Pomerance and Associates

GAAMA Names Best New Vehicles for Families

April 30, 2014 | by Bonnie Moret | filed under: Audi A3, Automotive Media, For Fusion Energi, GAAMA, Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Genesis, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Jetta

Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) named winners at its second-annual Family Choice Challenge event held last week at Lake Lanier Islands Resort north of Atlanta.

The following brands and models were registered for the 2014 GAAMA Family Choice Challenge:

Audi A3
Buick LaCrosse
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler 200
Dodge Journey
Ford Escape
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fusion Energi
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Genesis
Jeep Cherokee
Lexus GX 460
Mazda 3
Mazda 6
Nissan Altima
Nissan Juke NISMO
Nissan Rogue
Subaru XV Crosstrek
Toyota Highlander
Volkswagen Jetta

Nissan’s Steve Parrett and Paige Presley with the Nissan Juke NISMO.

 Automotive and lifestyle journalists chose the 2015 Hyundai Genesis as Top Family Choice, while five other family-friendly models earned category awards.

Hyundai’s impressive Genesis sedan is completely redesigned for the 2015 model year. The Genesis earned high marks from judges thanks to its handsome styling, comfortable and spacious cabin, technology-rich features and strong overall value. An average score of 31.2 (out of a possible 35 points) outpaced nineteen competitors to earn top honors.

Ariel Garcia-Linares and Logan Utsman with 2015 Hyundai Genesis winner of the Top Family Choice award.

“A sport sedan like the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is attractive to drivers that want a family car but don’t want to sacrifice on style and performance,” said Nick Palermo, GAAMA president. “The Genesis earned its place as 2014 Top Family Choice by exceeding expectations. Although the previous-generation Genesis sedan is an impressive car, this new model again raises the bar for both Hyundai and its competitors. Families looking for accessible luxury should add the 2015 Genesis to their short lists.”

Adventure Choice: 2014 Honda Odyssey

When minivans first arrived decades ago, these spacious and efficient vehicles quickly became the go-to choice for families on the move. Although many drivers now choose SUVs and crossovers instead, minivans are still tough to beat for hauling your crew and its gear, whether around town or across the country. These capabilities helped the 2014 Honda Odyssey to victory in a category consisiting mostly of SUVs and crossovers.

Adventure Choice Winner: 2014 Honda Odyssey.

The Adventure Choice category was the events most competitive, with seven entries. The Odyssey earned an average of 30.0 points to top the category. Indeed, Honda’s van has everything families need to make their next trip an adventure. A low floor makes climbing in and out easy for passengers young and old. Comfortable and flexible seating accommodates up to eight. And driving dynamics are excellent, both at highway speeds and when steering through a parking lot. Simply put, the Honda Odyssey makes family adventures simple and fun.

Value Choice: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta

With so many excellent new vehicles available today, finding a great family car is easy. But finding one that meets a family’s needs while remaining affordable can be more challenging. Fortunately, the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta is attractive and capable, with a refreshingly affordable price tag.

Value Choice Winner: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta.

While the Jetta is an economical choice, the compact sedan neither looks nor feels cheap. That helped it earn an average score of 28.0, narrowly edging out the larger but pricier Nissan Altima. A starting price under $20,000 and commendable fuel economy from a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine make the Volkswagen Jetta a smart choice for budget-minded families.

Technology Choice: 2015 Mazda6

Families will have to wait for cars that can fully drive themselves, leaving driver and passengers alike to relax and enjoy the ride. But the technology that will someday power such innovations is already available, even in affordable cars like the 2015 Mazda6. The striking midsize sedan offers such high-tech features as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, both of which can improve comfort and safety for families.

Tamara Mlynarczyk, Manager, Public Affairs, Mazda North American Operations holds GAAMA’s Technology Choice Award alongide the winning 2015 Mazda 6.

In addition to driver assistance systems, the Mazda6 i Grand Touring included in our challenge came equipped with Mazda’s i-ELOOP technology. The regenerative engine braking feature improves fuel economy by 2 mpg in both city and highway driving, helping the Mazda6 to earn an impressive overall average score of 28.1.

Green Choice: 2015 Ford Fusion Energi

Driving a vehicle powered by electricity rather than gasoline or diesel has both advantages and drawbacks. Electric vehicles (EVs) produce no tailpipe emissions. Plus, they are exceptionally quiet, and low fuel costs make them extraordinarily inexpensive to operate. But relatively short range and long charging times make EVs impractical for some drivers. For families, practicality is essential.

That’s why a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) like the 2015 Ford Fusion Energi is such a sensible choice for green-minded families on the go. Using electricity only, the Fusion Energi can travel 21 zero-emissions miles. When plug-in power is depleted, the sporty looking sedan operates like a gasoline-hybrid vehicle, achieving a still-commendable 43 mpg combined city/highway fuel economy rating. Long-range drives are no problem for the Fusion Energi: with a full tank of gas and a full charge, it can travel 620 miles before refueling. Those stats helped the midsize sedan earn an overall average score of 27.1.

Luxury Choice: 2015 Audi A3

Audi makes posh appointments and its upscale brand name accessible to more drivers with its new-for-2015 A3 sedan. Previously offered only as a wagon, the new Audi model squeezed past pricier players to score an average of 28.0 points. That’s an impressive feat, considering its price. The 2015 Audi A3 starts under $30,000, and the example Audi brought to the competition came in at just $32,395.

In fact, that’s half the price of the 2013 Luxury Choice winner, Audi’s flagship A8L sedan. But the A3 offers many of the same features, including an outstanding navigation system that uses Google Earth and Google Street View to offer superior functionality. Despite its affordable price, the A3 comes standard with leather seats, a turbocharged engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s exceptional interior build quality.

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GAAMA’s objective is to further the professionalism of the automotive media, provide a forum for newsworthy people and products connected with the automotive industry and to bring together people whose activities are related to the field of automotive journalism, public relations and related fields for the mutual benefit of all parties.