''Car and Driver'' 10Best is a list annually produced by ''
Car and Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Fi ...
'' (''C/D'') beginning in 1983, 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:
# The vehicle must be on sale by January
# It must be priced below 2.5 times the average price of a car that year
# The manufacturer must provide an example for testing
# 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.
Tuv
Top Models
From the start of the 10Best in 1983 through 2023, the following models were represented on the 10Best lists the most years.
1983
For the 1980s, Car and Driver picked four domestic and six import cars.
Fastest car tested:
Jaguar XJ-S ''HE'', 142 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a mid-size car produced by Oldsmobile between 1966 and 1997. It was positioned as a premium offering at the top of the Oldsmobile Cutlass, Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, ...
#
Ford Escort
#
Ford LTD
1984
Instituted the price cap at $30,000.
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari 308 Quattrovalvole, 144 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
#
Ford Escort
#
Ford LTD
1985
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested:
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque since 1953. Throughout eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is not ...
, 150 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
#
Ford Escort
#
Chevrolet Celebrity
1986
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested:
Porsche 944 ''Turbo'', 157 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Chevrolet Celebrity
#
Ford Escort
#
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
1987
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari Testarossa, 176 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Escort
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
1988
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari Testarossa, 173 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Escort
#
Chevrolet Corsica/
Beretta
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta (; "Pietro Beretta Weapons Factory") is a privately held Italian firearms manufacturing company operating in several countries. Its firearms are used worldwide for various civilian, law enforcement, and military p ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
1989
Imports and domestics chosen by marque, not by place of manufacture.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested:
750iL ''V12'', 158 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Ford Escort
1990
Eliminated half domestic/half import rule as impractical.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested:
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque since 1953. Throughout eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is not ...
''ZR-1'', 175 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Chevrolet Cavalier
The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, ...
1991
New rule: No more than two places per
marque
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested:
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque since 1953. Throughout eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is not ...
''ZR-1'', 176 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
1992
Price cap: $40,000
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari F40
The Ferrari F40 (Type F120) is a Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car engineered by Nicola Materazzi with styling by Pininfarina. It was built from 1987 until 1992, with the LM and GTE race car version ...
, 197 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
1993
Price cap: $40,000
Fastest car tested:
Lamborghini Diablo, 204 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
1994
Institution of the 2.5x price cap, now at $43,000.
Fastest car tested:
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a line of American two-door, two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque since 1953. Throughout eight generations, indicated sequentially as C1 to C8, the Corvette is not ...
''ZR-1'', 179 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Escort
1995
Price cap: $46,000.
Fastest car tested:
Lamborghini Diablo ''VT'', 185 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
1996
Price cap: $48,000
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari F355, 179 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
1997
Price cap: $54,000
Fastest car tested:
Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper is a sports car that was manufactured by Dodge (by Street & Racing Technology, SRT for 2013 and 2014), a division of American car manufacturer Chrysler from 1992 until 2017, having taken a brief hiatus in 2007 and from 2011 to 20 ...
''GTS'', 177 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
1998
Price cap: $55,000
Fastest car tested:
Ferrari F50, 194 mph
Top-selling cars:
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
1999
Price cap: $59,000
Top-selling cars:
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
2000
Price cap: $61,000
Top-selling cars:
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
#
Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
#
Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generati ...
2001
For 2001, Car and Driver created a separate "5Best Trucks" award with a single winner in each of five categories.
Top-selling vehicles:
#
Ford F-Series
The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since model year 1948 as a range of full-sized pickup trucks — positioned between Ford's Ford Ranger (T6), Ranger and Ford Super Duty, ...
#
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the to ...
#
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a range of Sport utility vehicle, SUVs manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer, was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Ford Bronco II ...
10Best Cars
Price cap: $62,000
5Best Trucks
2002
Top-selling cars:
#
Ford F-Series
The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since model year 1948 as a range of full-sized pickup trucks — positioned between Ford's Ford Ranger (T6), Ranger and Ford Super Duty, ...
#
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the to ...
#
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry (; Japanese: トヨタ・カムリ ''Toyota Kamuri'') is an automobile sold internationally by the Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota since 1982, spanning multiple generations. Originally compact in size (narrow-body), the Cam ...
10Best Cars
Price cap: $66,000
5Best Trucks
2003
10Best Cars
Price cap: $66,000
5Best Trucks
2004
10Best Cars
Price cap: $69,000
5Best Trucks
2005
10Best Cars
Price cap: $70,000
For 2005 and 2006, the magazine named one winner in each category.
5Best Trucks
2006
10Best Cars
Price cap: $70,000
5Best Trucks
2007
10Best Cars
Price cap: $71,000
5Best Trucks
2008
10Best Cars
Price cap: $72,000
5Best Trucks
2009
10Best Cars
Price cap: $71,000
Beginning with the 2009 list, Car and Driver considered the Porsche Boxster and Cayman to be the same car.
"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.
2010
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2011
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
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.
2012
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2013
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2014
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2015
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2016
10Best Cars
Price cap: $80,000
2017
10Best Cars
10Best Trucks and SUVs
2018
10Best Cars
10Best Trucks and SUVs
2019
10Best Cars
''$90,000 base-price cap''
10Best Trucks and SUVs
2020
10Best Cars and Trucks
Beginning with the 2020 list, SUVs and trucks are no longer separate
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.
2022
10Best Cars and Trucks
The 2022 10Best list was released on November 17, 2021.
2023
10Best Cars
The 2023 10Best Cars list was released on December 19, 2022.
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.
2024
10Best Cars
The 2024 10Best Cars list was released on December 5th, 2023.
10Best Trucks and SUVs
The 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs list was released on December 5th, 2023.
See also
*
List of motor vehicle awards
This list of motor vehicle awards is an index to articles that describe notable awards given to motor vehicles. The list is broken into "car of the year", other car awards, awards for commercial vehicles including trucks and trains, engines and pe ...
References
{{reflist
Motor vehicle awards