Lincoln MKT, Ford Fusion Hybrid and LandRover Score Big at Active Lifestyle Awards

I served on this jury for the second year, and some of these categories were highly competitive. Manufacturers graciously provided vehicle for evaluation, and I personally drove vehicles in different areas of the country, in daily activities, for my part in the evaluation process.

And the big winners are:

Super Value: Kia Soul

Best Value On-Road: Chevrolet Equinox

Best Value Off-Road: Nissan Xterra

Luxury On-Road: Lincoln MKT

Luxury Off-Road: Land Rover LR4

Green ALV: Ford Fusion Hybrid

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country

A jury of 13 automotive experts evaluates the entries in each category. The jury includes men and women aged twenty-five to eighty-one. Each juror brings to the table a special area of expertise within the automotive field. Many are also athletes. We have among our ranks two runners, two cyclists, an adventure racer, a skier, and two competitive race car drivers, (and a certain 33-year old dancer/cross-trainer/city mom.)

Here’s a breakdown of the categories:

The competition started out with two categories: best value and best luxury car. Best value cars are priced under $30,000; while luxury cars and trucks are $30,000 and over. Since the first year, we’ve divided the pool further, separating on and off-road vehicles, and adding minivan, super value and green car categories.

The minivan category is self-explanatory: we decided to give minivans their own award, to encourage manufacturers to submit vehicles that we believe make excellent active lifestyle vehicles.

Green ALV includes all types of alternative fuel vehicles, from hybrids and electric cars to clean diesel and biodiesel. We look at fuel economy, sustainability, and emissions, as well as the same criteria we use to evaluate other active lifestyle vehicles.

The super value category is designed to help the first-time buyer find a quality car that meets the needs of active lifestyles. Though the average price of a new car is over $25,000, these vehicles are priced at or below $16,000: they offer the safety, comfort and convenience features today’s new car buyers want.
The Judging Process

After the automotive jurors narrow down the field to four finalists in each category, the cars come to San Diego for a second round of evaluations by a team of elite and local athletes. Over the past five years, our athlete evaluators have included elite runners and triathletes, professional football players, surfers, cyclists, beach volleyball players and adventure racers.

More on Gotryke:
Ford Fusion Hybrid

Lincoln’s Stealth Moves

Kia’s Soul