2011 MSN Autos Editors' Choice Awards
2011 MSN AUTOS EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS
2012 Ferrari 458 Spider
A convertible version of the 458 had always been in the game plan, and Ferrari's first midengine retractable-hardtop convertible is incredible. It combines the brilliant operability of the Ferrari California's disappearing hardtop with the superstar handling and performance of the 458 Italia. It is devilishly quick and amazingly agile, with a ravishing wail from its V8 powerplant. Yet, it has a civilized ride and road demeanor. "If anything, it is even more brilliant, impressive and desirable than its hard-edged coupe sibling," contributor Marc Lachapelle says.
Every year, we choose our favorite vehicles. And every year, we have a heated debate doing it. This year was no exception. There was a lot of good sheet metal to choose from in 2011, as the auto industry finally started showing real signs of recovery from the beating it took in 2008-2009. The arguments in favor of certain machines were eloquent and well-considered: "It's a taut and muscular ball of fury ... devilishly quick and amazingly agile, with a ravishing wail." Those against were, well, blunt and sarcastic: "Are you out of your mind? That car sucks." Regardless, we did come to a consensus, and we want to applaud this select group of vehicles. Let us know if we made the right choices.
2012 Hyundai Elantra
The high praise received by the 2011 Hyundai Elantra carries over into the 2012 model year. Thanks to head-turning styling and a long list of luxury amenities others will think you paid more for it than you actually did. "It also offers enough cabin and trunk space to compete with some midsize sedans," producer Mike Meredith says. "It is a great value.
2012 Ford Focus
Starting in early 2011, Ford decided to drop the North American Focus and market the European model worldwide. Why? Because it was that much better; it improved on what made the original special, with better interior quality and driving dynamics. Consequently, the 2012 Ford Focus is incredibly composed and almost unflappable. The interior is beautifully crafted with quality-feeling materials, and the seats offer a perfect blend of side-bolstering and comfort. "It delivers all of the quality and refinement of a far more expensive vehicle in a bargain package," contributor Sam Foley says. "It's an enormously versatile, solid performer that gets excellent gas mileage to boot."
2012 Audi A7
This large hatchback could be the most attractive Audi on the road today. Its silhouette is long, wide and low, with clean lines all the way around. Its performance is as pleasing as its looks. The vehicle glides over uneven roads with far more grace than ever before, and with none of the harshness that characterizes many other Audi models. Inside, the A7 is opulent, yet not overly so. "The Audi A7 is just so ... beautiful," says Chuck Tannert, MSN Autos contributing editor. "It elegantly bridges the divide between sports car and luxury car better than just about any vehicle I've been in."
2011 BMW 1-Series M
Take all the important suspension bits from the sublime BMW M3, toss them under a smaller car, then add BMW's torque-rich, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine and you have the formula for an amazingly engaging car, a taut and muscular ball of controlled fury, and one of the most fun, precise and communicative sport coupes on the market. "With its overly aggressive body work, the BMW 1-Series M may look like a teenager with too many piercings, but the track-ready handling and willing power more than make up for a little too much attitude," contributor Kirk Bell says
2012 Dodge Charger
The Charger is a fine car, but we didn't pick it for its driving character or its great value. Instead, we're honoring it for what it represents, for what Detroit has done right since the collapse of 2008-09. The Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 is a far better engine than the 3.5-liter it replaces; the new 8-speed automatic transmission helps make the big car fuel-efficient; and unlike muscle cars of the past, it handles well. The SRT8 version is a beast among beasts. "It looks mean and has the muscle to back up that badass look," says senior producer Perry Stern.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
The 2012 CLS63 AMG might look like your everyday luxe sedan, with its sleek lines, slick wheels and lots of luxury amenities, but it packs supercar performance under the hood. The twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine produces 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the optional Performance package, maximum boost rises from 14.5 pounds per square inch to 18.8 psi, bringing power ratings up to 550 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph on standard versions and 186 mph on those with the Performance package. "Add in the AMG-tuned suspension, steering, brakes and transmission and you get a car that gives the driver precise control and an amazing level of performance, with a very balanced and nimble feel despite its size," Tannert says.
2012 Porsche 911
Over the Porsche 911's 48-year life span, every new Carrera has promised a solid bump in horsepower, handling and comfort, and the 2012 model is no exception. It's faster and nimbler, and has a more luxurious, comfortable interior. Its interior is game-changing, in our opinion. It's also a lot more efficient. While the Environmental Protection Agency's city and highway mileage numbers haven't been finalized, Porsche promises a 16.3 percent improvement in fuel economy over 2011 Carrera models, which translates into approximately 30 mpg highway. "The latest and greatest iteration of the sports car that refuses to die is amazing, amazing, amazing," contributor Sam Smith says. "Excellent chassis, wonderful engine — it's what I see and hear when I close my eyes at night.
2012 Chevrolet Volt
For 2012, not much changes with the Volt. It's still a range-extended electric vehicle, a practical electric car that, when operated as intended, will never leave you stranded. Chevrolet did drop the price a little. You lose the navigation and premium audio systems, but gain the MyLink system, which provides Bluetooth streaming audio as well as voice control over the audio system and your cell phone. "The Chevy Volt is a technical marvel, a surprisingly smooth driver and a symbol of what good old ingenuity can drum up to allay range anxiety in wide-open-space-loving Americans," editor Eric Bellscheidt says.
TOP VOTE GETTER
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The 2012 Boss 302 might not be the most powerful Mustang ever built, but it does the best job of putting what it's got to the road. With a $40,310 price tag, the Boss falls between the GT and Shelby GT500 in the pony-car lineup. It's propelled by the same 5.0-liter V8 engine in the GT, only tweaked to deliver 32 more horses, for a total of 444 horsepower. Inside, it's devoid of frills — there's no stereo upgrade, no Sync multimedia system, no navigation — and it has track-ready suspension that is fully adjustable. "Getting excited about the Boss 302 is easy," contributor Tom Wilson says. "It is simply the best-balanced, finest-driving production Mustang of all time.
For more information on any vehicle in this slideshow, click the links below:
- Hyundai Elantra
- Ford Focus
- Audi A7
- BMW 1-Series M
- Dodge Charger
- Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
- Porsche 911
- Chevrolet Volt
