The cold outdoors means we’ve been chipping away at our desks, tallying up votes and sorting out which vehicles are most deserving of this year’s awards. Each year, our outlet meticulously road tests more than 250 new vehicles, ensuring there is a test drive review published every working weekday between January and December. This year has been better than ever, with over 50 parameters evaluated and more vehicles reviewed than any prior year!
In order to be eligible for an award, the vehicle needs to be road tested with a published review within the 2019 calendar year. Parameters judged include performance, value, efficiency, and family-friendliness (where applicable). The categories have been slightly modified to ensure the most effective method of communicating the best of today’s automotive industry, in just about every segment relevant to the consumer.
As always, we thank you, our loyal readers, for supporting us in what we do and providing feedback. Your continued support allows us to continue to cover the current automotive landscape. Finally, below are the vehicles we deemed most deserving of significant praise, as they do represent the cream of the crop. Clicking on each vehicle’s name will take you directly to a full review.
 

Sedan of the Year: 2020 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has been fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, now riding on the TNGA platform. It represents exceptional value when compared to its rivals, and for the first time in many years, also is a fantastic handling car. Pricing starts at $18,990 for the base model, and the Hybrid variant delivers fuel efficiency that bests the 4.0L/100km mark. We’ve sampled a variety of trim levels of the new Corolla now and have come to the conclusion that it represents a new start for the popular compact, and sets a new benchmark in the segment.

Crossover of the Year: 2020 Kia Telluride

Kia took the wraps off their new three-row crossover, the Telluride this year. Sharing a platform with the popular Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride is a big jump into the premium leagues for Kia, surpassing many rivals in upscale feel and technology. Kia prices the Telluride from $44,995 and it comes standard with three rows of seating, powered by a buttery smooth 3.8-liter V6. Ride comfort is excellent, and the styling evokes that of much more expensive luxury SUVs. The Telluride was the runaway winner for this year’s Crossover of the Year award.

Premium Car of the Year: 2020 BMW M340i xDrive

The redesigned 2020 BMW 3-series is a significant step forward with regards to technology, but there have been criticisms that it’s not quite as pure as a 3-series should be. The M340i packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder, called the B58, one of the best powertrains in the business. Its exceptional smoothness hasn’t gone unnoticed, and it delivers levels of performance that were unexpected from a car in this price range. The new interior is also a big upgrade over the model it replaces, and the overall package puts the M340i ahead as this year’s Premium Car of the Year.

Premium Crossover of the Year: 2019 BMW X5

This year was special for this segment, with the release of the new X5 as well as its closest competitor, Mercedes-Benz’s GLE. The X5 is currently offered with two great powertrains, with six and eight cylinders respectively, and more on the way including electrification and a high-powered M model. The X5 wins on refinement, overall luxury, and a plethora of new technology that helps it stand out. It still drives very well, and a huge benefit we noticed is the improvement in fuel efficiency on the volume-oriented six-cylinder xDrive40i model.

Performance Car under $50,000 – 2019 Honda Civic Type R

A perennial favourite and former recipient of the Car of the Year award, Honda’s Civic Type R continues to keep smiles on our faces with every passing year. At just over $40,000, it represents a better performance value than all of its competition, as well as providing one of the best powertrains at its price point. The 2.0-liter turbocharged-four with VTEC is an energetic mill, only available with a six-speed manual transmission, and this car does things that no front-drive car should be able to. It’s a serious performance bargain and sure to be a future classic.

Performance Car over $50,000 – 2020 Toyota GR Supra

Not only has the new GR Supra been the hot topic of 2019, but it has been the subject of controversial opinions. Regardless, we’re calling a spade a spade – the new Supra is a mind-bogglingly good car. Toyota’s partnership with BMW has allowed them to create a genuine performance car that they otherwise would not have been able to dedicate resources to. The chassis tuning and suspension are excellent, the powertrain is brilliant, and the styling is modern enough to be fresh, while still a derivation of the fourth-generation Supra of the 1990s. Production is set to continue into the coming years, but there’s no doubt in our minds that the GR Supra will be just as desirable in the distant future as it is today.

Truck of the Year: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

This is a vehicle that was created purely out of fan requests. Diehard fans of Jeep’s Wrangler had been begging for a truck for decades, and the brand delivered. The Gladiator is more than just good looks – it packs more off-road capability than just about every other truck, and is the only pickup currently in production with a removable roof and doors. It’s currently only available with a V6 engine, though an EcoDiesel variant is on its way. Those wanting to hit the trails will want to opt for the Rubicon, while buyers looking for a fashion statement with some capability will find solace in the premium Overland trim.

Green Car of the Year: 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

With more and more vehicles gravitating towards electrification, there’s more variety than ever for those looking to make their mark in favour of the environment. Toyota’s Prius has been selling like hotcakes for quite some time now, but the current model’s polarizing styling isn’t for everyone. The new Corolla Hybrid really is the green car for everyone, with an affordable starting price ($24,790) and fantastic fuel efficiency. It’s a great vehicle for commuters, ride sharing platforms, and small families alike. Plus, if history is to be believed, Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology is virtually bulletproof for long-term reliability, too.

Car of the Year: 2020 Toyota GR Supra

And there it is – we’ve given the Car of the Year trophy to a car that some firmly believe shouldn’t exist. Those “enthusiasts” are in the wrong; the 2020 GR Supra is the best of the best. This is a performance car with an inline six-cylinder engine, two seats, rear-drive, and a fast-shifting transmission. It’s capable of setting wicked lap times, and when you’re not at the track, driving you to work while keeping a huge grin on your face the entire time. At $64,990, it’s a downright bargain for the amount of performance and capability it delivers.