2010 Automotive Excellence Awards

Best Vehicle Design: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

After a painfully long eight-year hiatus, the Chevy Camaro returns packing V8 power and V6 efficiency wrapped around classic sheet metal pulled forward in to the 21st century. The design certainly pays homage to the past, but the muscular lines of this Camaro are modern and fresh.

Best Luxury Vehicle: 2010 BMW 335d

In the future, the word ”luxury” might report automotive qualities different from what they imagine today. When sedate and sensible fuel sippers dominate the automotive landscape, luxury could define the ability to produce sports automobile acceleration with exemplary fuel economy. The BMW 335d is ahead of that curve.

Best Workhorse Vehicle: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

For generations, the default vehicle for plumbers, contractors and delivery drivers has been the full-size truck. The pressures of the economy, ever-increasing urban congestion and the fluctuating price of gasoline could move them to smaller rigs like the Transit Connect. The size is right, with a low, flat floor that can be loaded through any of the two cargo doors.

Most Fun to Drive: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai has transformed its image—and its cars—in an brilliantly short time. The Genesis sedan, introduced last year, proved the Korean company could produce Lexus-level luxury. This year’s Genesis Coupe shows that Hyundai can deliver an exceedingly fun-to-drive sports coupe.