C&D 2009 10Best Cars
#1
C&D 2009 10Best Cars
BMW 3-series / M3
Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
Chevrolet Corvette
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Infiniti G37
Jaguar XF
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster and Cayman
Volkswagen GTI
Autumn in the Midwest means cold cider and warm doughnuts to a lot of folks, but for the C/D staff, it also means the weeklong rousing of a few quiet burgs as we descend on a rural route about 30 miles from our Ann Arbor office in search of the coming year’s 10Best cars.
This year, our home base changed—we upgraded to a location with a paved parking lot in the interest of floor-mat preservation and real bathrooms in the interest of staff sanity—but the roads traveled did not. Our traffic violations numbered zero, a nice change of pace from last year’s record total. Our judging criteria and the rules, however, remain constant.
Cars are judged on three points. The first is how well they perform their intended functions—sedans and hatchbacks should be spacious and versatile, economy cars should be frugal (but not punishing), and sports cars should be responsive and satisfying. Secondly, we consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level—do we emerge from a drive with a smile, and does it hold our gaze as we walk away? Finally, we look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. We recognize value when we see it and we highlight those cars that possess it.
Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear our price cap—2.5 times the average new-car transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.
If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses us enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.
Read on for 2009’s 10Best. While Car and Driver is staffed by enthusiasts, the 10Best cars are not just the ones we recommend to our hotfoot readers. These are cars we recommend to everyone.
This year, our home base changed—we upgraded to a location with a paved parking lot in the interest of floor-mat preservation and real bathrooms in the interest of staff sanity—but the roads traveled did not. Our traffic violations numbered zero, a nice change of pace from last year’s record total. Our judging criteria and the rules, however, remain constant.
Cars are judged on three points. The first is how well they perform their intended functions—sedans and hatchbacks should be spacious and versatile, economy cars should be frugal (but not punishing), and sports cars should be responsive and satisfying. Secondly, we consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level—do we emerge from a drive with a smile, and does it hold our gaze as we walk away? Finally, we look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. We recognize value when we see it and we highlight those cars that possess it.
Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear our price cap—2.5 times the average new-car transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.
If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses us enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.
Read on for 2009’s 10Best. While Car and Driver is staffed by enthusiasts, the 10Best cars are not just the ones we recommend to our hotfoot readers. These are cars we recommend to everyone.
#7
Okay I have to look up C&D Jan 2008 issue to see the 10 Best cars of last year. They were: Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Mazda 3, Volkswagen GTI, Chevrolet Corvette, Honda Fit, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, Cadillac CTS, BMW 3-series. Only two new cars different from last year, that is, Infiniti G37 and Jaguar XF replacing Mazda 3 and Chevrolet Malibu, and Honda Fit is the second generation instead of first generation. C&D editorials want to intentionally keep their choices consistent or what?
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#10
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The Fit should not be on there. The XF is nice but simply does not have the array of choices the 5 series has. They are letting style dictate that choice but the ugly Fit gets a pass.
Its not a bad list, its very arguable. I totally agree the G37 should be on that list.
Its not a bad list, its very arguable. I totally agree the G37 should be on that list.
#12
The Fit should not be on there. The XF is nice but simply does not have the array of choices the 5 series has. They are letting style dictate that choice but the ugly Fit gets a pass.
Its not a bad list, its very arguable. I totally agree the G37 should be on that list.
Its not a bad list, its very arguable. I totally agree the G37 should be on that list.
#13
A lot of this list I agree with...but I continue to take issue with the Honda Accord.
Considering it's competitors I just don't think it's that great of a car. Camry and Altima made greater strides in their new generations than Honda did with the Accord, and the Malibu and Aura are also more compelling choices.
Just don't think the Accord, or Fit, are really that great. I think C&D feels compelled to put it on there because it has been so long...a viscous cycle if you will.
It's like they get together the list from last year and say "Are they still good enough? Oh, kick out the Mazda and Malibu? The rest are good? Ok cool I didn't want to have to actually drive a bunch of other cars to determine which ones are better."
Considering it's competitors I just don't think it's that great of a car. Camry and Altima made greater strides in their new generations than Honda did with the Accord, and the Malibu and Aura are also more compelling choices.
Just don't think the Accord, or Fit, are really that great. I think C&D feels compelled to put it on there because it has been so long...a viscous cycle if you will.
It's like they get together the list from last year and say "Are they still good enough? Oh, kick out the Mazda and Malibu? The rest are good? Ok cool I didn't want to have to actually drive a bunch of other cars to determine which ones are better."
#14
Every year after this issue comes out, the next month's letters to the editor are full of comments about cars that were left off the list, and "it's about time" for cars that were added. If nothing else, it creates a lot of interest.
#15
I think theCTS should be #1.
The Bimmer has been there too long.
CTS has the handling, power, brakes, roominess, luxury and sport of the 3 series. It was Car of the Year so why not make it #1 for 10Best for 08.
The Bimmer has been there too long.
CTS has the handling, power, brakes, roominess, luxury and sport of the 3 series. It was Car of the Year so why not make it #1 for 10Best for 08.