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One of the most hotly-contested segments in the Canadian automotive market is the family-car category.

Those of us on the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's Car of the Year committee spent considerable time last spring trying to determine the proper category parameters to duly represent what Canadian consumers buy and how they perceive vehicles.

The Family Car category was thus split into under and over $30,000 with a lower limit of $22,000 and no upper limit.

We reasoned, and manufacturers and research companies concurred, that consumers shopping for a family vehicle would generally budget for one of these two ranges.

Here's how I saw the entries; my scoring totals are out of a possible 170. Remember these are subjective, which is why there are 70 journalists voting and accounting firm KPMG is applying a value factor to account for price differences and value.

Toyota Camry LE

As equipped, our four-cylinder tester came in at $27,040, complete with automatic transmission and most other comfort and convenience amenities as well as a decent array of safety features including ABS.

The Camry showed up well in terms of quality, as you'd expect from a Toyota. But my notes showed the interior materials, while of good quality and great fit and finish, were not as upscale as the others in the class.

The front seats are wide and supportive, three can fit in the back and the trunk is roomy and easily accessed.

The Camry came up short in both acceleration and stopping, but the latter is a good thing: the Camry came to rest from 100 km/h almost three meters sooner than the others. But the four-cylinder came in dead last in acceleration both from rest to 100 km/h and in 80-120 km passing tests.

The suspension provided great comfort on the QEW and surrounding country roads, but was very soft on the track, allowing lots of lean. This has continually been the best-selling family car in the country, for good reasons. Score: 127.5.

Nissan Altima 2.5L

The new Altima gave the Camry a run for its money. It had the best performance of the pack in accelerating from rest and got high marks for throttle response and engine smoothness and refinement.

Still, I put it at the bottom of the pack in the transmission rating because of the continuously variable transmission. If you have a less-aggressive driving style, you will not likely have a problem with a CVT, so it might move into top spot because in all other areas this is a refined and well-executed motor car.

Ride quality is decent without sacrificing too much in the turns. The steering is sharp and provides plenty of feedback and the combination resulted in the top ratings in the class for handling.

I also found the brakes to be tops in the category for feel , but the Altima finished mid-pack in stopping distance. Score: 127.2.

Chrysler Sebring Touring

This brand-new effort from Chrysler revives the Sebring name and puts it on a totally new car. It is tough slogging in this bracket, but the Sebring comes equipped to face the competition — in six-cylinder form.

The new style is sharp and the interior both functional and modern with ample and comfortable seating for five — six in a pinch.

I found the quality of materials, fit and finish to be right up there with the acknowledged leaders and it at least matched the others for visibility, ease of access and ride comfort.

The standard equipment list includes both ABS and electronic stability control and it has six airbags.

The Sebring had the only six-cylinder in the class, and needed it, coming in second to the four-cylinder Altima in acceleration from rest and barely beating it in 80-120 Km/h passing performance.

Part of the problem may be the Sebring was the only vehicle in the category with a four-speed automatic, at least one gear ratio less than the others.

It also was the thirstiest in the class and had the worst braking numbers. Score: 126.7.

Kia Magentis LXThe Magentis brought up the rear in this quartet — but the gap to third was pretty slim. With price factored in, it would move up a notch or two as it costs at least $2,200 less than the others and offers more equipment and features.

For example, the version we tested had six airbags, ABS, electronic stability control and a power driver's seat as well as sunroof, telescoping steering wheel, alloy wheels and heated seats.

The interior style fit and finish and quality of materials is at least as good as the rest.

The principal areas of complaint are the suspension and brakes. While comfy on the QEW and straight stretches of secondary roads, the Magentis lacks the precision and control of the others on the track and when pushed in the turns.

The engine is strong and allowed the heaviest car in the class to come in mid-pack in terms of performance. Score: 125.1