Car And Driver Announces Their Annual Top 10 - But Are These Really The Best?

Car And Driver Announces Their Annual Top 10 - But Are These Really The Best?
Every year Car and Driver Magazine gives us their top 10 Cars of the Year, and 2010 will be no exception, with the January edition of the magazine revealing their choices.

Now this top 10 consists of the typical suspects that we normally would expect, but with only two new winners for 2010, I begin to wonder what does it take to make it? How come these car always place on the list while
other worthy candidates never seem to make the grade?

Has Car and Driver really lost touch, and are they simply missing better choices, or are their other motives?

Take a look at the top 10 and tells us who REALLY should be on the list and what choices are suspect.

Car And Driver's 2010 Top 10

    * 2010 Audi S4
    * 2010 BMW 3-series / M3
    * 2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
    * 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
    * 2010 Honda Accord
    * 2010 Honda Fit
    * 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
    * 2010 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3
    * 2010 Porsche Boxster / Cayman
    * 2010 Volkswagen GTI


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WillisWillis - 11/24/2009 10:54:50 AM
+4 Boost
With the exception of the two Honda's and the Ford, all other winners are sports-biased vehicles.

What has changed? C&D continues to review cars for people obsessed with performance.


_43LE_43LE - 11/24/2009 3:33:44 PM
+6 Boost
Uh....yes, by almost anyone's definition, the Miata is the epitome of a pure classic sports car.


_43LE_43LE - 11/25/2009 12:47:24 PM
+1 Boost
Bottom line, sports car = fun to drive


_43LE_43LE - 11/25/2009 12:53:29 PM
0 Boost
And, let's face it, if the Saturn sky or Pontiac Solstice were on this list, none of which are appreciably faster, you would be in full support.


r_driver04r_driver04 - 11/24/2009 10:57:36 AM
+2 Boost
Please stop putting the CTS on these list. It's offensive.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 11/24/2009 3:56:26 PM
+2 Boost
your ignorance is offensive. drive one, you'll see.


Agent00RAgent00R - 11/24/2009 11:12:18 AM
-3 Boost
Everything seems to make sense except:

Fusion Hybrid
Honda Accord
Honda Fit


0to600to60 - 11/24/2009 11:20:21 AM
-5 Boost
The Equinox at 30+ mpg should be on the list. Its a nice suv. The 3 series is tired at this point.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 11/24/2009 11:31:05 AM
+3 Boost
They have a seperate Trucks List. This is their 10 Best Cars.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 11/24/2009 11:43:00 AM
0 Boost
The Equinox is a truck? o_O hmm... I guess... considering that other list a while back that labeled the outback as a truck as well.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 11/24/2009 11:57:52 AM
+1 Boost
the 3-series is tired? reallly? who beats it in its class? have you ever driven one?


0to600to60 - 11/24/2009 1:48:35 PM
+4 Boost
Yes. I like the G37. The 335 handles very well but that does not mean it can get stale.


800over800over - 11/24/2009 12:07:19 PM
+5 Boost
The poorly rated fit? Compared to what? An Aveo? please tell me you're kidding.


Agent009Agent009 - 11/24/2009 12:51:50 PM
-2 Boost
It is probably with all of the Lexus models on the list...wait there are none.. what is up with that?


Agent009Agent009 - 11/24/2009 2:17:17 PM
+1 Boost
Invisible- I have own two Lexus models (RX and LS), and neither one of them were special in the class.

With that said they are fantastic if you don't demand much from a car. If you do, then they fall woefully short.

I also had my fair share of issues with both of them, so I personally can't brag about any superior reliability. So I guess I am at a loss when it comes to the Lexus legend.




TehShibbsTehShibbs - 11/25/2009 7:41:17 PM
+3 Boost
009, how do I block you and all your articles? Seriously.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 11/24/2009 11:45:11 AM
+2 Boost
The list is pretty much in line with their past choices.

The only thing I want to call shennigans on is their pick of the Audi S4 (instead of the A4 & S4). Notice they group the M3 with the 3-Series and the CTS-V with the CTS. Yet the S5 stands alone? Come one. If they had to put the A4 with the S4, I don't think it would have made the list. Hence the ommission.


david999david999 - 11/24/2009 12:11:44 PM
-4 Boost

C&D is by far one of the worst magazines for reviews and lists. Road & Track is much more fair.


SteveSteve - 11/24/2009 1:07:07 PM
-2 Boost
But Are These Really The Best? -- Of course not! Best for who? Best in what way? It's just stuff to sell magazines and provide some "infotainment" to consumers who are all too eager to consume.


SpectatorSpectator - 11/24/2009 1:19:40 PM
-7 Boost
Porshe Boxter.

Really.

Wow.

How about the Genesis and Genesis Coupe for revolutionizing an entire car company not to mention an entire countries automotive development. What about Nissans 370Z with throttle matching downshift capability. Don't know many cars that have that on a manual. How about the Honda Odyssey for best overall people carrier with more crap and gadgets in it than an S Class.

