Last week at the Niagra District Airport, the Automobile Journalists’ Association of Canada conducted it’s annual Test Fest to determine which vehicle will be crowned 2012 Canadian Car of the Year.
Despite somewhat inclement weather, namely showers and battering, chilly winds, some 57 different contenders in a total of 11 categories were put through their paces on the road, test track and off-road course.
In order to qualify for the Canadian Car of the Year awards program, a vehicle must be significantly new, i.e. it must boast a new core-structure, chassis, frame or body; a new powertrain type or configuration (i.e. from gasoline to hybrid, or diesel to all electric) or a significant revamp including updated exterior and interior features.
AJAC’s Test Fest, which is conducted over a period of five days at the end of each October, sees a panel of voting journalists evaluate each and every contender, before submitting a final ballot. The results are tallied and on the last day of the event the category winners are announced. This year they were as follows:
Small car under $21,000
Hyundai Accent
Small car over $21,000
Hyundai Elantra
Family car under $30,000
Kia Optima
Family car over $30,000
Kia Optima Hybrid
Luxury car
Mercedes-Benz C350 4-MATIC sedan
Sports/Performance car under $50,000
Hyundai Veloster
Sports/Performance car over $50,000
BMW 1-Series M Coupe
SUV/CUV under $35,000
Dodge Journey
SUV/CUV $35,000-$60,000
Volkswagen Toureg TDI
SUV/CUV over $60,000
BMW X3
AJAC was established back in 1981 as an organization to promote automotive journalism and provide a level of professional integrity in the field. The annual Car of the Year Awards program has grown to become a respected annual event, garnering a great level of prestige in the automotive industry in Canada. The actual winner of the annual Canadian Car of the Year award is announced each February, during the first media day at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
