Two Kia Models Named Eligible for 2019 NACTOY Awards

To think we’re in the third quarter of the year already. It feels like only yesterday that we were celebrating the amazing debut if the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2020 Kia Soul EV at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show . Now, only a few months away (August 2019), the 2019 LA Auto Show in November is already causing excitement in the automotive industry. Ever hear of the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards? Treated as the most prestigious and unique awards in the industry, the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) only reviews the best the industry has to offer. A list of only 46 models eligible for the 2020 awards was named, made up of 19 cars, 22 utilities and five trucks from 23 different automotive brands. Kia has been named in two of those categories, with the 2020 Kia Soul eligible for the “Car of the Year” award and the 2020 Kia Telluride eligible for the “Utility of the Year” award.

What Do You Mean “Eligible”?

Yes, that term has popped up more than once, and there is a reason we saw the 2020 Kia Soul and 2020 Kia Telluride are eligible for their respective awards. When it comes to the NACTOY awards, car models ranging from those with mass market appeal to niche groups such as luxury vehicles and work trucks. To be considered for the list each year, a vehicle must be an all-new model, or still early in its production run, as well as being available at dealerships before the end of the year (2019). Past that, to be considered for the final round, models have to get past a panel of 50 jurors.

Chosen from a variety print, online, radio and broadcast media across the United States and Canada to achieve an overall unbiased and well-informed review, the jurors will have the chance to select up to 12 models in each category this September 2019. Out of those that make it to the next round -we assume it comes down to popularity for the preliminaries – jurors will then put the final list of vehicles through additional driving evaluations that will allow them to compare each. This next round takes place on October 8-10 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then, three finalists from each category will be announced during the 2019 LA Auto Show.

Standing Out

“The importance of the awards to consumers and manufacturers is more than just sales. It’s a battle of design, technology, safety, connectivity and more to offer the best of each brand to consumers…This year’s large selection of cars, utilities and trucks will challenge our independent jury of experienced veterans to evaluate each vehicle and choose the best in each category.” – NACTOY President Lauren Fix

Although the Kia Soul may have a couple of years on it, because it has recently entered the 2020 model year with a new generation, this hatchback has the potential to be named “Car of the Year” by the end of the year. The 2020 Kia Telluride is the real baby of the bunch, a little ironic that it’s also the largest SUV produced by Kia Motors thus far. Can it compete with the fierce rivals out there? Follow Miami Lakes Kia on social media to find out the results of the 2019 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year awards https://www.facebook.com/miamilakeskia in November.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia and northamericancaroftheyear.org

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