The North American International Auto Show is a huge gathering of all of the most relevant automakers, and throughout the course of the show, auto publications and companies give out awards. Overtime, that has earned the NAIAS the nickname, the “Oscars of the Automotive Industry.” This year, there have been several brands awarded that we’re happy to see get in the spotlight. There’s plenty of categories for awards, ranging from vehicle production to technology, and from various organizations too. Aside from judges at the the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, Roadshow and Eyeson Design were also there to give away a couple of rewards. Let’s check out some of the best 2018 has to offer.

Best Production Truck

Oddly enough, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse won the “Best Production Truck” award, presented by Eyeson Design. The standard and most powerful engine available on the Traverse is the popular Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine, designed with gasoline direct injection (GDI) and variable valve timing (VVT) technology for optimal performance and fuel economy. This engine offers a maximum towing capability up to 5,000 pounds, which is only matched by a handful of vehicles in the class, so that may be what pushed it this crossover into the truck category.

Best Production Car

Is it any surprise that the 2018 Kia Stinger won the “Best Production Car” award? Presented by Lacks Enterprises, the award was rightly earned by Kia Motors for the outstanding work they did with the 2018 Kia Stinger. The power, the design, the technology, and the sheer thrill of driving around in this sports car are hard to match. It was no wonder why AutoGuide awarded the Kia Stinger with the Car of the Year Award and the Reader’s Choice Award all in one go. We even got our hands on a 2018 Kia Stinger GT2, and our first-drive review of the Kia Stinger definitely let it shine. “Best Production Car” is surely a well-earned reward.

Driveline Technology of the Year

Roadshow by CNET.com was also hanging around the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, and around the same time, they awarded the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with the “Driveline Technology of the Year” award. The main focus was on the upgraded prop(drive) shaft, made of high-strength steel and heat-treated for enhanced durability that added 15 percent more torque; the new rear differential housing, also heat treated added another 30 percent more torque capacity; and the rear half (wheel/axle) shafts, now larger in diameter and made with a high-strength low-alloy steel, added another 20 percent increase for torque capacity. When it comes to 770 lb-ft of torque, a car needs all the upgrades it can get.

Car of the Year

The Honda Accord was named the “Car of the Year” at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, but also shared the award with the Volvo XC60 and Lincoln Navigator, named “Utility of the Year” and “Truck of the Year” respectively. The main winning characteristic of the Honda Accord was its ability to appeal to all kinds of consumers, making it an appealing buy even in its low-tier trim levels.

Best of Show

Shown off for the first time at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, the 2019 Ram 1500 actually went home with the “Best of Show” award, presented by Cars.com. It’s pretty crazy, but with how well the 2019 model turned out, we can’t say we’re that surprised. Cars.com experts studied the vehicle and named it the benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency, and convenience with features never before offered in a light duty pickup truck. With a weight reduction of 225 pounds, an evolved infotainment system, and still an amazing towing capability of 12,750 pounds, this is one truck that’s going to change the competition for the light duty truck market.

Well that settles it. These are some of the best vehicles that popped up at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, and we’re happy to say you can find them when you buy a car online at NowCar.

Photo Source/Copyright: EyesonDesign.org