"This is the first year that a minivan has won the People's Choice award and it's indicative of the advancements made in that category," said Scott Robinson, publisher of Carguide, the largest consumer automotive magazine in Canada. "This year's line-up of winners represent a cross section of vehicle types and styles but reflect a common superiority in value."
Earlier this year, the editors of Carguide identified a short list of five nominees in each of the 12 categories. To be eligible for the award, the vehicle had to be on the road no later than January 1, 2001 and not scheduled for replacement before October 1, 2001. Last year's winners were automatically included among this year's nominees.
Ballots and vehicle information ran in the pages of Carguide magazine and The Globe and Mail so readers could vote for their choices. Among the information provided was: the manufacturer's suggested retail price; engine and power specifications; fuel consumption and operating statistics; and a score based on the standard equipment level. These votes were then combined with the choices of Carguide editors to determine the Best Buy winners.