Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra named Car of the Year finalists
Ram earns two Truck of the Year finalist spots with 1500 Hemi and 2500
Winners will be announced January 14, 2026 at Detroit Auto Show
The North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) organization has announced nine finalists for its 2026 awards, with three contenders selected in each category.
Car of the Year: Charger, Prelude and Sentra Advance
The Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra have been named finalists for the 2026 North American Car of the Year award. The selection represents a range of segments and approaches within the passenger car market.
2025 Ford Maverick Lobo | Photo: Matt St-PierreTruck Category Features Two Ram Models
The Ford Maverick Lobo, Ram 1500 Hemi and Ram 2500 are the three finalists for North American Truck of the Year. Ram’s two nominations include both the half-ton and heavy-duty pickup segments.
2026 Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro | Photo: Matt St-PierreUtility Finalists Include Two Electric Vehicles
The Hyundai Palisade, Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf have advanced to the final round for North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Lucid Gravity and Nissan Leaf represent battery-electric entries in the category, while the Palisade is offered with ICE and hybrid powertrains.
Jury Selection Process
The finalists were selected through ballots cast by NACTOY’s jury, which is comprised of automotive journalists who produce content for print, broadcast and digital media outlets in the United States and Canada. Evaluation criteria include innovation, design, performance, driver satisfaction and value, though each juror applies their own assessment methodology.
“Once again, these finalists show the wide range of choices that consumers have in the marketplace,” said Jeff Gilbert, NACTOY president and automotive reporter at WWJ Radio. “Our jury of distinguished auto reporters has come up with a great selection of fantastic vehicles that truly reflect the best of the best.”
Winners to Be Announced in January
Jurors will continue evaluating the finalist vehicles in the coming weeks and submit their final ballots before the end of December. The 2026 award recipients will be announced on Wednesday, January 14, at the Detroit Auto Show.
