2026 Car And Driver Editors’ Choice Awards

The magazine Car and Driver has been in print and evaluating vehicles for nearly 70 years, making it one of the most trusted rating authorities available to consumers. Because of its reputation for integrity, honesty, and very accurate testing and evaluation processes, Car and Driver’s findings are respected by consumers, vehicle manufacturers, and other experts evaluating vehicles. So, when Kia was awarded five 2026 2026 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice awards, everyone at Premier Kia of Carlsbad and at the manufacturer was quite pleased.

The award winners are:

• The 2026 Kia Carnival and 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid in the minivan category
• The 2026 Kia EV6 in the compact electric category
• The 2026 Kia EV9 in the mid-size electric category
• The 2026 Kia K5 in the mid-size family sedan category

Equally as impressive as the sweep of these five categories is that all five models were also named in the 2025 awards. And the Kia K5 has won the award every year since its 2021 launch.

How Car And Driver Editors’ Choice Awards Are Determined

Each model year, Car and Driver evaluates more than 450 models across a wide range of vehicle categories. Each undergoes extensive instrumented testing and hands-on driving evaluations, which are scored on a 10-star scale, with 10 being the highest rating. Only vehicles achieving a score of 9, 9.5, or 10 stars can receive the Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award. The areas of testing and evaluation for each vehicle include:

Driving Enjoyment – the vehicle is rated for how engaging it is when driven in a real-world road setting

The Vehicle Value – this is a basic comparison of the vehicle price and how it relates to the features and performance of the vehicle

Mission Fulfillment – this is the investigation into how well the vehicle serves its intended market, for example, is a minivan easy to load and unload, or is a sports car really fast and fun to drive

What These Awards Mean To Kia And Kia Customers

Kia is proud to have won awards in some very significant categories. The manufacturer is dedicated to meeting the needs of minivan buyers and drivers with quality selections at a reasonable price. The feeling is that this is a crucial demographic that focuses on functionality and capability, as well as value, being that the majority of minivan buyers are growing families. The award in the family sedan category is also very meaningful because, again, Kia is focused on meeting the needs of families who want safe and family-friendly vehicles that also represent value. Finally, the awards in the electric categories are a nod to the future of the personal vehicle and automotive industry. Kia is genuinely forging a path to the future with quality electric and hybrid vehicles. With five vehicles earning the 2026 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice Awards, consumers can see that Kia is focused on providing quality and value to buyers across demographics and use cases.

Why Choose Premier Kia Of Carlsbad To Test Drive Award-Winning Kia Models?

When buyers from Temecula, San Diego, Oceanside, and San Clemente arrive at Premier Kia of Carlsbad, they quickly see what sets our full-service dealership apart. The dedication of our new and pre-owned vehicle sales experts, the professionalism and expertise of the finance center staff, and the myriad of automotive services provided in the service center are all focused on meeting your vehicle-centric needs for life. Stop by today for a test drive, routine car service such as an oil change, or to explore thetrade-in value of your current vehicle if you were to purchase a new Kia at Premier Kia of Carlsbad.