There were two sets. The Pros (auto web site writers) chose the 2010 Mazda3 and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox as the car and truck of the year respectively.

Consumers, who could go on the Web site and vote for their favorite, chose the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.

Except for the muscular Camaro, this is sort of groundbreaking stuff. My point is that practicality has arrived. I’ve seen car of the year awards go to vehicles that only a handful of the public could actually afford. And the truck awards in the past have gone to vehicles that were too big, burned too much fuel and cost too much for real people but not this time.

The Mazda3 is a midsize fuel efficient sedan that can be had in a couple of practical body styles. And the Equinox doesn’t have three rows of seats, who really needs that third row anyway, and it is available with a gas sipping four cylinder engine.

Pipe dreams are on their way out when it comes to car and truck of the year winners and pragmatism is in.

Oh, I was a judge in the contest and looking forward to doing it again next year.

Frank S. Washington