MotorWeek

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

It's our 2026 Drivers' Choice Awards special!

We're sharing our picks for the best cars, trucks, and utilities, and the winner of "Best of the Year!"

We'll also look back at past DCA hits and misses, and trickle in some battery care advice on a "Your Drive" pit stop... So, come drive with us, next!

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JOHN: For all the fans of MotorWeek , you know that this time of year is a special one for all of us, as we announce the winners of our annual MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards.

So, from family cars to high-performance drives, and everything in between, here are our picks of the best of 2026!

With the car business favoring SUVs and trucks, it's easy to forget that well over a million family cars were sold in the U.S.

last year and still represent great value.

So, we'll start there, with our "Best Family Car," the Kia K4.

Besides value, there are a lot of reasons for choosing the K4: Great style, easy to use tech, lots of space, and being one of the smoothest mass market cars we've ever driven.

But really it was the fact that Kia managed to somehow cram an entire midsize sport sedan worth of fun into this compact 4-door, and we loved driving it.

Plus, there's better news on the way as a hatchback version will soon arrive to join the fun, while also cranking up style and versatility.

(sound of car on road) There are many definitions of luxury, but for us, luxury means not only fine materials and lots of creature comforts, but easy-to-use tech and precise overall refinement.

So, our pick for "Best Luxury Car" this year is the Audi A5.

With this new-gen A5, Audi attempts to bring the midsize A5 Sportback's style and practicality downstream as a replacement for their compact A4 sedan.

Frankly, it blew us away, combining two fantastic cars into one modern ride that impressed us more and more every time we got behind the wheel.

(sound of car on road) Audi is not all about luxury; performance is an increasingly impressive part of their brand as well.

Impressive enough to also take home our "Best Sport Sedan" award with their S3.

The growing A3 sedan was a big reason that Audi felt it was okay to do away with their A4, and the S3 adds to that by delivering a perfect balance of RS3 performance and A3 practicality.

With standard all-wheel-drive, a 328 horsepower turbo-4 and a willing chassis, the S3 provides an extremely capable and rewarding driving experience that you don't need to be on a racetrack to appreciate and is proof that bigger is not always better.

(engine revs/tires screeching) Last year for our "Best Sport Coupe" award, we chose the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona for invading the EV world with genuine muscle-car attitude.

Well, the Charger is back and, like any good party guest, has brought a SIXPACK with them.

This SIXPACK is of course, referring to the high-output version of the Stellantis family Hurricane 3.0 liter inline-6 turbo engine, brewed with 550 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque in the Charger Scat Pack, and positions Dodge as the only brand to deliver a real-deal modern muscle car whether you want to burn up the rear tires using fossil fuels or electricity.

(sound of car on road) Sure, we've tested more than a reasonable number of half million-dollar supercars this year, but when it comes to combining the sheer fun of driving with new technology, making the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS our "Best Performance Car" was an easy pick.

Yes, it's a hybrid, but not the kind of hybrid you're thinking of.

Turbo is more of a philosophy for Porsche these days than just a mechanical component, and for the new 3.6 liter 6-cylinder in the Carrera GTS, Porsche added an electric- assisted turbocharger that doesn't have to wait around for exhaust gases to provide a boost...plus...added another electric motor inside the PDK transmission.

It's a perfect example of Porsche finding better ways to deliver the same thing: a fantastic driving experience.

We've got plenty more trophies to hand out, so don't go away.

We'll be back later in the show with a look at our MotorWeek Drivers' Choice winners for "Best Trucks," "Utilities," and "EVs."

JOHN: The Cadillac Seville is bolstering quite a few spirits these days with a base price of $23,400, though a typical model like our test car arrives at over $27,000.

A motorized trunk latch removes the need to bang the lid down, a gimmick even the Japanese haven't come up with.

The dash is full of the latest electronic gadgets and lots of pseudo wood trim.

In the center is a small trip computer; it gives instantaneous fuel economy readings, telling you how much fuel has already been used.

The Seville rolled through slightly above the 35 entry speed.

Springs were soft, meaning a good deal of body roll; but traditional front-end plowing, so familiar with past luxury cars, was absent.

The power, ball-type steering is fast but with little road feel.

JOHN: Since 1983, MotorWeek has been presenting our annual Drivers' Choice Awards, our staff's consensus of the best vehicles in popular market segments.

We've made these picks based on our extensive testing, and by comparing each vehicle to others in the same class.

But even our best predictions don't always score a bullseye.

So, let's look back at some of our most notable hits, as well as a few misses.

