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All the contenders for the Canadian Car of the Year Awards

It's time for the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's annual 'TesFest'

Gerry Malloy
Published: October 15, 2015, 3:40 PM
Updated: March 29, 2017, 3:21 PM

All the contenders for 2016 Canadian Car of the Year

42 new vehicles competing for 2016 Canadian Car of the Year awards ▲

AJAC's Annual TestFest

It's that time of year again! And we don't mean Halloween. The end of October is also time for the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's (AJAC) annual 'TestFest', which is even better than trick-or-treating for about 80 auto journos from all across Canada. ▲

Subaru Legacy – 2015 Canadian Car of the Year

They'll meet up with more than 120 new cars, trucks and utility vehicles for four days of intense, back-to-back testing that will ultimately determine the 2016 Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle/Truck of the Year. The 2015 Canadian Car of the Year was the Subaru Legacy... ▲

Ford F-150 – 2015 Canadian Truck of the Year

... and the 2015 Truck of the Year was the Ford F-150. The voting journalists are all members of AJAC who earn their livings testing cars. This year, for the first time, 'TestFest' will take place at and on the roads around Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP), formerly known as Mosport. ▲

42 new models to be tested

Approximately 42 individual models will be evaluated to determine the 'Best New' vehicles in nine classes, which will be announced at a press conference in Toronto on November 24, 2015. The two overall winners will be chosen from those class winners and revealed at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto on February 11, 2016. Here are all the entries in each of the nine classes. ▲

Small cars – Honda Civic Sedan

The all-new 10th-generation Civic is larger, sportier, and more digitally-connected than ever before and, for the first time, it's built on a global platform and it's available with a turbocharged engine. Plus, it's built in Canada, at Aliston, Ontario, which is the lead plant for the compact Honda globally. ▲

Small Cars – Scion iM

Badged as the Toyota Auris in Europe, the iM is destined to become the core model for the Scion brand in North America. Think of it as a Corolla hatchback – or the resurrection of the Matrix – with a different label ▲

Small Cars – Smart ForTwo Coupe

Built on a new platform, developed in conjunction with Renault for that brand's Twingo model, the new Smart gets more muscle for 2016, along with a choice of new manual or automatic transmissions. To ensure stability on windy days, the Smart is now equipped with a cross-wind assist system. ▲

Small Cars – Toyota Yaris Sedan

The Yaris Sedan has a new vibe for 2016, with a more stylish design and an amped-up level of dynamic performance. Based on and built alongside the Mazda2 in Mexico, it is the first product of a joint venture between the two Japanese automakers. It even shares Mazda's SkyActiv powertrain. ▲

Small Cars – Volkswagen Jetta

In addition to a new front fascia, additional driver assist systems and some infotainment upgrades, the 2016 Jetta gets a new gasoline engine – the same 1.4-litre turbocharged and direct-injected TSI powerplant used in the Jetta Hybrid. No diesel engine will be offered, at least initially. ▲

Family Cars – Chevrolet Volt

All-new for 2016, the second generation Volt plug-in hybrid is built on the same architecture as the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano. It's sleeker, lighter, more powerful and more economical than the car it replaces... and it will go significantly further on electric power alone. ▲

Family Cars – Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The second-generation Sonata Hybrid shares its styling and most other attributes with the new-for-2016 conventional Sonata and ups the ante with an upgraded hybrid system that makes use of compact lithium-polymer batteries that don't dramatically limit its trunk space. ▲

Family Cars – Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon

A genuine station wagon with no pretentions of being an SUV, the Golf Sportwagon (called SportWagen in the U.S.) is a roomy and versatile family hauler. The torque-rich TDI diesel engine that was the choice of most past-generation buyers won't be available in the 2016 model – at least not initially. ▲

Sports/Performance (< $50K) – Chevrolet Camaro SS

All-new for 2016, the sixth-generation Camaro is available with turbo-four and V-6 engines but it's the 455-horsepower, 6.2-litre V-8-powered SS model that journalists will have a chance to flog at TestFest. Slicker and lighter than its predecessor, it promises to be a blast. ▲

Sports/Performance (< $50K) – Hyundai Veloster Turbo Rally

The Rally edition of the new Veloster Turbo adds distinctive alloy wheels and a funky matte blue paint finish to the sport-tuned 3-door plus a hatch model. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that pumps out 201 horsepower. ▲

