The 2026 Hyundai Palisade today earned Edmunds Top Rated Best of the Best Award for 2026, the publication’s ultimate annual accolade. Selected from all 2026 Edmunds Top Rated category winners following extensive real-world testing of all new vehicles on the market, Hyundai’s all-new three-row hybrid SUV emerged victorious on the strength of its impact, innovation, and relevance to car shoppers. In addition to the Palisade Hybrid’s capstone recognition, its IONIQ 5 sibling has been named Edmunds Top Rated 2026 Electric SUV. In addition, the Tucson Hybrid compact SUV and IONIQ 9 three-row EV have earned Edmunds Top Rated Highly Recommended distinctions, underscoring Hyundai’s leadership across hybrid and electric SUV segments.

The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offers a range of virtues that shame SUVs costing twice as much. The best family SUV in America is also one of the most desirable,” said Alistair Weaver, senior vice president, content and editor-in-chief of Edmunds. “The Hyundai Palisade Hybrid combines a spacious, versatile cabin with a level of quality unmatched for the price. It’s also good to drive, and the hybrid system blends punchy performance with impressive fuel economy

“Recognition like this matters because Edmunds evaluates vehicles the way customers actually live with them, day in and day out,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor America. The Palisade Hybrid is a reflection of Hyundai at its best in disciplined packaging, premium execution, and functionality that shows up in real family life. “We are intentional about delivering vehicles that feel considered in every seat, mile, and moment and work to earn trust in driveways, school pickup lines, and road trips across the country.”

Why Edmunds Named Palisade Hybrid Edmunds Top Rated Best of the Best

Sets the benchmark for modern family SUVs: Establishes a new industry standard through a carefully tailored combination of refined design, class-above cabin furnishings, intuitive convenience and safety technologies, and the sort of real world usability that today’s modern families demand.

Engineered for refinement: Exceptional interior quality and craftsmanship pair with a thoughtfully integrated threerow layout deliver a refined driving and ownership experience that is cohesive, purposeful, and premium.

Advanced hybrid performance with everyday efficiency: Palisade’s hybrid powertrain delivers confident, responsive performance along with impressive fuel efficiency, striking an ideal balance between power and everyday practicality.

Why Edmunds Named IONIQ 5 its Top Rated Electric SUV

In addition to the Palisade Hybrid’s Best of the Best honors, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has been named Edmunds Top Rated Electric SUV for 2026.

“A superb all-rounder, the IONIQ 5 is distinctive, spacious, and capable,” said Weaver. “Quick to charge with an impressive electric range, it’s also good to drive, whether you choose the standard car, the all-terrain XRT or the seriously rapid IONIQ 5 N.”

What Sets the IONIQ 5 Apart

Versatility to match different lifestyles: From efficient daily transportation to off-road‑inspired exploration to performance-focused driving, the IONIQ 5 lineup caters to a wide range of needs.

A striking exterior paired with a roomy, flexible interior that comfortably supports passengers and cargo, ideal for today’s modern lifestyles.

Fast charging with confidence‑inspiring range: 800V DC ultra‑fast charging capability and strong electric range helps make longer trips and daily commuting stress-free and more convenient.

Hyundai’s model lineup earned further validation with Edmunds Top Rated Highly Recommended distinctions for the Tucson Hybrid and Hyundai IONIQ 9, recognizing models that deliver strong real-world driving enjoyment and everyday usability in their respective segments. 

From city car to premium hatchback

When the first Polo appeared in 1975, it was a simple, agile supermini. Ideal for narrow streets and tight parking spaces. But over the years, the Polo evolved into a full-fledged hatchback with almost premium allure. The current, sixth-generation Polo is over four meters long, packed with technology, and offers comfort that almost makes you forget its city car roots.

With over 20 million units sold worldwide, the Polo is one of the absolute giants in the B-segment. For comparison, the Polo's older and bigger brother, the Golf, received the same title last year on its 50th anniversary.

Why the Polo?

