2026 NACTOY winners: Dodge Charger, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Maverick Lobo
NACTOY 2026 winners announced: Car, utility, and truck of the year
2026 NACTOY winners: Dodge Charger, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Maverick Lobo
The 2026 North American Car of the Year awards named winners: Dodge Charger (Car), Hyundai Palisade (Utility), and Ford Maverick Lobo (Truck).
2026-01-15T15:55:33+03:00
2026-01-15T15:55:33+03:00
2026-01-15T15:55:33+03:00
The North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) awards have announced their 2026 winners across three key categories. The decision by a jury of 50 independent experts sparked debate, particularly in the Car of the Year category.Car of the Year: Dodge ChargerThe top title unexpectedly went to the electric Dodge Charger built on the STLA Large platform. With 195 points, it comfortably beat the Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra.This victory stands in stark contrast to actual sales figures. In 2025, combined sales of new and old Charger versions fell short of 10,000 units, while the gasoline-powered Ford Mustang surpassed 45,000 sales. Adding to the contrast, the new Charger's pricing starts at nearly $57,000, significantly higher than its classic V8 predecessor.Utility Vehicle of the Year: Hyundai PalisadeIn the Utility Vehicle of the Year category, the Hyundai Palisade won decisively with 270 points, significantly outpacing the Nissan Leaf and Lucid Gravity.The updated Palisade features a more premium interior and, importantly for the U.S. market, a hybrid version. This combination of practicality, comfort, and tangible consumer improvements secured its clear win.Truck of the Year: Ford Maverick LoboThe jury awarded the Truck of the Year title to the Ford Maverick Lobo, a street-oriented sport version of the compact pickup. With 277 points, it edged out the Ram 1500 with its revived V8 HEMI and the updated Ram 2500.This choice was surprising because the Maverick Lobo focuses more on style and dynamics than on the utilitarian work capability traditionally valued in this segment.Overall, the 2026 NACTOY results reveal a noticeable gap between market logic and expert judgment. The Hyundai Palisade emerges as the most obvious and deserving winner. Meanwhile, the success of the Dodge Charger and Ford Maverick Lobo highlights how automotive awards are increasingly evaluating concept and development direction rather than the actual market situation.
NACTOY 2026, North American Car of the Year, Dodge Charger, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Maverick Lobo, automotive awards, car news
2026
Michael Powers
news
NACTOY 2026 winners announced: Car, utility, and truck of the year
The 2026 North American Car of the Year awards named winners: Dodge Charger (Car), Hyundai Palisade (Utility), and Ford Maverick Lobo (Truck).
Michael Powers, Editor
The North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) awards have announced their 2026 winners across three key categories. The decision by a jury of 50 independent experts sparked debate, particularly in the Car of the Year category.
Car of the Year: Dodge Charger
The top title unexpectedly went to the electric Dodge Charger built on the STLA Large platform. With 195 points, it comfortably beat the Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra.
This victory stands in stark contrast to actual sales figures. In 2025, combined sales of new and old Charger versions fell short of 10,000 units, while the gasoline-powered Ford Mustang surpassed 45,000 sales. Adding to the contrast, the new Charger's pricing starts at nearly $57,000, significantly higher than its classic V8 predecessor.
Utility Vehicle of the Year: Hyundai Palisade
In the Utility Vehicle of the Year category, the Hyundai Palisade won decisively with 270 points, significantly outpacing the Nissan Leaf and Lucid Gravity.
The updated Palisade features a more premium interior and, importantly for the U.S. market, a hybrid version. This combination of practicality, comfort, and tangible consumer improvements secured its clear win.
Truck of the Year: Ford Maverick Lobo
The jury awarded the Truck of the Year title to the Ford Maverick Lobo, a street-oriented sport version of the compact pickup. With 277 points, it edged out the Ram 1500 with its revived V8 HEMI and the updated Ram 2500.
This choice was surprising because the Maverick Lobo focuses more on style and dynamics than on the utilitarian work capability traditionally valued in this segment.
Overall, the 2026 NACTOY results reveal a noticeable gap between market logic and expert judgment. The Hyundai Palisade emerges as the most obvious and deserving winner. Meanwhile, the success of the Dodge Charger and Ford Maverick Lobo highlights how automotive awards are increasingly evaluating concept and development direction rather than the actual market situation.
