{"id":31986,"date":"2024-01-05T10:42:48","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T14:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=31986"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:03:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:03:51","slug":"payne-how-i-voted-for-the-2024-car-truck-and-utility-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/01\/payne-how-i-voted-for-the-2024-car-truck-and-utility-of-the-year","title":{"rendered":"Payne: How I voted for the 2024 Car, Truck and Utility of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Pontiac<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 In Hollywood, January means Oscar nomination time. In Detroit, it\u2019s NACTOY season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">NACTOY as in the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards, which crowned the 2024 model year winners Thursday at the fancy M1 Concourse car club. While the MotorTrend Car of the Year awards are the industry\u2019s glitziest prize, NACTOY is its most democratic, bringing together 50 independent automotive journalists from across North America \u2014 including your Detroit News scribe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This year, my NACTOY picks came up short \u2014 though my car and truck favorites missed by a hair. It\u2019s the SUV category where I have a beef with my fellow jurors.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/money\/autos_0__container__\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The auto industry is in the midst of a historic, government-forced transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, and EVs are all the rage. But electrics are often at cross purposes with America\u2019s largest auto segment, SUVs, where families depend on affordable, utilitarian, efficient vehicles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">EVs have largely catered to luxury buyers and motorheads \u2014 like, well, me and my $60k Tesla Model 3 Performance \u2014 who have multi-vehicle garages and only use EVs for local transit. I love to rocket from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds and drive hands-free, but when it comes to road trips, Mrs. Payne wants to take a gas car. EVs are generally much more expensive that their ICE stablemates and are less practical.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/12\/14\/PDTN\/71915950007-chevy-trax-review-activhill.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Find new roads. The 2024 Chevy Trax Activ top trim is meant to look more rugged with its black highlights and higher-profile tires - all for under $25k.\" width=\"525\" height=\"296\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Find new roads. The 2024 Chevy Trax Activ top trim is meant to look more rugged with its black highlights and higher-profile tires - all for under $25k.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<p><em>Find new roads. The 2024 Chevy Trax Activ top trim is meant to look more rugged with its black highlights and higher-profile tires &#8211; all for under $25k. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">My Detroit News SUVs of 2024 are the gas-powered Chevy Trax and Buick Envista \u2014 sibling GM utes that are an impressive value at under $30k, yet still offer state-of-the-art tech and roomy interiors to accommodate the Payne family of four. Yet, those vehicles \u2014 along with other practical ICE chariots like the affordable Dodge Hornet, stylish Mazda CX-90 and rock-chewing Jeep Wrangler \u2014 were passed over as finalists for three niche electric SUVs: the $68,000 Genesis Electrified GV70, $56k Kia EV9 and $34k Hyundai Kona EV (and sister $25k Kona ICE).<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Staring at the finalists, I felt like the Oscar fan scratching his head as to how small-release \u201cCODA\u201d beat out blockbusters \u201cDune,\u201d \u201cFree Guy\u201d and \u201cSpiderman: No Way Home\u201d to win the 2021 Oscar for Best Picture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Kia EV9 won in a landslide with 320 points over the Genesis (98 points) and Hyundai (82) points. My fellow jurors took to heart the NACTOY mantra that the \u201cawards honor vehicles that have raised the standards and have become new benchmarks in their class\u201d \u2014 and the edgy EV9 is certainly noteworthy for its tech-tastic interior and being the first mainstream, three-row electric SUV.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2024\/01\/04\/PDTN\/72104199007-kia-ev-9-bronnersfr-34-angels.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"In front of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line shows off its sculpted, sci-fi looks. Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne took the mainstream segment's first, three-row SUV through the snow to northern Michigan.\" width=\"522\" height=\"294\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In front of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line shows off its sculpted, sci-fi looks. Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne took the mainstream segment's first, three-row SUV through the snow to northern Michigan.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<p><em>In front of Bronner&#8217;s Christmas Wonderland, the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line shows off its sculpted, sci-fi looks. Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne took the mainstream segment&#8217;s first, three-row SUV through the snow to northern Michigan. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But it\u2019s also a whopping 20 grand more expensive than its ICE brother, the Telluride (which I voted for as 2020 SUV of Year), while offering similar space and way less practically for family road trips (as I documented in a\u00a0<a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/2024\/01\/03\/review-are-we-there-yet-road-trippin-in-the-kia-ev9-family-suv-payne\/72083141007\/\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|${u}\">Detroit News review<\/a>). Affluent folks in Malibu will buy it.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\">\n<p><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I gave all 10 of my points to the Kona, which impressed with upscale style and digital screens for just $25k (and an EV version, if you prefer, costing almost 40% more).