2026 Canadian Car and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards: Meet the Winners
While visitors to the Montreal Auto Show in January got to see the 12 best vehicles of the year according to the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), the opening ceremony of the Toronto Auto Show last week featured the announcement of the four category winners.
Unlike the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards, which are given to either brand-new or significantly improved models, all vehicles currently available on the Canadian market are eligible for the AJAC awards. A winner can therefore defend its title, and that’s exactly what happened this year.
Let’s take a look at the 2026 award recipients…
2026 Honda Civic
The popular Japanese compact car has been named Canadian Car of the Year for the second time in a row—and the third time since the 11th generation arrived as a 2022 model. The AJAC judges highlighted its ergonomics, quality and handling.
It’s no surprise that the Civic is the best-selling car in the country. Comfortable, spacious, pleasantly strong yet efficient in hybrid configuration (200 hp, 5 L/100 km combined), and blessed with driving dynamics that get sharper as you move up the ladder, it proves an excellent choice for many drivers who don’t want to switch to an SUV. Even though its base price has crossed the $30,000 mark, the Civic still offers good value with its exceptional build quality and proven reliability.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
After being named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year for 2026, Hyundai’s three-row midsize SUV has achieved a double victory by winning the Canadian title. This feat is all the more remarkable as it beat the new Toyota RAV4. The quality and design of its interior particularly impressed the members of the AJAC.
Picked by The Car Guide as a best buy in its segment—along with the Kia Telluride—since launching in 2020, the Palisade has beautifully evolved into a second generation with a more elegant design and a new hybrid variant that is both more powerful (329 hp) and more fuel-efficient (8.1 L/100 km) than the standard V6, not to mention capable of towing up to 4,000 lbs. The XRT Pro model, which is better suited for off-road driving, is another welcome addition to the lineup.
2026 Porsche Taycan
In the Canadian Electric Car of the Year category, the Lucid Air had to admit defeat for a second year in a row, as the Porsche Taycan took home the trophy in 2026. The German sports sedan is more powerful than ever and the AJAC praised the elegance of its interior as well as its engaging driving experience.
For sure, the 2025 updates have greatly benefited the Taycan, notably its fast-charging capacity, which can now reach 320 kW. Fit and finish remain exemplary. At the top of the range, the new Turbo GT model delivers superb handling and exhilarating performance.
2026 Kia EV9
Finally, the SUV that won the 2024 World Car of the Year award and finished first in The Car Guide’s three-row electric vehicle comparison last summer continued its winning streak by being named the 2026 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year (it was a finalist in 2024 and 2025). According to the AJAC, the EV9 is particularly impressive when it comes to styling, infotainment and safety.
This large, battery-powered SUV from Kia certainly makes a bold statement. It’s also enjoyable to drive—a bit more so than its cousin, the new Hyundai IONIQ 9—and gives customers plenty of bang for their buck. The quiet, comfortable and well-appointed interior deserves special mention, along with commendable range and performance (dual-motor models). The same goes for the EV9’s fast-charging capability.