I could think of a couple more cars that I would have on that list other than a Miata or Boxter or Accord (though that car is being crammed down our throat in one fashion or another) or S4 or 3 Series (which neither has changed except for a smaller engine for the 4 and the 3 series...well has the 3 series really changed visually at all since the E36?).

Honestly I'm still wondering how much each of these "unbiased" periodicals make from advertising by each of these above companys to place some of these cars on this list every year.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 11/24/2009 3:59:20 PM
+9 Boost
you would prefer a Hyundai to a Porsche? shoot yourself now, it would be better for you to die than to go on this way.


PerformanceGuyPerformanceGuy - 11/24/2009 1:22:09 PM
-7 Boost
The best is always relative. I would replace the Fit, 3 series, and Accord with other cars out there that are a lot better.


pushrod27pushrod27 - 11/24/2009 4:03:25 PM
+7 Boost
the Cadillac is a 'crude version of the 3 series', but the G37 is not??? what are you smoking? there is nothing crude about the CTS, and I have yet to experience a brand new car with an engine as coarse, lumpy, and unrefined as the latest generation of the Nissan/Infiniti VQ V6. The G37's operating sounds and vibrations have no place on a premium vehicle.


PerformanceGuyPerformanceGuy - 11/24/2009 9:33:29 PM
-1 Boost
I have to agree with you there, in that the G37 is better than the 3 series and should take its place. Also agree that the GT-R or 370Z should replace the Porsche.


SHOWTIMESHOWTIME - 11/25/2009 9:08:07 AM
0 Boost
Badgewhore, I completely agree with pushrod. I was a G37 owner and although you do get a lot for the price, it is not as refined as it should be. Aspecially the engine as pushrod noted.


rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 11/24/2009 2:26:43 PM
-3 Boost
Its hard to say.
How do they judge it? Is it performance,looks,ride,comfort,cargo space?I agree with most of you guys and say take the Ford and two Hondas out.Id put in the G37,Camaro and Prius. Id even put in the Lotus Elise due to it being one of the best cars I have ever driven for a price cheaper than the M3,just not practical. Now if we were talking exotics the list would be full of Ferraris,lambos and top models from Porsche and Nissan (gtr)


skinnyskinny - 11/24/2009 4:13:35 PM
+1 Boost
There are hundreds of car models on the market. To say these are the 10 Best is ludicrous. Especially these days when there are soo many good cars. Personally, the C&D 10 Best List, the Automobile All-Star list, and just about every other list is pointless today. These top rated lists were useful about 10 years ago, when there was soo many junky cars produced. But really today? Just about every car is ridiculously reliable, is well built, will last a long time and are all pretty much refined. You can buy a Honda Accord with a similar level of luxury to luxury vehicles costing double. You couldn't do that 10 years ago.


TheDepressingTruthTheDepressingTruth - 11/24/2009 7:55:45 PM
+1 Boost
I miss the "Old" Car&Driver...

If I wanted to Read MotorTrend...I'd Buy MotorTrend


agent507agent507 - 11/25/2009 1:11:40 AM
+1 Boost
Toyota and Lexus are not on the list, because during testing, they had some inexperienced acceleration, and the poor reviewers were hurt so badly, that they couldn´t give feedback.


TehShibbsTehShibbs - 11/25/2009 7:20:53 PM
+3 Boost
* 2010 Audi S4 - COMPLETELY AGREE
* 2010 BMW 3-series / M3 - COMPLETELY AGREE
* 2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V - COMPLETELY AGREE. I can't wait for the sport wagon!
* 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - absolute rubbish. Electric hybrids are the downfall of automobiles.
* 2010 Honda Accord - so boring. This car is just one big snooze button.
* 2010 Honda Fit - Eh, again with the boring. Very vanilla.
* 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata - I personally thing the Solstice GXP is a much better choice--too bad Pontiac is dead. :(
* 2010 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 - Rubbish. Fail-wheel-drive performance car? Get real. Impreza/WRX/STI is a much more robust line, also more reliable.
* 2010 Porsche Boxster / Cayman - Can't argue with the current cayman, and the next gen Boxster Convertible is looking very promising.
* 2010 Volkswagen GTI - Can't deny this is a very fun car. Still a solid choice.


TehShibbsTehShibbs - 11/25/2009 7:59:52 PM
+1 Boost
Also, I would like to add: The Genesis. Both in coupe and sedan forms; both for different reasons. Credit is definitely due to Hyundai for those cars.


bentdeezbentdeez - 11/25/2009 8:26:31 PM
0 Boost
I wonder if all the Spies writers are heartbroken that no Hyundais made the list?
I was glad to see the GTI on there. A little surprised that the fit was on there but after I read the judging criteria and noting what some owners I know have said about the car, it makes sense.
I'm not a Miata guy either but I'd love to drive the new one. Looks like it'd be a fun ride


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 11/26/2009 2:39:07 PM
-1 Boost
As usual the list is more like C&D's 6 Best, 2 Mediocre, and two hondas. The only thing that makes it's halfway valid is the exclusion of ANY nissan and toyota product.

Just replace that plaid-seated vw, the supercharged vw, and the boring hondas and it would make more sense.


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