As a voting member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards, I recently drove several contenders in the running for the 2026 North American Car of the Year.
The finalists have been narrowed down to three cars – the Dodge Charger, the Honda Prelude and the Nissan Sentra. Winners will be announced on Jan. 14 at the Detroit Auto Show.
Surprisingly, many of the shortlisted vehicles during the annual test drive in Ann Arbor, Mich. last month were smaller, affordable and fuel-efficient cars – a segment that’s recently seen a big uptick in sales in Canada.
“We’re seeing a double-digit increase in [car] sales on a year-to-date basis,” said Baris Akyurek, vice-president of insights and intelligence at AutoTrader. “The trend aligns with broader economic conditions. Demand has shifted toward more affordable vehicles, which explains the stronger activity we’re seeing in the car segment across Canada.”
Here are five cars that stood out from the pack:
2026 Honda Prelude
After 25 years, the Honda Prelude is back. It’s a sleek, stylish sports car, but now it’s more practical and fuel-efficient thanks to its hybrid powertrain. It has a two-litre gas engine and an electric motor, which together produce 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Some features such as the hybrid system are borrowed from the Honda Civic hybrid and the dual-axis front suspension comes from the Civic Type R.
This 2+2 sixth-generation sportscar is a dream to drive – it handles better than anything from its past. It’s smooth, spirited and fun with responsive handling and a deep throaty exhaust note. Prices start at less than $50,000 plus $2,830 for freight and pre-delivery inspection.
The Prelude is back and more practical and fuel-efficient than before.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The front seats and dash of the 2026 Honda Prelude.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2026 Nissan Leaf
Nissan was an early entrant in the all-electric segment with the original Leaf in 2010. But it grew complacent and fell behind the competition, until now. For 2026, the third-generation Leaf gets bolder styling, a longer range and fast-charging capability. A 75-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack paired to a 214-horsepower electric motor, which powers the front wheels, offers up to 488 kilometres of range.
Gone is the obsolete CHAdeMO plug – replaced with two charging ports including a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for faster charging at Tesla Supercharger stations. It can also handle up to a 150-kW charge so you can charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes. Unexpected available features include 64-colour ambient lighting, dual 14.3-inch screens and Google built-in technology. Prices start at $44,998 plus $2,095 for freight and PDI.
The 2026 Leaf has bolder styling and more useful charging.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The front seats and dash of the 2026 Nissan Leaf.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2026 Volvo EX30
Volvo’s baby electric vehicle, the EX30 SUV, resembles its bigger siblings, but it’s compact size and cheaper price tag make it more attractive. With 65 kWh of usable battery capacity and up to 153-kw DC fast charging capability, it’s available with single or dual motors, my preference for Canadian winters.
The EX30 twin-motor performance model has 422 horsepower and 407 kilometres of range; while the twin motor performance EX30 Cross Country has a raised ride height and 365 kilometres of range. Both deliver excellent traction and stability, are quick off the line and easy to drive and park. Tech enthusiasts will love the minimalistic look inside, too. There are no physical buttons and knobs – in fact, most of the controls even for the side-view mirrors, volume and climate are accessed using the touchscreen. Prices start at $49,950, before $2,770 for freight and PDI. The EX30 Cross Country starts at $59,800 before freight and PDI.
The Volvo EX30.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The minimalistic interior of the Volvo EX30.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2026 Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger family grows for 2026 as an all-electric Charger Daytona four-door sedan joins the lineup. The Scat Pack EV delivers 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque and has a range of up to 388 kilometres. But don’t worry – if you’re not ready to jump on the electric bandwagon, a new “SIXPACK” gas-powered Charger returns next year.
The gas version of the Scat Pack sedan is powered by a high-output three-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine – the most powerful inline-six Hurricane engine ever. With 550 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, it can gallop to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.9 seconds. Both the EV and gas versions are made in Windsor and share retro design cues. The EV adds a fake engine noise. Canadian prices for the electric sedan aren’t available, yet. But the 2026 Charger Scat Pack gas sedan starts at $72,995 plus $2,295 for destination and PDI.
For 2026, the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona comes with four doors.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
There is a useful fastback hatch on the Dodge Charger Daytona.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2026 Audi A5
Luxury German automaker Audi brings an all-new third-generation A5 to market. It’s filled with innovative technology, a refreshed elegant design and a more powerful engine. The turbocharged two-litre, four-cylinder engine delivers 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque – that’s up 67 horsepower and 59 lb-ft over the outgoing model.
The A5 is a dream to drive with agile road manners and swift passing power. Inside, a large infotainment touchscreen with crisp, sharp and easy-to-read graphics takes centre stage amid a more spacious cabin, especially for those riding in the rear seat. Prices start at $57,700 plus $2,850 for freight and PDI.
The Audi A5 gets a refreshed elegant design for 2026.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The interior of the 2026 Audi A5.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
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