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Midwest Automotive Media Association Names 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Family Vehicle of the Year


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
2011 Hyundai Sonata

Knowledge Base: 2011 Chicago Auto Show - Press Pass Coverage
Knowledge Base: Hyundai Buyers Guide
Knowledge Base: Compare Family Vehicles

Chicago, Illinois; February 9, 2011; The Midwest Automotive Media Association announced today that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been named the inaugural winner of its Family Vehicle of the Year award.

The Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA), a nonprofit group of automotive journalists and public relations professionals, developed the award to help the consumer make a wise buy when it’s time to shop for a family vehicle. “A family car is an important purchase. It needs to serve your family's needs reliably and at a reasonable price. MAMA members pooled their collective knowledge and experience to pick the best family vehicle from a strong group of recent releases, and the Hyundai Sonata came out on top,” said award coordinator Kirk Bell.

To qualify for the award, vehicles had to have four doors, start at less than $50,000, appear at one of MAMA’s two annual rallies, and be new or significantly updated in within a year of the Spring Rally, which took place in May, 2010. The MAMA Spring and Fall rallies feature up to 100 manufacturer vehicles for journalists to drive and evaluate.

Voting took place at each rally, creating a list of nine contenders: the 2010 Audi A3 TDI, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2011 Honda Odyssey, 2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Kia Optima, 2010 Kia Sorento, 2011 Kia Sportage, and 2010 Suzuki Kizashi.

MAMA members then took part in the final vote. A total of 75 automotive journalists voted the 2011 Hyundai Sonata the winner with 23 first-place votes and 114 total points, beating out the 2011 Honda Odyssey, which garnered 17 first-place votes and 71 total points. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee placed third with 14 first-place votes and 67 total points.

In each round of voting, three points were awarded for a first-place vote, two points were given for a second-place vote and third-place votes were valued at one point each.

MAMA plans to award the Family Vehicle of the Year annually. The 2011 MAMA Spring Rally is scheduled for May 24-26 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association is comprised of more than 200 automotive journalists and public relations professionals. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all parts of the country. The organization’s primary purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, major issues, and new products in the auto industry.

Knowledge Base: 2011 Chicago Auto Show - Press Pass Coverage
Knowledge Base: Hyundai Buyers Guide
Knowledge Base: Compare Family Vehicles