The challenges of a global pandemic haven’t hindered the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) experts in their duties of selecting the nation’s best new vehicles.
Recently, they announced the winners in eight different vehicle categories including cars, utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. These categories represent a broad cross-section of popular new vehicles on sale today in Canada.
Four of the eight categories were won by brands having Korean roots, evenly split between Kia and Genesis. Mazda sees its 3 sedan and hatchback take honours in its category and is, in fact, a repeat winner. Subaru locks down the Small Utility category with its Crosstrek while the Ram 1500 was named Best Full-Size Pickup Truck in Canada for 2021.
“Despite the many challenges presented throughout 2020, AJAC journalists rallied to submit ballots based on real-world test drives and produce this list of winners,” said Stephanie Wallcraft, AJAC president.
“In producing these results, our journalist members demonstrated fierce dedication to their craft, informing Canadian drivers of the vehicles worthy of their purchase consideration in 2021.”
More than 250 vehicles were eligible for evaluation and voting. Those newly designed, recently refreshed, and carried over from the previous year were all eligible upon receiving a minimum number of ballots submitted by AJAC journalists. Voting data was collected from expert jurors based across the country, testing each vehicle on the same roads and in the same conditions faced by Canadian drivers every day.
Here is the full list of category winners:
Best Mid-Size Car in Canada for 2021: Mazda3 (repeat winner)
Best Large Car in Canada for 2021: Kia K5
Best Mid-Size Premium Car in Canada for 2021: Genesis G80
Best Small Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2021: Subaru Crosstrek
Best Mid-Size Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2021: Nissan Rogue
Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2021: Kia Telluride (repeat winner)
Best Mid-Size Premium Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2021: Genesis GV80
Best Full-Size Pick-up Truck in Canada for 2021: Ram 1500
All eight of these machines now qualify to be named 2021 Canadian Car of the Year or 2021 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. These awards will be presented in March with details of that announcement to follow at a later date.
