AJAC picks Canada’s 12 best new vehicles for 2010

As we told you previously, last week the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) held its annual, week-long “TestFest” in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON.

Seventy scribes from across the country (including Yours Truly) were on-hand to conduct back-to-back testing of 50-plus vehicles and vote on the best new cars, trucks and SUV/CUVs for 2010. 

The 12 category winners were announced at a press conference at the Niagara Drive Centre, located at the Niagara District Airport where TestFest is staged each year. They will compete for the overall Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year, announced at the auto show in Toronto in February.

The winners were:

Best New Small Car (under $21k) - Mazda3
 
Best New Small Car (over $21k) - Mazda3 Sport
 
Best New Family Car (under $30k) - Volkswagen Golf Wagon TDI
 
Best New Family Car (over $30k) - Ford Taurus
 
Best New Luxury Car - BMW 335d Sedan
 
Best New Prestige Car - Porsche Panamera Turbo
 
Best New Sports/Performance Car (under $50k) - Volkswagen Golf GTI
 
Best New Sports/Performance Car (over $50k) - Audi S4
 
Best New Convertible - Audi A5 Cabriolet

Best New SUV/CUV (under $35k) - Subaru Outback
 
Best New SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k) - Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel
 
Best New SUV/CUV (over $60k) - Lexus RX 450h