TORONTO, ON – February 16, 2023 — Winners for the 2023 AutoTrader Awards have been announced today, revealing the best vehicles in Canada according to some of the country’s foremost automotive experts.

“As Canada’s leading and most trusted automotive marketplace, the AutoTrader Awards are yet another way we empower Canadians in their car buying journey,” says Jodi Lai, AutoTrader’s Editor-in-Chief. “These winners represent vehicles that go above and beyond to raise the bar so Canadians can feel more confident the next time they’re buying a car.”

The AutoTrader Awards are considered the most trusted automotive awards in Canada, based on findings from 2022 Ipsos research conducted with car owners nationwide.* The study found that fifty-two per cent of vehicle owners in Canada say they would trust the AutoTrader Awards, which was the highest percentage when compared to other automotive awards programs.*

A total of 31 category winners were named in AutoTrader’s most robust awards season yet. Some of the most prominent categories are Best Overall Car, SUV, and Truck, with the Genesis G80/Electrified G80, Subaru Outback, and Ford Maverick respectively winning across each of these segments. The Ford F-150 Lightning was recognized as Best Overall Green Car. Toyota earned the honour of being named Canada’s Most Trusted Car Brand for 2023, according to a survey of Canadian consumers.**

The expert jury of more than 20 automotive journalists from across the country vote on the best vehicles in each segment that they feel confident recommending to their own family and friends. When voting, the judges consider a dozen different criteria, including value, innovation, safety, driver satisfaction, and overall excellence. Every vehicle that’s available for Canadians to purchase is eligible for an award, but each winner offers something special that takes it to the next level.

“We are thrilled to announce the most prestigious and comprehensive automotive vehicle awards in Canada for the fifth consecutive year,” says Ian MacDonald, Chief Marketing Officer at TRADER. “It has always been our mission to help Canadian car buyers, from coast-to-cost, shop with confidence using AutoTrader.ca. With consumers recognizing our AutoTrader Awards program as the most trusted awards, this validates that we are helping car shoppers make the most informed purchase decisions, while offering support to our dealer partners and OEMs that sell these award-winning vehicles.”

The AutoTrader Awards also outrank other automotive award programs in terms of influencing vehicle purchase consideration. Fifty-nine per cent of vehicle owners say they would be more likely to consider purchasing a vehicle that was awarded best-in-class by AutoTrader,* which bolsters the confidence and trust consumers have in OEMs and dealerships who carry vehicles recognized across each of the categories.

 

 

Canada’s Most Trusted Car Brand: Toyota

Best Overall Car: Genesis G80 / Electrified G80

Best Overall SUV: Subaru Outback

Best Overall Truck: Ford Maverick

Best Overall Green Car: Ford F-150 Lightning

Best Subcompact Car: Chevrolet Bolt EV

Best Compact Car: Honda Civic / Civic Hatchback

Best Family Sedan: Honda Accord

Best Wagon: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Best Compact Luxury Car: BMW i4

Best Large Luxury Car: Genesis G80 / Electrified G80

Best Mainstream Performance Car: Honda Civic Type R

Best Premium Performance Car: Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Best Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek

Best Compact SUV: Subaru Outback

Best Mid-Size SUV: Kia Telluride

Best Full-Size SUV: Jeep Wagoneer / Wagoneer L

Best Subcompact Luxury SUV: Genesis GV60

Best Compact Luxury SUV: Genesis GV70

Best Mid-Size Luxury SUV: Genesis GV80

Best Full-Size Luxury SUV: Cadillac Escalade

Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna

Best Compact / Mid-Size Truck: Ford Maverick

Best Full-Size Truck: Ford F-150

Best Mainstream EV: Hyundai Ioniq 5

Best Premium EV: Ford F-150 Lightning

Best Hybrid: Ford Maverick

Best PHEV: Toyota RAV4 Prime

Best New Tech Innovation: Ford OnBoard Scales with Smart Hitch

Best New Safety Innovation: GM Super Cruise/Ultra Cruise with Trailering

Best Vehicle for Adventure: Jeep Wrangler / Jeep Gladiator

 

OEMs and dealerships with vehicles recognized as an AutoTrader Awards category winner can promote these offerings to further showcase their credibility and build car shopper confidence. Dealerships representing vehicles recognized in any of the categories can obtain digital assets to proudly display on their dealership website, within their social media presence, and more.

 

For dealerships who desire to promote their wins through digital assets and activations, please contact autotraderawards@trader.ca. Manufacturer inquiries and requests should be directed to karl.bonar@trader.ca.

 

To learn more about the 2023 AutoTrader Awards winners and the judging process, please visit: AutoTrader.ca/Awards

 

 

TRADER Corporation is a trusted Canadian leader in online media and dealer services. The company is comprised of AutoTrader.ca™, AutoSync and DealerTrack. AutoTrader.ca offers the largest inventory of new cars and used cars in Canada, receiving over 25 million average monthly visits to the marketplace and more than 6 million mobile app downloads. With over 2,500 subscribers and counting, AutoSync is the largest and fastest growing dealer and OEM software provider in Canada. The platform’s suite of connected automotive software solutions brings advertising, conversion and operational support together, synchronizing the entire retail process. AutoSync’s diverse set of products includes: vAuto, Motoinsight, Activix CRM, TAdvantage and TRFFK.

 

* Most trusted awards program according to a 2022 Ipsos Research Automotive Awards Study. The findings of a study conducted between August 17-23, 2022, with a representative national sample of 1,000 Canadian vehicle owners (18+). The percentage referenced excludes respondents who selected “I don’t know”.

 

** The findings of a study conducted by AutoTrader from November 16 to 25, 2022, with a representative national sample of 3,023 Canadian adults (18+) who are members of the online Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 1.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.