Detroit — A significant event unfolded at the Detroit Auto Show this week as the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) awards were presented. This year’s ceremony signified a notable shift back to traditional gasoline engines amid recent years dominated by electric vehicles.
In a tight race for Car of the Year, the Dodge Charger Sixpack, a gasoline-powered coupe, emerged victorious against contenders like the Honda Prelude and Nissan Sentra. Continuing its trend since 2021, Ford captured the Truck of the Year title with its Maverick Lobo. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Palisade claimed the Utility of the Year award in a decisive win.
This year marked a departure from the electric vehicle trend of the past three years, during which at least one EV had claimed a category victory. I am one of the 50 jurors from U.S. and Canadian media who evaluated 30 nominees, ultimately selecting the winners.
Among the nine finalists, only two were electric, with an average price of $46,248 across categories. The Lucid Gravity stood as the priciest nominee at $96,500, while the Nissan Sentra was the most economical at $23,400.
The Dodge Charger made a notable comeback. Redesigned for 2026, the Charger, now a gas model, shares a platform with the electric Charger Daytona EV. Despite the Daytona’s lukewarm reception, the Sixpack wowed jurors.
“The Dodge Charger is the Swiss Army knife of muscle cars,” said juror Greg Migliore, editorial director at AutoGuide. “Dodge did a nice job capturing the magic of the 1960s into a modern car that is both practical and a lot of fun to drive. It’s worthy of the Charger name and also charts a new course for Dodge.”
The Charger Sixpack, adorned in a 1960s-inspired design, boasts a refined chassis and interior, earning it 195 points. Honda’s Prelude, a revived sporty coupe, scored 152 points. The Nissan Sentra, an affordable sedan, managed 143 points.
Stellantis had a strong presence with its Dodge and Ram brands. While the Ram 1500 and 2500 were contenders, the Ford Maverick Lobo claimed the Truck of the Year title with a commanding 277 points.
The Ford Maverick Lobo, priced at $37,625, is a versatile addition to the Maverick lineup, offering street performance alongside other trims like XL, XLT, Lariat, and Tremor. Juror Tom Voelk remarked, “Maverick continues to be the little truck that could, filling a niche buyers didn’t know they wanted or needed.”
In the SUV category, Hyundai’s Palisade outperformed the Nissan Leaf EV and Lucid Gravity with 270 votes. The Palisade, priced under $40,000, offers significant upgrades, including a stylish design and off-road capabilities.
The Lucid Gravity, despite its impressive features, was hindered by its high price, securing only 85 points. The Nissan Leaf, an affordably priced EV, gained 135 points.
Juror Joann Muller commented, “The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is a great family car, with three rows of seating, a posh interior, and lots of safety equipment.”
NACTOY awards are esteemed accolades, determined by a diverse group of automotive journalists. Vehicles are assessed based on innovation, design, performance, and value, setting benchmarks in their respective segments.
Original Story at www.detroitnews.com