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2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year finalists announced [w/poll]

2012 is almost in the books and automakers are spending December gearing up for the 2013 auto show season, which tips off next month at the Detroit Auto Show. Traditionally, the latter opens up with the announcement of the North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year awards, and this year figures to be no different.
But up until this moment, we didn't know which six vehicles would be parked ahead of the stage as finalists, with executives and engineers waiting for the winners to be disclosed. Whittled down from October's "short list" of nominees (11 cars and 10 truck/utility vehicles), the finalists are as follows:
2013 North American Car of the Year:

On sale in Japan, Honda won't bring $31k Odyssey Hybrid to US

Japanese minivan customers have been spoiled for choice when it comes to gas-electric versions of their favorite family haulers. Toyota, for example, started selling the Estima - the world's first hybrid minivan – in 2001, and it also offers the Aphard hybrids. Starting tomorrow, buyers will be able to buy the new Odyssey Hybrid minivan from Honda for a not-unreasonable price. US buyers? We're not so lucky. That's because the Japanese Odyssey and the version sold in the US don't share much except the name. That means that the only company bold enough to put a hybrid powertrain – and a plug-in version at that – into a US-bound minivan is FCA, which just introduced us to the Pacifica Hybrid. So, we'll have to just pine for what's available over in Japan. There, the new Odyssey Hybrid comes with an updated dual-motor Sport Hybrid i-MMD powertrain that uses a 2.0-liter and no transmission. It is offered in two versions (standard and 'Absolute') and a total of six trim levels. The hybrid Odyssey starts at the equivalent of $31,235 US and tops out at $34,725, which is a level that Honda says is, "affordably-priced." Related Video: Honda to Begin Sales of Refreshed Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute -- Hybrid model will be newly added to the Odyssey lineup TOKYO, Japan, February 4, 2016 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will begin sales of an affordably-priced hybrid version as well as the newly refreshed gasoline-powered version of the Honda Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute premium minivans on Friday, February 5, 2016 at dealerships across Japan. A new addition to the Odyssey lineup, the hybrid version realizes both excellent fuel economy and high-quality driving in the Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute which have been well-received for their spacious cabin, stately styling and exhilarating yet stable driving experience. The newly-added Odyssey Hybrid and Odyssey Hybrid Absolute are the first Honda premium minivan models equipped with the revolutionary Honda-developed powertrain Sport Hybrid i-MMD*1 and realize class-topping*2 fuel economy of 26.0 km/L (JC08 mode)*3. In the thorough pursuit of system efficiency, Honda developed a new motor that features an innovative winding method and structure. This newly-developed motor is approximately 23% smaller and lighter than the previous version and yet realizes high torque and high output.

2016 Honda Civic colors and interiors leaked

UPDATE: Honda enthusiast forum Temple of VTEC also reported the 2016 Civic color information. We're just a short time away from our first test of the new Honda Civic, which should be when we get the full slate of details. We are, however, impatient and imagine that you are, too. That's why we're stoked about a discovery from 10thCivicForum.com, which shows the entire interior and exterior color slate, along with their specific combinations. There will be nine exterior paint colors, including some that fans of the current Civic will be familiar with. Taffeta White, White Orchid Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic (shown above), are all carry overs from the current-gen four-door, while Rallye Red is an addition from the current two-door Civic. Other colors can be found on other products in the Honda catalog, including Lunar Silver Metallic from the Accord and Aegean Blue Metallic from the Fit. New shades include Cosmic Blue Metallic and Burgundy Night Pearl. Every color will be offered on every trim, except for Taffeta White, which is only offered on the basic 2.0-liter LX model. The interior colors are, of course, more predictable. You can choose from black, gray, or ivory. Exciting, we know. You can check out the entire color matrix, which breaks down which interior colors pair with which paints on the entire Civic range, over at 10thCivicForum.com. Check it out, and keep an eye out for our first drive of the latest Civic Sedan, coming soon.