Car and Driver 10Best explained

See also: Car of the Year.

See main article: Car and Driver.

Car and Driver 10Best is a list annually produced by Car and Driver (C/D) beginning in 1983,[1] nominating what it considers the 10 best cars of the year. C/D also produced the 5Best list, highlighting what it considers the five best trucks of the year.

All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these recent restrictions:

  1. The vehicle must be on sale by January
  2. It must be priced below 2.5 times the average price of a car that year
  3. The manufacturer must provide an example for testing
  4. Only substantially changed or new vehicles and the past year's 10 best winners are nominated

The magazine sometimes selects a specific trim and other times a whole family of vehicles.

Top 10 Marques

From 1983 through 2023, the following marques were represented on the list the most times, including the 10Best Cars, 5Best Trucks, and 10Best Trucks and SUVs lists.

RankMarqueNumber of wins
1Honda92
2Mazda47
3Ford44
4BMW38
5Chevrolet37
6Porsche36
7Audi22
7Toyota22
9Volkswagen20
10Acura17
10Cadillac12
10Chrysler16

Top Models

From the start of the 10Best in 1983 through 2023, the following models were represented on the 10Best lists the most years.[2]

Rank Model Number of wins
1Honda Accord38
2Chevrolet Corvette25
2Porsche Boxster / Cayman25
4BMW 3-Series / M323
5Volkswagen GTI / Golf19
5Mazda MX-5 Miata19
7Ford Mustang11
8Audi 5000 and Audi A6 / A710
8Honda Prelude10
8Cadillac CTS and Cadillac CT511
11Honda Civic10
12Acura Integra and Acura RSX8
12Mazda RX-7 and Mazda RX-88
12Nissan 300ZX and Nissan 350Z8
15Ford Focus7
15Ford Taurus7
15Honda Fit7
15Honda Odyssey7
15Mazda 37
15Porsche Macan7
21BMW 5-Series6
21Honda Pilot6
21Audi A4 / S46
21Ram 15006
21Chrysler LH (300M, Concorde, Intrepid, Vision)6
26Toyota Celica Supra / Toyota GR Supra5
26Mercedes-Benz GL450 / GLS4505
26Chevrolet Silverado5

1983

For the 1980s, Car and Driver picked four domestic and six import cars.

ModelTimes on List
AMC Alliance1
Chevrolet Caprice Classic1
Ford Mustang GT 5.012
Honda Accord36
Mazda RX-78
Mercedes-Benz 380SEL1
Pontiac 6000 STE3
Porsche 9444
Renault Alliance1
Toyota Supra Celica Supra5
Volkswagen GTI Rabbit16

Fastest car tested: Jaguar XJ-S HE, 142 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  2. Ford Escort
  3. Ford LTD

1984

Instituted the price cap at $30,000.

ModelTimes on List
Audi 5000 S/Turbo5
Dodge Daytona Turbo1
Honda Prelude10
Honda Accord36
Mazda 6264
Pontiac Fiero 2M41
Pontiac 6000 STE3
Porsche 9444
Toyota Supra Celica Supra5
Volkswagen GTI Rabbit16

Fastest car tested: Ferrari 308 Quattrovalvole, 144 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Chevrolet Cavalier
  2. Ford Escort
  3. Ford LTD

1985

Price cap: $30,000

ModelTimes on List
Audi 5000 S/Turbo5
Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z4
Chevrolet Corvette21
Dodge Caravan3
Honda CRX2
Honda Civic8
Honda Prelude10
Honda Accord36
Merkur XR4Ti1
Plymouth Voyager3
Pontiac 6000 STE3
Porsche 9444

Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette, 150 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Chevrolet Cavalier
  2. Ford Escort
  3. Chevrolet Celebrity

1986

Price cap: $30,000

ModelTimes on List
Audi 5000 CS Turbo Quattro5
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Taurus7
Honda Prelude10
Honda Accord36
Lincoln Mark VII LSC1
Mercury Sable3
Porsche 944 Turbo4
Saab 9000 Turbo4
Toyota MR22
Volkswagen GTI16

Fastest car tested: Porsche 944 Turbo, 157 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Chevrolet Celebrity
  2. Ford Escort
  3. Chevrolet Cavalier

