The winners of the 2026 Canadian Car of the Year Awards were announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, Canada on February 12, 2026. These awards are hosted by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), a group of car experts who test and judge new vehicles each year to find the best ones in different categories. The awards help people know which cars are strong, reliable, and suitable for them.
The winner of the major title Canadian Car of the Year is Honda Civic. This car is well known in Canada and has won this award second time in a row. The Civic remains one of the most popular cars in the country because many drivers find it reliable, easy to drive, and suitable for everyday drive.
In the Utility Vehicle of the Year category, the Hyundai Palisade took the top honour. A utility vehicle is a bigger car that many families like because it offers more space and comfort. The Palisade has been liked by experts for its roomy interior and solid design.
For the Canadian Electric Car of the Year, the winner is the Porsche Taycan. This is an electric car, which means it runs on electricity rather than regular gasoline. Electric cars are becoming more popular as people look for efficient and budget friendly vehicals. The Taycan was chosen because of its smooth performance and well‑designed features.
In the Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year category, the winner is the Kia EV9. Like the Taycan, the EV9 runs on electricity, but it is a bigger vehicle with more space for passengers. Many buyers like electric utility vehicles because they huge more space with electric power.
AJAC judges choose these winners by driving and testing vehicles on real Canadian roads in different conditions. They look at how each vehicle performs, how comfortable it is, how safe it feels, and how good it is for everyday use. These judges include more than 50 automotive journalists from across Canada, and they work hard to judge each car fairly before they choose the final winners.
The Honda Civic is very popular and well known because it is one of the top-selling cars in Canada. People have liked it for many years, and winning this award second time shows that many drivers trust it to be a safe, reliable, and easy car to drive every day.
The winners of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards are shown at the Toronto Auto Show so that people can see the new cars. This gives car fans and buyers more time to look at the cars closely, learn about their features, and understand which one might be the right choice for them before they decide what to buy this year.
These awards are an important auto event in Canada, and they help drivers find cars that are efficient, safe, comfortable, and value to money. The Honda Civic, Hyundai Palisade, Porsche Taycan, and Kia EV9 are now some of the best cars that people in Canada can choose to buy in 2026.