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The car and truck classes were more to my liking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Car of the Year was an epic battle between two successful movie \u2014 er, auto \u2014 franchises: Honda Accord and Toyota Prius. I gave seven of my 10 allotted points to Accord and three to Prius given the Honda\u2019s massive appeal (almost 200,00 sales in 2023) and ability to reinvent itself over 11 generations to maintain its relevance even in an SUV-obsessed marketplace. The 2024 model is its best-looking yet with a roomy cabin that shrinks around you when you want to have fun in the twisties.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Prius has suffered mightily from the SUV-to-sedan transformation, with sales cratering from 236,000 to 31,000 over the past 10 years. But that\u2019s also because the Prius made hybrids cool and hybrids are standard issue in the Toyota SUV lineup, rather than the Prius standing alone. With its improved looks and handling, Prius is likely to remain a brand halo for some time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/07\/26\/PDTN\/d8474a08-428b-47ae-a107-00a3b1512955-ToyotaPriusPrime_fr3-4.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The ugly duckling Prius has been remade into a 2023 Toyota Prius Prime swan.\" width=\"493\" height=\"278\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><em>The ugly duckling Prius has been remade into a 2023 Toyota Prius Prime swan. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The ugly duckling Prius has been remade into a 2023 Toyota Prius Prime swan.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Prius notched 192 points from the jury with the Accord second at 159 points \u2014 just edging out the lovely Hyundai Ioniq 6, a worthy electric competitor to the Tesla Model 3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">American automakers were shut out of the car and SUV categories, but they dominate in trucks. The 2024 awards were notable, however, for what wasn\u2019t eligible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Speaking of movies, the Tesla Cybertruck looked like it rolled off a \u201cBlade Runner\u201d set in 2023 and debuted as the world\u2019s most talked about vehicle. Alas, Tesla doesn\u2019t play ball with NACTOY and didn\u2019t make the sci-fi pickup available for media testing. Jurors expected a mid-size truck battle between the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma \u2014 but only the Chevy was eligible given that sales of the new Ranger and Taco were pushed back into 2024.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Colorado is representative of the trio\u2019s comprehensive upgrades in liveability, technology and exterior styling and it got all 10 of my votes. I judged its much pricier competitors \u2014 $47,000-$100,00 Ford F-250 Super Duty and $75,000 Chevy Silverado EV Work Truck \u2014 to be less-attainable, more work-place focused than the everyday Colorado<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But my fellow jurors split into competing pickup, heavy duty and EV camps with the Ford winning by a nose with 189 points over Colorado (163) and Silverado EV (148).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/16\/PDTN\/71610436007-2024-nacto-yfinalists-truck.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"2024 NACTOY finalists, trucks.\" width=\"458\" height=\"258\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><em>2024 NACTOY finalists, trucks. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"2024 NACTOY finalists, trucks.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I defer to fellow juror Jack Nerad to explain: \u201cThe Ford Super Duty retains its leadership in the heavy-duty pickup truck category with impressive towing, payload, torque and horsepower figures. Its four engine choices are highlighted by the new standard 6.8-liter gasoline V-8 and 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V-8.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">We jurors began this process \u2014 the 30<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0year of the prestigious award \u2014 with 52 nominees covering 17 new nameplates, multiple drivetrains and everything from electric trucks to sportscars.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/01\/16\/PDTN\/e9e1ef0e-2ac6-4098-8ffa-654692a655b2-CorvetteE-Ray_fr3-4-left.jpg?crop=3082,1746,x366,y108&amp;width=660&amp;height=374&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is the first hybrid, all-wheel-drive super car from Corvette.\" width=\"494\" height=\"280\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is the first hybrid, all-wheel-drive super car from Corvette.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\">\n<p><em>The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is the first hybrid, all-wheel-drive super car from Corvette. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Maybe NACTOY should have more categories, like the Oscars. What if, for example, we had a Performance Car of the Year category featuring 2024 nominees Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, Ford Mustang, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 911 Dakar and Toyota GR Corolla?<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Huzzah. Now that would add a little Hollywood sex appeal.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"llx\" data-x-c=\"5\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pontiac\u00a0\u2014 In Hollywood, January means Oscar nomination time. In Detroit, it\u2019s NACTOY season. NACTOY as in the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year awards, which crowned the 2024 model year winners Thursday at the fancy M1 Concourse car club. While the MotorTrend Car of the Year awards are the industry\u2019s glitziest prize, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31986"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31986"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31991,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31986\/revisions\/31991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}