1987

Price cap: $30,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra6
Audi 5000 CS Turbo5
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Mustang GT12
Ford Taurus7
Honda Accord36
Mazda RX-7 Turbo8
Pontiac Bonneville SE1
Saab 9000 Turbo4
Toyota MR22
Fastest car tested: Ferrari Testarossa, 176 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Escort
  2. Ford Taurus
  3. Chevrolet Cavalier

1988

Price cap: $35,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Legend Coupe3
Acura Integra6
Audi 50005
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Mustang 5.012
Ford Taurus7
Honda CRX2
Honda Civic8
Honda Accord36
Saab 9000 Turbo4

Fastest car tested: Ferrari Testarossa, 173 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Escort
  2. Chevrolet Corsica/Beretta
  3. Ford Taurus

1989

Imports and domestics chosen by marque, not by place of manufacture.

Price cap: $35,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Legend Coupe3
Chevrolet Corvette21
Dodge Colt Turbo1
Ford Probe GT3
Ford Taurus7
Honda Civic8
Honda Accord36
Lincoln Continental1
Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo1
Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo4
Plymouth Laser Turbo4
Saab 9000 Turbo4

Fastest car tested: 750iL V12, 158 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Honda Accord
  2. Ford Taurus
  3. Ford Escort

1990

Eliminated half domestic/half import rule as impractical.

Price cap: $35,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Legend Coupe3
Eagle Talon Turbo3
Ford Taurus7
Honda Civic8
Honda Accord36
Lexus LS1
Mazda MPV2
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Mercury Sable3
Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo4
Nissan Maxima SE3
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7
Plymouth Laser Turbo4

Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 175 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Honda Accord
  2. Ford Taurus
  3. Chevrolet Cavalier

1991

New rule: No more than two places per marque.

Price cap: $35,000

ModelTimes on List
Eagle Talon Turbo3
Ford Taurus7
Honda Civic8
Honda Accord36
Mazda MPV V62
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Mercury Tracer LTS1
Mercury Sable3
Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo4
Nissan Sentra SE-R4
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7
Plymouth Laser Turbo4
Toyota Previa1

Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 176 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Honda Accord
  2. Ford Taurus
  3. Toyota Camry

1992

Price cap: $40,000

ModelTimes on List
BMW 3 Series 325i23
Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan1
Eagle Talon AWD Turbo3
Ford Taurus SHO7
Honda Prelude Si10
Lexus SC SC4004
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Mitsubishi Eclipse AWD Turbo4
Nissan Sentra SE-R4
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7
Plymouth Laser AWD Turbo4
Toyota Camry V63

Fastest car tested: Ferrari F40, 197 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Taurus
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Toyota Camry

1993

Price cap: $40,000

ModelTimes on List
BMW 3 Series 325i23
Chrysler Concorde2
Dodge Intrepid4
Eagle Vision2
Ford Probe GT3
Honda Prelude Si VTEC10
Jeep Grand Cherokee V81
Lexus SC4
Mazda RX-78
Nissan Sentra SE-R4
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7
Toyota Camry Sedans3

Fastest car tested: Lamborghini Diablo, 204 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Taurus
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Toyota Camry

1994

Institution of the 2.5x price cap, now at $43,000.

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra GS-R6
BMW 3 Series 325i/325is23
Chrysler Concorde2
Dodge Intrepid4
Eagle Vision2
Ford Probe GT3
Honda Prelude VTEC10
Honda Accord EX36
Lexus SC4
Mazda RX-78
Nissan Sentra SE-R4
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7

Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 179 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Taurus
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Ford Escort

1995

Price cap: $46,000.

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra GS-R6
BMW 3 Series 328i/M3 23
Chrysler Cirrus LXi3
Ford Contour3
Honda Prelude VTEC10
Honda Accord36
Lexus SC4
Mazda RX-78
Mercury Mystique3
Nissan Maxima SE3
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7

Fastest car tested: Lamborghini Diablo VT, 185 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Taurus
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Toyota Camry

1996

Price cap: $48,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra6
Audi A46
BMW 3 Series 328i/M3 23
Chrysler Town and Country2
Chrysler Cirrus3
Dodge Stratus2
Dodge Caravan3
Ford Contour3
Honda Civic8
Honda Prelude VTEC10
Mercury Mystique3
Nissan Maxima SE3
Nissan 300ZX Turbo7
Plymouth Voyager3

Fastest car tested: Ferrari F355, 179 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford Taurus
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Toyota Camry

