Selecting the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year starts Tuesday, Sept. 15, as the automotive journalists who choose the winners reveal their “Best of 2027” list.
The list contains 25 vehicles that’ll get strict scrutiny for the rest of 2026 before three triumph at the Detroit Auto Show next January.
The jury winnowed the 25 contenders from 56 new cars, trucks and SUVs already on sale, or expected to hit the market before the end of 2026.
The list includes vehicles with electric, internal combustion and hybrid drivetrains.
How the best of list came to be and who's on it
Five vehicles compete to be North American car of the year. Four face off to become Truck of the Year, while 16 SUVs compete to be Utility Vehicle of the Year.
The 25 were chosen by 46 automotive journalists
– including me – who work in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Minivans were eligible for the Utility of the Year category, though none made it to the list of 25 this year. The jury is capped at 50 journalists. Due to retirements, only 46 participated in the first step of the process this year.
Jurors evaluate every new vehicle that goes on sale each year. The best-of list includes some not available yet, but are scheduled to go on sale later this year.
The next step in the process brings the best of 2027 vehicles together for three days of evaluation in October. After another round of voting, nine finalists – three for each award – will be announced in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Jurors then have several weeks for intensive evaluation of those vehicles before voting for the three winners.
Here are the 25 Best of 27 contenders:
North American Car of the Year candidates
Audi A6 – Midsize luxury sedan with sleek looks, all-wheel drive and a V6 engine
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N – Sleek high-performance electric car with 641 hp and all-wheel drive
Kia K4 Hatchback – Stylish compact car combines looks, practicality and prices starting under $25,000
Lexus ES – Midsize luxury sedan available as a hybrid or electric vehicle
Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 hybrid – Compact luxury sedan features multi-energy architecture and new electronic architecture
North American Truck of the Year candidates
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – GM’s best-selling vehicle gets a new architecture and more powerful and fuel-efficient versions of the famous Small Block V8.
GMC Sierra 1500 – New version of GM’s premium pickup adds luxury, tech and new Small Block V8 engines.
Ram 1500 TRX SRT – A 777-horsepower supercharged Hemi accelerates this brawny and luxurious pickup to Ram’s best-seller.
Slate – Compact rear-drive electric pickup offers vast customization, including personalized wraps, available seats and roof can transform it also into a utility vehicle.
North American Utility Vehicle of the Year candidates
Audi Q9 – Audi’s new flagship SUV offers more room and features, including a 429-hp V6 and digital matrix headlights.
BMW iX3 – Electric version of BMW’s top-selling SUV can cover 434 miles on a charge. prices start under $62,000.
Chevrolet Bolt – A favorite EV returns with new technology and prices starting at $27,600..
Genesis GV60 Magma – Powerful performance version of Genesis's compact electric SUV.
Jeep Cherokee – A favorite name returns in a modern and new SUV with hybrid power.
Jeep Recon – EV combines signature Jeep looks and off-road performance with electric power.
Kia EV3 – Compact electric SUV
Kia Seltos – Compact SUV adds hybrid power and Telluride-inspired looks.
Kia Telluride – Kia’s flagship adds luxury and hybrid power.
Mazda CX-5 – Popular compact SUV sheds balky controls for easy to use touch screen.
Nissan Rogue Hybrid e-Power – Compact SUV introduces a new type of hybrid drivetrain.
Rivian R2 – EV specialist’s compact SUV offers performance, off-road ability.
Toyota Highlander – Electric version of popular three-row family hauler promises up to 320-mile range.
Volkswagen Atlas – Gasoline-powered three-row family hauler adds style, features and power.
Volvo EX60 – Compact luxury EV has 330-mile range, quick charging, prices starting under $60,000.
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The next North American car, truck, utility of year is on this list
