AJAC's 2015 Canadian Car of the Year Awards

TORONTO -- Nov. 11, 2014: KPMG has announced the top three finalists in 15 "Best New" categories that make up the 2015 edition of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards declared annually by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The list is copied below.

The 15 "Best New" category winners will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario.

The top three finalists and category winners represent the vote results by the largest group of Canada's best-known automotive journalists, who gathered this October in Niagara Falls, Ontario for a five-day test-drive evaluation of brand-new or significantly changed vehicle models. The event, known as "TestFest," was hosted by the Niagara Parks Commission, and Shell Canada is the official fuel supplier.

"TestFest is the most intensive new vehicle evaluation process on the planet" said CCOTY Co-Chair, Gary Grant. "No other organization employs such stringent testing methods to determine their car of year award winners. Data driven with Canadian expertise for Canadian consumers: that's what makes an AJAC winner".

The rigorous testing program includes "real world" driving on public roads – exactly where consumers drive - so that the test data and vote results are directly relevant to potential car and truck buyers. The results are not based on the personal opinion of just one or two journalists. Instead, the group of 73 automotive journalists each drove a vehicle in 15 categories back-to-back on the same day, under the same conditions, to ensure fair and objective comparisons.

1,640 test drives occurred at TestFest generating approximately 106,405 data points. The 500 category ballots were then tabulated by the accounting firm KPMG.

"TestFest draws a passionate crowd of auto experts who are focused on providing consumers with information they need to help make decisions on one of their biggest investments – their vehicle", says Michael Howe, Shell Fuels Scientist. "Shell Canada is proud to be the official fuels sponsor of Testfest, because it is our mission to provide drivers with optimum performance through advanced technology in our fuels".

TOP THREE FINALISTS 2015 CANADIAN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

CITY CAR Kia Soul Smart ForTwo

SMALL CAR (under $21k) Honda Fit Nissan Micra

SMALL CAR (over $21k) MINI Cooper Kia Forte5 Volkswagen Golf

FAMILY CAR (under $30k) Chrysler 200 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Toyota Camry (XSE)

FAMILY CAR (over $30k) Hyundai Sonata Subaru WRX Toyota Camry (Hybrid)

LUXURY CAR (under $50k) Acura TLX Mercedes-Benz C-Class Volvo V60 (T5 Drive-E)

LUXURY CAR (over $50k) Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Cadillac ATS Coupe Hyundai Genesis

SPORTS - PERFORMANCE (under $50k) BMW M235i Subaru STI Volkswagen Golf GTI

SPORTS - PERFORMANCE (over $50k) Dodge Challenger Ford Mustang (GT) Volvo V60 Polestar

PRESTIGE (over $75k) Cadillac ELR Cadillac Escalade Mercedes-Benz S-Class

PRESTIGE – PERFORMANCE (over $75k) BMW M4 Coupe Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Porsche 911 Turbo S

SUV - CUV (under $35k) Honda CR-V Nissan Rogue Subaru Outback 2.5i

SUV - CUV ($35k-$60k) Lincoln MKC Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Toyota Highlander

SUV - CUV (over $60k) GMC Yukon XL Mercedes-Benz GLA AMG Porsche Macan S

PICKUP Chevrolet Colorado Ford F-150 GMC Canyon