES.
Lexus LS
The same can be said of the LS that was said about the ES. The LS is just bigger, looks a little better,and will still do everything that anybody needs it to do. While just always being the best and most utilitarian can be boring, that doesn’t mean that boring is bad. The LS isn’t even that boring, it’s just often mistaken for being boring because it’s so competent.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
When Lexus just doesn’t cut it, you can go to Mercedes and get a CLS instead of the LS. Naturally,it’s packed with all the added luxury and safety tech one would expect in any Mercedes. The CLS class is a pretty good car, and you can even get the AMG version, which will give you a bit of extra spunk.
Nissan Altima
The Altima provides a refreshing look for the competition this year. Nissan’s new engine show cases the possibilities of the future, the Altima isn’t super expensive, and well,it’s just kind of your average Joe competing with the big boys. It holds its own superbly in a tough competition.
Toyota Avalon
What more can be said about the Toyota Avalon than it continues to be a solid overall car, just like every other Lexus and Toyota in this competition. The Avalon takes a“no-frills” approach to life, which its consumers like. Keep up the good work Toyota… we will see you next year.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Everyone is asking whether the Corolla Hatchback is the newest hot hatch to enter the market. I think not, but it is interesting, and that makes it a welcome addition to Toyota’s lineup. The car looks athletic,even when it isn’t moving. Toyota’s choice to offer a hatchback when neither hatchbacks nor cars are doing as well as in prior years is admirable and exciting.
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen is back… sort of. The new Jetta is marketed as being a car for this generation. While it has been redesigned, there’s nothing too groundbreaking here, and there isn’t anything to put it way over the top of anybody else. Still, it’s doing what the Jetta does best, and its redesign is gladly welcomed.
Volvo S60 and V60
The Volvo siblings made it to the finals this year, and for good reason. If not only for its beautiful design, Volvo continues to impress in the safety, features, and wow-factor departments. This car stands out wherever you might want to take it.
So, what can be said about the Genesis G70 in relation to its competition?
First of all, the competition doesn’t seem to pop like it has in recent years. That’s not necessarily a knock on the G70, but I don’t think it makes the G70 spring to the forefront like the winners of years past.
An all-star lineup of cars like the Honda Accord, Civic TypeR, Kia Stinger, Tesla Model 3, Porsche Panamera, and Dodge Viper graced the competition in 2018. A formidable group to say the least. It made the Alfa Romeo’s win just a bit sweeter.
In 2017, cars like the Focus RS, Chrysler Pacifica, Tesla Model S, Porsche 911, Volvo S90, and even the Genesis G90, the G70’s older sibling, were in the mix for prize.
This year, the magic just doesn’t seem to be there. All the cars in the competition are solid,especially the Volvo S60, Audi A6, and Hyundai Veloster. They just don’t have the allure of a Tesla Model S or Civic Type R.
Secondly, this year’s competition is chalked full of cars that are more practical and usable to the general populace than in years past. With the exception of the Mustang and perhaps the Veloster, most cars in this year’s competition would serve any family of four or five very well.
It’s fun to see the Dodge Vipers, Porsche 911s, and Chevy Camaros represent the more enthusiast-minded side of the market, but that’s not what most people are going to buy.
The Veloster isn’t a typical family sedan but it isn’t entirely unpractical as it has three doors. The Mustang, though it is a sports car, is affordable and definitely isn’t the most impractical sports car one could buy.
All in all, though the competition may be a little lacking in terms of star potential, it makes the G70 stand out against its true peers. But, this also means that its victory just a little sweeter as it can “pick on people its own size” so to speak.
Why did G70 win?
The key word to the Genesis G70’s victory is “balance.”
It basically takes some of the good parts of each of its competitors, puts them into a nice, tidy package, and presents them all to you in one car.
The G70 is a handsome car. It’s beautifully styled and looks intentional, but it’s also notover-the-top like some of the Lexus models.
The G70 is an entry-level luxury sports sedan. Genesis’ whole goal is to be that at a price that doesn’t bankrupt anybody. There are plenty of tech, safety, and convenience features to please anybody at its price point as value without compromise is its goal, and it really does undercut Audi, Mercedes, and BMW in terms of what you get for the price you pay.
Performance strikes a balance between enough of what you want and enough of what you need. Some say that the 2.0 Liter engine is lacking a little kick, and that’s to be expected as the G70 is a heavier car. The 3.3 Liter version is the engine that shines, and it is more than ample for anybody desires. You can even get the G70 in all-wheel drive, which is an added bonus.
Not only that, but the G70 is one of the few cars that will still be offered with a manual transmission. You can only get that option with the smaller engine, but the rest of the car is solid enough that it won’t be terrible. For enthusiasts, that’s a welcome bit of news.
The Takeaway
It seems that the competition this year didn’t have the flair and pizzazz of years past, but that shouldn’t detract from the honor and importance of winning the award for 2019.
It is tough to go up against as many cars as this and come through a victor, especially when most of them are somewhat comparable.
The G70’s win doesn’t automatically make the car flawless,though. Winning the Motor Trend Car of the Year never did mean that any winner was. It just meant that the combination of everything about the car was right. There have been some duds in the past – here’s looking at you, Chevy Volt (1993), Ford Thunderbird (2003), Chrysler PT Cruiser(2004), and Ford Probe (1993) – but these past several years have been mostly solid. The Genesis G70 continues this trend.
