German Car Zone

Once again, we catalog the best antidotes for the automotive blahs.


Autumn in the Midwest means cold cider and warm doughnuts to a lot of folks, but for the C/D staff, it also means the weeklong rousing of a few quiet burgs as we descend on a rural route about 30 miles from our Ann Arbor office in search of the coming year’s 10Best cars.

This year, our home base changed—we upgraded to a location with a paved parking lot in the interest of floor-mat preservation and real bathrooms in the interest of staff sanity—but the roads traveled did not. Our traffic violations numbered zero, a nice change of pace from last year’s record total. Our judging criteria and the rules, however, remain constant.

Cars are judged on three points. The first is how well they perform their intended functions—sedans and hatchbacks should be spacious and versatile, economy cars should be frugal (but not punishing), and sports cars should be responsive and satisfying. Secondly, we consider how engaging a car is on an emotional level—do we emerge from a drive with a smile, and does it hold our gaze as we walk away? Finally, we look at how competitive a car’s pricing is for the levels of versatility, practicality, and fun it offers. We recognize value when we see it and we highlight those cars that possess it.

Eligibility for 10Best is determined based on newness and past 10Best success. All cars either new or significantly redesigned are allowed. Additionally, cars that made the list in 2008 are automatically invited back for 2009, providing they still clear our price cap—2.5 times the average new-car transaction price for all light-duty vehicles sold through August of the previous year, or $71,000 this time around.

If a car fails to make the list its first year on the market, it’s out of contention until a significant redesign renews its eligibility. Conversely, if a car consistently impresses us enough to be voted to the list year after year, it can remain on the list indefinitely, even if it receives no updates. But all eligible cars must be available for sale no later than January 2009.

Read on for 2009’s 10Best. While Car and Driver is staffed by enthusiasts, the 10Best cars are not just the ones we recommend to our hotfoot readers. These are cars we recommend to everyone.


The Winners:

2009 BMW 3-series / M3
2009 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
2009 Chevrolet Corvette
2009 Honda Accord
2009 Honda Fit
2009 Infiniti G37
2009 Jaguar XF
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman
2009 Volkswagen GTI
























Full Story: Car and Driver - 2009 10Best Cars


One of their best lists in years IMO. Plenty of cars I like here.


M

I'll take the XF thank you.

Did M3 won or what?

Yes it is one of the 10 Best.

The Winners:

2009 BMW 3-series / M3
2009 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V
2009 Chevrolet Corvette
2009 Honda Accord
2009 Honda Fit
2009 Infiniti G37
2009 Jaguar XF
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman
2009 Volkswagen GTI


Not a comparo, but a list of what they think the 10 best cars in the U.S. under 71K.

M

Whats this? looks like a mix between Saab, BMW 5-series and Mercedes

Honda Accord, U.S. market version.

M

A Jaguar won? That's unbelievable!

First time for everything I guess. I was shocked to see it there too.

M

I'd take the Caymen from that list

Can I have the Cayman and the GTI please? You can throw the Vette in if you must.