2 new Fords and a well-known Honda win Free Press vehicles of the year
Sometimes the future appears to arrive suddenly, but core principles abide.
Electric vehicles seemed to become mainstream overnight in 2021, as a handful of excellent new models were revealed or went on sale: Lucid Air Dream, Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning.
But while the auto industry’s center of innovation and investment inalterably shifted to EVs and the features and technologies they enable, affordability, reliability and quality remain paramount — at least when it comes to choosing the 2022 Free Press Car, Truck and SUV of the Year.
Those three EVs were among nine finalists for top Free Press honors this year, as well as for the North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year awards, which will be announced Jan. 11.
And a pair of EVs — the Lucid Air Dream sedan and Rivian R1T pickup — were named Motor Trend Car and Truck of the Year, the oldest continuing "year’s best" auto award.
EVs are here to stay. And the trio is good, brimming with potential greatness. But their qualities didn’t outweigh other finalists’ proven ability to deliver those paramount characteristics — especially affordability — to virtually any new-vehicle buyer.
With that said, here are the Free Press Car, Truck and SUV of the year:
2022 Free Press Car of the Year: Honda Civic
Second place: Lucid Air Dream
Third place: VW GTI and Golf R
2022 Free Press Truck of the Year: Ford Maverick
Second place: Rivian R1T
Third place: Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 SUV of the Year: Ford Bronco
Second place: Hyundai Ioniq 5
Third place: Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 new Fords and a well-known Honda win Free Press vehicles of the year
