2013 Automobile of the Year: These Are The 10 Finalists

Happy Automobile of the Year week! With just days to go before we release the identity of the 2013 Automobile of the Year, we thought it would be best to catch you up on the proceedings and let you know a little bit more about what went down earlier this month.

What Happened:

We took 28 of the best and brightest cars that were new for the 2012/2013 model years to our favorite western Michigan hideaway, Gingerman Raceway in South Haven. Over the course of three days (two driving just on public roads, one driving just on Gingerman’s 2.1-mile road course), editors had the chance to drive each and every one of them and name a winner.

To make our jobs (slightly) easier, we also decided to name a “shortlist,” 10 finalists that went from merely being nominated for 2013 Automobile of the Year to being on the final ballot when we chose a winner. We’ve revealed the final ten in the following pages, and provided a little bit of real-time insight as our editors climbed out of each car, snapped photos on Instagram, and tapped out quick responses on Twitter.

BMW M5:

The BMW’s prodigious thrust was enough to draw quite a few compliments–especially on track day. Even so, the mighty M5 fell to the Tesla Model S in a drag race–credit that car’s instant-on torque and single-speed transaxle.

1) If the engine note is as real as a Milli Vanilli performance, why doesn’t the BMW #M5 sound like thunder in a Pringles can? #AMAoY

— Eric Tingwall (@AM_Tingwall) October 2, 2012

2) Holy $#!% this thing is fast. #BMW #M5 #AMAoY — Eric Tingwall (@AM_Tingwall) October 2, 2012

Cadillac ATS:

The ATS delighted many over our three days of testing, but we couldn’t help but compare it to the mighty BMW 3 Series–the 2.0T to our Four Seasons 328i Luxury, the 3.6-liter to the 335i Sport Line in our tester fleet.

I’ll spare you any puns on the name. #Cadillac #CUE needs improvements. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QSotonvvLW/ — Phil Floraday (@AM_Floraday) October 2, 2012

The rest of the #Cadillac #ATS is very well done, though. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QSqK8jvvMM/ — Phil Floraday (@AM_Floraday) October 2, 2012

Dodge Dart:

We actually had two cars with the same engine on hand during Automobile of the Year testing: one Dodge Dart, and one Fiat 500 Abarth. While the Abarth’s friskiness drew a lot of smiles, we loved the Dart’s everyday usability…and its status as the most compelling Chrysler small car we’ve seen in years.

Overall I really like @dodge Dart, but can’t stand how badly turbo engine lags and surges. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QU8oQdPvAf/ — Jake Holmes (@AM_Jake) October 3, 2012

The multiair heart of the @dodge #Dart. #AMAoY instagr.am/p/QSbc0-R628/ — Evan McCausland (@AM_EvMcC) October 2, 2012

Ford Focus ST:

Can a Focus with 252 horsepower still be a usable vehicle? We debated that ad nauseam all week…after fighting over the keys to this entertaining hot hatchback.

The @fordfocus #ST looks hot but has mega torque steer. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QU-iNjvvBz/ — Donny Nordlicht (@AM_Nordlicht) October 3, 2012

Is the @ford #Focus ST a backwoods rally weapon? Maybe not, but it’s still a blast. #AMAoY instagr.am/p/QVP-a2x6-e/ — Evan McCausland (@AM_EvMcC) October 3, 2012

Ford Fusion (+ Hybrid):

We staged our own mid-size melee at Automobile of the Year testing, pitting the Nissan Altima against the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion. It was the Fusion’s looks, ride and handling, and impressive hybrid that elevated it to the next round. But is it enough to steal the crown?

The @fordfusion looks nice. I’m not so impressed with the brake pedal feel. Wet sponge. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QSnUVQvvKa/ — Phil Floraday (@AM_Floraday) October 2, 2012

Everyone says the @FordFusion looks like an Aston Martin, but I just see Taurus from this angle. #AMAoY instagr.am/p/QU9ajrB4z3/ — Eric Tingwall (@AM_Tingwall) October 3, 2012

Honda Accord:

The second mid-size melee entrant: the venerable Honda Accord. We loved the Accord’s handling and power from both I-4 and V-6 engines, as well as its simple, easy-to-understand interior and controls.

Seasons change. So did the @honda #accord. Albeit slightly… instagr.am/p/QTPMUKR69Z/

— Evan McCausland (@AM_EvMcC) October 3, 2012

We’re in SW Mich blueberry country! But 2 months late to harvest. @honda #Accord. DeMatio instagr.am/p/QVLpRvPvKr/ — Joe DeMatio (@AM_DeMatio) October 3, 2012

Porsche Boxster S:

The Porsche Boxster S was all-new for 2013, but our feelings weren’t: the car still shows remarkable poise, makes plenty of power, and slays more powerful cars on the track.

Everyone loves the Boxster S on track day. #Porsche #amaoy #GingerMan instagr.am/p/QX1bXkvvCK/ — Joe DeMatio (@AM_DeMatio) October 4, 2012

German car fails Canadian cup holder test. twitter.com/AM_Floraday/st…

— Phil Floraday (@AM_Floraday) October 8, 2012

Porsche 911 Carrera S:

What would Automobile of the Year testing be without a brand-new 911? The blue C2S was a hit on track day, road driving…pretty much everywhere we put it. With 400 hp on tap, a beautiful interior and exterior design, and superb handling, we can see why.

A blue @porsche 911 #CarreraS and a blue…creature #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QVPbkWPvND/ — Donny Nordlicht (@AM_Nordlicht) October 3, 2012

Today is a great day: drove a Porsche 911 on track for first time. #AMAoYinstagr.am/p/QX_XU2PvKE/ — Jake Holmes (@AM_Jake) October 4, 2012

Subaru BRZ (and Scion FR-S):

One of the handful of Four Seasons cars that made it to Automobile of the Year testing, the BRZ was familiar to most of us but still shone through the pack thanks to its great chassis, workhorse engine, and point-and-squirt handling. Many remarked that it rewarded drivers on the track more than cars costing twice as much.

Our #4S @mazdausa #CX5 @acura_insider #ilx & @subaru_usa #brz here for #AMAoY instagr.am/p/QQdUQlvvAE/ — Donny Nordlicht (@AM_Nordlicht) October 1, 2012

Finally drove the Subaru BRZ on the track. Really fun, really quick. #AMAoYinstagr.am/p/QX2zSkvvDb/ — Jake Holmes (@AM_Jake) October 4, 2012

Tesla Model S:

Automobile of the Year testing was actually the first time many staffers were able to drive or even touch a Model S, and most came away impressed with its speed and handling. The huge 85-kWh battery allowed us to treat the car like any other gas-powered one: we drove all day and parked it at night, plugged in to a 240-volt charger.

Even electric cars need emission labels. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QSiERaR67O/ — Evan McCausland (@AM_EvMcC) October 2, 2012

Drove the @teslamotors Model S. This is one seriously fast, luxurious EV. #amaoyinstagr.am/p/QVBgTJPvEJ/ — Jake Holmes (@AM_Jake) October 3, 2012