JESSICA RAY: The first ever Drivers' Choice Award went to the Dodge/Plymouth Colt in 1983, winning for "Best Econobox" and retaining its crown for four consecutive years, finally ceding to the crafty VW Fox in 1987.

The Mazda 626 also won in 1983 as best "Import 4-Door," and then reigned for four more years as "Best Hatchback."

There have been two ties over the years: the Ford LTD and Pontiac 6000 split our votes as "Best Domestic 4-Door" in 1985.

And in 1984, we couldn't decide between the Jeep Cherokee/Wagoneer and Ford Bronco II as our "Best All-Road/All-Wheel-Drive."

That category disappeared entirely in 1985, but in 1987 Jeep won again.

Since, sport utility vehicle was not yet a common term, we called it our "Best Multipurpose Vehicle."

And it was for two years running.

Our most prolific winner has been Ford, with 77 total, and the Mustang has copped top honors 13 times over the years, as our "Best Sport Coupe," "Best Performance Car" or "Best Convertible," and even "Best Dream Machine" in the case of 2020's Shelby GT500.

The Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town + Country have tallied 11 victories as "Best Minivan."

Not surprising, since they pioneered the class.

As the car market and buying habits have changed, so have our award categories.

A few have been "one-year-wonders" like the 1997 duo of "Best Technology" and "Best Example of the Automotive Art."

Our oddest pick so far is arguably the ragtop 1990 Dodge Dakota as "Best Convertible."

Dodge described it as the ultimate fun truck, and we agreed at the time.

Any more apologies?

Well, maybe to the automakers behind the Eagle Premier, Peugeot 405 and the Mercury Capri; after we proclaimed them the best in their respective classes in '88, '89 and '91, sales tanked and all three models soon disappeared.

Hey guys, no hard feelings?

JOHN: We don't always think about our car's battery until it's too late- that is, it's out of juice and in need of a jump.

Well, Logan McCombs has some tips about getting the most spark out of your lead-acid brick on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

(car engine starts up) LOGAN MCCOMBS: It seems like everything in the world is powered by lithium-ion batteries, but in millions of cars the old-fashioned lead-acid battery still plays a critical role, and they require maintenance to get the most performance and longevity out of them.

Lead-acid batteries have been around since the 1850s, and although they have relatively low energy density and tend to discharge quickly, in short bursts they are able to produce high currents required by starter motors, and they're inexpensive, which is why they are still widely used.

When a battery is not fully charged or left discharged for an extended period of time, the lead-sulfate crystals can harden on the plates.

This is called sulfation, and it reduces the battery's ability to store and release energy, leading to reduced capacity, shorter life, and eventually, battery failure.

The battery charger is for rapidly reviving discharged batteries or bringing dead batteries back to life, and is not meant for long-term use.

If your car sits for any period of time, it's a good idea to install a battery disconnect switch, which removes the battery from your car's electrical system and prevents it from being drained.

Another option is to hook it up to a battery maintainer.

What this is for is low-current charging to keep your voltage topped up, then cycles off and on as needed to maintain that level for as long as needed.

This not only prevents overcharging the battery, it also prevents the sulfation problem.

Here, we have a couple types of battery maintainers.

The battery tender is a great product that has been around for many years and works very well.

They've also just launched a new product which combines battery maintaining with a portable jump starter, so you can take it along with you on your next drive and be prepared if you or a friend experiences a dead battery on the road.

Along the same lines, Milwaukee has just introduced a portable jump starter called the Hot Shot.

What's unique about this is that it uses the same batteries as power tools, so you can just swap out a fresh battery when you need to use it.

You should routinely check your battery terminals for corrosion and use a battery grease or coating to prevent this.

So, there you have it, simple battery maintenance will keep you charged up for the road ahead.

And if you have any questions or comments, reach out to us, right here at MotorWeek .

JOHN: Just when you think we've reached peak SUV, here comes even more new contenders into the utility segment.

So, let's sort through all the nameplates both new and familiar, and find out who wins the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards for "Best Trucks and Utilities."

Utility vehicles of all shapes and sizes now make up over half of the new vehicle market in the U.S.

And when there are examples like this Toyota RAV4, our Drivers' Choice pick for "Best Small Utility," it's hard to argue against the still-growing trend.

The RAV4, along with Honda's CR-V, put the compact crossover segment into gear when they both arrived in the late 1990s.

But since then, Toyota has clearly been in overdrive, not only constantly refining their car-based compact Ute but introducing hybrids and even plug-in hybrids to the segment.

