By Nauman Farooq
The members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada had voted during “Test Fest” last year, and just last week the winners were finally announced – during the press day for the 2018 Canadian International Auto Show.
The winner of the ‘2018 Car of the Year’ award is the new Honda Accord. It beat out the Volvo S90 and the Mazda3 to take the win. In a recent “Weekly Voice” comparison test, the new Honda Accord also beat out the new Toyota Camry. Pricing for the 2018 Accord starts from $26,490.
Taking the ‘2018 Utility Vehicle of the Year’ award is the Chrysler Pacifica, which beat out the Mazda CX-5 and the Mazda CX-9. The Pacifica wasn’t the newest vehicle in the competition, but it proved to be the favourite among AJAC members. Pricing for the 2018 Pacifica starts from $35,445.
Both winners are vehicles made in North America.
CNW adds: “We’re honoured and humbled to receive this recognition from a group of respected automotive journalists in Canada,” said Jean Marc Leclerc, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Honda Canada. “We’re both proud and thankful for all of our associates who supported the production and development of this vehicle and for our passionate customers who have supported the Accord for the past forty years.”
Testing for the 2018 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year Awards was conducted throughout the year in a variety of road conditions by some of Canada’s notable automotive journalists from across the country.
“There’s an extra air of significance when one of our homegrown products wins a domestic award,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, FCA Canada.
“Chrysler Pacifica’s recognition as 2018’s Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year reinforces its position as the most-awarded minivan of the last two years and provides important third-party validation for the exclusive suite of versatility, style, safety and technology that it brings to Canadians.”
Earlier this year, Chrysler Pacifica was named Best Minivan of 2018 by AJAC.
Pic on left shows: Honda Canada’s Senior Vice President, Jean Marc Leclerc, accepting the AJAC Car of the Year Award for the 2018 Honda Accord.