The fact that a Kia beat out both a VW and a Toyota is significant; VW’s TDI models have a history of winning Canadian Car of the Year (CCOTY) awards, and the Camry is a Toyota. However, while the new Camry is nice, it’s not enough of an improvement over the previous generation to impress next to the nicer, and, again, less-expensive Optima (by more than $5,000!) The Passat was the roomiest car here by far (the back seat is limo-like and the trunk absolutely cavernous), but its surprisingly bland interior left some voters nonplussed, given VW’s reputation for upscale accommodations.
In my opinion, the Mazda5 and Orlando (fourth and fifth place, respectively) were out of place here, and would have been better suited to competing in a separate category, had there been a third, similar entry.
Best New Family Car (Over $30,000) – Winner: 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid
 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid; photo by Paul Williams. Click image to enlarge |
Come to think of it, there was a third entry similar to those two, and it was the Toyota Prius V, which was gunning for the top in the Best New Family Car (Over $30,000). It didn’t win, but came in fourth, with Kia winning again with its Optima Hybrid, and Hyundai and Chevrolet coming in second and third with the Sonata Hybrid and Volt, respectively. I think these results make a statement about how good modern hybrids, and alternative-power vehicles in general, have become, and the positive opinions that are being generated as a result.
The Volt’s drivetrain was the best of the mixed-power entries in this group, and by a big margin. Its four-person interior cost it points in interior space, and its high price was a detriment next to the Kia and Hyundai. While it’s a shame that the Volt won’t get to vie for Car of the Year honours, its result here proves that it’s a well-executed vehicle.
Yes, the Prius V (and Mazda5 and Orlando) are certainly family-oriented vehicles, but I’d have put them into a Best New Station Wagon category, for a fairer fight. The Mini Countryman belonged in one of the Utility categories, although its price would have put it in the mid-priced ($35,000-$60,000) SUV category, where it would’ve been a dud, too.
Best New Luxury Car – Winner: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 350 4MATIC
 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 350 4MATIC. Click image to enlarge |
In the Best New Luxury Car contest, Mercedes-Benz 2012 C 350 4MATIC was the winner, but there was just a nine-point spread between it and the third-place Acura TL. The refreshed 2012 Chrysler 300C placed second here; Chrysler entered cars in 11 of 16 categories, and while it won in just one of them (more on that later), this company made it clear that it had something to prove with a much-improved range of vehicles.
The also-rans in this group were a trio of hybrids – the Infiniti M35h (which I called a great fuel-efficient luxury car, but only a so-so hybrid, in a recent review), Lexus’ CT200h (which lost out here for its compact-car interior and slow Prius-based powertrain) and the last-place Buick Lacrosse E-Assist, which outscored the Lexus for many criteria but probably scored lower for its price, which was higher than that of the second-place Chrysler.
