Chicago News to present awards for cars of the year at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show
The 2019 Chicago Auto Show kicks off on February 9th, giving Chicagoans a chance to compare models from all manufacturers, as well as some cars of tomorrow. Each year, Chicago News chooses our favorites from several categories, and with a wide variety of cars tested this year, we’re extending accolades in five categories as well as an overall winner. Chicago News to present awards for Truck of the Year, SUV/Crossover, Sedan, Performance Car, Sports Car and Car of the Year at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. The awards presentation ceremony will take place on the opening press day of the Chicago Auto Show at the McCormick Place at 10 am on February 7th at the Live Radio booth.
SUV/CROSSOVER OF THE YEAR: Volvo XC40
Review & Road Test Video: https://youtu.be/IkPY2bEzvA0
Volvo has been wowing us year after year as they keep introducing new models, and this year they snag our SUV/Crossover of the Year award with their innovative and relatively affordable XC40. Bringing in their new styling language, interior design (some of the best on the market) to this smaller segment, they have managed to create a vehicle that’s modern without being weird. Too many ‘modern’ vehicles are just strange for the sake of being strange. The XC40 has all the innovation and Scandinavian design that you expect, but at a price point you can afford and an innovative ‘subscription’ ownership model.
SPORTS CAR OF THE YEAR: McLaren 570S
Review & Road Test Video: https://youtu.be/0i-aJ6BT0qw
The McLaren 570S is a staggeringly good sports car, supercar, or whatever you want to call it. Regardless of what you do call it, we call it amazing. Force-you-back-in-the-seat power coupled with an advanced carbon-fiber chassis and peerless handling make this almost too much fun for the road. It would truly be at home on a race track, where you could unleash the twin-turbo V8 more readily. Still, those magic moments when you can do it on the street are rewarding, all sitting in leather-trimmed comfort in more of a ‘cockpit’ than an interior. This is as good as it gets, really.
TRUCK OF THE YEAR: Ford F-150 V8
Review & Road Test Video: https://youtu.be/rWkUMSwXFRo
Truck of the Year goes to the fantastic Ford F-150, with a staggering range of options, incredible powertrains, lightweight body, and luxury car features. Unlike previous years, we tested the V8-powered version and it’s almost better in some ways. While the EcoBoost 6-cylinder cranks out plenty of power (especially in the Raptor trim,) the V8 has a more nostalgic and ‘truck’-like feeling. It’s kind of like a throwback engine in a modern truck. Despite the nostalgic feeling, it’s actually a very modern engine – lifted straight from the Mustang – churning out almost 400HP from 5.0 liters of displacement breathing through 32 valves. Coupled with an interior and features that would be at home in a luxury sedan, this truck is a winner.
SEDAN OF THE YEAR: BMW 740e
Review & Road Test Video: https://youtu.be/IlAGAdGHwh0
Sedan of the Year for 2019 is a big German sedan, but in this case, it’s also a fuel-efficient one. While the Germans are great at making big-horsepower autobahn cruisers, the 740e xDrive Plug-in Hybrid pairs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder with a 111hp electric motor. The result is 366hp combined, making this acceptably fast and efficient to boot. Amazingly, it will hit 60mph in just 5.1 seconds and also get 64 e-MPG. There’s a 14-mile EV-only range, letting you buzz around town without even using any gas. Like any German luxury sedan, this will cost you – but with all the fuel savings you can add a few more luxury options to yours.
PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR: Cadillac CTS-V
Review: http://mychinews.com/cars/2019-cadillac-cts-v
This time, for Performance Car of the Year we’re highlighting an outgoing model, the Cadillac CTS-V. It breaks our heart that they are pulling this from the market, so we wanted to recognize it while we still could. The combination of speed, refinement, and handling are going to be missed.
CAR OF THE YEAR: Kia Stinger
Review: http://mychinews.com/cars/2018-kia-stinger-gt
For the Car of the Year, we chose something that is very new for the manufacturer that released it. Part GT car, part pony-car, the Kia Stinger is a turning point for Kia and something completely new on the market. Going toe-to-toe with cars as wide-ranging as a Mustang and an Audi S7, the Stinger combines a silky smooth and brutally powerful twin-turbo V6 with a competent chassis and interesting design. Rated at 365HP, the Stinger feels much more powerful – potentially owing to properly chosen gear ratios. It will sprint to 60mph in 4.4 seconds and has room for both passengers and cargo. The Stinger is something we don’t see very often in the car market – something completely new.
Stay tuned for our first look at the Chicago Auto Show on February 7, 2019 where Chicago News to present awards to the winners.
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