AutoWeek Readers Choose America's Best Cars and Trucks

DETROIT, July 6 -- AutoWeek readers used the high-octane power of democracy to once again choose America's Best via a survey conducted entirely online at http://www.autoweek.com/ . This survey polls the most automotive-passionate consumers and enables them to voice their opinion on their favorite cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

  And the winners are:

  *  Best Luxury Car:  Audi A8 L

Audi's success is all self-made: From top to bottom, from Germany to the U.S., it has one goal, and that's to be considered among the luxury leaders.

* Best Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette

The title is back again. For 14 of 15 years, Corvette has been America's Best Sports Car.

* Best Sedan: Chrysler 300C

Wouldn't you know the new kid on the block would make a splash. This is the hottest thing to come out of Detroit since Aretha, Eminem and the World Champion Pistons combined.

* Best Coupe: Infiniti G35

The G35 shows the true benefits a company can earn from platform sharing. Though the Infiniti's underpinnings are pure Nissan 350Z, there is a visual and performance difference as well.

* Best People Mover: Honda Odyssey

Odyssey's win is a three-peat in this contest and comes in their sixth year of production -- an amazing feat when you think about the competition.

* Best Economy Car: Mazda 3

In all, the Mazda 3 is an economy car that feels anything but cheap. It is a handsome small car that drives every bit as good as it looks.

* Best First Car: Honda Civic Coupe

What is the best car to get if you're a first-time new-car buyer? Honda's Civic tops the list, and for good reason -- it's a quality piece for relatively little money.

* Best SUV/Off-Road Vehicle: Volkswagen Touareg

Touareg is outfitted with a host of engine choices including a stout diesel that is sold out for the 2004 model year. Whichever you choose, you'll get one of the smoothest powertrains available and a solid structure.

* Best Truck: Ford F-150

For seven years the F-150 has taken our America's Best Truck category title, and is it any wonder this all-new version would make it eight?

The survey results are the basis of a feature story in the July 5 issue of AutoWeek. Results can also be found on http://www.autoweek.com/ . To subscribe to AutoWeek Magazine, call 1.888.288.6954 or subscribe online.

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