Mazda6 named Canadian ‘Car of the Year’

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has unveiled its choices for the Canadian car and utility vehicle of the year.

The Mazda6 was named the “Canadian Car of the Year” while the Jeep Cherokee took the title of “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.”

This marks the second time that Mazda Canada has earned the overall “Car of the Year” title, after winning it in 2004 for the Mazda3.

” We are truly honoured that AJAC has named the 2014 Mazda6 as their Canadian Car of the Year — our flagship car that demonstrates the best Mazda has to offer,” Kory Koreeda, the president of Mazda Canada, said in a release.

“This car introduced a combination of style, safety, fuel economy, and dynamic driving into the midsize segment that has never been available before, and winning CCOTY is an overwhelming acknowledgement of that.”

The Mazda6 was also the winner of the “Best New Family Car over $30,000” class.

The Jeep Cherokee beat out 18 other SUVs.

“From our engineers, to our management, to the people on the assembly line and everyone in between, I can’t truly express how excited we at Chrysler Group are to see the all-new Jeep Cherokee named 2014 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by AJAC,” said Reid Bigland, president and CEO of Chrysler Canada.

“Whether through its cutting-edge design, class-exclusive tech like a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission, legendary Jeep 4×4 capability or more than 70 advanced safety and security features, the 2014 Cherokee is resonating well with consumers.”

Twelve category winners were eligible for the top honours of either the “Canadian Car of the Year” or “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.”

The winners are voted on by a group of Canadian automotive journalists, who gathered in Niagara Falls, Ont., last October for a five-day test-drive evaluation of brand-new or significantly changed vehicle models.

The announcement was made Thursday during media day at the Canadian International Autoshow. The event opens to the public on Friday.

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