MotorTrend Car of the Year criteria explained.
Our 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year program was a significant one for many reasons. It was our first Car of the Year back at Hyundai’s California Proving Ground after a pandemic-induced change of venue last year. With just 16 total nameplates—partially due to supply shortages, compounded by America’s appetite for more trucks and SUVs—it was our smallest COTY field in at least a decade. It was also significant because we had four new staff judges this year. Any veteran Car, Truck, or SUV of the Year judge can robotically repeat the six criteria we use to judge our three (soon to be four—stay tuned) Of The Year awards, but new blood reminds us our criteria and methods might not be as well understood as we think they are, both to…