Which automaker has won 3 GHC awards in three years? Audi

With so many “Best” awards out there, it can be downright confusing if you want to use them as help in narrowing down a new-vehicle purchase. Of course, there is the usual “best car of 2018,” or 2018’s “best SUV,” to name a couple that just popped into the author’s head. But, how can you find out the best or the most helpful?

In my opinion, it’s simple, go with the best. Okay, what do I mean by that? Well, let’s put it this way; if you checked out Consumer Reports Annual Auto Guide, you would have a solid entry in the best/most helpful category. Or, you could try something from Car and Driver and its 10 Best lists or Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” award for starters.

Good Housekeeping car program is stealth by most standards

There’s another award that stands itself in pretty good stead. In fact, it’s probably not one you would think about. We all know that Good Housekeeping tests all sorts of products and those that pass get the coveted “Good House Keeping Seal of Approval.” It is a program that has been around for about a century. The seal is the platinum standard of awards as it puts the strength of a longtime, successful program behind the item or appliance approved.

In this case, though, it is a vehicle. Good Housekeeping awards its annual “Best New Car” by a partnership with Car and Driver. The award takes advantage of the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) engineering staff and the car experts at Car and Driver. Playing off each other’s strengths, they look at the safety, value, handling, design, comfort, and technology in each entrant to choose the finalists. Testers screened more than 100 vehicles for the awards program. The top 25 were driven by engineers over 3,000 miles on tracks on open roads to determine the eventual winners in the 12 categories.

For the third consecutive year, Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, has won a Good Housekeeping Award. For 2018, Audi’s Q7 which “continues to set new standards in the luxury SUV segment with its exceptional driving experience, premium comfort, innovative technologies and advanced driver assistance systems,” said Scott Keogh, Audi’s president.

“These are the things that have made the Q7 a favorite with our customers.” Audi is “honored to have it recognized as a Best Car by Good Housekeeping,” Keogh concluded. In 2017, the A4 was honored in the luxury sedan category, and in 2016, the A3 received the award in the luxury compact category.

Q7 features excellent fit and finish

The 2018 Q7 features the marque’s fit and finish. Its lines are clean and straightforward. The Q7 delivers a premium driving experience with space for up to seven.

Standard features include a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade brings light into the cabin. The SUV also features a top quality Bang and Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System.

Two powertrain combinations are available. Audi’s 3.0-liter TFSI® V-6 or the 2.0-liter TFSI four. Prices start at $49,000 for the Q7 with the four. Both powertrain choices are available with quattro® all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission.

Source: Audi, Good Housekeeping