Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick TORONTO, ON-Four winners from four brands represent the best new vehicles as selected by dozens of automotive journalists. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) on Thursday announced its 42nd annual Canadian Car of the Year awards at the media day for the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS). The Honda Civic was crowned Canadian Car of the Year for the second consecutive year, while the Hyundai Palisade nabbed the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. Over on the electrified side, the Porsche Taycan and Kia EV9 snapped up the Electric Car and Electric Utility Vehicle titles. The winners were selected by 53 Canadian journalists from coast to coast, who logged thousands of kilometers across hundreds of new cars over the last year. AJAC announced the 12 Best Cars in Canada last month at the Montreal auto show ahead of the Toronto winners reveal. Every vehicle currently on sale is eligible for the awards, though journalists may only vote on vehicles they themselves have actually driven-not always a guarantee amongst awards shows. The winners will be at the Toronto auto show for its duration, running from February 13–22. Both Mike Schlee and myself are AJAC members and CCOTY jurors. Porsche Taycan: Canadian Electric Car of the Year Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick What They Said: "We are honored that the Canadian Car of the Year jury recognized the Taycan as an outstanding choice this year," said Trevor Arthur, President and CEO of Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd. "This all-electric sports car offers a winning combination of performance, efficiency, to surprising practicality that have always been hallmarks of the brand." What We Said: "Despite being the EV of this comparo, the Taycan feels more analog in its responses," wrote yours truly when the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo took on the BMW M5 Touring. "As ever with models from Stuttgart, it commands a sizeable premium, but this remains one of the single best one-car-to-do-it-all options out there. If you've got the cash and are ready for the electric life, the Taycan is the choice here." Kia EV9: Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: All The Details What They Said: "We are honored to have the EV9 recognized by the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada," said Kia Canada's vice president and COO Elias El-Achhab "Furthermore, the recognition from Canadian Black Book solidifies our efforts and commitment to providing high-quality EVs that Canadians can truly count on." What We Said: "Neither of these SUVs will be mistaken for driver's vehicles, but the Kia does delivery the better experience behind the wheel. It feels more composed on the road, with better communication to the driver of what the big three-row is doing at all times." That came from Mike Schlee during our Kia EV9 versus Hyundai Ioniq 9 comparison-the Hyundai was another finalist alongside the Lucid Gravity. Honda Civic: Canadian Car of the Year Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick What They Said: Honda Canada assistant vice president Emile Korkor accepted the award for Honda. "We at Honda Canada are beaming with pride and are humbled at once again seeing the Civic take the title of Canadian Car of the Year. Winning in back-to-back years is an incredible achievement that takes a team of talented and dedicated people to achieve. I want to thank our Canadian customers from coast to coast to coast, our local Honda dealers, our skilled associates that proudly build the Civic right here in Canada, and the AJAC jurors that voted for it once again this year. What We Said: "Okay, we admit it: this wasn't the most shocking conclusion," is how we closed out our 2025 Best Compact Car mega comparison, where the Civic handily won. "As we've said a few times now, the Honda Civic feels like a half-class above, and while it's the priciest choice here, that blend of maturity, quality, and efficiency makes it worth the sticker. If you want the best, the Civic is it." Hyundai Palisade: Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick What They Said: "Being recognized as AJAC's Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year is an honor we're incredibly proud of, especially in a segment as competitive as this one. The all‑new 2026 Palisade represents Hyundai at its best: bold design, advanced technology, and a commitment to delivering exceptional value to Canadian families," said Steve Flamand, president and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada. "Earning this recognition for a fourth time in since 2022 underscores the importance of applying customer and journalistic feedback we've gained over the years, while continuing the strong momentum and leadership of our SUV portfolio in Canada." What We Said: We pointed out the outgoing Palisade was already a class leader when it won a mega comparison. "So it's a big deal that the new model effectively improves on every aspect save the powertrain, where it at least holds steady (until the hybrid arrives)," was our conclusion after our first drive in the 2026 Palisade. Then the hybrid arrived. "Not only does it post excellent fuel economy for something so large, it does it with unmatched refinement and serious dashes of style inside and out. Unless you want the rugged XRT Pro or can't swing the extra initial outlay, the hybrid is the correct choice," we determined. We're glad our peers agree. These Are The 10 Safest Car Brands For Day-to-Day Living