Video: Driving Smart: Challenge Winners

01:46 min

By Cars.com Editors

December 29, 2016

If you’re shopping for a new car, you have hundreds of choices, and it can be overwhelming. So which car is the best choice in given segment? Kelsey Mays calls out the winners of each 2016 challenge in this week’s segment of Driving Smart.

(upbeat music) If you're shopping for a new car, you have hundreds of choices. It can be a bit overwhelming. So which cars are the best ones in each segment? Well, we put them all against each other in week-long tests.

In 2016, we did several such tests and here are the winners. Among mid-sized family sedans, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat emerged among nine contenders for its spacious seating, tech friendly features, and energetic turbo engine. The refreshed 2017 Ford Escape, meanwhile took home the top honors in a close race of compact SUVs. The Escapes masterful blend of ride and handling earned good marks, as did its intuitive multimedia system. We went to Michigan to test several mid-sized pickup trucks in an off-road park, on a racetrack, and on local streets. In the end, the 2016 GMC Canyon came out on top. Among midsize SUVs, the 2016 Nissan Murano emerged as the best choice, thanks to its posh interior and strong drive train. The all new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica meanwhile, trounced its rivals in our minivan matchup. Chrysler's re-imagined family hauler, takes practicality and kid-friendly features to new levels. Looking for a three row SUV? The 2016 Honda Pilot played up its practicality, which helped it win, despite a quirky transmission. Finally, we had some fun with muscle cars, taking the Detroit threes, popular trio to the racetrack with their big V8s. The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro edged out the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger to claim the title of king of the track. We do these kinds of tests every year, so stay tuned and see if we can't help you find the right car, truck or SUV. (upbeat music)