Our Awards

For 39 years, the New England Motor Press Association has evaluated the vehicles, technologies, and people shaping the automotive industry. NEMPA awards are decided by working automotive journalists whose combined coverage reaches more than 250 million readers, listeners, and viewers every month. Our members test vehicles in the region where they live and report, serving the 15.4 million residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, a market where consumers spent $67.9 billion on new cars and trucks in 2025.

NEMPA awards carry no fees. Winners may use them freely in marketing and advertising.

The NEMPA Winter Vehicle Awards

The Winter Vehicle Awards are NEMPA’s signature program and the only formal cold-weather vehicle evaluation conducted by an automotive press association. We do not test winter capability on a closed track or in a climate-controlled facility. From November through March, NEMPA members drive the newest vehicles through real New England winters, including snowstorms, sub-zero mornings, and the rough roads of the spring thaw. The season concludes with a full-day comparison evaluation at NEMPA headquarters in Middleborough, Massachusetts, where members score each vehicle on winter-specific equipment and the dynamic qualities that make for safe, competent all-weather driving.

The Official Winter Vehicle of New England

First awarded in 1998, the Official Winter Vehicle of New England is NEMPA’s highest honor. It recognizes the single vehicle that delivers the best all-around winter performance, usability, and value, regardless of class.

Winter Category Honors

  • Winter Truck of the Year. The pickup that best combines capability, traction, and daily usability in harsh conditions.
  • Winter SUV of the Year. The SUV that blends family-hauling safety, ground clearance, and all-weather confidence.
  • Winter Car of the Year. The sedan or wagon that conquers snow and ice without needing SUV ride height.
  • The Official Winter EV of New England. The electric vehicle that best manages cold-weather range and charging while delivering winter traction.

Best-In-Class Awards

Beneath the top honors, NEMPA presents Best-In-Class awards across the vehicle segments New England buyers actually shop, from compact SUVs and minivans to full-size trucks, premium vehicles, and performance cars. Together they form a complete, independently tested guide to winter-ready vehicles.

Legacy Awards

Yankee Cup Technology Award

The Yankee Cup recognizes a vehicle, feature, or system that significantly improves the motoring experience by making driving safer, more efficient, or more enjoyable. Since 2011, NEMPA has selected the winner with input from engineering faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pairing journalist evaluation with academic review.

Ritvo Design & Elegance Award

The Ritvo Award honors excellence in automotive design. It is named for Gene Ritvo, a veteran concours photographer and longtime NEMPA member known for his eye for elegant design. The winner is selected in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, and may recognize a production vehicle, a concept, or a singular design element.

Yankee Supplier Award

The Yankee Supplier Award recognizes automotive suppliers whose components, materials, or systems make meaningful contributions to the driving experience. Winners are chosen by NEMPA members and honored alongside the vehicle awards.

Individual Honors

NEMPA also recognizes the people behind the industry. The Charles E. Dole High Road Award honors an automotive professional who embodies the integrity, collegiality, and good will of its namesake, the longtime Christian Science Monitor automotive columnist. Additional honors, including the NEMPA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognize sustained excellence in automotive journalism and public relations.

For Manufacturers

NEMPA awards are independent. There are no entry fees, no licensing fees, and no charges of any kind. Vehicles earn recognition through months of real-world evaluation by professional journalists, and winning manufacturers may reference NEMPA awards freely in advertising, press materials, and dealer marketing. Awards are presented each year at the NEMPA Awards Dinner.