AJAC declares best new vehicles for 2013

The event, held annually by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), saw about 80 of Canada’s top auto writers test almost every new model coming to market in 2013. Only models that are all new, or significantly new, were in the contest. This year, 60 vehicles in 11 categories were entered. Category winners now advance to the competition for overall Canadian Car (and utility vehicle) of the year, to be announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto in February.

Here are the category winners.

CITY CAR
Winner: Ford Focus EV

Runner-up:
Mitsubishi i-MiEV

SMALL CAR UNDER $21K
Winner: Mazda3 Skyactiv (Sedan)

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Spark
Dodge Dart
Kia Rio LX
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Prius c

SMALL CAR OVER $21k
Winner: Hyundai Elantra GT

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Sonic LTZ 5-dr Hatch
Ford CMAX Hybrid
Mazda3 Sport Skyactiv (Hatchback)
Volkswagen Beetle

FAMILY CAR under $30K
Winner: Honda Accord Sedan

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Malibu Eco
Ford Fusion
Mitsubishi Lancer AWC
Nissan Altima

FAMILY CAR OVER $30K
Winner: Ford Fusion Hybrid

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Malibu
Mercedes-Benz B-250
Toyota Prius PHV (Plug-in)

LUXURY CAR
Winner: Cadillac ATS

Runner-up vehicles:
Acura ILX
BMW 3-Series
Buick Verano
Lexus ES350
Lexus GS

SPORTS – PERFORMANCE under $50K
Winner: Ford Focus ST

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Sonic RS 5-door
Fiat Abarth
Honda Accord Coupe
Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
MINI Roadster
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Volkswagen Golf R

SPORTS PERFORMANCE over $50K
Winner: Porsche Boxster

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Ford Shelby Mustang
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55

PRESTIGE PERFORMANCE – over $75K
Winner: Porsche 911 Carrera S

Runner-up vehicles:
BMW M5
Chevrolet Corvette 427
Mercedes-Benz SL 550

SUV – CUV under $35K
Winner: Ford Escape 1.6 L EcoBoost

Runner-up vehicles:
Chevrolet Trax
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Mazda CX-5
Subaru XV Crosstrek

SUV – CUV $35K – $60K
Winner : Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T

Runner-up vehicles:
Acura RDX
Chevrolet Traverse
Ford Escape 2.0 L
GMC Terrain Denali
Infiniti JX
Lexus RX350
Nissan Pathfinder