2012 Washington Auto Show features top cars of the year

Washington, D.C. – The 10-day Washington Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was open to the public from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5. The exhibits contained about 700 new vehicles from more than 40 domestic and import manufacturers.

Some of the notable Concept Cars on display included the Chevrolet TRU 140S, Chevrolet Code 130R, Lincoln MKZ, Lexus LF-LC, Honda Accord, and Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid. Also on hand were the recently-crowned 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year (the Ford F-150) and the Motor Trend Car of the Year (the Volkswagen Passat). Other vehicles recognized by Winding Road and Car and Driver in the exhibition included the following:

Winding Road: Best Cars of the Year, 2012

Best Coupe: Mini Cooper S Coupe
Best Super Coupe: Lotus Evora S
Best Under $20,000: Hyundai Veloster
Best Utility: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Best Minivan: Mazda5
Best Big Utility: Land Rover LR4
Best Convertible: Mazda MX-5, $23,190
Best Everyman Sedan: Dodge Charger
Best Three-Door/Five-Door: Audi A7 (the newer S7 is on display instead)
Best Over 35 MPG: Ford Focus
Best Luxury Sedan: Jaguar XJ
Best Sport Sedan: Audi S4

Car and Driver – 10 Best Cars

Audi A6/A7 3.0T Quattro
BMW 3-Series/M3
Cadillac CTS-V
Ford Focus
Ford Mustang GT/Boss 302
Honda Accord 2d or 4d sedan inline 4
Honda Fit
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster/Cayman (exhibitor not in the Show)
VW Golf/GTI

Photo Gallery: 2012 Washington Auto Show
all photos by Kwai Chan