CHICAGO AUTO SHOW: Pontiac G8 & Toyota Highlander Named Most Significant New Car and Truck

Consumer Guide Automotive, the definitive source for new and used car reviews, announced today that the 2008 Pontiac G8 and the 2008 Toyota Highlander are the recipients of its second annual Most Significant New Introduction Awards at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show being held at McCormick Place until February 18.

"With so many factors to consider, car shopping can be an overwhelmingly confusing experience," said Kirk Bell, Consumer Guide Automotive Associate Publisher. "By naming the most significant new car and truck introductions, we're helping car buyers everywhere identify vehicles worth consideration. Visitors attending the nation's premier consumer show here in Chicago can see the standout vehicles firsthand."

Consumer Guide's editors considered only new or completely redesigned cars and trucks which were unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as potential award candidates. The winning vehicles were determined based on their outstanding consumer value as well as their innovative features.

To determine the winners, each Consumer Guide editor allocated 25 points among all vehicles open for consideration. Vehicles were awarded no more than 10 points and winners were chosen based on the highest number of overall points in both the car and truck categories. Last year's inaugural award winners were the Lexus 350 ES and the Toyota Tundra

MercBasher - 2/9/2007 10:26:14 AM

+2 Boost

I've never heard of Consumer Guide Automotive so I chuckled at the comment "the definitive source for new and used car reviews"

That said interesting that Toyota has won three of the four awards [including the two inaugural awards from last year].

bmwdrvr - 2/9/2007 9:55:15 PM

+1 Boost

i agree this highlander is ugly, and why is toyota using odd character lines and details as a way to make boring desighn look modern, who knows. but the interior on this new highlander looks pretty good,

trd1 - 2/9/2007 1:23:50 PM

0 Boost

toyota is not boring and ugly, and even if you think they are. they dont care their sells are going up every year and i dont think it will ever stop.

bubbahotep - 2/9/2007 1:25:28 PM

+2 Boost

the word 'significant' can be taken so many different ways ....

S4cabriofoxone - 2/9/2007 6:27:05 PM

+1 Boost

I agree. However, I do not agree with this article. The former Highlander was inoffensive, and with the hybrid kit, it made it somewhat fresh. But they just made this one ugly. Why can't there be a perfect medium? Can't Toyota design an attractive vehicle? Bland, or ugly- you can't have a good one!

CARGUY - 2/10/2007 9:38:05 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with you S4. I happened to like previous "boring" Toyota designs better than the current ones. I think the funky grille has ruined all their otherwise good designs.

5MTenthus - 2/9/2007 6:58:38 PM

+1 Boost

The G8 is pretty sharp, but I still like the looks of the original Commodore off which its based. <a href="http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2006/112_0610_pontiac_gto_grand_prix/caprice_and_commodore.html">Holden Commodore</a>