FAMILY STYLE

Like any car show, where the Canadian International AutoShow shines is as the country’s largest automotive showroom. With more than 30 marques showcasing much of their lineups across more than 650,000 square feet, there’s no better way to narrow down your

On top of the gloss and glamour of the supercars, the AutoShow also offers up some sweet rides for you and yours,

Honda Accord

Just as the Honda Civic landed with much fanfare when the latest redesign hit the market back in 2016, the new 10th-generation Honda Accord has arrived to rave reviews — including being presented last month with the Best Large Car in Canada for 2018 award by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The Accord is now lighter and more rigid thanks to an updated chassis design, and sports a 10-speed automatic transmission, a world-first in a front-wheel-drive powertrain. And the new Accord comes not only priced from $26,490 with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality but, unlike the Civic, it’s also equipped complete with a volume dial!

Kia Stinger

If you haven’t looked at a Kia for awhile, the notion that the company’s latest performance-oriented sedan might be one of the better options on the market may come as a surprise. Yet this first-ever sports sedan from the brand perhaps better known for its hamsters is the passion project of none other than Peter Schreyer, the renowned automotive designer who joined the Korean manufacturer in 2006 after spending several decades in the design departments at Audi and Volkswagen. The new Stinger is spacious, well-priced starting from $44,195, and early reviews indicate that where its performance chops are concerned, this car is the real deal. If you like your drives to the grocery store to come with a little spunk and 365 horsepower, stop by the Kia booth to take a look.

Mazda3

For those with smaller families or who simply prefer smaller cars, here’s another perennial favourite and recent award winner: the Mazda3 is AJAC’s Best Small Car in Canada for 2018, beating out several notable newer-to-market contenders. This sprightly compact is consistently celebrated for its quiet and comfortable interior and exceptional drive dynamics. Both the Mazda3 sedan (priced from $15,900) and the Mazda3 Sport hatchback (from $19,800) are at the company’s booth for your perusal. Plus, a special commemorative edition celebrating Mazda’s 50th year in Canada is on display that ups the ante by adding previously unavailable features to the mid-range GS trim, such as leatherette upholstery, a BOSE audio system, automatic climate control, and keyless entry. Several other fascinating historic cars are at the booth as well, to honour the occasion, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Volkswagen Jetta

Yes, we know — but the diesels! Look: like it or not, Volkswagen makes good cars. If you feel ready to move on, seek out the Volkswagen booth. You’ll find it all the way in the far west corner in the North Building. There, you’ll find the all-new 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. On top of VW’s 1.4-litre TFSI engine and a choice of the newly standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed automatic transmission, the latter coming with engine start-stop technology, key features such as aluminum alloy wheels, smartphone app connectivity, and LED lighting are all standard. The new Jetta will start at $20,995 and is set to arrive at dealers this spring.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Sometimes — far more often than most people are ready to admit — a minivan really is the best tool for the job of getting a large family around. The lower floor makes it easier for kids to climb in, and the sliding doors mean no more paint dings in parking lots when they decide to let themselves out. If you’ve got an ecological conscience and a healthy budget, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a unique offering in the market in that it delivers the practicality of a minivan with the clean driving of a plug-in hybrid. Plus, it also happens to be an award winner: the Pacifica family of vans, including the hybrid, is AJAC’s Best Minivan in Canada for 2018. After the Ontario government’s $14,000 rebate, it’s priced from $39,056.