The Best New Cars of 2008 awards are open to all new and significantly redesigned cars launched as 2008 models. A handful of cars made it; several handfuls didn't. Some came close, while others didn't come within a country mile. (Is that longer than a city mile?)
So this year I put together a list of the new-for-2008 models that didn't make the cut -- and, more importantly, why they didn't make it. You can check out these also-rans in an article I call Not the Best New Cars of 2008. -- Aaron Gold
I agree with nearly every car on your list. I especially agree with the Chrysler models, and the Fords. The Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger/Caliber are aweful cars. I’ve driven them and sat in them. They are barely comfortable for a drive of any duration, extremely noisy, and poorly built. Whoever authorized the designs of these vehicles must be a hero to Ford and GM, as well as nearly every other manufacturer.
The Ford Focus is just a warming of an ancient design. It doesn’t even look as good as the outgoing design. The Taurus (or whatever it’s being called this week) is probably not a bad car, but it certainly isn’t a great car. It’s only real strength is that it’s certainly better than the Taurus it replaced.