Car of the Year award winners from the 2000 through 2010.
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Produced for a single generation only (2000-2006), the LS was designed to blend luxury and sport into one package. Riding on the DEW98 platform (also used in the Jaguar S Type and Ford Thunderbird) it was noted for achieving near a 50/50 weight distribution. The LS used either Ford's 3.0L V6 or Jaguar's AJ 3.9L V8. Photo: IFCAR.
Being offered from a single generation only (2001-2010 model years), the PT Cruiser offered design cues from the 1930s and 1940s. The PT Cruiser was available as a 5-door hatch, 2-door convertible and a GT version in which a total of 1,050,281 were sold.
The 2002 Ford Thunderbird would mark the fourth time that the Thunderbird would take top honors - more than any other nameplate. The new 11th-generation Thunderbird would ride on the DEW98 platform, which was also shared with the Jaguar S-Type and Lincoln LS. Only one engine was available, a 3.9 AJ Jaguar V8. Being produced only for the 2002-2005 model years, a combined 68,098 were sold.
2003 would mark the first year since 1985 that an import brand took top honors. The G35 used Nissan's FM (front midship) platform, which placed the engine toward the back of the engine bay to achieve a 52/48 weight distribution. G35's were available with automatic, manual transmissions and all wheel drive models.
The 2nd generation Toyota Prius used an electric air conditioning compresor and electric power steering in an effort to reduce engine drag. The Gen2 Prius also used a more powerful battery (XW20) than the previous Prius model - allowing for Toyota to offer a 100,000 mile warranty. In production in the 2004-2009 model years, the Prius sold 1,192,000 units.
Harkening back to its heritage, the Chrysler 300C used a rear wheel drive architecture (LX platform) along with a 5.7L Hemi or a 6.1L Hemi when equipped with the SRT package. The classic first generation design would be produced from 2005-2010.
Honda's eighth generation Civic would be recognized for its performance, safety and low emissions. Offered in either coupe or sedan, the Civic featured six air bags, including side curtains, ULEV-2 ultra low 1.8L emissions engines, which featured more performance than its predecessor while maintaining an equivalent fuel economy rating.
The venerable Toyota Camry generation "XV40" continued to be one of America's top selling cars and was for the first time offered with a gasoline/hybrid election configuration. Both of Toyota's four and six cylinder engines continued to be offered.
![STS-V 2006-2009 [left], XLR-V 2006-2009 [middle], CTS-V 2004-2007 [right]](http://moxiebabe.com/social/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2008-Cadillac.jpg)
Cadillac's second generation CTS was based on GM's Sigma II platform and was available in coupe, sedan and wagon body styles. Available starting in 2009 was the CTS-V, a performance series which used an LSA engine that produced 556 horsepower. The LSA was based on the Corvette's ZR1's LS9 engine. The CTS-V coupe could go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds while the sedan and wagon was able to do it in 4.0 seconds. It was capable of doing the 1/4 mile in 11.97 seconds.
While Nissan dropped the Skyline name, the performance attributes lived up to its name. The GT-R was powered by a 473 horsepower 3.8L V6 coupled with all wheel drive for exceptional handling and performance.
