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As usual, we assembled every available C/D editor to take full advantage of our collective experience. This year that comprised 318 years devoted to scribbling about cars on the part of 14 editors spanning several generations and coming from different parts of the country, as well as from Britain and Germany. Consequently, we all have different automotive priorities and hot buttons. But for this competition, we agree to judge the cars in three general areas.

First, how well does the car perform the functions that we expect from it? We expect Corvettes to be fast and exciting, whereas we look for practical utility in family sedans. Second, we show a marked preference for the more engaging cars in each category. This could be exhibited in fine road manners, or a striking look, or a powerful engine, but in every category we seek some form of automotive satisfaction. Finally, we are suckers for value. Everyone wants to get the most car for the buck, and we're no exception.

10Best Nominees

Acura RL
Acura TSX
Audi A3 2.0T
Audi A4/S4
BMW 3-series
BMW 5-series
Buick Lucerne
Cadillac DTS
Cadillac STS-V*
Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet Impala SS
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS
Chrysler PT Cruiser GT
Chrysler 300/300C Hemi/300C SRT8
Dodge Charger*/Charger R/T/
Charger SRT8
Dodge Magnum
Ford Fusion
Ford Mustang
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Azera
Hyundai Sonata
Infiniti M35
Kia Rio5
Lexus GS300
Lexus GS430
Lexus IS350
Lincoln Zephyr
Lotus Exige*
Mazda MX-5
Mazda RX-8
Mazdaspeed 6*
Mercedes-Benz C350
Mercedes-Benz CLS500
Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLK350
Mercury Milan
Mercury Montego
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
Pontiac G6 GTP
Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
Pontiac GTO
Pontiac Solstice
Toyota Avalon
Subaru Impreza WRX
Volkswagen Jetta


*These cars met our eligibility requirements, but test examples were not available for evaluation.

10Best Performers, 2005*
Acceleration, 0 to 60 mph Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 3.4 sec
Street start, 5 to 60 mph Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 3.8 sec
Quarter-mile Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 11.6 sec @ 125 mph
Top-gear acceleration† Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 4.1 sec
Braking, 70 to 0 mph Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 144 feet
Roadholding, 300-foot-dia skidpad Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe, 1.01 g
Interior sound level @ 70 mph Lexus GS430, 63 dBA
EPA city fuel economy Lexus RX400h, 31 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy Chevrolet Cobalt LS, 27 mpg
10Worst Performers, 2005*
Acceleration, 0 to 60 mph GMC TopKick C4500 by Monroe Truck, 14.4 sec
Street start, 5 to 60 mph GMC TopKick C4500 by Monroe Truck, 15.5 sec
Quarter-mile GMC TopKick C4500 by Monroe Truck, 19.8 sec @ 68 mph
Top-gear acceleration† Nissan Xterra Off-Road 4WD, 32.4 sec
Braking, 70 to 0 mph Dodge Dakota SLT, 229 feet
Roadholding, 300-foot-dia skidpad GMC TopKick C4500 by Monroe Truck, 0.61 g
Interior sound level @ 70 mph Porsche 911 Turbo S cabriolet, 82 dBA
EPA city fuel economy Dodge Ram SRT10 Quad Cab, 9 mpg
C/D-observed fuel economy GMC TopKick C4500 by Monroe Truck, 8 mpg