The 6th gen RAV that arrived this year is the best one yet and is clearly the new benchmark for the segment.

Our "Best Midsize Utility" for 2026 is the Subaru Outback.

Thirty years ago, Subaru saw an opportunity to add some rugged style to their all-wheel-drive Legacy wagon and dubbed it the "world's first sport utility wagon."

Buyers embraced it immediately, and over the years, the Subaru Outback became less of a wagon, and more of an SUV.

Now, it's complete.

Large crossover-style utilities are still a relatively new phenomenon, but our winner, the Hyundai Palisade, is no stranger to the market.

When it first arrived six years ago, it was truly a game changer, causing established brands to rethink their own large SUV strategies.

Well, the 2nd gen Palisade is now here, and while it doesn't quite change the game as much as the original, it does arrive with a new hybrid powertrain that is both efficient and powerful, along with more refinement than ever, helping the Palisade easily reclaim its spot at the top of our ticket.

There were many choices when it came to picking our "Best Luxury Utility," but this year's winner, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e, hits our target of providing performance, technology, and value.

On that last point, the 350e is a plug-in hybrid that delivers an amazing 54 miles of EV range, that's before working as a still efficient hybrid with a 2.0 liter turbo engine, all while being wrapped in Mercedes-Benz luxury, style, and class leading tech.

When it came to our "Best Small Truck" category, the Ford Maverick was an easy choice.

This unibody hauler is all the truck many people need, comes with a hybrid option and, despite a healthy price increase since it arrived three years ago, remains the least expensive pickup you can buy.

Recent updates that keep it a winner include the ability to add all-wheel-drive to the hybrid powertrain, and a performance-minded, super cool Lobo sport truck.

As for our "Best Fullsize Truck," that decision was an easy one as well, and a repeat, the Ram 1500.

It won last year by delivering loads of comfort and technology, with the power of a new inline-6 that truly impressed.

This year, they gave fans what they really wanted; the return of a V8 HEMI option.

So, now you can have your choice: torquey new-gen inline-6 or old school rumbly V8; plus, like this Warlock, loads of inventive trims to choose from.

Most of the new EVs we drive these days are SUVs, so it makes sense that our "Best EV" winners would mostly be utilities.

First up is the Cadillac OPTIQ.

Cadillac has released a complete lineup of fully electric EVs in just a couple of years, but their entry level option, the OPTIQ, is our favorite one yet.

Which makes sense as it is based on Chevrolet's Equinox EV, which was a winner last year.

The OPTIQ delivers up to 317 miles of range, but more importantly, it has the luxurious driving experience that people expect from Cadillac.

Next up is the Nissan LEAF.

Yes, the O.G.

EV is a utility now, though the tall hatchback vibe of the original game changer was already SUV-adjacent.

The Leaf brought EVs to the masses back in 2011, and 15 years later, it has gotten its first total redo, giving people plenty of reasons to take a peep at the LEAF for their affordable EV driving needs.

One of the most impressive EVs we've ever driven is the Porsche Taycan.

And Porsche made big updates to both Sedan and Cross Turismo versions this year: more range, more power, more tech, and more sheer fun than ever.

We've got one more MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award left, and it's the big one.

So, stay tuned for our "Best of the Year!"

JOHN: With so many new cars to try out, sometimes all we can do is carve out enough time for a QuickSpin!

JESSICA: Some might use "rogue" to describe someone trying to "pull the wool over your eyes," and some may even say that applies to this 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

But we disagree, as Nissan isn't doing much to hide it's essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Is that such a bad thing?

Our initial impressions were "no," as we thoroughly enjoy the Outlander PHEV.

And after a First Drive around Nashville, Tennessee, our suspicions about this new Rogue were confirmed.

Dj vu here, the 2.4 liter inline-4 is complemented by a pair of electric motors and a small 20 kilowatt hour battery, good for 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

This is a really nice powertrain, and it didn't take me long to remember why we like it so much.

It's quiet, it's seamless the way it goes back and forth between the EV mode and the gas engine.

It's powerful.

There is plenty of power, if you need it, and being able to go up to 38 miles on a single charge is really impressive.

I mean, that covers a lot of people's daily commutes, but this is just a great option for those buyers who are shopping Nissan and finally want a hybrid.

The Rogue PHEV is a bridge vehicle, hitting the market before a 4th gen Rogue with the advanced hybrid e-Power system arrives later down the road.

That explains the copycat sheet metal.

The cabin is equal parts familiar, a 12.3 inch digital gauge unit and 9.0 inch touchscreen front and center.

