The Detroit Auto Show has kicked off, setting the stage for the Automotive Press Association to announce the winners of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards (NACTOY). Choosing from a pool of nine finalists (three in each category), judges have selected the following as the best all-new or substantially redesigned vehicles on the market in an independent process that involves them voting individually, with the votes only being counted by Deloitte just before the presentation. Without any further ado, let's see what the winners were.
North American Car of the Year Winner
The finalists in the Car of the Year category were the Dodge Charger, the Honda Prelude, and the Nissan Sentra, and it's the controversial eighth-generation Charger, now in its 60th year, that took home top honors with its 550-horsepower inline-six. While some judges liked the budget-minded simplicity of the Sentra or the accessible style and fun of the Prelude, it's the retro-futuristic muscle car that won the most votes. Will the Charger's success at the awards ceremony be reflected in improved sales in 2026, or will buyers disagree with the judges? Time will tell.
North American Truck of the Year Winner
RAM
Finalists in this category were limited to just two manufacturers, with the Ram 1500 HEMI and Ram 2500 competing against the Ford Maverick Lobo for North American Truck of the Year. The compact pickup was the winner, giving Ford the Truck of the Year award for the sixth consecutive year. The Ram options may be giving buyers what they want in a V8 engine and exceptional capability, but the Maverick Lobo's fun factor and accessible pricing helped it stand out this year.
North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Winner
Lucid
Competing in the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year category were the innovative new Lucid Gravity SUV, the compellingly-priced Nissan Leaf crossover (which starts under $30,000), and the larger, more luxurious Hyundai Palisade SUV, with the latter winning the award in 2026. The Gravity made the finals for its innovative technologies and space, while the Leaf was competing on its price and usefulness, but the Palisade is just too good an all-rounder and too well-priced to be beaten.
Final Thoughts
Related: Every 2026 World Car of the Year Finalist Has Some Form of Electrification
With any award, there is always bound to be some controversy, and there will always be those who disagree with the winners or even the finalists. The Dodge Charger is a tough one to justify this year, as its platform was originally meant to be EV-only, baking in unavoidable compromises, and its sales so far have been weak. With affordability a hot topic at the moment, some will argue that the Sentra should have won. But perhaps that's why the Ford Maverick Lobo stood out in its category — it's a blend of practicality, style, and fun in an affordable package. Some might wonder why something as expensive as the Gravity was considered, too, especially since it's an EV, which makes it a niche vehicle. But that's the beauty of the NACTOY awards: numerous judges from a diversity of backgrounds vote independently, and even the president of the association doesn't know the winners until the moment they're announced. Do you agree with the winners this year? If not, which of the finalists would you have given the awards to? Let us know in the comments below.
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