OVERVIEW

Kicking off this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, the Mazda6 and the Jeep Cherokee have been named the Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2014 by the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

The Mazda6 beat out the Mazda3 and the Corvette Stingray, the two other finalists vying for the Car of the Year award. The Mazda3 was recognized as the Best New Compact Car under $21,000, while the Corvette Stingray took the Best New Sports/Performance Car over $50,000 category win.

The Jeep Cherokee took the Truck of the Year honour over the Kia Sorento and the Acura MDX. The Kia Sorento was named Best New CUV/SUV over $35,000, followed by the Acura MDX in the over $60,000 bracket.

The winners were determined during AJAC’s annual TestFest in October. Members from across Canada gathered for a period of one week to evaluate and compare 58 new cars and trucks in parameters such as performance, safety features and practicality.

In addition to the Car and Truck of the Year, AJAC named the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid as the Best New Technology winner for its Direct Adaptive Steering and Predictive Collision Warning system.

See also: Full coverage of this year’s Canadian International AutoShow