Toyota wins AJAC’s 2017 Green Car of the Year and top Green Utility Vehicle
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Toyota's Prius and RAV4 Hybrid both took home top honours as best-in-class green vehicles at this year's AJAC Canadian Car of the Year Awards
The 2017 Toyota Prius, AJAC’s 2017 Canadian Green Car of the Year. PHOTO: Toyota Canada
VANCOUVER—During a Mar. 28 press conference at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver International Auto Show, the Toyota Prius claimed top honours from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) as the 2017 Canadian Green Car of the Year.
The Prius was chosen from among three finalists, winning over the 2017 Kia Optima HEV and 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The finalists were announced at Toronto’s Canadian International Auto Show in February.
“Toyota is committed to maintaining its leadership position in designing, engineering and building environmentally-advanced vehicles that meet the many demands of today’s drivers—which is why the 2017 Prius sets new standards for efficiency and emissions even as it provides owners with more style and driving fun,” said Cyril Dimitris, VP, Toyota Canada.
Canadian Green Car of the Year entries must meet the standard requirements for initial entry into AJAC’s awards program, along with additional criteria for fuel efficiency based on the entry’s size, powertrain and purpose.
All AJAC award entries are tested during a week-long event each fall, and Canadian Green Car of the Year entries are graded on specific green criteria by 60-plus automotive journalists—in addition to the standard grading criteria that all award entries are subject to.
“Our voting panel casts a separate ballot for these models, focusing on green characteristics including range, recharge/refuel time and price. Today, green cars come in many shapes and sizes, and this testing process ensures we take that into consideration,” said Canadian Car of the Year Co-Chair Justin Pritchard.
Toyota also took home top honours for the RAV4 Hybrid, winning the 2017 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year.
The RAV4 Hybrid was chosen from among three finalists, winning over the 2017 Subaru Forester and 2017 Mazda CX-9.
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, AJAC’s 2017 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year. PHOTO: Toyota Canada
“The RAV4 Hybrid combines Toyota’s top-selling compact utility vehicle in Canada with the fuel efficiency and low emissions of the world’s most proven hybrid power train—and the result is a win for drivers, for communities, and for the planet,” said Dimitris.
