2002 Drivers' Choice Awards

    CHICAGO--Feb. 6, 2002--PBS' original automotive magazine, MotorWeek, announces its 2002 Drivers' Choice Awards at the Chicago Auto Show today. MotorWeek host and executive producer John Davis will present individual winners with an artist-designed trophy during media preview events.
    Crowding this year's list of 12 category winners are U.S. manufactured vehicles, which made a better showing than in years past, scooping up the majority of the awards.
    "It's all about competition and good design," said Davis. "U.S. auto manufacturers are continually taking an established theme and driving it to the next level. This year's crop of winners shows how the intense competition spurs manufacturers to make bold moves."

The award winners are:

1. Best Small Car                    -         Nissan Sentra(1)

2. Best Family Sedan                 -         Nissan Altima

3. Best Minivan                      -         Dodge Caravan(1)
                                               Chrysler Voyager(1)
                                               Chrysler Town 
                                                & Country(1)

4. Best Convertible                  -         Ford Thunderbird

5. Best Luxury Sedan                 -         Cadillac CTS

6. Best Sport Sedan                  -         Subaru Impreza WRX

7. Best Performance Car              -         Chevrolet Corvette Z06

8. Best Small Sport-Utility 
   Vehicle                             -       Saturn Vue

9. Best Family Sport-Utility 
   Vehicle                             -       Ford Explorer
                                               Mercury Mountaineer

10. Best Pickup Truck                -         Dodge Ram

11. Best Cross-Over Vehicle          -         Chevrolet Avalanche
                                               Cadillac Escalade EXT

12. Best Dream Machine               -         Ferrari 360 Spider
                                               Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG
                                               Porsche 911 GT2

(1) Repeat winner from 2001

    The winners in all 12 categories will be featured on a special MotorWeek episode on PBS, beginning February 23, 2002, and on cable's Speed Channel, beginning March 14, 2002 (check local listings).
    As examples of competition-driven innovation, Davis points to the Cadillac CTS, a design capable of taking on the best luxury sports sedans from Asia to Europe.
    From the MotorWeek team's perspective, the new Dodge Ram sets new standards for trucks that can be used for either work or play, and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 can easily take on the most exotic vehicles in the world, yet costs about a third as much.
    The Drivers' Choice Awards also single out innovative SUVs, such as the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, which pack more space for cargo and people than anyone ever thought previously possible. The new Ford Thunderbird proves that the heyday of American motoring is not past, it's just reborn.
    The 20th annual Drivers' Choice Awards were chosen by a team of 10 judges, comprised of the journalists, staff and crew of MotorWeek. Judges' decisions were based on superior performance, technology, practicality and dollar value.
    This year's Drivers' Choice Award trophy was created by artist Dennis Simon, whose automotive illustrations have appeared in Road & Track, Sports Car International, and Automobile magazines.
    MotorWeek is produced by Maryland Public Television and is nationally underwritten by eBay Motors. Visit MotorWeek online at www.pbs.org/motorweek.