Sports/Performance (< $50K) – Mazda MX-5

With complex curves and a look that could grace a Ferrari or Jaguar F-Type, the all-new, fourth-generation MX-5 has the engineering to match its style. You can bet there'll be lineups to get behind its wheel. ▲

Sports/Performance (< $50K) – Mini 3-door John Cooper Works

Now called a 3-door, to differentiate it from the just-introduced 5-door model, the John Cooper Works version replaces the base car's three-cylinder engine with a 12-valve,four-cylinder that employs a twin-scroll turbocharger to pump out 228 horsepower. ▲

Sports/Performance (< $50K) – Volkswagen Golf R

The all-wheel-drive Golf R, built on VW's stronger, lighter MQB platform, boasts 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it's fully loaded with premium features and three levels of selectable dynamics. ▲

Sports/Performance (> $50K) – Cadillac ATS-V

Powered by a twin-turbo 3.6-litre V-6 engine that makes 464 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, the ATS-V has its sights set solidly on the BMW M3/M4. ▲

Sports/Performance (> $50K) – Chevrolet Corvette Z06

With a supercharged 6.2-litre V-8 engine, rated at 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, the Z06 is the ultimate road-going Corvette. It even includes a Driver Mode Selector, which allows for customization of vehicle performance dynamics with the turn of a knob. ▲

Sports/Performance (> $50K) – Ford Shelby GT350

Ford's tribute to the 50th anniversary of Carroll Shelby's original GT350 is driven by the most powerful, highest-revving normally-aspirated engine in Mustang history, with outputs of 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. ▲

 Sports/Performance (> $50K) – Lexus RC 350 AWD

Lexus's highly-styled coupe competitor for the likes of the BMW 4 Series is powered by a 307-horsepower, 3.5-litre V-6 engine and features all-wheel-drive. ▲

Sports/Performance (> $50K) – Mercedes-AMG C 63 S

Powered by an all-new 4.0-litre, biturbo V-8 engine rated at 503 horsepower in the S model, mated to an AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sport transmission, the C 63 S also offers Mercedes' latest advanced driver-assistance and safety technologies ▲

Prestige/Performance (> $75K) – Cadillac CTS-V

The third-generation CTS-V, with its a supercharged, 640-horsepower, 6.2-litre V-8 engine (shared for the most part with the Corvette) is the most powerful production vehicle in Cadillac's 112-year history. ▲

 Prestige/Performance (> $75K) – Lexus RC F

The F version of Lexus's RC Coupe features the brand's most powerful engine ever – a 467-horsepower 5.0-litre V-8 that unlike most competitors doesn't rely on a turbocharger or supercharger to hit its 369-lb-ft torque peak. ▲

Prestige/Performance (> $75K) – Mercedes-AMG GT S

The hand-built, 4.0-litre biturbo V-8 engine in the Mercedes-AMG GT mounts its turbos inside the V of the engine and features dry sump lubrication. In S trim, it bumps the power output from 456 to 503 horsepower. ▲

Prestige/Performance (> $75K) – Porsche Cayman GT4

Along with what Porsche calls a race-bred suspension that sits lower to the ground, plus aggressive aero add-ons and components pilfered from the 911 GT3, the Cayman GT4 is powered by a 385-horsepower 3.8-litre flat-six engine offered only with a six-speed manual transmission. ▲

SUV/CUV (< $35K) – Mitsubishi Outlander

Refreshed and restyled, with a contemporary new look, the Outlander offers a quieter, more premium feel inside and improved ride and handling. Its base engine is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder rated at166 horsepower mate to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). ▲

SUV/CUV (< $35K) – Fiat 500X

Fiat's new 500X shares most of what's under its stylish skin with the Jeep Renegade, which means an all-new platform with fully independent suspension all around and a choice of two Fiat-family four-cylinder engines, coupled with either front or all-wheel-drive. ▲

SUV/CUV (< $35K) – Honda HR-V

Think of Honda's new HR-V as a cross between the Fit and CR-V, combining some of the best features of both. Among its greatest attributes is its roominess, given its sub-compact external size. It's powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine from the Civic. ▲

