The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid won Best New Family Car (over $30k) at AJAC's 'Best New' vehicle awards event.
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – More than 80 Canadian automotive journalists have concluded four intensive days of real-world testing of 180 2013 model year vehicles to determine the ‘Best New’ winners in 11 different categories as part of AJAC’s annual Canadian Car of the Year program.
The journalists are all members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada with the potential to reach every Canadian consumer with their message, in print, audio and video broadcast, web and social media.
The results were compiled by the international accounting firm of KPMG and kept confidential, even from AJAC, until the announcements.
Before submitting their ballots, the AJAC journalists completed almost 2,000 individual road-tests during TestFest, comparing vehicles-back-to-back on the same roads under the same conditions. These tests were conducted as part of AJAC's mission to serve consumers by providing them with factual, objective information versus just personal opinion.
“Once again, a wide array of Canada's most experienced and respected automotive journalists have wrung out the full slate of new vehicles offered to Canadian consumers,” said Richard Russell, chair, 2013 Canadian Car of the Year Awards.
“The week-long process results in unbiased and accurate information that equips Canadian consumers with readily-accessible, objective data that can be used as a reliable resource when shopping for a new vehicle. The process and program have evolved over more than two decades and each year becomes more exacting and informative.”
Based on the audited results of all that testing the 'Best New' vehicles in the 11 categories tested are:
City car: Ford Focus EV
Best new small car (under $21k): Mazda3 Skyactiv Sedan
Best new small car (over $21k): Hyundai Elantra GT
Best new family car (under $30k): Honda Accord Sedan
Best new family car (over $30k): Ford Fusion Hybrid
Best new luxury car: Cadillac ATS
Best new prestige and performance car (over $75k): Porsche 911 Carrera S
Best new sports/performance car (under $50k): Ford Focus ST
Best new sports/performance car (over $50k): Porsche Boxster
Best new SUV/CUV (under $35k): Ford Escape 1.6 L EcoBoost
Best new SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k): Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T
The 11 category winners will go on to compete for 2013 Canadian Car of the Year or the 2013 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. These overall winners will be announced Feb. 14 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
Award winners for Best New Design and Best New Technology ‘Best New’ winners in 11 different categories as part of AJAC’s annual Canadian Car of the Year program will also be announced at that time.
source: thechronicleherald
