The Kia EV9 has been named the 2026 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was announced at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto on February 13, 2026. Nearly three years after its launch, the three-row electric SUV has now earned close to 50 accolades worldwide.
Highlights
- AJAC named the Kia EV9 the 2026 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, citing its unchanged starting price over three model years as a key factor.
- Canadian Black Book recognized Kia as the Best Residual Values Overall Brand for Electric Vehicles, signaling strong long-term value retention.
- A panel of 50 AJAC jurors cast more than 600 ballots to determine the category winners across all 2026 model-year vehicles.
- Kia has now won 14 AJAC category awards since 2005, including an overall Car of the Year title.
Price Stability Pushed EV9 Over the Top
According to AJAC President Evan Williams, the EV9 had been a close contender for the past two years. However, its consistent pricing ultimately made the difference. Williams noted that the SUV’s starting price has held steady for three consecutive years. As a result, what was already a strong family EV now delivers exceptional value for Canadian buyers.
Elias El-Achhab, VP and COO of Kia Canada, said the recognition reinforces the automaker’s commitment to high-quality electric vehicles. He also pointed to the Canadian Black Book award as further validation of Kia’s EV strategy.
Canadian Black Book Honors Kia’s EV Lineup
In addition to the AJAC win, Canadian Black Book awarded Kia the Best Residual Values title for Overall Brand in the electric category. The award evaluates several factors:
- Forecasted long-term vehicle demand
- Expected value retention performance
- Confidence in the brand’s EV product strategy
This recognition suggests that Kia’s electric vehicles are holding their value better than competitors in the Canadian market. For consumers, strong residual values translate to lower total cost of ownership.
Kia’s AJAC Track Record
Kia has built a consistent record of success at the AJAC awards. Since 2005, the automaker has earned 14 category wins. Notable past honors include the 2019 Car of the Year for the Kia Stinger, the 2018 Green Utility Vehicle of the Year for the Kia Niro, and the 2015 Green Car of the Year for the Soul EV.
EV Lineup on Display at Toronto Auto Show
Kia’s expanding electric vehicle portfolio will be showcased at the Canadian International Auto Show, running February 13–22, 2026. The display will feature the award-winning EV9, the recently launched EV4, and the upcoming EV5.
Kia (www.kia.com) currently sells approximately three million vehicles annually. The automaker operates manufacturing facilities in six countries and maintains a presence in more than 190 markets worldwide.
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