AJAC Names 28 Semi-Finalists for 2027 Car Awards
The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada revealed 28 vehicles competing across five revised awards categories for 2027.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Car Types
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The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada revealed 28 semi-finalists for its 2027 Canadian Car of the Year Awards. The awards have revised their categories to five for 2027.
Why it matters
The category revision is designed to align with how Canadian consumers buy new vehicles in a changing market. Electric powertrains are now competing more closely on price with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid vehicles.
The jury comprises almost 50 expert AJAC journalists who each drive every vehicle they vote on. Results from journalist ballots are audited by KPMG.
The players
Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC)
A national association of automotive journalists that runs the Canadian Car of the Year Awards and whose members judge the vehicles.
KPMG
A global professional services firm that audits the results of the AJAC journalist member ballots.
The details
Journalists first name their top five vehicles in each category in a two-stage voting process, then complete detailed ballots for finalists. Stage one of voting produced two categories with ties for fifth place.
Timeline
January 14, 2027: Top 10 finalists announced at MIAS Montréal.
February 11, 2027: Five winners revealed at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.
Roadmap
The awards' category revision responds to electric powertrains now competing more closely on price with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid vehicles across Canada. The change reflects how the Canadian new vehicle market is reorganizing around powertrain choice rather than body style alone.
Shoppers comparing new vehicles can use the shortlist to see how electric models now stack up on price against gasoline and hybrid options. The five categories give a clearer way to compare vehicles by how they are used, such as cars, utility vehicles, luxury cars, and trucks.
The takeaway
Buyers weighing electric against gasoline or hybrid vehicles should compare current prices in each category rather than relying on powertrain assumptions. Checking the finalist and winner lists in early 2027 can help narrow choices to vehicles that jurors have tested directly.
What happens next
The top 10 finalists will be announced at MIAS Montréal on January 14, 2027, and the five winners will be revealed at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto on February 11, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more in Car Types to see how the vehicles on this shortlist compare across segments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Belleville Intelligencer.
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