AutoTrader names top vehicles to buy in Canada

AutoTrader has released its list of top vehicles to buy in Canada for 2026, recognizing winners across 28 vehicle categories as selected by a panel of Canadian automotive journalists.

Several models received multiple awards. The Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid were named Best Overall Car and Best Small Car, while the Toyota RAV4 was selected as both Best Overall SUV and Best Compact SUV. The Ford Maverick and Maverick Hybrid were named Best Overall Truck and Best Compact/Mid-Size Truck.

Electrified vehicles featured prominently among the winners. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 received awards for Best Overall Green Vehicle, Best Mid-Size SUV and Best Mainstream EV. The Toyota Prius was named Best Hybrid, while the Prius Plug-in Hybrid received the Best PHEV award.

Toyota was also named Canada’s Most Trusted Car Brand.

Other category winners included the Porsche 911 for Best Premium Performance Car, the Mazda MX-5 for Best Mainstream Performance Car, and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade IQ for Best Full-Size Luxury SUV.

The annual AutoTrader Awards are determined by an independent jury of more than 20 automotive journalists from across Canada. Vehicles are assessed using criteria that include value, practicality, user-friendliness, performance, safety, innovation, and overall excellence, with jurors voting for vehicles they would recommend to family and friends.

The full list of winners:

Best Overall Car and Best Small Car: Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid

Best Overall SUV: Toyota RAV4

Best Overall Truck and Best Compact / Mid-Size Truck: Ford Maverick / Maverick Hybrid

 Best Overall Green Vehicle, Best Mid-Size SUV and Best Mainstream EV: Hyundai Ioniq 9

Canada’s Most Trusted Car Brand: Toyota

Best Family Sedan: Toyota Camry

Best Wagon: Audi A6 Allroad / RS 6 Avant 

Best Compact Luxury Car: BMW 4 Series / i4 

Best Large Luxury Car: BMW 5 Series / 5 Series PHEV / i5

Best Mainstream Performance Car: Mazda MX-5 

Best Premium Performance Car: Porsche 911

Best Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek 

Best Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4 

Best Full-Size SUV: Chevrolet Suburban / Tahoe

Best Subcompact Luxury SUV: BMW X1 

Best Compact Luxury SUV: BMW X3 

Best Mid-Size Luxury SUV: Porsche Cayenne / Cayenne E-Hybrid

Best Full-Size Luxury SUV: Cadillac Escalade / Escalade IQ

Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna

Best Full-Size Truck: Ford F-150 / F-150 Hybrid / F-150 Lightning

Best Premium EV: Lucid Gravity

Best Hybrid: Toyota Prius 

Best PHEV: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid 

Best Vehicle for Adventure: Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro