Car and Driver magazine's 10 best list of 2006

[Zytek_Fan]

For the twenty-fourth time, automotive enthusiast magazine Car and Driver named its 10Best cars for the new model year.

The magazine’s editors nominated and then tested more than 50 vehicles on a road course consisting of twists and turns on less-than-perfect pavement. Each car was judged based on value, how well it performed in its respective category, and whether it exhibited standout qualities such as striking looks or a powerful engine.

Domestic brands took top honors in three of the ten categories for 2006, all of which are repeat winners. The Chrysler 300 kept its title as Best Full-Size Sedan. Ford's Mustang GT remains a hot commodity and was named Best Muscle Car once again, while the sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvette is still Car and Driver's Best Performance Car.

Three European models made the grade for the 2006 10Best list, and of course the BMW 3-Series is on the list. We say "of course" because the 3-Series has been on the 10Best list for 15 straight years—this year as Best Luxury Sports Sedan. Other European models include the new Audi A3 2.0T as Best Sport Compact and the Porsche Boxster as Best Luxury Sports Car.

The only brand to field two 10Best winners is Mazda. The all-new MX-5 Miata earned Best Roadster honors, while its sibling, the RX-8, was named Best Sports Coupe. Another longtime winner on the 10Best list is the Honda Accord. Named Best Family Sedan, the Accord has made the list 20 of the last 24 years. Also from Honda but wearing a different brand, the Acura TSX was named Best Sports Sedan.

Car and Driver only includes new or significantly updated models in its 10Best competition, although the previous year's winners are automatically entered into the current competition. Base price must be no higher than $71,000 which is 2.5 times the average new-vehicle transaction price as of August 2005.

Seven of this year's winners were on last year's list. Repeat winners included the Acura TSX, BMW 3-Series, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300, Honda Accord and Mazda RX-8.

I don't think the Chrysler 300C deserves to be called the best full size sedan (saloon). I think Car and Driver needs to look at cars beyond $71,000 base price.