Best cars and trucks for 2009

It’s the season for lists. Not just Christmas shopping lists, but end of the year best car and truck awards lists.

Best redesigned vehicle

The 2009 Ford F-150 was named the best redesigned vehicle for 2009 by Kelley Blue Book

The nine other finalists for the award were (in alphabetical order):

Acura TL

Acura TSX

Audi A4

Dodge Ram

Honda Fit

Mazda6

Nissan Maxima

Nissan Murano

Subaru Forester

CNET tech car of the year

The tech Web site CNET will post the name of its winner the second week of the year.

The finalists and excerpts from the site on why the vehicles made the list:

2008 BMW M3 Convertible DCT

“The DCT, BMW’s new dual-clutch transmission, is a tech standout.”

2008 Infiniti EX35 Journey

“Driver aids that keep you from drifting out of your lane and a set of cameras that help you park in tight spaces.”

2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie

“Truck packs all the latest cabin tech, including a rear-seat entertainment system with satellite TV and hard drive-based navigation that shows traffic.

2009 Lincoln MKS

“A THX audio system, Sync MP3 player and phone integration, and Sirius Travel Link, which lets you see traffic, weather and gas prices on the navigation screen.”

2009 Nissan GT-R

“An incredible package of performance tech that wrings amazing horsepower out of a six-cylinder engine.”

International car and truck of the year

Presented by Road & Travel magazine Jan. 10 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The 2009 ceremony is also the debut of the Earth, Wind & Power Awards, which will honor the most environmentally friendly vehicles for Car and Truck of the Year. This differs from the North American Car and Truck of the Year, which will be named Jan. 11.

International car of the year

Dodge Challenger

Ford Flex

Nissan GT-R

International truck of the year

Dodge Ram 1500

Ford F-150

Subaru Forester

Urban Wheel Award finalists

On Wheels Media Inc., which produces African-Americans On Wheels, Latinos On Wheels and Asians On Wheels, will announce the winners Jan. 13 at the Detroit Opera House.

Urban car of the year finalists

Dodge Challenger

Hyundai Genesis

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Urban truck of the year finalists

BMW X6

Dodge Ram

Ford Flex

2009 10 best engines winners

The 2009 list marks the 15th year that Ward’s Automotive Group has tested and picked its best engines.

The winners and the vehicle they were tested in:

Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I4 (A4 Avant)

BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I6 (135i Coupe)

BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I6 Turbodiesel (335d)

Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)

Ford Motor Co.: 2.5L DOHC I4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)

General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V6 (Cadillac CTS)

Honda Motor Co.: 3.5L SOHC V6 (Accord Coupe)

Hyundai Motor Co.: 4.6L DOHC V8 (Genesis)

Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V6 (Lexus IS 350)

Volkswagen AG: 2.0L SOHC I4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)