Ford Taurus, Volvo XC60 Named International Car, Truck of the Year

At the L.A. auto show, a panel of 19 nationally recognized automotive journalists — including Cars.com Senior Editor Joe Wiesenfelder — presented the Ford Taurus and Volvo XC60 with 14th Annual International Car and Truck of the Year Awards.

"I'm especially pleased to see the 2010 Taurus recognized with this award," Wiesenfelder said. "The 2008 and 2009 model, which succeeded the Ford Five Hundred, offered lots of room but was aesthetically uninspiring. The new one is stylish and well-rounded — the complete package. Though it entered a crowded compact-luxury crossover category, the Volvo XC60 stood out for its comfort, refinement and a size that's appropriate for the times."

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Audi and Ford Nab Eco-Friendly Awards

Audi and Ford Nab Eco-Friendly Awards

On the eve of the Los Angeles auto show media preview, the Audi Q7 TDI and Ford Fusion Hybrid earned the second annual Earth, Wind & Power Awards. A panel of 19 nationally recognized automotive journalists — including Cars.com Senior Editor Joe Wiesenfelder — selected the hybrid midsize sedan and clean-diesel SUV as the 2010 Most Environmentally Progressive Car and Truck of the Year.

The jury seeks to honor new or substantially redesigned cars that help reduce emissions, global warming and dependence on foreign oil. "The competition was strong, including redesigned Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 450h hybrids," Wiesenfelder said, "but ultimately the jury found the 50-state-legal Audi diesel and the comfortable, refined Fusion Hybrid the most progressive entries this year."