Toronto, Ontario – The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announced the category winners of the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) awards on Tuesday during a press conference at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Markham, Ontario. The overall ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Truck of the Year’ awards will be announced February 15th at the Toronto auto show. The AJAC ‘Best New Design’ and ‘Best New Technology winners’ will also be declared at that time.
In October, more than sixty Canadian automotive writers met at Shannonville Raceway Park near Belleville, Ontario to evaluate the 58 vehicle contenders in back to back road and track testing over a four-day period. All the vehicles evaluated were either new, or significantly redesigned for the 2006 model year.
“In my opinion, the AJAC Canadian Car of the Year awards are based on the most objective, informed and thorough evaluation process you’ll find,” commented 2006 CCOTY president, Paul Williams. “The evaluations are based on back-to-back testing in real-world situations. They’re a uniquely Canadian resource for people looking to buy a new vehicle.”
 2006 Honda Civic Sedan. Photo: Greg Wilson
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The following is a list of CCOTY vehicle categories, the contenders in each category (in alphabetical order), and the winners. Where available, CanadianDriver First Drive and Test Drive reports are linked.
Best New Economy Car
Contenders: Chevrolet HHR, Honda Civic sedan, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5, Pontiac Pursuit Coupe, Toyota Yaris
Winner: Honda Civic sedan
First Drive Report
Best New Family Car (Under $35,000)
Contenders: Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata V6, VW Jetta, VW Passat
Winner: Hyundai Sonata V6
First Drive Report, Test Drive Report, Test Drive Report
Best New Family Car (Over $35,000)
Contenders: Audi A3, Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series Touring, Buick Lucerne, Dodge Charger RT, Hyundai Azera, Saab 9-3 SportCombi, Toyota Avalon
Winner: Hyundai Azera
Best New Luxury/Prestige Car
Contenders: Audi A6, BMW 5-Series Touring, Infiniti M45 Sport, Lexus GS, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes-Benz CLS Class, Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Winner: BMW 5-Series Touring
Test Drive Report
Best New Sports Sedan
Contenders: Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS, Subaru Impreza WRX sedan
Winner: BMW 3-Series
First Drive Report, Test Drive Report
Best New Sports/Performance Car
Contenders: Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Honda Civic Coupe Si, Mazda MX-5, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Pontiac G6 GTP coupe, Pontiac Solstice
Winner: Honda Civic Coupe Si
Best New Sport Utility Vehicle
Contenders: Ford Explorer, Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Kia Sportage, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Nissan Xterra, Range Rover Sport, Saab 9-7X, Suzuki Grand Vitara
Winner: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
First Drive Report, Test Drive Report
Best New Pick Up
Contenders: Dodge Ram, Honda Ridgeline, Lincoln Mark LT
Winner: Honda Ridgeline
First Drive Report, Test Drive Report
Best New Mult-purpose Family Vehicle
Contenders: Kia Sedona, Mazda5, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Pontiac Torrent, Subaru B9 Tribeca
Winner: Mazda5
First Drive Report
Best New Modern Muscle Car
Contenders: Cadillac STS-V, Chevrolet Trailblazer SS, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Mazdaspeed6
Winner: Dodge Magnum SRT8
Best New Alternative Power Vehicle
Contenders: Chevrolet Impala Ethanol Flex Fuel, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus RX400h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Winner to be announced January 19, 2006 at the Montreal International Auto Show.
In addition, AJAC introduced a brand new award for a “truly exceptional vehicle that sets new standards”. The inaugural AJAC ‘Most Coveted Vehicle Award’ went to the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
The vote results, and comparative new vehicle data derived from the journalists’ annual four-day “TestFest”, are posted to the AJAC web site, www.ajac.ca, for use by consumers as a buying resource guide.