Economy car of the year nominess:
Honda Civic
Kia Rio
Toyota Yaris

With the introduction of the new Rio, Kia wants to shake up its el cheapo image derived from the previous car. The new car has much better interior, build quality and more refined powerplant. It also comes with both sedan and Rio 5 hatchback option to choose from. Unfortunately, ABS isn’t an available option in Canada. Consider the price point of Rio is so close to its closet competitor, the Toyota Yaris. The lack of ABS really kills the overall package. Just like the Echo HB, Yaris has upped the ante in the economical hatchback segment. Its fun, refined, well-built and driven nicely. Interior storage space is amazing, so does the interior space. While the base CE is already an impressive performer, uplevel RS is simply a blast to drive. The problem with the RS is its too expensive for a 1.5L hatchback. That left the Honda Civic. With the new Civic, you basically got everything you want in an econocar and much more. Civic’s soul of being a sporty econocar is back with the latest iteration. Its fun and sharp to drive, well-built and economical to run. Although the 2-tier dashboard needs some getting used to, its a very groundbreaking design for an econocar.

Family car of the year nominess:
Hyundai Sonata
VW Jetta
Ford Fusion

The VW Jetta has always represent the affordable end of European sedan, the same goes for the latest generation. With the availability of both 2.5L straight 5, 2.0T and TDI; there is always one model that suits your needs. Interior is as well-finished as anything VW has made. It also handles relatively well thanks to new independent rear suspension. However, I still can’t get passed its generic Japanese looks on an European sedan. The Fusion is the replacement for the aging Taurus. This car handles exceptionally well thanks to its Mazda6 chassis and well calibrated suspension. Unforunately, it got stuck with an underpowered Duratec30 which is due for a replacement Duratec35 with 6-speed automatic next year. The new Sonata is not only a breakthrough for Korean carmaker, its also a significant family sedan that could eaten into Camry and Accord’s sales. Excellent interior fit-and-finish, top-notch NVH, refinement and handles extremely well. The Sonata is the obvious choice for our family car of the year.

Sports sedan of the year nominess:
Dodge Charger
BMW 3-Series
Lexus IS

The Charger based on the same chassis as Chrysler’s hugely successful RHD platform shares with 300 and Magnum. The Charger feels like a sports sedan version of the Magnum. The Hemi in uplevel R/T is simply a rocket while it handles decently. As nicely driven as the previous IS300, it was considered an “also ran” in the sports sedan segment. Not so with the new model. While the IS250 serves as an entry-level model, IS350 is simply a rocketship with 3.5L 305hp. The use of interior materials and build quality are typical Lexus standards. However, its tight back seat and instrusive VDIM are the biggest turn-offs. . The 3-Series has always been regarded as one of the top benchmarks in sports sedan class and it deservely so. It handles like a dream, 3.0L straight 6 combines with a balanced chassis simply beats the above contenders. The 3-Series, especially 330i, is an obvious choice as this year’s sprots sedan of the year.

Prestige/upper luxury car of the year nominess:
Mercedes CLS-Class
Lexus GS
Mercede R-Class

There are 2 Mercedes entrants in this prestige/upper luxury car segment, both represent different scales. While CLS is a stunning-looking4-door coupe that handles beautifully with wonderful powerplants, R-Class is a luxury crossover. Both of these cars have the usual array of Mercedes luxuries and quality, as well as refinement. On the other hand, new GS is an entrant where Lexus wants to breakthrough its boring norm in previous car. While the new GS has done everything well, it has done nothing outstandingly. We have to choose CLS as our prestige/upper luxury car of the year simply because it takes an already wonderful E-Class chassis into an even sportier drive. Its not also drives sporty, it also looks and feels sporty.

Hatchback/mini wagon of the year nominess:
Audi A3 2.0T Sportback
Mercedes B-Class
Mazda 5

Mazda5 is basically a more versatile version of the Mazda3 Sport. The dynamic abilities of Focus C1 chassis remains intact. Interior is nicely finished and comfortable. However, the 3rd row seat feels tight. This ppl mover better serves as a 5-seater than 7-seater as Mazda would like you to think. B-Class is the first Mercedes front driver. Although its handling is acceptable, its ride comfort is up to typical Mercedes standard. Interior is well-finished and comfortable. The cargo capacity is impressive when you folded down the rear seats. 2.0 130hp is more than capable with CVT while 2.0T is a potent performer. The A3 is an impressive performer in every categories. It handles like a dream, ride comfortably and interior finishings are typical Audi standard. DSG is a very impressive sequential considered its exceptional up and downshift speed. Although A3 is a bit pricey when loaded, we think it worths every pennies. That set, its our hatchback/mini wagon of the year.

