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Awards Hyundai PALISADE Crowned 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year
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Awards Hyundai PALISADE Crowned 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year
Awards Hyundai PALISADE Crowned 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year
Awards Hyundai PALISADE Crowned 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year
SEOUL, February 12, 2026 – Hyundai PALISADE has captured the prestigious 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year award, presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) at the Canadian Car of the Year Awards (CCOTY) in Toronto.
What Makes the 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year Award Significant?
This marks the second consecutive year a Hyundai model has earned the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year and is the fourth time in five years that a Hyundai model has taken the title, with previous wins from SANTA FE (2025), IONIQ 5 (2023) and TUCSON (2022).
“Being recognized as AJAC’s Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year is an honor we’re incredibly proud of, especially in a segment as competitive as this one. The all-new PALISADE represents Hyundai at its best: bold design, advanced technology and a commitment to delivering exceptional value to Canadian families. Earning this award for the fourth time since 2022 underscores the importance of applying customer and journalistic feedback we’ve gained over the years, while continuing the strong momentum and leadership of our SUV portfolio in Canada.” – Steve Flamand, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada
“Congratulations to Hyundai PALISADE for earning AJAC's 2026 Canadian Utility of the Year Award. Hyundai has completely redesigned its three-row SUV, delivering more features, more comfort and a new, efficient hybrid system. Our expert jurors scored PALISADE highly for its interior styling, its overall quality and for the high consumer appeal this SUV brings to the Canadian marketplace.” – Evan Williams, President of AJAC
In recent years, other Hyundai models have also earned top honors, including:
• IONIQ 5 N – 2025 Canadian Electric Car of the Year
• SANTA CRUZ – 2022 Best Small Pickup in Canada
• IONIQ 6 – 2023 Canadian Green Car of the Year
What Makes PALISADE Stand Out?
The redesigned PALISADE represents a leap forward from its predecessor with more space, a new hybrid option, and advanced technology. Building on a reputation for durability, PALISADE is designed to meet the demands of modern families, now with an adventure-ready XRT PRO model. It offers:
Were Other Hyundai Models Recognized by AJAC?
Two other Hyundai models were finalists in the 2026 AJAC awards program:
How Are the Winners Chosen?
The CCOTY awards are determined through extensive real-world testing by more than 45 AJAC members across Canada. Vehicles are evaluated on the same roads and in the same conditions that drivers in Canada experience daily. All voting results are verified by the accounting firm KPMG.
1) Based on S&P Global Mobility Vehicles in Operation as of December 31, 2024 for Model Years 2015 to 2025 vs. Total New Registrations of those vehicles..
Sunnah Baek
sunnah.baek@hyundai.com
Global PR Team 2 · Hyundai Motor Company
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About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.
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