Winning the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) title is a little like taking the crown for Miss Universe (although we bet there’re fewer tears)… both are a unique mix of popularity contest, beauty contest, and talent show.
So, when the 2011 Hyundai Sonata was effectively handed the tiara last month, we were curious: What was it about the Sonata that blinded the judges to all the other contestants? Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY Executive Producer, provided the answer. “With a completely new look for 2011, the Sonata really took us by surprise,” she said. “Hyundai laces the new Sonata with serious hardware including sporty suspension tuning and a strong powertrain that achieves best-in-class fuel economy scores. Combine that with a stunning shape and design, it truly is a complete package that will satisfy the emotional connection consumers seek when shopping for a mid-size sedan.” And she didn’t even mention the swimsuit scores.
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