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 where Michele Tinson 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 for this Fall Fest 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. 6, 2025. The winners from the 2024 MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest are:
Favorite Plug-In Vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 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
Just like last year, the MAMA Fall Fest event took place the day before CATA’s Chicago Drives Electric media day in nearby Oakbrook Terrace featuring more EV and plug-in hybrid models to sample.
MAMA would like to thank all the participating manufacturers for providing press vehicles and making the 2024 MAMA’s Favorite Fall Fest a great success.
