2026 Best of awards
Here are our editors’ picks for the best cars of the years. Drum roll, please …
Winners
For our Best Car of the Year award, our watchwords are quality, innovation and value.
For our Best Pickup Truck award, our watchwords are power, capability and value.
Along with crash tests, safety features and accommodation of family members and their gear, we consider family-friendly features, car-seat fitment and overall excellence.
Along with general excellence, the best cars represent ultimate luxury in their class and/or are exceptionally well-rounded, providing luxury along with above-average usability and drivability.
In addition to overall excellence, we pay extra attention to the aspects with which many EVs stumble, such as efficiency, intuitive controls and charging speed.
The best SUV offers practical utility and the comfort of a raised seating position.
Other titleholders
Find out which SUVs, trucks and cars have earned blue ribbon status over the years.