Wagon of the year nominess:
Audi A4 Avant
Audi 325Xi Touring
Saab 9-3 SportCombi

With the introduction of the SportCombi, 9-3 is back to the hatchback category which was solely lack since its inception. The 2.8L turbo v6 is a surprising performer. Its not only handles like a Saab does, its good enough to rivalled anything in its segment. B7 A4 Avant brings 2 new engines to the party. A excellent 2.0T and an even better 3.2 FSI V6. Along with Multitronic front driver and Quattro AWD, there are lots of choices in this beautiful wagon. It both looks and drives well in all of its configurations. Unlike the previous 3-Series Touring, the E90 only available with AWD in 325i form. Unfortunately, BMW’s X-Drive AWD doesn’t always handle like a BMW should be. Its detuned 3.0L straight-6 also feels somewhat lacking in power department given its weight. The good points are BMW’s well-known chassis stiffness and wonderful straight-6 smoothness remain intact. The A4 Avant remains the standard where others are judged when designing a sportswagon, so does our wagon of the year.

SUV of the year nominess:
Mercedes M-Class
Lexus RX400h
Volvo XC90 V8

Volvo XC90 has always been regarded as an SUV that does everything well but nothing outstandingly. With the introduction of the Yamaha-built V8, it can finally rivalled the class benchmarks. Despite the previous M-Class was a runaway marketing success for Mercedes-Benz, its overall packaging was lackluster. Not so with the new M-Class. With both 3.5L V6 and 5.0L V8 that come standard with awesome 7-Gronic 7-speed automatic transmission, as well as a capable chassis and well designed interior. The new M-Class could well be the new benchmark. Being the first luxury hybrid in the market, RX400h offers V8 performance at 4-cylinder fuel economy. All this without sacificing usual Lexus luxuries. It still rides like a Lexus with quiet interior and superb refinement. This is a very close race between Lexus and Mercedes. I have to give the nod to new M-Class simply because of the significance of improvements thoroughout the vehicle. This is finally an SUV that worthy of the tri-star emblem, as well as an SUV that upped the ante for years to come.

Roadster of the year nominess:
Lotus Elise
Pontiac Solstice
Mazda MX-5

The Elise is truly a hardcore go-kart that is as capable on the track as on the road. Its the sharpest car I have ever driven despite of its lack of creature comfort. Solstice is the first challenge to the Mazda Miata. While it handles extremely well, the tall gear ratios and lack of proper trunk has turned me off. That left the Mazda MX-5. While it has grown larger and more luxurious, Mazda engineers never forgotten about the forumla that driven the original Miata’s succeed. Its affordable, great fun-to-drive and practical. This is the obvious winner of the roadster category.

Most disappointing car of the year nominess:
Subaru B9 Tribeca
Saab 9-7X
Chevrolet HHR

On the one hand, Subaru builds some excellent performance cars like WRX and Legacy GT. On the other hand, they are capable of building an SUV that wants to please everyone. Unfortunately, it turns out it pleases no one. Its not only ugly, its also underpowered and have the most ridiculous 3rd row of seat I have ever sat in. No matter how GM put center ignition, joystick vents and a Saab grille on a 9-7X. 9-7X still 100% a glorified Chevy Trailblazer. Just when PT Cruiser about to end it prime time show, GM decided to introduce the HHR. In terms of styling, its nothing more than a PT clone. The base 2.4L is underpowered while the 2.2L Ecotec is barely adequate. Its softly sprung through the corners. GM even smart enough to cut corner as little as a driver footrest. After the failure of the Saabaru 9-2X, you would have thought GM has learned the mistake? Not so. This Trailsaab is simply the most disappointing car of the year. Consider its priced similarly to anything from Murano to X5, its hard to find a reason why to buy this 9-7X.

Winners for 2006 car of the year
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Economy car: Honda Civic
Family sedan: Hyundai Sonata
Sports sedan: BMW 3-Series
Prestige/upper luxury: Mercedes CLS-Class
Hatchback/mini-wagon: Audi A3 2.0T Sportback
Wagon of the year: Audi A4 Avant
SUV of the year: Mercedes M-Class
Roadster of the year: Mazda MX-5

Our 2006 car of the year goes to Hyundai Sonata. This vehicle not only redefined the whole Korean auto industry, its also great enough to challenge the top dogs in this competitive family sedan segment. Everything from panel gaps to chassis stiffness are truly impressive. It shows how far Hyundai has gone in the last decade. Its hard to imagine how this Korean auto giant would become in the next decade.

OVERALL 2006 CAR OF THE YEAR: HYUNDAI SONATA