USA - The 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been named the North American Truck of the Year.

• Second NATOTY win for Ridgeline
• All-new Ridgeline designed, developed and manufactured in America
• Innovative features include world's first factory-installed Truck Bed Audio System, Dual Action Tailgate and more

The completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been named the 2017 North American Truck of the Year (NATOTY) northamericancaroftheyear.org. Launched in June 2016, the 2017 Ridgeline includes a host of industry-exclusive standard and available features including unibody construction, a Dual Action Tailgate, In-Bed Trunk®, a scratch- and dent-resistant composite truck bed and the world's first Truck Bed Audio System. 

The 2017 Ridgeline is also the first and only pickup to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, when equipped with available front crash prevention system and LED headlights. 

It is the second consecutive year for Honda to earn a top honor, with the Honda Civic winning North American Car of the Year honors in 2016. 

Moreover, this marks Ridgeline's second NACTOY award, the first coming in 2006, when the 2016 Honda Civic also won the 2006 North American Car of the Year.

"This award is a prized validation of the innovations and advantages the Ridgeline offers midsize pickup truck customers and a great recognition of the American development team's work," said John Mendel, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 

"This is a terrific way to kick off 2017, and we're looking forward to sharing more innovative Honda products in the year ahead."

The North American Truck of the Year Award is given by a group of over 50 members of the North American automotive media and is distinctive because it is not tied to a single publication, radio or television station but determined by an independent group of journalists from the United States and Canada. 

Presented each year at the opening of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, NACTOY recognizes the most outstanding vehicle of the year based on multiple factors including innovation, design, safety performance, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

The Ridgeline is a part of Honda's expanded lineup of innovative light-truck models, including the HR-V crossover, the CR-V and Pilot SUVs and the new 2018 Odyssey minivan that will be revealed later today at NAIAS. Honda light truck sales hit an all-time high of 661,188 units in 2016, up 7 percent over the previous year.

USA - Volvo is racking up the awards for the XC90, now Automobile Magazine names it 2016 AUTOMOBILE All-Star

The all-new Volvo XC90 has been named a 2016 AUTOMOBILE All-Star by the experts at AUTOMOBILE magazine, and collected more awards from three other publications. 

This brings the global number of awards the XC90 has received to more than 110, including being named Motor Trend’s 2016 SUV of the Year and North American Truck of the Year.

“We are extremely proud to call the all-new XC90 an AUTOMOBILE All-Star, and to be recognized by so many other independent experts,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Accolades from such prominent publications give owners the confidence they are driving something truly great. They also mean a lot to everyone at Volvo.”

The XC90 was also named Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families by U.S. News and World Report; Best Luxury SUV by the Daily News; and the Autobytel Luxury SUV/Crossover of the Year. Trophies were presented to Volvo executives during the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.

“The XC90 is unquestionably one of the best SUVs to come along in years, a true All-Star if there ever was one,” said Mike Floyd, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE. “It’s easy to see why it’s won so many awards – it’s that good.”

Redesigned from the ground up the 2016 XC90 carries forward the full-size SUV torch for Volvo, the 89-year-old Swedish automaker known for building some of the safest passenger vehicles available.

The elegantly styled XC90 is available with several powerful and efficient powertrains – from a 250- horsepower turbocharged engine to a 400-horsepower, plug-in hybrid that can propel seven-passengers to 60 MPH in about five seconds and get 53 MPGe.

Inside, the XC90 features Volvo’s Sensus control system, which is centered around a lag-free, 9.3-inch tablet-like touchscreen that incorporates most vehicle controls, including Apple CarPlay, and eliminates nearly all buttons and switches.

Like all new Volvos the XC90 also features Intellisafe, a full suite of active and passive safety technologies designed to protectwhat’s important to owners. And with semi-autonomous driving features like Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control the XC90 is ready for life in the twenty-first century. Together these features and functions are helping Volvo realize Vision 2020, which states that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car.

USA - The Awesome Volvo XC90 takes the 2016 North American Truck Of The Year Award, well deserved.

The Volvo XC90 has been named 2016 North American Truck of the Year. Fifty-three automotive journalists from the United States and Canada voted for the luxury SUV for being a benchmark in its segment, based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the XC90 has won this prestigious and most respected award,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, “and there is a lot more to come. By 2019 Volvo will have a totally renewed product portfolio. By then the all-new XC90 will be the oldest car in the showroom.”

It is the second time the XC90 has won the North American Truck of the Year award. The first was in 2003, when the vehicle was originally introduced.

“The XC90 is a past winner of our award,” said Tony Swan, a 23-year member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Jury. 

“That vehicle was obviously outstanding, but the new XC90’s blend of advanced technology, performance and craftsmanship stands out even more, against much more sophisticated competition.”

The Volvo XC90 features all new platform, powertrain and semi-autonomous driving technologies that set a new standard for the luxury SUV segment. It is available in five or seven-passenger, front or all-wheel-drive configurations with powerful and efficient 250- or 316-horsepower turbocharged and dual-charged engines that can deliver up to an EPA rated 25 MPG. 

The XC90 is also be available with a 400-horsepower, 53 MPGe hybrid electric powertrain, making it the world’s first seven passenger Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

All XC90s feature Volvo’s award-winning Sensus infotainment system, which centers on an intuitive, tablet-like touch screen that puts all of the vehicle’s systems and functions at the driver’s fingertips. Volvo City Safety, which includes Pedestrian Detection with Automatic Emergency Braking, automatically applies the brakes should a collision be imminent, is also standard. 

The available Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system will control vehicle speed and direction at speeds up to 30 MPH. Prices start at $43,900.