2011 Canadian Car of the Year awards get underway

The 2011 Canadian Car of the Year awards, an event held annually by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., gets underway Monday, with about 70 of Canada's leading auto writers testing, in back-to-back sessions, 48 new model vehicles covering 11 categories that range from small car to SUV.

Only one entrant from each category will win in the event that has become to be known as "Testfest." From there, the vehicle is in the running for the title of overall best new Canadian car (or utility) of the year, a designation that ultimately helps consumers decide what vehicle to consider when buying a new car — not to mention considerable marketing advantages for the automaker who wins.

But category wins are equally important, determined by a majority of auto writers who evaluate and road test vehicles on a regular basis throughout the year. The overarching purpose is to provide consumers with sound, comparative information on vehicles that are new to the market so car buyers can in turn can make sound decisions when purchasing a new vehicle.

Only model-year 2011 vehicles, and those that are new or substantially redesigned for the model year, are eligible in the AJAC program. Over several days this week, the writers will drive each car in 30-40-minute sessions over the exact same course, then score each vehicle based on criteria that range from fuel economy to sex appeal. Depending on the category, each criteria is given a different weighting, so small car, for example, has a higher value given to fuel economy than does a prestige car, where looks are more important. Once all the cars in the category are scored, each writer submits electronic ballots with his or her scores. The scores are then tabulated by KPMG. Those with the highest score win the category. Those winners will be announced Friday. The overall car (and utility) of the year winner, chosen from the category winners, will be announced in February at the Canadian International Auto Show.

Last year, there were 52 new models in 12 categories. Volkswagen was the big winner, capturing four awards, including Canadian Car of the Year for the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The GTI had initially won its category (Best New Sports/ Performance Car under $50,000), but Volkswagen also took home category wins for Best New Family Car (Under $30,000) for the Golf Wagon TDI, and Best New SUV/CUV ($35,000 to $60,000) for the Touareg TDI Clean Diesel. Mazda and Audi took two awards apiece last fall. The compact Mazda3 won the Best New Small Car (Under $21,000), while the Sport version took Best New Small Car (Over $21,000). The Audi S4 took the trophy for Best New Sports/Performance Car Over $50,000, while the A5 Cabriolet won Best New Convertible. For 2010, the Best New Family Car (Over $30,000) award went to the Ford Taurus. Best New Luxury Car (Over $50,000) was captured by the BMW 335d sedan. The Subaru Outback, which also won as the overall Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, was first picked as Best New SUV/CUV under $35,000, while Best New SUV/CUV (Over $60,000) went to the Lexus RX 450h.

Here are this year's 2011 model-year entrants:

SMALL CAR, under $21k

Ford Fiesta

Mazda2

Scion xB

Scion xD

Volkswagen Jetta

SMALL CAR, over $21k

Chevrolet Cruze

Honda CR-Z

Kia Forte 5

Nissan Juke

Scion tC

FAMILY CAR, under $30k

Hyundai Sonata Limited

Suzuki Kizashi

Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel

FAMILY CAR, over $30k

Buick Regal

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

Toyota Avalon

LUXURY CAR, over $50k

Audi A8

BMW 5 Series Sedan

Cadillac CTS Coupe

Hyundai Equus

Infiniti M

Lexus IS350

Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC Sedan

Volvo S60

PRESTIGE, over $75k

Audi R8 Spyder

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

Jaguar XJ Supercharged

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Porsche 911 Turbo S

SPORTS - PERFORMANCE, over $50k

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Ford Mustang Shelby

Mercedes-Benz E550 Cabriolet

MINIVAN

Honda Odyssey

Toyota Sienna

SUV - CUV, under $35k

Hyundai Tucson

Kia Sportage

Mitsubishi RVR

SUV - CUV, under $50k

Ford Edge

Honda Accord Crosstour

Hyundai Santa Fe

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Kia Sorento

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

SUV - CUV, over $50k

Ford Lincoln MKX

Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTEC

Porsche Cayenne

Volkswagen Touareg