There are now 27 vehicles in the running for the AJAC 2016 Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle/Truck of the Year awards – 15 cars, nine utility vehicles and three trucks.
They represent the top three finalists in each of nine vehicle categories, announced this week by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Those finalists were selected as a result of four days of testing by more than 80 automotive journalists at the organization's annual TestFest, held this October at and around Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport).
More than 1,900 individual test drives generated more than 110,000 data points, both objective and subjective, leading to the determination of these finalists. The data, from both measured criteria and secret-ballot voting, were compiled and kept confidential by the international accounting firm, KPMG until the finalists wee announced.
From these finalists, the 'Best New' vehicles in each category will be announced on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 in Toronto. Each of those winners will then be eligible for either the Canadian Car of the Year or Canadian Utility Vehicle/Truck of the Year award.
The overall winners will be revealed at the Canadian International Auto Show on February 11, 2016.
The three finalists in each of the categories are:
Best New Small Car
- Honda Civic Sedan
- Toyota Yaris Sedan
- Volkswagen Jetta 1.4TSI
Best New Family Car
- Chevrolet Volt
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon 1.8TSI
Best New Sports/Performance (under $50k)
- Mazda MX‐5
- MINI John Cooper Works 3 door
- Volkswagen Golf R
Best New Sports/Performance (over $50k)
- Cadillac ATS‐V
- Ford Shelby GT350
- Mercedes‐AMG C 63 S
Best New Prestige / Performance
- Cadillac CTS‐V
- Mercedes‐AMG GT S
- Porsche Cayman GT4
Best New SUV/CUV (under $35k)
- Honda HR‐V
- Jeep Renegade
- Mazda CX‐3
Best New SUV/CUV ($35k‐$60k)
- Honda Pilot
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sorento
Best New SUV/CUV (over $60k)
- Lincoln MKX
- Mercedes‐Benz GLE Coupe (GLE 350d 4MATIC Coupe)
- XC90 Volvo
Best New Pickup
- Chevrolet Silverado
- GMC Canyon ‐ Diesel
- Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab
