The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has named the Porsche Taycan and Kia EV9 as the winners of its 2026 Canadian Electric Vehicle of the Year awards. Announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, the Taycan earned Canadian Electric Car of the Year, while the EV9 was recognized as Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year.
AJAC’s awards program evaluates eligible 2026 model-year vehicles under real-world Canadian conditions, including winter driving, highway travel, and daily commuting. Jurors assess factors such as performance, efficiency, practicality, and overall value. Nearly 400 vehicles were initially considered, with the field gradually narrowed through multiple rounds of voting.
Canadian Electric Car of the Year
Before the final results were announced, five vehicles were selected as semi-finalists for Canadian Electric Car of the Year: the BMW i4, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
Ultimately, the Porsche Taycan secured the top honour. Trevor Arthur, President and Chief Executive of Porsche Cars Canada, commented on the award, saying: “We are honoured that the Canadian Car of the Year jury recognised the Taycan as an outstanding choice this year. This all-electric sports car offers a winning combination of performance, efficiency, to surprising practicality that have always been hallmarks of the brand.”
Pricing for the Taycan 4S sedan starts at C$136,200, with the Cross Turismo version starting at C$143,100.
Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year
The electric utility vehicle category was equally competitive, with the BMW iX, Hyundai IONIQ 9, Kia EV9, Lucid Gravity, and Porsche Macan Electric all advancing to the semi-final round.
From that group, the Kia EV9 was selected as Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year. The three-row electric SUV had previously finished as a runner-up in the same category in both 2024 and 2025 before earning the top position this year.
AJAC President Evan Williams explained the decision, stating: “The EV9 had been oh so close to winning this award the last two years, but this year one quality crucial to Canadian car shoppers has pushed it over the top. The EV9’s starting price has remained unchanged for the last three years, and what was an exceptional family EV now delivers an even more exceptional value.”
The EV9 was selected based on votes from approximately 50 AJAC jurors, with more than 600 ballots submitted during the evaluation process.
Testing and Evaluation Process
AJAC’s evaluation process involves a panel of automotive journalists from across the country who drive and assess each eligible vehicle. Jurors first submit ranked ballots before finalists and winners are determined through additional scoring rounds. The results are independently audited to ensure fairness and accuracy.
The Taycan and EV9 emerged as the winners following this structured testing process, reflecting their strong performance in their respective segments. As Canada’s EV market continues to expand, the awards provide insight into which electric vehicles stood out among the hundreds evaluated for the 2026 model year.
