TTAC's Ten Best Cars Of 2012 Nominations Are Now Open

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

It’s been a few years since TTAC has held an award ceremony for the best and worst vehicles, but 2012 marks the re-birth of two storied traditions for the site – and it’s all decided by you, the readers.

The rules and process are similar to our TWAT awards, though we’re looking for the vehicles that stand out for positive reasons. Just as it’s difficult to find a truly bad car in this marketplace, it’s also hard to find something really oustanding. Everything on the market is pretty good, but we’re looking for great.

Have at it, but don’t forget the rules listed below.

1. To qualify, a vehicle must be offered for sale as a new vehicle in the U.S. between Jan 1, 2012 and now. Where it’s built, where the company is headquartered, sales volume, price or neat swag from the manufacturer play no part in the selection process.

2. We’ll only accept nominations that give at least one legitimate reason why a vehicle qualifies for the award. It helps if you’ve had some time behind the wheel and can pass along first-hand experience.

3. Nominations that don’t include justification, just say “me too” or similarly indicate lack of mental prowess and it will simply disappear. Boom! Gone.

4. If you disagree with a particular nomination, feel free to offer an opposing view. However, TTAC’s posting policy is in full force. Anyone who flames (personally attacks) the website, its authors or fellow commentators will have their comment deleted and face a permanent posting ban.

5. Once nominations are closed, TTAC’s writing staff will gather in a secret e-conclave to select 20 finalists from the nominees. The more eloquent the nomination, the better chance it has of surviving our (let’s face it) subjective process.

6. We will submit these 20 finalists for your consideration. You may vote (via an electronic poll) for up to ten vehicles on the list which you deem worthy of a place TTAC’s Ten Best. Don’t get carried away, though. We’re going to do everything we can to prevent voting improprieties. After all, this isn’t Chicago!

7. The winners will be announced whenever we get around to it. We have nothing to give the winners but our disdain, so the winning manufacturers will find out about it like everyone else.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Jase Jase on Oct 10, 2012

    2013 Lincoln MKZ. It has a very interesting design both interior and exterior, and the hybrid version can be had for only a few thousand more than the Ford Fusion Hybrid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5z-o-uCZ4

  • Hayden535 Hayden535 on Oct 11, 2012

    2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. It's a diesel wagon that gets 40 mpg, handles great, and has plenty of room for a family and its stuff. Reliability reports have been better than VW averages and it can be had for well under 30k. The car is truly in a category of its own. I don't believe there is any other vehicle offering the combination of fuel economy, driving fun, and engine longevity. It's not for everyone, but it's probably a much better choice for many Americans buying 25-30mpg crossovers instead.

  • Master Baiter I thought we wanted high oil prices to reduce consumption, to save the planet from climate change. Make up your minds, Democrats.
  • Teddyc73 Oh look dull grey with black wheels. How original.
  • Teddyc73 "Matte paint looks good on this car." No it doesn't. It doesn't look good on any car. From the Nissan Versa I rented all the up to this monstrosity. This paint trend needs to die before out roads are awash with grey vehicles with black wheels. Why are people such lemmings lacking in individuality? Come on people, embrace color.
  • Flashindapan Will I miss the Malibu, no. Will I miss one less midsize sedan that’s comfortable, reliable and reasonably priced, yes.
  • Theflyersfan I used to love the 7-series. One of those aspirational luxury cars. And then I parked right next to one of the new ones just over the weekend. And that love went away. Honestly, if this is what the Chinese market thinks is luxury, let them have it. Because, and I'll be reserved here, this is one butt-ugly, mutha f'n, unholy trainwreck of a design. There has to be an excellent car under all of the grotesque and overdone bodywork. What were they thinking? Luxury is a feeling. It's the soft leather seats. It's the solid door thunk. It's groundbreaking engineering (that hopefully holds up.) It's a presence that oozes "I have arrived," not screaming "LOOK AT ME EVERYONE!!!" The latter is the yahoo who just won $1,000,000 off of a scratch-off and blows it on extra chrome and a dozen light bars on a new F150. It isn't six feet of screens, a dozen suspension settings that don't feel right, and no steering feel. It also isn't a design that is going to be so dated looking in five years that no one is going to want to touch it. Didn't BMW learn anything from the Bangle-butt backlash of 2002?
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