AJAC announces Canada's best cars for 2026 at Montreal Auto Show
Best cars in Canada for 2026: AJAC winners and finalists
AJAC announces Canada's best cars for 2026 at Montreal Auto Show
Discover the 12 best cars for 2026 in Canada, announced by AJAC at the Montreal Auto Show, including electric vehicles, crossovers, and sports cars.
2026-01-20T07:42:21+03:00
2026-01-20T07:42:21+03:00
2026-01-20T07:42:21+03:00
The 81st Montreal Auto Show kicked off with major news: the AJAC association has announced the 12 best cars in Canada for 2026. Finalists were selected through two rounds of voting and over 1,400 ballots submitted by 53 automotive experts from across the country.Car of the Year Category: From Civic to 911Three models made the main category, reflecting the diversity of the Canadian market. Last year's winner, the Honda Civic, is competing for the title once again. The Hyundai Elantra brings a fresher design and improved dynamics. Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 Carrera represents the sports segment, combining premium appeal with its iconic character.Utility Vehicle of the Year Category: Focus on PracticalityIn the crossover and pickup segment, the finalists are the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota RAV4. These models regularly rank among Canada's top sellers, and AJAC testing highlights their resilience to the country's climate, road quality, and typical operating conditions.Electric Vehicles: Lucid, Porsche, and Hyundai Versus KiaThe electric segment features the Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid—an unusual pairing of a luxury EV and a popular hybrid model. Among electric crossovers, competition comes from the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, and Lucid Gravity, showcasing the rapid expansion of Canada's electric vehicle market.
AJAC, best cars Canada 2026, Montreal Auto Show, electric vehicles, crossovers, automotive awards
2026
Michael Powers
news
Best cars in Canada for 2026: AJAC winners and finalists
Discover the 12 best cars for 2026 in Canada, announced by AJAC at the Montreal Auto Show, including electric vehicles, crossovers, and sports cars.
Michael Powers, Editor
The 81st Montreal Auto Show kicked off with major news: the AJAC association has announced the 12 best cars in Canada for 2026. Finalists were selected through two rounds of voting and over 1,400 ballots submitted by 53 automotive experts from across the country.
Car of the Year Category: From Civic to 911
Three models made the main category, reflecting the diversity of the Canadian market. Last year's winner, the Honda Civic, is competing for the title once again. The Hyundai Elantra brings a fresher design and improved dynamics. Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 Carrera represents the sports segment, combining premium appeal with its iconic character.
Utility Vehicle of the Year Category: Focus on Practicality
In the crossover and pickup segment, the finalists are the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota RAV4. These models regularly rank among Canada's top sellers, and AJAC testing highlights their resilience to the country's climate, road quality, and typical operating conditions.
Electric Vehicles: Lucid, Porsche, and Hyundai Versus Kia
The electric segment features the Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid—an unusual pairing of a luxury EV and a popular hybrid model. Among electric crossovers, competition comes from the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, and Lucid Gravity, showcasing the rapid expansion of Canada's electric vehicle market.
