Midwest Automotive Media Association Announces Winners of Fall Drive Event

Barchart · 10/17 09:05

The Midwest Automotive Media Association hosted its second annual MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the scenic Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois. More than 50 journalists attended what turned out to be a beautifully warm fall day to get behind the wheel of nearly 40 new, refreshed or updated vehicles across all powertrains.

“MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest brought late model-year cars to our members to test in everyday driving scenarios, as owners will experience them,” said MAMA President Robert Duffer. “Member attendance and automaker participation continues to grow for MAMA’s Favorites.”

Participating manufacturers included Acura, Buick, Chevrolet, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Toyota. Hyundai sponsored the welcome breakfast and showed a sizzle reel highlighting their latest revamped lineup. Fall Fest participants were also treated to lunch sponsored by Genesis. The specifically chosen drive route allowed members to compare and contrast each vehicle with a mix of turns, curves, and stoplight acceleration and braking. Communications and product representatives were available on site to answer any questions MAMA members may have had leading up to category voting for the organization’s “MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle” awards.

The winners from each category, as well as those winners from the 2024 MAMA Spring Rally, will be voted on at the end of the year, and an overall MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle will be announced at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show breakfast on Feb. 7, 2025.

The winners from the 2024 MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest are:

Favorite Plug-In Vehicle: 2024 Kia EX9 GT-Line AWD

Favorite Affordable Vehicle: 2025 Honda Civic Si

Favorite Performance Vehicle: 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

Favorite Off-Roader: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

Favorite Pick-Up Truck: 2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid 4x4 Supercrew

Favorite Luxury Vehicle: 2025 Genesis GV80

Favorite Family Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

Visit www.mamaonline.org for more information on the rally and to learn more about the organization.

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) comprises about 240 automotive journalists and industry professionals from approximately 25 states and the District of Columbia. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all over. The organization’s purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, current issues and new products in the auto industry.