Mini Twitter Reviews for All the 2019 North American Car and Truck of the Year Semi-Finalists
The North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) jury has completed testing all the semi-finalists for the 2019 awards.
As editor-in-chief of AutoGuide.com, I’m honored to be part of the jury, which is undergoing a lot of important changes. This is my second year on the jury. Every year, the jury gets together in Michigan to test the semi-finalists.
This year’s annual testing event was held in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and I have just returned from two days of testing and evaluating. The winners for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year will be announced at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show in January.
Here are mini Twitter reviews for every semi-finalist vehicle. We have detailed reviews of most of the vehicles, but if you wanted a short synopsis, enjoy these mini reviews! (Note: The BMW X5 and Ford EcoSport were not at the event but are still eligible.)
I have arrived in Michigan for @NACTOY's annual testing event! This is a list of all the semi-finalists and I will be driving every single one over 2 days and doing mini Twitter reviews. pic.twitter.com/QWniZmvuNJ
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
We start with the new Nissan Altima. Overall really solid, but the Accord is still better. I like it better than the Camry, however. Drives well, but CVT and infotainment are still a little disappointing. ProPilot Assist is excellent. pic.twitter.com/IugH5mDBKX
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Nissan Altima Review
Cadillac XT4: drives decently but still feels too coarse sometimes for a luxury car. New infotainment system is really good. Some ergonomic weirdness as well. Decent but doesn't raise the bar. pic.twitter.com/3WV50UUfT2
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Volvo XC40: Definitely a game-changer for its segment. It's clever, stylish, desirable, and feels special, a rarity in its segment. Raises the bar. Has a couple ergonomic issues, but overall excellent. pic.twitter.com/qiXvGuEG35
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Honda Insight: This is an excellent hybrid and operates so smoothly and normally. If you didn't tell me, I'd guess it was a Civic. I got 51.6 mpg in Eco mode but otherwise not even trying that hard. I'd get this over a Prius or Ioniq any day. pic.twitter.com/rR8lbEfQg3
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Honda Insight Review
Toyota Corolla Hatchback: a great little economy car! Not a sloppy/boring car. Feels composed and the fact it has standard safety features is impressive. That's gotta be the tallest manual shifter outside a Wrangler tho. pic.twitter.com/q1WJW2NZ8o
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Review
Genesis G70: I was lucky to drive this from Toronto to Ypsilanti (4.5 hours) for this testing event. The G70 is really enjoyable, smart, stylish, drives balanced and tight, luxurious. Has all the things I want in this segment. Really impressive car. pic.twitter.com/PexE2n10Kj
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Volkswagen Jetta: drives and feels like a more expensive car. Digital dash is nice but could be more useful. Solid but uninspired. pic.twitter.com/qLmPQRrYh0
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Volkswagen Jetta Review
Volvo S60: Actually a delightful car to drive and experience. Steering was a nice surprise. Classy, sporty, comfortable. I quite like this. Excellent overall package. pic.twitter.com/NAzrq8Qao8
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Audi A6: Everything you expect from Audi. Supremely capable, drives German, high tech, solid build and classy interior. But otherwise so sterile. pic.twitter.com/qwY3hzBnUn
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Buick Regal TourX: Makes a great case for the wagon. I like how it drives and looks, but it looks too much like a Chevy inside. pic.twitter.com/2D5CELQMzK
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Buick Regal TourX Review
Jaguar I-Pace: A really remarkable car, period, so the fact it's a full EV is gravy. It drives so well and is so uniquely Jaguar. A very strong contender for this year. pic.twitter.com/7b8qGaYiph
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Jaguar I-Pace Review
Jeep Wrangler: The scale of improvements is really impressive and I'm happy this SUV still exists. More civilized than ever, but still a Jeepy Jeep pic.twitter.com/5PO88ECBnF
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Full 2019 Jeep Wrangler Review
Acura RDX: Looks pretty good, and I like the way it drives. Acura nailed it on the driving dynamics. I really hate the infotainment system and touchpad interface. It's way too distracting to use. pic.twitter.com/80xbN5NIUl
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Mazda6: Quite excellent overall package. Best looks and (maybe) driving in its segment. New turbo is great too and interior feels more expensive than it is. I like it better than the Altima. Infotainment is still weak. pic.twitter.com/o3Vvw9NnZP
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 16, 2018
Infiniti QX50: VC turbo engine is really good, but held back by the CVT, which cheapens the luxury experience. Interior is one of the best in its segment. Infotainment not the best. pic.twitter.com/sxNOhYdUk1
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Full 2019 Infiniti QX50 Review
Toyota RAV4: Thoughts are embargoed! But I do love the redesign and the new interior. pic.twitter.com/cD2qkBbLWV
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
A full 2019 Toyota RAV4 Review is coming, but is embargoed until Nov. 20.
Hyundai Kona: The best car in its segment. It raises the bar for its segment, is an excellent and interesting overall package. Really solid effort from Hyundai. Drives well, nice interior, unique, priced right. pic.twitter.com/5Doa74BSep
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Subaru Ascent: Subaru got a lot right with this 3-row SUV. Good attention to detail for families. Better than the Pilot and Tiguan for sure. pic.twitter.com/p4j5jDtSXz
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
(I meant the Volkswagen Atlas, not the Tiguan…)
Full 2019 Subaru Ascent Review
Nissan Kicks: Really fun little crossover. I like it but not as much as the Kona. Doesn't really raise the bar, but comfortably meets it. pic.twitter.com/mej0GnRINC
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Kia Forte: I really like it! It drives and feels more expensive than it is. Really good overall package. pic.twitter.com/mCKlggMDyE
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Nissan Leaf: Great little EV. Drives well and using the e-Pedal is really cool, you can drive it almost entirely without touching the brakes for regen. ProPilot Assist is also great. I wish it was slightly less weird inside. But overall very impressive. pic.twitter.com/SH9E3iy1jO
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Lincoln Nautilus: Very surprised by this CUV. Feels upscale and drives very well. Lovely and luxurious interior (but a few bad plastics and switchgear). Good vibes in general. pic.twitter.com/yb41dOtXQ5
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Hyundai Santa Fe: Really impressed by this CUV. Lots of useful tech, drives and feels more and more like a luxury brand, looks great. pic.twitter.com/wlHQBztXix
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Full 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Review
Toyota Avalon: smooth, comfortable and drives decently, but nothing special. Lack of attention to detail here and there. pic.twitter.com/rdrGbqWuH4
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Full 2019 Toyota Avalon Review
Hyundai Veloster and Veloster N: Another great Hyundai effort. Huge improvements across the board and enjoyable drive. The N comes ALIVE in N mode .. . The only mode it should ever be driven in. pic.twitter.com/Y6A3mYWaQV
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Full 2019 Hyundai Veloster Review
Ram 1500: eTorque is amazing. Smooth and powerful, imperceptible stop/start. Love the new infotainment system. A ton of tech. pic.twitter.com/8FJkXDwGs4
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Definitely feel like the Ram brings more to the table, but a solid truck with a lot of great features. pic.twitter.com/AzXiQ8VgBW
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
Full 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Review
I AM DOOOONE. Every eligible car for @NACTOY's awards DRIVEN! (Except one truck, which I will drive next week). pic.twitter.com/7e1kPbPj6n
— Jodi Lai (@DrivingMissJodi) October 17, 2018
We’ll see you at the Detroit Auto Show in January!
Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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