1997

Price cap: $54,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra6
Audi A46
BMW 5 Series6
BMW 3 Series 328i/M3 23
Chrysler Town and Country2
Chrysler Cirrus3
Dodge Stratus2
Dodge Caravan3
Ford Contour3
Honda Prelude SH10
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (R170)2
Mercury Mystique3
Plymouth Breeze1
Plymouth Voyager3
Toyota Camry V63

Fastest car tested: Dodge Viper GTS, 177 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Toyota Camry
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Ford Taurus

1998

Price cap: $55,000

ModelTimes on List
Audi A46
BMW 5 Series6
BMW 3 Series 328i/M3 23
Chevrolet Corvette21
Dodge Intrepid4
Honda Prelude10
Honda Accord36
Lexus GS3
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Porsche Boxster20

Fastest car tested: Ferrari F50, 194 mph

Top-selling cars:

  1. Toyota Camry
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Ford Taurus

1999

Price cap: $59,000

ModelTimes on List
BMW M Coupe / M Roadster1
BMW 5-Series6
BMW 328i / M323
Chevrolet Corvette21
Chrysler 300M2
Dodge Intrepid4
Honda Accord36
Lexus GS3
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Porsche Boxster20

Top-selling cars:

  1. Toyota Camry
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Ford Taurus

2000

Price cap: $61,000

ModelTimes on List
Audi A6 2.7T / 4.25
Audi TT2
BMW 5 Series6
BMW 3 Series23
Chrysler 300M2
Ford Focus7
Honda Accord36
Honda S20004
Lexus GS300/GS4003
Porsche Boxster20

Top-selling cars:

  1. Toyota Camry
  2. Honda Accord
  3. Ford Taurus

2001

For 2001, Car and Driver created a separate "5Best Trucks" award with a single winner in each of five categories.

Top-selling vehicles:

  1. Ford F-Series
  2. Chevrolet Silverado
  3. Ford Explorer

10Best Cars

Price cap: $62,000

ModelTimes on List
Audi A6 2.7T / 4.25
Audi TT2
BMW 5-Series6
BMW 3-Series23
Chrysler PT Cruiser1
Ford Focus7
Honda Accord36
Honda S20004
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Porsche Boxster20

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVToyota Highlander1
Luxury SUVAcura MDX1
Pickup TruckChevrolet Silverado5
Small SUVFord Escape1
VanHonda Odyssey7

2002

Top-selling cars:

  1. Ford F-Series
  2. Chevrolet Silverado
  3. Toyota Camry

10Best Cars

Price cap: $66,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura RSX2
Audi A46
BMW 3 Series M323
BMW 5 Series6
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Focus7
Honda Accord36
Honda S20004
Porsche Boxster20
Subaru Impreza WRX2

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVLand Rover Range Rover1
Pickup TruckChevrolet Silverado5
Small SUVHonda CR-V2
VanHonda Odyssey7

2003

10Best Cars

Price cap: $66,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura RSX2
BMW 3 Series M323
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Focus7
Honda Accord36
Infiniti G354
Mazda 6 s4
Nissan 350Z1
Porsche Boxster20
Subaru Impreza WRX2

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVVolkswagen Touareg1
Pickup TruckChevrolet Silverado5
Small SUVHonda CR-V2
VanHonda Odyssey7

2004

10Best Cars

Price cap: $69,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura TSX3
Audi S4 Quattro6
BMW 3 Series M323
Chevrolet Corvette21
Ford Focus7
Honda Accord36
Honda S20004
Infiniti G354
Mazda RX-83
Toyota Prius1

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVCadillac SRX3
Pickup TruckFord F-Series3
Small SUVSubaru Forester3
VanToyota Sienna1

2005

10Best Cars

Price cap: $70,000

For 2005 and 2006, the magazine named one winner in each category.

