Throughout the past year, the team at Car Guide has tested hundreds of vehicles to give you the facts about each model sold in Canada.
Among all these tests, some new models have particularly caught the attention of our experts. And as tradition dictates, The Car Guide today unveils its winners of the vehicles of the year. For the very first time, the three winners of the 2023 model year have a very special point in common: they are all powered by a 100% electric motor!
Here are the 2023 models that won the titles of new car of the year, new utility vehicle of the year and new truck of the year according to Le Car guide.
New Car of the Year: Hyundai IONIQ 6
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is expected on our roads in the spring of 2023, but The Car Guide has already had the opportunity to try it out during a trip to Korea this fall. We discovered an amusingly competent electric vehicle that amazed us with its design, but also with its road qualities and its electric range approaching 500 kilometres.
Other finalists for New Car of the Year were the Toyota GR Corolla and Toyota Prius. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 succeeds the Volkswagen Golf GTI/R which took top honors last year.
Review our video test of the Hyundai IONIQ 6:
New Utility Vehicle of the Year: Genesis GV60
Once again this year, there were many new features in the utility vehicle segment, and it was the Genesis GV60 that most charmed our testers. Sharing the majority of its technical components with the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, the Genesis GV60 offers a formula similar to its cousins while incorporating a good dose of luxury and technology. In particular, the vehicle can be unlocked and started by facial recognition, which makes it possible to use it without ever having to use a key.
Other finalists for New Utility Vehicle of the Year were the Cadillac Lyriq and Mazda CX-50. The Genesis GV60 succeeds the Genesis GV70 which took top honors last year.
Watch our video review of the Genesis GV60:
New Truck of the Year: Ford F-150 Lightning
In this category, the Ford F-150 Lightning won unanimous honors among our experts. The first full-size electric pickup truck to land on our roads, the Lightning represents a true revolution in its niche. All our testers praised its serious manufacturing quality, its generous electrical autonomy and its amazing technological integration.
Other finalists for New Truck of the Year were the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon and Ford F-150 Raptor R. The Ford F-150 Lightning succeeds the Ford Maverick which took top honors last year.
Watch our video test of the Ford F-150 Lightning: