Chevy Volt, Mazda CX-3 are greenest
Honda, Hyundai fall short as writers give thumbs up to ‘no-compromise’ cars
VANCOUVER— In the automotive world, “green” doesn’t necessarily mean a vehicle is electric, nor does it have to be small.
The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) defines green as a vehicle that “for its size and purpose, provides the Canadian consumer with environmentally friendly returns that compare favourably with other vehicles in its class.”
With that in mind, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and 2016 Mazda CX-3 have been named AJAC’s Canadian Green Car and Green Utility vehicles of the year. The announcements were made during the opening ceremonies Wednesday of the Vancouver International Auto Show.
The other finalists in the green car category were the Honda Civic and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, while the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) were up for the utility vehicle award.
The award was presented by Kevin Corrigan, chairman of the AJAC Canadian Green Car of the Year Committee. The finalists were announced at Toronto’s Canadian International Auto Show in February.
“Chevrolet is honoured to receive AJAC’s Green Car of the Year award, as it reinforces our commitment to being a leader in electrification,” said Laura Pacey, Chevrolet’s brand director for Canada.
“The second-generation Volt is a no-compromise electric car, delivering up to 80 kilometres of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration, making it the most innovative plug-in vehicle in the industry.”
The new Volt has an increased EV range of 80 km (up from 61 for the first-generation car) using a new 18.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. Fuel economy numbers have improved to a combined 5.6 L/100 km, with help from the lower weight of the generator and cell design.
The Mazda CX-3 was also the winner of AJAC’s Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, which was announced at the Toronto show.
Its 146-hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder SkyActiv engine improves not only the CX-3’s performance, but also achieves a fuel economy rating of 8.8 L/100 km in the city and 7.3 on the highway.
“We are very proud to accept the award for Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year, which goes handin-hand with the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award,” said Kory Koreeda, president of Mazda Canada.
“The CX-3 has proven itself to be an extremely capable vehicle, not only representing the style, vehicle dynamics and all-wheel drive that consumers are looking for, but also excellent fuel economy, which allows consumers to have the best of both worlds — that is, capability in any weather without the fuel penalty often associated with owning an AWD utility vehicle.”
Wheels writer Emily Atkins drove
“The second-generation Volt is a no-compromise electric car, delivering up to 80 kilometres of EV range.” LAURA PACEY CHEVROLET’S BRAND DIRECTOR
the CX-3 in a B.C. automobile rally late last year and found the car exceeded her expectations. Wrote Atkins, who had been expecting to drive along paved roads:
“It was a surprise, then, to find ourselves asking the CX-3 to power up and down some pretty gnarly, rough and remarkably steep (23-per-cent grade) logging roads.
“Those mountain roads allowed the CX-3’s all-wheel-drive handling to shine. The suspension is firm and sucked up the bumps and ruts in the logging roads without excessive bouncing.
“After driving nearly 1,000 kilometres — split fairly evenly between the passenger and driver’s seats (she was on the rally with fellow Wheels writer Mark Richardson) — it’s fair to say the CX-3 is comfortable.
“The manually adjusted seats are forgiving and supportive and, despite long days in the saddle, they left us limber and able to spring out of the car.
“The cabin layout is logical and practical. Controls are easy to find and use.
“The CX-3 is available in four trim levels, starting at $20,695 and topping out at $30,495. This isn’t a cheap little hatch, but it does feel like good value..”
Writer Lee Bailie reviewed the 2016 Volt in Wheels’ annual magazine issue, Best New Vehicles, last November.
“The 2016 Chevrolet Volt marks the beginning of the second generation of GM’s electric range-extending car and it is vastly improved over the car it replaces,” he wrote.
“It offers better all-electric range over the outgoing model, an upgraded interior, an impressive array of standard equipment and a fresh design.
“The biggest thing in Volt’s favour is that it all but eliminates range anxiety, due to the presence of a gaspowered range extender.”
“The Volt looks and drives less like a science project and more like a normal car,” Bailie added. “The interior especially feels like an overhaul done right: spacious, comfortable and nicely finished.”
He and Atkins were not alone in their evaluations.
The Canadian Green Car and Utility Vehicle candidates were judged last October during AJAC’s TestFest event that was attended by more than 70 journalists. Freelance writer Steve Bond is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. To reach him, email wheels@thestar.ca and put his name in the subject line.