Car and Driver 10Best is a list annually produced by Car and Driver (C/D) beginning in 1983,[1] nominating what it considers the 10 best cars of the year. C/D also produced the 5Best list, highlighting what it considers the five best trucks of the year.
All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these recent restrictions:
The magazine sometimes selects a specific trim and other times a whole family of vehicles.
From 1983 through 2023, the following marques were represented on the list the most times, including the 10Best Cars, 5Best Trucks, and 10Best Trucks and SUVs lists.
From the start of the 10Best in 1983 through 2023, the following models were represented on the 10Best lists the most years.[2]
For the 1980s, Car and Driver picked four domestic and six import cars.
Fastest car tested: Jaguar XJ-S HE, 142 mph
Top-selling cars:
Instituted the price cap at $30,000.
Fastest car tested: Ferrari 308 Quattrovalvole, 144 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette, 150 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested: Porsche 944 Turbo, 157 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $30,000
Fastest car tested: Ferrari Testarossa, 176 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested: Ferrari Testarossa, 173 mph
Top-selling cars:
Imports and domestics chosen by marque, not by place of manufacture.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested: 750iL V12, 158 mph
Top-selling cars:
Eliminated half domestic/half import rule as impractical.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 175 mph
Top-selling cars:
New rule: No more than two places per marque.
Price cap: $35,000
Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 176 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $40,000
Fastest car tested: Ferrari F40, 197 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $40,000
Fastest car tested: Lamborghini Diablo, 204 mph
Top-selling cars:
Institution of the 2.5x price cap, now at $43,000.
Fastest car tested: Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, 179 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $46,000.
Fastest car tested: Lamborghini Diablo VT, 185 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $48,000
Fastest car tested: Ferrari F355, 179 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $54,000
Fastest car tested: Dodge Viper GTS, 177 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $55,000
Fastest car tested: Ferrari F50, 194 mph
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $59,000
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $61,000
Top-selling cars:
For 2001, Car and Driver created a separate "5Best Trucks" award with a single winner in each of five categories.
Top-selling vehicles:
Price cap: $62,000
Top-selling cars:
Price cap: $66,000
Price cap: $66,000
Price cap: $69,000
Price cap: $70,000
For 2005 and 2006, the magazine named one winner in each category.
Price cap: $70,000
Price cap: $71,000
Price cap: $72,000
5Best Trucks
Price cap: $71,000[3]
Beginning with the 2009 list, Car and Driver considered the Porsche Boxster and Cayman to be the same car.
In conjunction with the 2009 10Best Cars list, Car and Driver issued a list of what it called "The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History", spotlighting cars previously honored by a major automotive magazine (including CD itself) that, with the passage of time, it considered to be anything but award-worthy.[4]
Price cap: $80,000[5]
Price cap: $80,000[6]This year marks the first appearance of an electrically powered car, the Volt, as well as the first appearance of a Korean automaker, Hyundai, on C&D 10Best.
Price cap: $80,000[7]
Price cap: $80,000[8]
Price cap: $80,000[9]
Price cap: $80,000[10]
Price cap: $80,000
[11]
[12]
[13]
$90,000 base-price cap[14]
[15]
Beginning with the 2020 list, SUVs and trucks are no longer separate[16]
The 2021 10Best list was released on November 18, 2020. Every car from the 2020 list returns, with the exception of the Jeep Gladiator. The Genesis GV80 makes its first appearance on the list.[17]
The 2022 10Best list was released on November 17, 2021.[18]
The 2023 10Best Cars list was released on December 19, 2022.[19]
The 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs list was released on January 17, 2023. Beginning with the 2023 list, SUVs and trucks are once again separate.[20]
The 2024 10Best Cars list was released on December 5th, 2023.[21]
The 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs list was released on December 5th, 2023.[22]