Ford Explorer, North American Truck of the Year

And Ford wouldn't have had it any other way... What better way to start a year for the car maker which impressed in 2009 with the way in which it navigated through rough waters and managed to climb to new heights in 2010?

The new Explorer, a model so highly regarded by Ford as the rebirth of the SUV which has changed the world, has been named North American Truck of the Year by an international panel comprised of journalists.

The new Explorer had to battle the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee for the win, two worthy opponents which apparently failed to leave a better impression than Ford's product. This is the seventh time a vehicle wearing the Blue Oval as a logo has been crowned North American Truck of the Year. Last year, the title went to the Transit Connect, while a year earlier the F-150 was crowned king.

“It’s a proud moment for Ford, our employees and our customers to have Explorer named North American Truck of the Year,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “Winning this honor for the third consecutive year confirms our One Ford plan is working to deliver vehicles people truly want and value, with industry-leading quality, fuel efficiency, safety and smart technology.”

Presented in the middle of last year, the Explorer comes equipped with two engines, a 3.5l V6 and a 2.0l four cylinder EcoBoost. The former unit develops 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, while the latter packs up to 237 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque.