• Hyundai Elantra, Palisade and IONIQ 9 are part of the 12 Best Vehicles in Canada for 2026 according to the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC)
• This achievement makes Hyundai the only OEM with three vehicles on this prestigious list
• Elantra, Palisade and IONIQ 9 automatically advance as finalists for the 2026 Canadian Car of the Year Awards

Montreal, QC (January 15, 2026) – Hyundai is proud to announce that three of its models—the Elantra, Palisade, and IONIQ 9—have been named among the 12 Best Vehicles in Canada for 2026 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). This remarkable achievement distinguishes Hyundai as the only automaker with three vehicles on this prestigious list.

By earning a place on AJAC’s 12 Best list, the Elantra, Palisade, and IONIQ 9 automatically advance as finalists for the 2026 Canadian Car of the Year Awards. The winners will be revealed on February 12 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

• Hyundai Elantra – Finalist for the 2026 Canadian Car of the Year
• Hyundai Palisade – Finalist for the 2026 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year
• Hyundai IONIQ 9 – Finalist for the 2026 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year

Building on Award-Winning Momentum

This recognition follows Hyundai’s strong performance in 2025, when two models made AJAC’s 12 Best Vehicles list and later won top honours in their categories:

• 2025 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year: Hyundai Santa Fe
• 2025 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year: Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

“Canadian drivers continue to recognize Hyundai for what we deliver across the lineup: compelling design, advanced technologies, and best-in-class customer experience,” said Steve Flamand, President & CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada. “To have Palisade, IONIQ 9 and Elantra all named to AJAC’s 12 Best is a powerful affirmation of our teams’ work, and we’re honoured to be the automaker with the most vehicles on the list.”

“Congratulations to Hyundai for earning three spots on AJAC’s 2026 12 Best Vehicles in Canada list, part of the 2026 Canadian Car of the Year Awards”, said Evan Williams, president of AJAC. “Hyundai vehicles have earned plenty of accolades in the Canadian Car of the Year program in recent years, and with models like the Elantra, Palisade, and IONIQ 9, it’s easy to see why our panel of experts rated them among the 12 Best Vehicles in Canada. AJAC’s professional automotive journalists scored these Hyundai models particularly highly for safety and quality, two very important factors for Canadians when purchasing a new vehicle.”

Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra stands out as a leader in efficiency and innovation within the compact sedan segment. Available in both gasoline and hybrid powertrains, it is recognized with best-in-class fuel efficiency on hybrid models. The Elantra delivers exceptional value for Canadian drivers seeking lower operating costs without compromising performance. Its sleek aerodynamic design, advanced Smartstream engine technology, and available hybrid powertrain combine to maximize fuel economy while maintaining a smooth, responsive driving experience. Inside, the Elantra offers a modern cabin with intuitive connectivity features, premium materials, and advanced safety systems, making it a smart choice for those who demand both practicality and sophistication.

Hyundai Palisade
The new 2026 Hyundai Palisade is bigger, better and goes further than its critically acclaimed predecessor — and its SUV competition. Not only does Palisade’s additional space, longer driving range and rugged ability impress, its infotainment, convenience, and advanced safety-system upgrades mean that this new model is more capable in every dimension. With the introduction of a hybrid variant, tech that empowers, and enhanced roominess and comfort—alongside the adventure-ready XRT PRO model, the 2026 Palisade more than meets the needs of today’s drivers and families.

The 2026 Palisade offers two new powertrain options. The internal-combustion powertrain boasts a newly developed 3.5-litre V6 producing 287 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. A hybrid option also joins the Palisade powertrain portfolio for the first time. It features a combined total system output of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. Specific features have been added to the hybrid to provide a more EV-like ownership experience, including a new Stay Mode function that monitors the battery system when parked to allow for extended use of the infotainment and HVAC functions.

Hyundai IONIQ 9
Hyundai’s first fully-electric three-row SUV, the IONIQ 9 delivers 500 kilometres of range or more on all trims¹. With its impressive range; expansive, class-above interior; cutting-edge design; extensive safety features, and fast-charging technology, IONIQ 9 is ideal for modern family life.

IONIQ 9 is equipped with relevant technology and ultra-fast 800-volt/350 kW charging that can charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 24 minutes.² It is among the first non-Tesla models to feature a native NACS port. This easy-to-use design makes for seamless charging on the Tesla Supercharger network at select charging stations across Canada, and the included adapter enables convenient charging on CCS high-speed public chargers.