The Rogue PHEV encompasses Nissan's more well-equipped SL and Platinum grades, so expect plenty of amenities.

Either grade is configured as a 3-row Ute.

Pricing is to be confirmed, but we suspect the 2026 Nissan Rogue PHEV will start over $40,000.

We'll have plenty more on it soon.

GREG CARLOSS: It may be old news to some, but the HEMI V8 is back in the Ram 1500 for 2026; and for those who didn't know it was ever gone, the V8 was briefly usurped by the Stellantis groups' twin-turbo "Hurricane" inline-6.

You can still get swept up by that 3.0 liter Hurricane, and we're big fans of it; but, like many 1500 buyers, we're glad to see 5.7 liters of displacement back under hood.

With Ram's e-Torque hybrid setup, it's capable of 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.

Paired with an 8-speed automatic, behind the bold face of this body-on-frame truck, it all just feels right.

ALEXANDER KELLUM: Anyone who knows me knows I love a good V8, and this 5.7 liter HEMI is a good V8.

Now it's not totally brutish; they have somewhat, we'll say civilized it by adding an eTorque system to it.

It doesn't have the same pickup as the inline-6, but it all adds up to a very comprehensive package, it's enough power to do what you need to do with a 1500, and it just feels traditional.

Which is sort of the capstone of all of my thoughts here-- there's something about driving a fullsize pickup with what I would say is a fullsize engine, that just feels right.

And it doesn't hurt that it sounds pretty good too.

GREG: The Ram 1500 HEMI can tow up to 11,320 pounds, matched with a max 1,650 pound payload.

If the sound doesn't give it away, these new fender badges, dubbed "Symbol of Protest," should.

Otherwise, it's typical big-rig styling all around.

The HEMI V8 is available on most 2026 Ram 1500 grades, and is a no-cost option on Limited and Longhorn models.

An entry-level Tradesman with the V8 starts around $46,000.

A 4X4 Laramie Crew Cab like ours will start around $65,000.

Be it I6 or V8, Ram has something for everyone.

And we'll have more QuickSpins soon!

JOHN: You've seen us hand out a lot of awards so far, but as usual, we've saved the best for last.

So, with a keen eye focused on which vehicle delivered the best combination of value, technology, style, and performance this year, here's our MotorWeek Drivers' Choice "Best of the Year!"

The Dodge Charger is the 2026 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award "Best of the Year!"

When the Dodge Charger Daytona arrived for '24 as the world's first all-electric muscle-car, it certainly rattled some cages, and a few eardrums too with its Fratzonic whizbang exhaust sounds.

But that was just the appetizer for the "real" Dodge Charger main course which has now arrived.

Yes, you don't have to plug this one in as the SIXPACK powertrain under the hood uses good old-fashioned gasoline.

Available in two versions, the inline-6 engine with twin counter-rotating turbochargers cranks out 420 horsepower in the base R/T and 550 horsepower in the Scat Pack.

Both come with standard all-wheel-drive, but you can go strictly rear-drive when you want to show off.

Our early drive time came hustling through the legendary Tail of the Dragon.

And while, the Charger in all its forms remains a big and heavy car, its well sorted suspension, light steering, and solid composure effectively made that weight disappear through the technical turns of the Dragon.

And it looks spectacular too; long, low, wide, and aggressive, but with a sharp edge that's more modern than nostalgic.

Inside, you get all the tech today's buyers are looking for in an environment that's definitely retro-inspired, but not overly so.

There's even a spacious cargo area and hatchback flexibility.

This Charger is also a major engineering feat, fitting either an all-gas or all-electric powertrain in the same chassis without compromising performance, passenger comfort, or style.

Along with the choice in power, you can also choose between a 2-door and 4-door body style; both share the same specs and profile, just different numbers of doors.

This high-tech approach to the muscle car segment not only gives buyers plenty of options but allows Dodge the ability to easily adjust production based on demand.

That will ensure the Dodge Charger, as well as the spirit of the muscle car, will keep charging on for years to come, and it's what makes the Dodge Charger the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice "Best of the Year!"

Thanks for joining us for our 2026 MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards!

Now, for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.

And I hope you'll join us next time when we charge into our Roebling roundies with our winner, the Dodge Charger SIXPACK, then overland it home in the Honda CR-V TrailSport Hybrid.

Until then, I'm John Davis.

We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !

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Learn more at AutoValue.Com and BumperToBumper.Com.

We're Tire Rack.

We test tires, then share our results.

We stock over a million tires.

We offer multiple installation options.

We do this because we believe tires matter.

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