Introducing the Nominees for the 2026 Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year | Carscoops

      Crossovers are the primary focus of this year's list of nominees, while electric vehicles (EVs) maintain a significant presence.

      Thirty vehicles will compete for the titles of 2026 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year.

      The categories for cars and utility vehicles are quite open, but the truck category has two frontrunners.

      Cadillac and Ford each lead with three nominations, which include the Expedition and Vistiq.

      With the Munich Motor Show now behind us, all eyes are on the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Although it has lost some appeal, the event will serve as the platform to announce the winners of the 2026 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards.

      To get ready for the winner reveal on January 14, the organizers have introduced this year’s nominees. The car category features six contenders: the Audi A5, Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude, Kia K4 Hatchback, and Mercedes CLA.

      Notably, the final entry is the revamped Nissan Sentra, which has yet to be officially revealed. However, the new Sylphy from China offers a solid preview of what’s to come.

      Unfortunately, the 2026 North American Truck of the Year selection seems lackluster, with 40% of the entries being merely variations of existing models—specifically, the Ford F-150 Lobo and Maverick Lobo.

      We hope you weren't dozing off, as the Hemi-equipped Ram 1500 is also a contender. Nevertheless, it lacks uniqueness as the company has reintroduced the V8 engine due to high demand.

      The other two nominees are indeed more deserving: the refreshed Ram 2500, featuring updated design and a new turbodiesel engine, and the ‘new’ Rivian R1T Quad Motor, which boasts 1,025 hp and NACS charging capabilities.

      Now, regarding the 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, there are nineteen nominees, including three Cadillacs: the Optiq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ. Other significant models in this category are the Ford Expedition, Honda Passport, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

      In another update, the NACTOY board has announced a $100,000 donation to the SAE Foundation, which will support scholarships for college students pursuing careers in automotive and journalism. One scholarship for each field will be awarded annually, and students interested in applying can visit the SAE International website.