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The Ford Maverick Lobo, Dodge Charger and Hyundai Palisade each won a separate 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) award. NACTOY announced the results on January 14, 2026, at the Detroit Auto Show: the Charger won the car category, the Maverick Lobo won the truck category, and the Palisade won the utility vehicle category. They are three category winners—not first, second and third in an overall ranking.
Which vehicles won the 2026 NACTOY awards?
| Vehicle | 2026 award category | Category voting points |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | North American Car of the Year | 195 |
| Ford Maverick Lobo | North American Truck of the Year | 277 |
| Hyundai Palisade | North American Utility Vehicle of the Year | 270 |
NACTOY published these category-specific totals in its January 14, 2026 winner announcement. The points are not comparable across categories, so the totals do not establish an overall winner among the three vehicles.
How does NACTOY choose its winners?
NACTOY says the awards began in 1994. For the 2026 awards, a jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from print, online, radio and television outlets in the United States and Canada evaluated the candidates. Jurors test-drove and researched vehicles, considering innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience and value. Deloitte LLP confidentially tallied the votes.
The selection process moved from semifinalists announced in September 2025 to nine finalists unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, then to the winners announced in Detroit in January 2026. NACTOY describes the awards as a guide for new-car shoppers; they are a juried honor, not a sales ranking, consumer poll, regulatory assessment or independent safety rating.
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What distinguishes each category winner?
Dodge Charger: the car winner
NACTOY jurors highlighted the Charger’s muscle-car character, hatchback utility, all-wheel-drive capability, design and range of variations. The award release also refers to gas and electric versions, including the Charger SIXPACK. These are juror observations, not a complete specification or a guarantee that every powertrain or feature is available in every market or trim.
Henry Payne, auto columnist at The Detroit News, offered this assessment in NACTOY’s release: “The Dodge Charger is a tour de force and welcome return to the brand’s gas-fueled sweet spot after a detour down Electric Alley. It’s also a lesson to the industry about the limitations of performance EVs. In addition to a great muscle car, the Charger is an all-around performer with hatchback utility, all-season all-wheel-drive capability, and terrific interior and exterior design.” That is Payne’s opinion as a juror, not an independent finding about every Charger configuration.
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Ford Maverick Lobo: the truck winner
Ford positions the Maverick Lobo as a street-performance compact pickup. The manufacturer lists a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine, all-wheel drive, a seven-speed quick-shift transmission, a twin-clutch rear drive unit for torque vectoring, lowered ride height, performance steering and enhanced brakes. Ford describes Lobo mode as a closed-course setting inspired by autocross; it should not be treated as a mode for public-road use. See Ford’s account of the Maverick Lobo award and features.
NACTOY-published juror Mark Phelan, auto critic and columnist at the Detroit Free Press, said: “Ford’s Maverick Lobo opens the door to a new class of fun-to-drive compact pickups. It’s the first to make an affordable compact pickup the basis of a sporty pickup with street smarts and meaningful performance upgrades. It won’t be the last.” Ford also says the award is its sixth consecutive NACTOY truck award; that consecutive-win claim is the manufacturer’s account.
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Hyundai Palisade: the utility vehicle winner
NACTOY juror comments characterize the Palisade as a three-row family vehicle and mention an available hybrid powertrain. Those points indicate its family-oriented positioning, but they do not substitute for checking the seating, powertrain and equipment offered in a particular market and configuration.
Joann Muller, transportation correspondent at Axios, said in the NACTOY release: “The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a great family car, with 3 rows of seating, a posh interior and lots of safety equipment. With a starting price under $40,000 and a new hybrid powertrain available, it’s the perfect blend of value, technology and efficiency.” Her price statement is a dated juror comment, not a current verified MSRP; check Hyundai’s local pricing and configuration details before relying on it.
Rank #4
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How should shoppers compare the winners?
The awards recognize different kinds of vehicles, so the useful comparison is fit for your needs—not which point total is largest. The Charger is the muscle-car choice with hatchback utility; the Maverick Lobo is a street-oriented compact pickup; and the Palisade is a three-row utility vehicle aimed at family use.
- Passenger and cargo needs: Compare seating, cargo space and whether you need an open pickup bed, a hatchback or three rows.
- Powertrain and drivetrain: Check the exact engine, electric or hybrid availability, drivetrain and trim offered where you live.
- Driving priorities: Decide whether you value muscle-car character, street-focused pickup performance or family-vehicle comfort and equipment.
- Ownership decision: Compare current local pricing, safety information, operating costs and availability for the specific configurations you are considering.
The award announcement does not provide a directly comparable set of specifications, prices, safety ratings or ownership costs across all three winners. Award recognition is one input to a buying decision, not proof that a model is best for every shopper.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
