Field of 13 SUVs and Crossovers Includes Diverse, High-Profile Entries
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ --
MOTOR TREND today announced the Subaru Forester is MOTOR TREND's 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year(TM).
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/motor-trend/35084
The Forester took home the Calipers from a field of 13 contenders the MOTOR TREND editorial team called diverse and extraordinary. MOTOR TREND Editor in Chief Angus MacKenzie said the 2009 judging further demonstrated how the sport/utility vehicle category, once populated by a handful of off-road specialists, today offers a vehicle for practically any driver, any need and any taste. This year's group of contenders for Sport/Utility of the Year included a number of highly anticipated models, with a great range in price, size, style and features.
Despite surprise offerings this year from established players and bold moves by newcomers, MacKenzie said that Subaru won a clear victory from the panel of judges.
"The Forester's strengths are its value, versatile powertrains and fuel efficiency--something that during these times is a gigantic plus," said MacKenzie. "It's a fun vehicle to drive, smooth and comfortable on road, and surprisingly competent in the rough stuff. It's roomy for its size, and practical without being boring.
"It was the quiet achiever of this year's field."
To judge contenders for the award, MOTOR TREND's editorial staff conducted exhaustive off-road, street and track testing, and carefully considered essentials such as driving performance, safety and features. Sport/Utility of the Year is not a comparison test and is only open to all-new or substantially upgraded vehicles that have gone on sale in the 12 months from November 1 of the previous year. MOTOR TREND looks for the pick of each year's crop of new SUV's, and does not revisit vehicles that have been on sale for the past few years.
In addition to the Subaru Forester, the field of contenders included:
-- BMW X6 -- Infiniti FX
-- Chevrolet Traverse -- Kia Borrego
-- Dodge Journey -- Lexus LX570
-- Ford Flex -- Nissan Murano
-- Honda Pilot -- Toyota Sequoia
-- Infiniti EX -- Volkswagen Tiguan
"The Right Vehicle for the Times"
MacKenzie noted that this year's list of contenders demonstrated just how diverse the SUV segment has become. The contenders ranged from rugged rock climbers, to high riding high performance vehicles, to car-like crossovers. The judges assessed the Forester as "the right vehicle for the times."
"The Forester's win is not a reaction to prices at the pump, but an appreciation for the value of the dollar and a thoughtfully designed, well-executed vehicle," said MacKenzie. "Even fully equipped, the Forester tops out at under $32,000, which is an accomplishment given some of the higher-profile entries here.
"Despite the slumping economy and rising gas prices, SUVs still make sense in America," said MacKenzie. "Because of their versatility, SUVs suit the lifestyle of many American families. This category of vehicle will continue to evolve, but it is not going to go away."
About the Testing and Evaluation Process
Each year since 1949, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND has evaluated eligible vehicles based on three key criteria: Superiority, Significance, and Value. Superiority refers to innovation in engineering, technology, design, utilization of resources, safety, and packaging. Significance levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of vehicle dynamics and performance, build quality and execution, and how well the vehicle performs its intended function. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, "What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?" and "What do buyers get for their money versus the competition?"
The complete report on the MOTOR TREND 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year testing and selection is available online now at www.motortrend.com, and will be published in the December issue of MOTOR TREND, available on newsstands November 3, 2008. High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.motortrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on MOTOR TREND Radio, hosted by Bob Long.
About MOTOR TREND
MOTOR TREND, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7.1 million. Internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing, MOTOR TREND comprises Motor Trend Magazine; the award-winning website motortrend.com; Motor Trend Radio; Truck Trend; Motor Trend International Auto Shows; Motor Trend en Espanol; and the renowned Motor Trend Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program. Source Interlink Media, LLC is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., , a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink (www.sourceinterlink.com) is one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music CDs, magazines, games, books and related items.
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