AJAC Names Best Vehicles in Canada for 2023

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) today announced the vehicles its members selected as the best in Canada for 2023 in each of 12 categories

More than 250 vehicles were initially considered for this year's awards. 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. 

"AJAC journalists submitted more than 1,700 ballots based on real-world test drives and produced this list of winners presented today in collaboration with the Montreal International Auto Show, said Michel Crépault, AJAC president. "In producing these results, our journalist members demonstrated fierce dedication to their craft, information Canadian drivers of the vehicles worthy of their purchase consideration in 2023."

Without further ado, here are the winners:

Best Small Car in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Dominic Boucher

Winner: Mazda3

Other finalists: Honda CivicToyota Corolla

Best Large Premium Car in Canada for 2023

Photo: Dominic Boucher

Winner: Genesis G90

Other finalists:  Genesis G80, Toyota Crown

Best Sports Performance Car in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Dominic Boucher

Winner: Hyundai Elantra N

Other finalists:  Mazda MX-5, Subaru BRZ

Best Small Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Germain Goyer

Winner: Toyota Corolla Cross

Other finalists:  Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30

Best Mid-Size Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2023

Photo: Germain Goyer

Winner: Mitsubishi Outlander

Other finalists: Kia Sportage, Toyota Venza

Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Antoine Joubert

Winner: Kia Telluride

Other finalists: Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee

Best Mid-Size Premium Utility in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Guillaume Rivard

Winner: Lexus NX

Other finalists: Genesis GV70, Land Rover Range Rover

Best Large Premium Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Volvo

Winner: Volvo XC90

Other finalists:  Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Lexus RX

Best Small Pick-up Truck in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Ford

Winner: Ford Maverick

Other finalists:  Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma

Best Large Pick-up Truck in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Stellantis

Winner: Ram 1500

Other finalists:  Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra

Best EV in Canada for 2023 

Photo: Dominic Boucher

Winner: Hyundai IONIQ 5

Other finalists:  Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6

Best Premium EV in Canada for 2023 

Photo: BMW AG

Winner: BMW i4

Other finalists: BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS

All 12 of these vehicles now qualify to be named 2023 Canadian Car of the Year or 2023 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. These awards will be presented at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto on February 16.

You can compare those picks with The Car Guide’s Best Buys for 2023 by clicking on the link.

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