Hyundai Elantra wins car of the year in Detroit

Tthe 2012 Hyundai Elantra won the North American Car of The Year award at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 9, 2012. / AP Photo/Hyundai Motor America

DETROIT - The Hyundai Elantra has won the North American Car of the Year award.

The award was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which holds media previews this week and opens to the public on Jan. 14.

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque won the North American Truck of the Year.

PICTURES: 2012 North American International Auto Show

Fifty automotive journalists voted on the winning vehicles from a group of finalists. Car finalists included the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat. Truck finalists were the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

A vehicle must be all new or substantially changed to be eligible.

21 Photos

2012 North American International Auto Show

This is the 19th year for the awards. Organizers accept no advertising, though automakers capitalize on the marketing value of the honors.

[thechooch1]

"A vehicle must be all new or substantially changed to be eligible." That seems to eliminate most vehicles doesn't it? Obviously this award has nothing to do with the vehicle of company's frequency of repair record.

[2happy2ride]

Seems to include all vehicles at one time or another. If the OEM milks a model to death, they don't deserve to be considered.

[WELANTRA]

I purchased a 2012 Elantra in August after reading an eight car comparo in July issue of Motor Trend. It clearly is heads above the others. Paid under 20K for a Limited model. It is all it's reported to be. Loaded, front and rear heated leather seats and 40 mpg for under $20K. NUFF SAID

[SB_Florida]

I've driven the latest Elantra. The award is well-deserved. After all these years, the US automakers STILL have a hard time delivering decent vehicles.

[tsigili]

Let's be honest. Car of the Year is all just marketing hype, for the industry, and means absolutely nothing to the consumer.

[tomanyt]

Have to agree with you on this. But I do love my Elantra, despite the fact that it comes without a jack and spare.

[karek40]

Wonder how much this award will drive up the price. Planning on getting one for my daughter next August.

[dman6015]

Well, let's hope the Elantra does better than the Sonata where it really counts: after the warranty runs out. Amazing how many little things suddenly go wrong/break AFTER the 60,000 mile everything-is-covered warranty expires. Between 60,000 and 70,000 miles, I've replaced a door handle (manuf. defect), sun visors (manuf. defect, but they won't admit it) and power window motors. The auto-off lights feature works when it wants to. I won't even go into the number of things I had to get fixed while still under warranty. Needless to say, my next car WON'T be a Hyundai.

[TheAnticryst]

Buy a GM, dude. Or, better yet, a Dodge.

[bustogusto]

As a mechanical engineer I have to respect the ability to design a component that craps out just after the warranty. It's pretty tricky to do especially after 60k miles!

[blue922-2146190200522946112563]

Elantra is one of the greatest values in automobiles today.