TitleModelTimes on List
Family SedanHonda Accord36
Full Size SedanChrysler 300C3
Luxury SedanAcura RL1
Luxury Sports CarMercedes-Benz SLK2
Luxury Sports SedanBMW 3 Series M323
Muscle CarFord Mustang GT12
Performance CarChevrolet Corvette21
Sports CoupeMazda RX-83
Sports SedanAcura TSX3
WagonDodge Magnum1

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVCadillac SRX3
Pickup TruckFord F-Series3
Small SUVSubaru Forester3
VanHonda Odyssey7

2006

10Best Cars

Price cap: $70,000

ModelTimes on List
Acura TSX3
Audi A3 2.0T1
BMW 3 Series23
Chevrolet Corvette21
Chrysler 300 / 300C3
Mustang GT12
Honda Accord36
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Mazda RX-83
Porsche Boxster / Cayman21

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVCadillac SRX3
Pickup TruckFord F-Series3
Small SUVSubaru Forester3
VanHonda Odyssey7

2007

10Best Cars

Price cap: $71,000

ModelTimes on List
BMW 3 Series23
Chevrolet Corvette21
Chrysler 300C3
Honda Accord36
Honda Fit7
Infiniti G35 Sedan4
Mazdaspeed37
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Porsche Boxster / Cayman21
Volkswagen GTI16

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVHonda Pilot6
Luxury SUVMercedes-Benz GL-Class GL4502
Pickup TruckChevrolet Silverado5
Small SUVToyota RAV42
VanHonda Odyssey7

2008

10Best Cars

Price cap: $72,000

ModelTimes on List
BMW 3 Series23
Cadillac CTS8
Chevrolet Corvette21
Chevrolet Malibu1
Honda Accord36
Honda Fit7
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Mazdaspeed37
Porsche Boxster20
Porsche Cayman2
Volkswagen GTI16

5Best Trucks

TitleModelTimes on List
Large SUVMazda CX-91
Luxury SUVMercedes-Benz GL-Class2
Pickup TruckChevrolet Silverado5
Small SUVToyota RAV42
VanHonda Odyssey7

2009

10Best Cars

Price cap: $71,000[3]

Beginning with the 2009 list, Car and Driver considered the Porsche Boxster and Cayman to be the same car.

ModelTimes on List
16
23
8
21
Honda Accord36
7
4
1
18
21

"Dishonorable Mention"

In conjunction with the 2009 10Best Cars list, Car and Driver issued a list of what it called "The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History", spotlighting cars previously honored by a major automotive magazine (including CD itself) that, with the passage of time, it considered to be anything but award-worthy.[4]

YearModelAward(s)
1983 Car and Driver 10Best Cars and
Motor Trend Car of the Year
2002 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1971 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1997 Automobile All-Stars
1985 Car and Driver 10Best Cars
1997 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1990 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1980 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1974 Motor Trend Car of the Year
1995 Car and Driver 10Best Cars

2010

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[5]

ModelTimes on List
6
23
8
1
Honda Accord36
7
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
7
21
16

2011

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[6] This year marks the first appearance of an electrically powered car, the Volt, as well as the first appearance of a Korean automaker, Hyundai, on C&D 10Best.

ModelTimes on List
16
23
8
1
Honda Accord36
7
12
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
1
21

2012

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[7]

ModelTimes on List
17
23
8
Honda Accord36
7
7
5
12
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
21

2013

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[8]

ModelTimes on List
5
23
7
12
Honda Accord36
7
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
20
1
17

2014

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[9]

ModelTimes on List
Audi A6 / S6 / A75
23
8
21
1
Honda Accord36
Mazda 37
Mazda 64
21
17

2015

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000[10]

ModelTimes on List
4
8
21
12
36
Mazda 37
Mazda 64
Porsche Boxster/Cayman21
2
17

2016

10Best Cars

Price cap: $80,000

ModelTimes on List
4
8
4
12
36
Mazda 37
Mazda MX-5 Miata18
Porsche Boxster / Cayman21
2
Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Golf R17

2017

10Best Cars

ModelTimes on List
4
1
4
21
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R12
36
18
7
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman21
17
[11]

10Best Trucks and SUVs

ModelTimes on List
1
1
1
1
Mazda CX-91
1
1
1
1
1
[12]

2018

10Best Cars

ModelTimes on List
1
1
4
21
36
8
18
2
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman21
17

10Best Trucks and SUVs

ModelTimes on List
2
2
1
2
Mazda CX-92
2
2
2
Ford F-150 / F-150 Raptor2
1
[13]

2019

10Best Cars

$90,000 base-price cap[14]

ModelTimes on List
4
21
12
1
36
8
18
2
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman21
17

10Best Trucks and SUVs

ModelTimes on List
1
3
2
3
Mazda CX-93
3
3
3
1
2
[15]