SUV/CUV (< $35K) – Jeep Renegade

The all-new Renegade is based on the same “Small Wide” Fiat-Chrysler architecture used by the Fiat 500L and 500X and it's built in Italy. It is designed in North America, however, and it is pure Jeep in its appearance as well as its off-road capabilities. ▲

SUV/CUV (< $35K) – Mazda CX-3

The CX-3 is Mazda's first foray into the sub-compact CUV space and it brings with it the all the goodies from the brand's SkyActiv bag of tricks, as well its now well-established Kodo design language, which gives it a clear family identity. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – BMW X1

The second-generation X1 features a more passenger and cargo room as well as greater efficiency than that of its predecessor. It's powered by a 2.0-litre TwinTurbo four-cylinder engine with an output of 228 horsepower – which makes it the most powerful entry model in the segment. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Ford Edge

The Canadian-built, second-generation Ford Edge, which is based on the same mid-size C/D-class architecture as the Fusion, is available with a choice either four-cylinder or V-6 EcoBoost engines or a normally-aspirated V-6, plus an array of advanced driver assistance features. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Honda Pilot

Honda's all-new, third-generation Pilot, which shares its architecture with the Acura MDX, is longer, lower, lighter and roomier than the model it replaces.  Available only with V-6 power, it comes in either seven- or eight-passenger configurations. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Hyundai Tucson

Longer, lower, wider and roomier than its predecessor, the stylish third-generation Tucson offers a choice of two four-cylinder engines – one turbocharged – as well as front- or all-wheel-drive and a generous helping of standard features and equipment. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

The first fuel-cell vehicle available to the Canadian public, the Tucson FCEV is available in limited numbers only in the Vancouver area. A three-year lease includes maintenance and unlimited hydrogen refueling during that period. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Kia Sorento

The sleek, third-generation Sorento splits the size difference between the compact and intermediate SUV segments. It's offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive models and five- or seven-passenger configurations, with either a turbocharged four-cylinder or normally-aspirated V-6 engine. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Lexus NX 200t

Beyond its bold Lexus signature the brand's first luxury compact CUV also features its first turbocharged engine. The NX 200t is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, with an output of 235 horsepower. It's also offered in NX 300h hybrid form. ▲

SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K) – Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes' new GLC is the successor to the GLK in the brand's new nomenclature. It's available in just one guise – the GLC 300 4Matic, which is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine used in the C300 4Matic sedan. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – Lincoln MKX

Based on the same architecture as the Ford Edge and built in the same Canadian plant, the MKX is all about luxury – from its “Bridge of Weir” leather trim and Harmon Kardon Revel sound system to its 22-way adjustable driver's seat and remote-controlled climate system. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – Mercedes-Benz GLE  Coupe

The GLE is the SUV equivalent of the E-Class in Mercedes' new brand hierarchy and the ill-suited coupe label identifies this model's sloping hatchback roofline. It's longer, lower and wider than the ML, which the GLE replaces, and it's available with a choice of three powerplants – all with 4matic AWD. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid

Billed as the sports car of SUVs, the Cayenne is Porsche's best-selling model. Beyond just adding a plug-in function to the earlier hybrid model, S E-Hybrid powertrain is essentially a transplant of the system already offered in the Panamera S E Hybrid. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – Volvo XC90

All-new from the ground up, the XC90 is at the core of Volvo's next-generation product lineup. The first vehicle to be built on the brand's new Scalable Platform Architecture, it will be offered in three trim levels with two powerplants, including a T8 PHEV plug-in hybrid. ▲

Pickup Truck – Chevrolet Silverado

All-new for 2014, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado gets new front-end styling, interior upgrades and an eight-speed automatic transmission. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – GMC Canyon Diesel

GM's mid-size pickups, introduced last year to considerable success, get the option of a diesel engine for 2016 – a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo built in Thailand, rated at 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It's available only on crew-cab models of the Canyon and its Chevrolet Colorado sibling. ▲

SUV/CUV (> $60K) – Toyota Tacoma

Strengthened and restyled for 2016, Toyota's mid-size Tacoma is available in various combinations of two or four-door, models – both with rear seats – rear- or all-wheel-drive, and 2.7-litre four-cylinder or 3.5-litre V-6 engines. ▲
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