Hyundai Motor’s Genesis luxury sedan has been named the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year at this year’s Canadian International Auto Show.

Genesis, Hyundai’s first rear-wheel drive sedan, defeated the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CL 550, VW’s Passat CC, the Audi A4, the Mazda 6 and Toyota’s Corolla.

Canadian auto-industry reporters made the selection after rating the cars in 25 categories, including style, quality, performance, fuel efficiency and safety.