Chevrolet Camaro named 2016 Motor Trend Car of the year

The sixth generation of Chevrolet's original muscle car has muscled out an impressive list of finalists, including the Audi TT, BMW 7-Series, Honda Civic, and the Mercedes-AMG GTS to clinch Motor Trend's ultimate accolade.

"Our 2016 Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Camaro, is one of the finest driving vehicles in the world at any price," said Edward Loh, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend of the decision, "though its price is well within reach of the average consumer."

Indeed when judged on performance per dollar, the Camaro is very difficult to beat. The entry-level 275hp model costs just $27,000 while the top-specification 455hp V8 is only $37,000.

However, it was the whole package in terms of safety and efficiency as well as aesthetics and power that the fully redesigned car offers that ensured it beat the other six finalists. The judges noted that even the most basic Camaro offered an owner a real driving experience.

For over 60 years, Motor Trend has been taking every available new model-year car and putting it through its paces in a host of measured real-world tests to find the best truck, SUV and, of course, its overall car of the year.

For the 2016 awards, this meant clocking up hundreds of test miles at Hyundai's California testing facilities and considering each car in terms of design, engineering, safety, efficiency, value and performance in its category i.e., off-road capabilities for a truck, acceleration and grip for a sports car and so on.

The Camaro was joined by the Volvo XC90, which, for the second year in a row, was declared the best SUV. "The Volvo XC90 is one of the most handsome SUVs on the road," said Jonny Lieberman, Motor Trend senior features editor. "And it's as capable off-road as it is a delight to drive on-road; seven-passenger people movers aren't supposed to drive like this."

The final vehicular award, for Truck of the Year, went to the Chevrolet Colorado which, like the XC90 retains its title for the second year in succession. "Our Truck of the Year is not only stylish and capable on-road and off, it recorded the highest fuel economy numbers we've ever seen, when equipped with its class-exclusive diesel engine," said Jason Cammisa, senior features editor.