Selecting the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year starts Tuesday, Sept. 15, as the automotive journalists who choose the winners reveal their “Best of 2027” list.
The list contains 25 vehicles that’ll get strict scrutiny for the rest of 2026 before three triumph at the Detroit Auto Show next January.
The jury winnowed the 25 contenders from 56 new cars, trucks and SUVs already on sale or expected to hit the market before the end of 2026.
The list includes vehicles with electric, internal combustion and hybrid drivetrains.
How the Finalists Are Chosen
Five vehicles compete to be North American Car of the Year. Four face off to become Truck of the Year, while 16 SUVs compete to be Utility Vehicle of the Year.
The 25 were chosen by 46 automotive journalists — including me — who work in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Minivans were eligible for the Utility of the Year category, though none made it to the list of 25 this year. The jury is capped at 50 journalists; due to retirements, only 46 participated in the first step of the process this year.
Jurors evaluate every new vehicle that goes on sale each year. The Best of 2027 list includes some vehicles not available yet but scheduled to go on sale later this year.
The next step brings the Best of 2027 vehicles together for three days of evaluation in October. After another round of voting, nine finalists — three for each award — will be announced in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jurors then have several weeks for intensive evaluation before voting for the three winners.
North American Car of the Year Candidates
Audi A6: Midsize luxury sedan with sleek looks, all-wheel drive and a V6 engine.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N: Sleek high-performance electric car with 641 horsepower and all-wheel drive.
Kia K4 Hatchback: Stylish compact car with practicality and a starting price below $25,000.
Lexus ES: Midsize luxury sedan available as a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Hybrid: Compact luxury sedan with a multi-energy architecture and new electronic architecture.
North American Truck of the Year Candidates
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: GM’s best-selling vehicle gets a new architecture and more powerful, fuel-efficient versions of the Small Block V8.
GMC Sierra 1500: A new version of GM’s premium pickup adds luxury, technology and new Small Block V8 engines.
Ram 1500 TRX SRT: A 777-horsepower supercharged Hemi powers this brawny and luxurious pickup.
Slate: Compact rear-drive electric pickup with extensive customization, including personalized wraps, available seats and a roof that can transform it into a utility vehicle.
North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Candidates
Audi Q9: Audi’s new flagship SUV offers more room and features, including a 429-horsepower V6 and digital matrix headlights.
BMW iX3: Electric version of BMW’s top-selling SUV with a range of up to 434 miles. Prices start below $62,000.
Chevrolet Bolt: A favorite EV returns with new technology and a starting price of $27,600.
Genesis GV60 Magma: Powerful performance version of Genesis’ compact electric SUV.
Jeep Cherokee: A familiar name returns in a modern SUV with hybrid power.
Jeep Recon: EV combining signature Jeep looks and off-road performance with electric power.
Kia EV3: Compact electric SUV.
Kia Seltos: Compact SUV adding hybrid power and Telluride-inspired looks.
Kia Telluride: Kia’s flagship SUV adding luxury and hybrid power.
Mazda CX-5: Popular compact SUV with easier-to-use touchscreen controls.
Nissan Rogue Hybrid e-Power: Compact SUV introducing a new type of hybrid drivetrain.
Rivian R2: Compact SUV offering performance and off-road ability.
Toyota Highlander: Electric version of the popular three-row family hauler promising up to 320 miles of range.
Volkswagen Atlas: Gasoline-powered three-row family hauler adding style, features and power.
Volvo EX60: Compact luxury EV with a 330-mile range, quick charging and a starting price below $60,000.