On October 16, representatives from the industry and journalists from across the country gathered at the Hockley Valley Resort in Mono, Ontario, for the 42nd Annual Awards Ceremony of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

“It’s that time of year when we have the opportunity to honour our members and their work, as well as celebrate and recognize excellence in Canadian automotive journalism,” said AJAC President Evan Williams during the evening.

The Canadian Automotive Journalist of the Year category included finalist Isabelle Havasy, the only francophone recognized among all the journalism awards contenders. Her four submissions for this title included two articles published in our magazine and on our website, as well as a report and a test drive excerpted from L’Annuel de l’automobile 2026.

Ms. Havasy also stood out as a finalist for the Feature Writing Award presented by Subaru Canada, thanks to another article published in our pages.

Jil McIntosh, a longtime freelance contributor for Autosphere, was named Canadian Automotive Journalist of the Year for her series of articles for driving.ca. This top honour, presented by Range Rover, “recognizes the pinnacle of journalistic quality across all forms of content.”

Alongside Jim Kerr, Quebec journalist Éric Descarries received the AJAC Award for an Outstanding Career Achievement.

Below is the full list of winners and finalists of the 42nd Annual AJAC Automotive Journalism Awards, along with links to their articles:

Journalist of the Year presented by Range Rover

Finalist: Isabelle Havasy
Quand la rouille défie le temps – Anatomie de la restauration de voitures anciennes
Le marché du détail dans l’œil du cyclone de la guerre tarifaire

Winner: Jil McIntosh
Auto industry: vehicle safety vs personal safety
Pilot escort trucks: how oversize load transport works
Does using the right engine oil really matter?
EV myths and facts: range, tires and more

Technical Journalism Award presented by Wakefield Castrol

Winner: Matthew Guy
Inside Ford’s vehicle testing facility

Finalist: David Chao
YouTube Video

Road Test Journalism Award presented by Wakefield Castrol

Winner: Jeff Wilson
2026 Audi RS 3 Review

Finalist: Stephanie Wallcraft
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Long Wheelbase – First Drive 

Feature Writing Award presented by Subaru Canada

Winner: Jeff Wilson
Jeep Wrangler Gladiator Therapy: PTSD and Healing

Finalist: Isabelle Havasy

L’atelier mécanique qui conjugue passé, présent et futur

Adventure and Tourism Journalism Award presented by Mitsubishi Motors Canada

Winner: Stephanie Wallcraft
Road Trip to the Arctic Ocean in a 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Finalist: Dan Heyman
Discovered: British Icons – Rolling As Royalty with Range Rover

Business Journalism Award presented by Kal Tire

Winner: Stephanie Wallcraft
Sub-$20,000 new cars in Canada: what’s left?

Finalist: Matthew Guy
Vintage car ads and the wild cost of options in the 60s and 70s

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Journalism Award presented by Genesis Motors Canada

Winner: Perry Lefko
Rise Up!

Finalist: Jeff Wilson
Jeep Wrangler Gladiator Therapy: PTSD and Healing

Environmental Journalism Award presented by Hyundai Canada

Winner: Graham Heeps
The cold, hard facts about EVs

Finalist: David Chao
YouTube Video

Photography Award presented by Mazda Canada – Published Photo

Winner: Jeff Wilson
Finalist: Matthew Guy

Photography Award presented by Mazda Canada – Unpublished Photo

Winner: Jeff Wilson
Finalist: Elle Alder 

Road Safety Journalism Award presented by Volvo Car Canada

Winner: Stephanie Wallcraft
EV fires, electric latches, and Tesla safety

Finalist: Mark Toljagic
Car fires are more common than you think

Video Journalism Award presented by Toyota Canada

Winner: Stephen Elmer
YouTube Video

Finalist: Jodi Lai
YouTube Video

Tony Sloga Award for Outstanding Support of Canadian Automotive Journalism

Recipient: David Klan, President, Mazda Canada

AJAC Award for an Outstanding Career Achievement

Recipients: Éric Descarries and Jim Kerr