Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile. The magazine still gives this award.
It also refers to an award given yearly to the new automobile selected best by a jury of journalists for motor magazines in Europe.
Although other similar awards exist in other parts of the world like Australia from the Australian automobile magazine Wheels and the AJAC in Canada, these two are the major ones that use the phrase, which is sometimes abbreviated COTY.
Contents |
| Year | International Car of the Year | World Car of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Hyundai Sonata | Nissan Leaf |
| 2010 | Ford Taurus | Volkswagen Polo |
| 2009 | Nissan GT-R | Volkswagen Golf |
| 2008 | Honda Accord sedan | Mazda2 / Demio |
| 2007 | Lexus LS 460 | Lexus LS 460 |
| 2006 | Dodge Charger | BMW 3-Series |
| 2005 | Honda Civic EX | Audi A6 |
| Year | European Car of the Year | North_American Car of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Nissan Leaf | Chevrolet Volt |
| 2010 | Volkswagen Polo | Ford Fusion Hybrid |
| 2009 | Vauxhall/Opel Insignia | Hyundai Genesis |
| 2008 | Fiat 500 | Chevrolet Malibu |
| 2007 | Ford S-Max | Saturn Aura |
| 2006 | Renault Clio | Honda Civic |
| 2005 | Toyota Prius | Chrysler 300 |
| 2004 | Fiat Panda | Toyota Prius |
| 2003 | Renault Mégane | MINI Cooper |
| 2002 | Peugeot 307 | Nissan Altima |
| 2001 | Alfa Romeo 147 | Chrysler PT Cruiser |
| 2000 | Toyota Yaris | Ford Focus |
| 1999 | Ford Focus | Chrysler 300M |
| 1998 | Alfa Romeo 156 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 1997 | Renault Mégane Scénic | Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class |
| 1996 | Fiat Bravo/Brava | Chrysler minivans |
| 1995 | Fiat Punto | Chrysler Cirrus |
| 1994 | Ford Mondeo | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |