Winners of the NACTOY 2026 Award Announced in Detroit

The winners of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year 2026 award were announced at the Detroit auto show. The best passenger car was recognized as the Dodge Charger, with the Ford Maverick Lobo winning in the pickup category, and the Hyundai Palisade receiving the award among crossovers and SUVs.

What is Known

The Dodge Charger scored 195 votes in the passenger car category. Jury member Henry Payne from The Detroit News called the model a powerful return of the brand to its gasoline roots after experiments with electrification.

The Ford Maverick Lobo became the best pickup, receiving 277 votes. According to Mark Phelan, an automotive reviewer for the Detroit Free Press, the model created a new class of compact pickups focused on handling and dynamics while maintaining an affordable price.

In the Utility Vehicle category, the Hyundai Palisade won with a score of 270 votes. John Vincent from U.S. News World Report noted that the updated 2026 Palisade, especially in its hybrid version, once again sets benchmarks in its segment.

The NACTOY award has been presented since 1994. Winners are determined by 50 automotive journalists from the US and Canada. Vote counting is conducted by Deloitte.

Source: NACTOY