Canada's Best Cars? AJAC Unveils Semi-Finalists for 2026 Awards, EVs Dominate!

TL;DR: The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has announced its semi-finalists for the 2026 Car of the Year awards, with a strong EV presence across categories. Jurors are putting vehicles through real-world paces, but Tesla's still playing hard to get!

Meta: AJAC announces 2026 Canadian Car of the Year semi-finalists, with EVs prominent.

Alright, automotive aficionados and car curious Canadians, the race is on! The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) just dropped the list of semi-finalists for their 2026 Car of the Year Awards, and it's hotter than a fresh batch of double-double coffee! We're talking 20 vehicles duking it out across four categories, and let me tell you, the electric rides are really making their presence felt. It's like the Oscars, but with more horsepower and fewer awkward acceptance speeches. Mostly.

This year's awards cover everything from your everyday commuter to high-performance beasts, including Canadian Car of the Year, Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, Canadian Electric Car of the Year, and Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year. They started with nearly 400 eligible 2026 models, from brand-new redesigns to refreshed favorites. So, who made the cut? For Canadian Electric Car of the Year, you've got contenders like the BMW i4, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and even the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. And in the Electric Utility Vehicle category, it's a battle royale between the BMW iX, Hyundai IONIQ 9, Kia EV9, Lucid Gravity, and the Porsche Macan Electric. Talk about a loaded lineup!

Real-World Testing, Tesla-Free Zone

What makes AJAC's awards stand out is their no-nonsense approach to testing. Unlike some fancy programs that just do quick spins around a track, AJAC jurors actually drive every single vehicle they vote on, experiencing them in real-world Canadian conditions – yes, that means winter storms and long-distance highway hauls, eh! This rigorous process involves 50 automotive journalists from coast to coast, giving their honest assessment. It's like a scientific experiment, but with less Bunsen burners and more heated seats.

Now, you might notice a certain prominent EV maker missing from these lists. That's right, Tesla. And why, you ask? Because, like a diva who refuses to share the stage, Tesla doesn't provide vehicles for the jurors to drive. It's their loss, really, because nothing says "confidence in your product" like letting a bunch of seasoned pros put it through its paces. But hey, more spotlight for the others, right?

What's Next

The anticipation is building! Mark your calendars: on January 15, 2026, AJAC will announce the 12 Best Vehicles in Canada for 2026 at the Montreal Auto Show. Then, the category winners will be revealed on February 12, 2026, at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. Those winning vehicles will then embark on a cross-country tour, showing off their titles. It's a huge moment for these automakers, proving their mettle in one of the toughest automotive markets. Get ready to find out who's bringing the heat! And that, my friends, is all the news that's fit to transmit. Later!