The Kelley Blue Ebook Client Alternative Awards (previously often known as the Model Picture Awards) acknowledge automakers whose mannequin strains of automobiles, vans, and SUVs buyers are smitten by. The winners of those awards are decided by the opinions of in-market new automotive buyers. For many years, Kelley Blue Ebook has researched this information as a part of its annual examine of buyers’ perceptions. The manufacturers that win these awards excite and appeal to new automotive buyers, and doing that is important in relation to success within the market.
Kelley Blue Ebook conducts an annual examine of in-market new automotive buyers, known as the Model Watch Research, that covers 14 parts of a car which are necessary to somebody searching for a brand new automotive. These key attributes embody affordability, security, sturdiness/reliability, and inside structure. The Client Alternative Awards are primarily based on the outcomes of this examine and canopy mainstream and luxurious manufacturers, together with total winners for EV/hybrid and truck. Listed below are the Client Alternative Award winners of 2026.
Finest Manufacturers
Finest General Model: Honda
Honda is the winner for the fifth 12 months in a row and the tenth time, due to its engineering excellence, high quality, and spectacular vary of automobiles.
Most Trusted Model: Honda
Honda’s automobiles are identified for his or her reliability, practicality, security, and gasoline effectivity.
Finest Worth Model: Honda
Worth has at all times been a part of Honda’s DNA, and Honda has received this class yearly since 2015.
Finest In-Car Expertise Model: Honda
Right here, buyers praised Honda for consolation, superior tech, and the benefit of use and inside structure.
Finest Efficiency Model: Honda
On the subject of efficiency, Honda’s track-ready 315-horsepower Civic Sort R leads the way in which. And glorious steering, dealing with, and driving dynamics are hallmarks of Honda’s whole car lineup.
Finest Automotive Styling Model: Honda
Honda wins this award for the primary time, thanks in no small half to the rugged beauty of the Pilot and Passport, the fashionable Accord and Civic sedans, and the glossy new Prelude.
Finest Luxurious Manufacturers
Finest General Luxurious Model: Lexus
Profitable this award for the sixth time, Lexus automobiles and SUVs are identified for consolation, reliability, security, gasoline effectivity, and worth.
Most Trusted Luxurious Model: Lexus
Lexus has been the Most Trusted Luxurious Model since 2016.
Finest Worth Luxurious Model: Lexus
Because of its glorious hybrid choices and a formidable slate of ordinary gear, Lexus automobiles supply luxurious whereas enhancing high quality for the value and gasoline effectivity.
Finest In-Car Expertise: Mercedes-Benz
A automotive or SUV bearing the Mercedes-Benz badge is understood for inside craftsmanship, refinement, and high quality. In-market automotive buyers additionally respect the inside structure, tech, and luxury.
Finest Efficiency Luxurious Model: Porsche
Porsche’s automobiles are identified for exhilarating efficiency on the observe and on the street. It’s woven into the corporate’s heritage, and you may really feel it in each automotive they make.
Finest Automotive Styling Luxurious Model: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz fashions vary from the lovable, boxy, old-school G-Class to the ultra-sleek AMG GT, with elegant flagship sedans and SUVs rounding out the road.
Finest General EV/Hybrid Model
Finest General EV/Hybrid Model: Honda
Honda’s hybrid variations of the CR-V, Accord, and Civic add incredible gasoline financial system and extra energy, making them an excellent higher worth — and extra enjoyable.
Finest General Truck Model
Finest General Truck Model: Ram
The Ram truck lineup gives energy, functionality, and off-road prowess, and provides a few of the most interesting interiors and nicest experience high quality you’ll discover in a truck.
In regards to the Client Alternative Awards
New automobiles, vans, and SUVs signify much more than mere transportation. They function methods for customers to say one thing about themselves whereas going from Level A to Level B. For a lot of drivers, the purpose is to get away from all of it. For others, an SUV is important for an energetic out of doors life-style. And for others but, having an all-electric car is the last word purpose.
With this broad number of buyers’ pursuits, gauging this reputation is not any straightforward process. The Kelley Blue Ebook Client Alternative Awards use the opinions from greater than 12,000 in-market, new car buyers, monitoring 14 key elements which are necessary to buyers. These are knowledgeable customers who extensively analysis their car purchases on KBB.com. We observe this viewers by our annual Model Watch Research, which compiles client traits and attitudes on new automobiles obtainable in the present day.
The Model Watch Research samples each cellular and desktop customers. This permits the examine to mirror the views of a extra numerous group of respondents. Since 2007, the brand-level examine has included greater than 180,000 interviews. Since 2012, the model-level examine has included greater than 500,000 interviews.
