2007 North American Car of the Year Short List

* Chrysler Sebring
* Dodge Caliber
* Honda Fit
* Infiniti G35
* Jaguar XK/XKR
* Lexus LS 460
* Mercedes S-Class
* Nissan Altima
* Nissan Versa
* Saturn Aura
* Toyota Camry

2007 North American Truck of the Year Short List

* Acura MDX
* Acura RDX
* Audi Q7
* BMW X5
* Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban
* Chevrolet Silverado
* Dodge Nitro
* Ford Edge
* GMC Acadia
* Honda CR-V
* Hyundai Santa Fe
* Jeep Wrangler
* Mazda CX-7
* Saturn Vue Green Line
* Toyota FJ Cruiser


http://news.windingroad.com/auto-new...ists-revealed/

 

The LS should be the Car of the Year just for technology alone. It may be the LS against the S-Class for the top spot. C&D hates Toyota though.

The Camry is nice but nothing out of the ordinary. Everything else on that list is nice but nothing out of the ordinary. The G35 may earn the top spot for value and performance though...

 

Will definately be a battle between the LS and S.

The LS puts the S to shame imo. Shouldn't be a tough contest.

But, watch them pick the Honda fit or something.

 

I do hope the LS wins....As for truck I am sure Honda will win with 3 entries, though none are really trucks....

 

How does the LS put the S to shame?

 

Its between the RDX and FJ Cruiser for truck of the year. I dont see a clear winner for car of the year the LS may win for its technology and the saturn aura may also win because its the first serious entry for saturn also the camry might win hybrind attractive style and its the 1st fun to drive camry since the 93 SEV6.

 

This will be interesting. LS vs S, and then the G35. Camry vs Altima vs Aura vs Sebring (not that I think it has any chance of winning). I don't really see the Fit or Versa winning. My bet goes to the LS or G35.

SUVs? A lot of them look really solid. The New MDX for one, GMC Acadia, CX-7, FJ Cruiser, Tahoe and Suburban. Where is the Rav4? It wasn't included last year was it?

 

I would take the Q7 over any of those other SUV's.

 

- The LS is more technologically advanced

- The LS looks way better

- The LS is built to a higher standard of quality and precision

- The LS doesn't have a BMW interior

- The LS comes in two lengths

- The LS will be available in a Hybrid

- The LS does MORE for LESS money

Shall I keep going?

OK, the S isn't shameful. Actually I like it, but the LS wins hand down.

 

-How is the LS more technologically advanced? (When I take a look at the features offered by both cars, I see them being very close with the S probably having more technological features, i.e. night vision) There is a lot marketing hype going into this statement. Also what about the chassis dynamics, and vehicle handling characteristics? Who has who beat there?

-Looks are subjective and not everyone will agree with us (i agree with you on this one) so that is a moot point.

-Where is your proof of the LS being built to a higher standard? (Last I checked the S-class was considered to be built using the very latest technology, and construction methods available to the industry, as is the LS).

- At least the S-class doesn't have a Camry interior, have you seen some of the switch-gear on the LS. Its lifted either directly from the Camry or the Corolla. Both cars have their interior design faults. I've actually taken one of the new S-classes for a test drive and I have to say that it really isn't that difficult to figure out their new Command system.

- The S-class has always come in regular-wheelbase form and Long wheelbase form and I suspect the long-wheelbase form will be coming along shortly. Also believe it or not the new S-class regular-wheelbase version actually has a longer wheelbase than the new LS460L and the regular S-class has more room than the long-wheelbase LS. If you take a look at the pictures of the new LS with it reclining Ottoman chairs you will notice that they moved the front passenger seat forward to give the allusion of more room.

Wheelbase in inches:
S550: 124.6
LS460L: 121.7

Kinda funny huh?

- Don't even get my started on how pointless hybrids are.

- Yes the LS is cheaper, so what? Were talking about the pinnacle of the luxury sedan here.

If you kept going, I still would have had a counter-point for every point you brought up.

Here's an interesting video about the S-class: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fg3JcizUA...elated&search=

Another few videos (some in a different language) demonstrating just how easy the new S-class is to operate and some of the features:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oP60IVZc16M
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5bzhIbJRHA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFc9Ji9iLt8

BTW I own the previous generation LS, my wife drives it.

 

My top 3 Finalist would be...


Cars

LS460 - new to the game, most tech advanced, plus I am biased towards Lexus.
Jag XKR - The car that resurrects Jag. Havent read one bad review thus far. Seems like the real deal and a strong competitor this year.
Caliber/Fit - they usually throw some wierd car in there every year. And usually thats the one to take the award. Plus its not like the Caliber or Fit are very bad cars. They cant even keep them on the lots.

Trucks

Saturn Vue Green Line - Simply because its a Hybrid. And from what Ive read a very good one.

FJ Cruiser - Very good truck. Rugged in your face styling and it can actually back it up.

MDX/RDX - I would have said Tahoe/Suburban, but to me its more of the same. The Ack trucks bring in new tech and one of them is the second type of vehicle in its class.