Automobile Journalists Association of Canada Car of the Year 2012 Category Winners

The 2012 Kia Optima was named the best new family car under $30,000

Korean and German manufacturers stood out after the most intensive, thorough and meaningful car of the year testing program in the world.

Hyundai/Kia and Mercedes-Benz won big in their respective categories after rigorous testing conducted by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

For the past three days, over 70 journalists from across the country – print, radio, TV, web – have been testing six million dollars worth of new cars and trucks to determine the Canadian Car of the Year for 2012.

Back-to-back, same day, same road and track, same conditions - there’s just no other way to do it properly.

As I mentioned the other day, the vehicles are grouped into categories, classified by type of vehicle and price range (e.g., Family Car under $30,000), and are evaluated on fifteen separate attributes, covering styling, room, quality, comfort, performance, safety, value, fuel economy, etc.

The winners of the eleven categories have just been announced – see below.

Despite great strides in domestic-branded cars, they managed only one category win - the Dodge Journey - and all three entries were from the same manufacturer.

The journalists now must ensure they have driven each of those winners in their testing here at the Test Fest – previous drives do not count. Actually, they don't have to keep track of this - the computerized scoring system does it for them. If they're missing any, they must take a quick 15 minute refresher drive.

They then vote for the overall car and truck of the year from the category winners, which will be revealed at the Toronto International Auto Show in February 2012.

So, here are the category winners:

Best New Small Car under $21,000: Hyundai Accent

Second: Kia Rio 5

Third: Honda Civic Sedan

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Chevrolet Sonic Sedan
Fiat 500
Nissan Versa Sedan
Scion iQ

Best New Small Car over $21,000: Hyundai Elantra

Second: Ford Focus

Third: Subaru Impreza

Others: Volkswagen Beetle

Best New Family Car under $30,000: Kia Optima

Second: Volkswagen Passat TDI Clean Diesel

Third: Toyota Camry

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Chevrolet Orlando
Chrysler 200
Mazda5

Best New Family Car over $30,000: Kia Optima Hybrid

Second: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Third: Chevrolet Volt

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Dodge Charger
MINI Countryman
Toyota Prius V

Best New Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 4MATIC Sedan

Second: Chrysler 300C

Third: Acura TL

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Buick LaCrosse eAssist
Infiniti M35h
Lexus CT 200h

Best New Sports / Performance Car under $50,000: Hyundai Veloster

Second: Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Third: Kia Optima SX

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Buick Regal GS
Dodge Charger SRT8
Honda Civic Si Coupe
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Best New Sports / Performance Car over $50,000: BMW 1 Series M Coupe

Second: Porsche Cayman R

Third: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class C63 AMG

Others(in ALPHABETICAL order):

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
Chrysler 300C SRT8
Hyundai Genesis R-Spec

Best New Prestige Car over $75,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC

Second: BMW 6 Series Cabriolet

Third: Jaguar XKR-S

Best New SUV - CUV under $35,000: Dodge Journey

Second: Jeep Compass

Third: Jeep Wrangler

Best New SUV - CUV $35,000 - $60,000: Volkswagen Touareg TDI

Second: Range Rover Evoque

Third: BMW X1

Others (in ALPHABETICAL order):

Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer

Best New SUV - CUV over $60,000: BMW X3

Second: Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Third: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

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To all the winners, congratulations.

To the non-winners (there really aren't any 'losers' here) - better luck next year.

Comments

[jack doucette]

Ho Hum!
Another love-in between the automotive companies and their fan- magazine writers, Canadian branch.

Who loaned me, my wife, my son, the best car specially prepared car for the weekend?

Who took me on the best trip to Europe to test a new car this year?

What a great job!
Able to drive Rollers on a Ford salary,,,,

as long as I never ask the hard questions.