2020

10Best Cars and Trucks

Beginning with the 2020 list, SUVs and trucks are no longer separate[16]

ModelTimes on List
21
36
1
1
3
21
4
2
3
17, 1

2021

10Best Cars and Trucks

The 2021 10Best list was released on November 18, 2020. Every car from the 2020 list returns, with the exception of the Jeep Gladiator. The Genesis GV80 makes its first appearance on the list.[17]

ModelTimes on List
22
1
36
2
4
22
5
3
4
18, 2

2022

10Best Cars and Trucks

The 2022 10Best list was released on November 17, 2021.[18]

ModelTimes on List
1
1
23
1
36
3
23
4
2
19

2023

10Best Cars

The 2023 10Best Cars list was released on December 19, 2022.[19]

ModelTimes on List
BMW i41
2
2
24
37
3
24
3
1
5

10Best Trucks and SUVs

The 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs list was released on January 17, 2023. Beginning with the 2023 list, SUVs and trucks are once again separate.[20]

ModelTimes on List
Ford Bronco2
Ford Maverick1
Genesis GV701
Honda CR-V2
Hyundai Ioniq 51
Kia EV61
Kia Telluride4
Porsche Macan6
Ram 1500 / Ram TRX5
Rivian R1T1

2024

10Best Cars

The 2024 10Best Cars list was released on December 5th, 2023.[21]

ModelTimes on List
Acura Integra Type S1
3
3
25
38
4
1
25
4
2

10Best Trucks and SUVs

The 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs list was released on December 5th, 2023.[22]

ModelTimes on List
Chevrolet Trax1
Ford Maverick2
Genesis GV70/Electrified GV702
Honda CR-V3
Hyundai Ioniq 52
Kia EV91
Kia Telluride5
Porsche Macan7
Ram 1500 / Ram TRX6
Toyota Grand Highlander1

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Car and Driver's 10Best Cars through the Decades . 28 December 2022 .
  2. Web site: These Cars Have Won 10Best the Most. 17 November 2021.
  3. 2009 10Best Cars . Tony . Swan . Car and Driver . January 2009 . 2009-01-26.
  4. Dishonorable Mention: The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History . https://archive.today/20140423150720/http://www.caranddriver.com/features/dishonorable-mention-the-10-most-embarrassing-award-winners-in-automotive-history . dead . 2014-04-23 . Car and Driver . January 2009 . 2018-02-28.
  5. 2010 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . January 2010 . 2011-07-15.
  6. 2010 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . November 2010 . 2010-12-06.
  7. 2012 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . December 2011 . 2012-09-18.
  8. 2013 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . December 2012 . 2012-12-11.
  9. 2014 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . November 2013 . 2013-12-05.
  10. 2015 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . November 2014 . 2014-11-19.
  11. Web site: 2017 10Best Cars . CarandDriver.com . 16 November 2016 . October 15, 2017.
  12. Web site: 2017 10Best Trucks and SUVs: The Best in Every Segment . CarandDriver.com . 6 December 2016 . December 6, 2016.
  13. Web site: 2018 10Best Trucks and SUVs: The Best Models in Every Segment . CarandDriver.com . 2 April 2018 . April 2, 2018.
  14. Web site: 2019 10Best Cars . Car and Driver . CarandDriver.com . November 2018 . 3 December 2018.
  15. Web site: 2019 10Best Trucks and SUVs: The Best Models in Every Segment . CarandDriver.com . 16 January 2019 . January 16, 2019.
  16. Web site: 2020 10Best Cars. Car and Driver. 21 November 2019. 21 November 2019.
  17. Web site: 10Best Cars and Trucks for 2021 . Car and Driver . 18 November 2020 . 18 November 2020.
  18. Web site: 10Best Cars and Trucks for 2022 . Car and Driver . 17 November 2021 . 17 November 2021.
  19. Web site: 2022-12-19 . 10Best Cars for 2023 . 2022-12-19 . Car and Driver . en-us.
  20. Web site: 2023-01-17 . 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023 . 2023-02-27 . Car and Driver . en-us.
  21. Web site: 5 December 2023 . 10Best Cars for 2024 . 11 December 2023 . Car and Driver . en-us.
  22. Web site: 5 December 2023 . 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2024 . 11 December 2023 . Car and Driver . en-us.