C&D 2018 10Best Cars

[GoCougs]

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/2018-10best-cars-the-best-cars-for-sale-in-america-today-feature

Interesting, but no real explanation as to why certain trim levels (Corvette Grandsport and Audi RS3) were chosen vs. entire models (Camaro and VW Golf). Oh, well, decent read, though not as good as the analogous R&T piece a month or two ago. The winners, in alphabetical order:

Alfa Romeo Giulia / Giulia Quadrifoglio

Audi RS3

Chevrolet Camaro V-6 / SS / ZL1 Coupes

Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Honda Accord

Honda Civic Sport / Si / Type R

Mazda MX-5 Miata / RF

Mercedes-Benz E400 / Mercedes-AMG E43

Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman

Volkswagen Golf / Alltrack / e-Golf / GTI / R / SportWagen

[CALL_911]

Is this the first year BMW has no representation on this list?

[GoCougs]

Like the M/T's (X)OTY award, this list has rings a bit hollow, albeit not to the same extent: "...and they must be a returning winner, all-new, or significantly revised..." I don't think this rule was always the case however.

The only BMW that qualifies this year is the M2/M240i (winner last year- nothing else all-new or significantly revised). No word I can see on why it didn't cut it - the new winners this year are the Guilia, E400/E43, RS3, and Civic Si/Type R.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Good job GM.....

[TBR]

Like the M/T's (X)OTY award, this list has rings a bit hollow, albeit not to the same extent: "...and they must be a returning winner, all-new, or significantly revised..." I don't think this rule was always the case however.

The only BMW that qualifies this year is the M2/M240i (winner last year- nothing else all-new or significantly revised). No word I can see on why it didn't cut it - the new winners this year are the Guilia, E400/E43, RS3, and Civic Si/Type R.

Pretty sure it's always been that way? Or maybe they just had a nomination process that effectively made it so. It isn't really feasible to test every car on sale all at once every year.

[MexicoCityM3]

I think it's decades since there was a 10 best with no BMWs in it.

C&D truly hates BMW recently. Not so with other mags, especially the british ones. This month armt EVO the M2 got the usual M win against the boring (relatively) RS3.

[12,000 RPM]

M2 won last year

[Laconian]

Awww yeaaa MX5 RF boyeeee

[MX793]

Pretty sure it's always been that way? Or maybe they just had a nomination process that effectively made it so. It isn't really feasible to test every car on sale all at once every year.

Those were the rules when I was a subscriber in the late 90s, so ~20 years or so at least.  C&D also puts a price cap on entries.  I think they cap it at 2x the average transaction price of a car in the US for the previous year.

Also, I think those limitations are pretty fair.  If a car wasn't good enough to make the cut in its first outing, and hasn't been updated in any way to make it better, why should it be considered in subsequent years?  Gives excellent cars a chance to stay on the list if they prove to still be the cream of the crop, unlike some other mags' xOTY which only considers new or heavily updated models.

This is the same logic as to why C&D frequently doesn't include past losers in comparos unless they've been updated since the last comparison.  You were at the back of the pack last time and the competition hasn't gotten any worse, so there's no sense in re-competing.

[r0tor]

Bleh, I don't see the point of the RS3 over the M2.  Also, as in Motortrend - I don't see the point of a car nobody would actually want to own (Alfa) bring on the list.

[12,000 RPM]

I have seen some Giulias running around.

[Laconian]

I haven't seen any Quadrofoglios around, but man, with all the reviews I've read I would really like to try one.

[r0tor]

I wanted to test drive a Gulia... When I couldn't manage to fit in the rear seat I just gave up

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I wanted to test drive a Gulia... When I couldn't manage to fit in the rear seat I just gave up

You was gonna drive from the back seat? 

[CaminoRacer]

You was gonna drive from the back seat? 

[r0tor]

You was gonna drive from the back seat? 

4 door sedan is useless to me if I can't use the rear seats for the family... If I had garage room for a non family car, it would be a dedicated 2 seater

[12,000 RPM]

Yea... still hoping they use that platform and engine for the next Charger.

[veeman]

I'm glad BMW was left off the list for no other reason but to get American BMW execs to discuss.  It's a slap in BMWs face.  C&D is the highest circulation dedicated car mag in the United States. They may claim they don't care.  But they do. 

[12,000 RPM]

Well, if MCM's response is indicative of anything, BMW would rather question C&D's credibility than acknowledge they didn't make anything worthy of the list. I think the RS3 is a mistake; 2 series should probably have remained; but the days of the 3 and especially the 5 being shoo-ins is long gone. Neither are class benchmarks or head and shoulders above the competition as they were before; partially because of the stiffer competition but also partially because of..... I'll call it a "change in priorities" on BMWs part.

To be frank, this list was a lot easier when the gulf between the best and worst cars was much bigger. There are still some class standouts like the Accord, but in most segments cars have trended towards a shareholder & consensus driven mean.