*This content was translated by AI.
Hyundai Motor Group announced on the 13th (Friday) that Hyundai Motor's Palisade won the "2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year" and Kia EV9 won the "2026 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year" at the 2026 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Canada.
The 2026 Canadian Car of the Year will select winners in a total of four categories: passenger, utility vehicle, electric passenger, and electric utility vehicle through test drive evaluation and voting by a jury of 53 local car experts and reporters in Canada.
Among them, sedans, coupe, hatchbacks, and wagons will be evaluated in the passenger sector, while ▲ sport utility vehicle (SUV) ▲ crossover utility vehicle (CUV) ▲ van ▲ truck will be evaluated.
Hyundai Motor Group has won two Canadian cars of the year for the past four consecutive years with the award of Palisade and EV9, and in particular, it has dominated the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year five times in the past six years, including GV80 in 2021, Tucson in 2022, Ioniq 5 in 2023, and Santa Fe in 2025, and this year's Palisade, according to a local media outlet, saying that Hyundai Motor Group has built a dynasty.
In addition, this achievement is significant in that Hyundai Motor Group's large SUV lineup has been recognized for its competitiveness in all areas of internal combustion engines, hybrids, and electric vehicles amid growing interest in large SUVs with space and practicality due to global preference for SUVs and increased leisure demand.
Canada's Car of the Year judging panel evaluated Palisade as "outstanding competitiveness based on next-generation hybrid powertrains and various safety systems that stand out in an attractive combination of performance and fuel efficiency."
The jury also praised EV9, saying, "In addition to its sophisticated style, it also provides GT options with strong performance of more than 500 horsepower, and is the best third-row electric vehicle that is satisfied with overall marketability, price and size."
Evan Williams, head of the Canadian Automobile Journalists Association (AJAC), said, "Congratulations to Hyundai Motor and Kia for winning the 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year and the Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year," adding, "53 professional judges across Canada selected the best vehicles in each category after testing all candidate vehicles directly in the same road and climate conditions that Canadian consumers drive every day."
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*This content was translated by AI.