The jury – consisting of designers, engineers, journalists, dealers and even racing drivers – particularly praised the consistent quality of the model.

"The 20 million drivers who have bought a Volkswagen Polo since 1975 can't be wrong," said jury chairman Mike Rutherford. "It's the most reliable and credible city car of the past 50 years."

According to the organization, the secret lies in the balance: understated yet stylish design, clever dimensions, high build quality, a favorable price, low running costs, and an efficient character. Each generation has managed to maintain this formula, while still evolving the Polo with the times.

 

Volkswagen Polo named 'Best Car of the Last 50 Years'

Dutch hit

The Polo has become a fixture on Dutch roads – in fact, it's the most common car on our streets. Generation after generation, it's captivated buyers here, whether they're young city dwellers, families, or long-distance travelers.

Source: msn.com

The Latin America and Caribbean sales division has conducted a new round of training sessions for authorized dealers in the region, with representation from Garage Centraal, held in Miami from May 19th to 23rd. This strategically designed program aims not only to refine technical and commercial skills but also to optimize sales and after-sales operations, raising service standards across the entire distribution network. With a strong focus on excellence, the program seeks to standardize and enhance the following processes:

I already knew the Elantra N TCR Edition would be a bit much with its massive rear wing, but I was still looking forward to giving it a run. After all, the TCR is as close as it gets to Hyundai's current Elantra N touring car it races in IMSA. It's also still not available in the U.S. as a Canada-exclusive forbidden fruit in North America.

That massive carbon fiber and adjustable rear wing was part of a series of recommendations from Hyundai's own touring car drivers. It improves high-speed stability, while a set of upgraded brakes and sticker tires helps endure longer, harder lap times. The TCR is serious stuff!

What I didn't expect, though, was the flashy N livery on my test car's flanks, part of a dealer-installed accessory. Call me old, but I've grown out of cars that scream 'look at me,' and the whole package here just felt way too overzealous for my taste. Anyway, it's my job to test out cars, so I gulped down my pride and took off in this bright blue, snortin' and fartin', big-winged hooligan. But it didn't take time for me to realize, from all the attention this car attracted, that the TCR is well-known in the Hyundai community. A community that's totally lit up.

A Very Devoted Audience Hiding In Plain Sight

Hyundai

Frederic Mercier, Hyundai Canada's product communications manager for the Quebec region, was telling me that during a dedicated Elantra N TCR event that took place at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (Mosport), he was baffled by the amount of enthusiasm that surrounded the N line. The automaker had invited not just members of the media and content creators to the event, but actual N-car owners from across the country. Mercier underlined the fact that it's a hot and boiling community of proud and engaged individuals.

Experiencing The Hyundai N's Impact In

William Clavey | TopSpeed

And I noticed that myself pretty fast. The more I drove around in the N TCR, the more I noticed how many Elantra Ns were on the road. And the first evening I hit the gym, I walked out of the building only to spot a fellow Elantra N owner parked next to the car, grabbing pictures and creating social media stories with it.

I walked up. "You like the car?" I asked. He immediately pulled away, telling me he couldn't believe he was actually seeing one on the road. "Aren't those super rare and limited production?" the visibly younger-than-me fellow replied.

I explained to him that I was an auto journalist and that the car was a loaned press unit for a review. The lad was quick to reply that he was in charge of our local Hyundai dealer's social media feeds and content creation, and that his dream was to one day do my job (I get that a lot). He took down my name, drove off in his louder-than-stock Elantra N, and later added me to Facebook (yes, I'm that old).

Each Encounter Revealed Just How Hardcore Hyundai's N Fans Really Are

Hyundai

The more I drove the Elantra N TCR, the less I was worried about what people thought of me with that humongous wing, giant brakes, and equally ostentatious N livery. That's because I was actually receiving positive attention my way. Yes, people looked at it, but I was also getting a slew of positive thumbs from Honda, Subaru, and Toyota owners of modified hot compacts. And Hyundai owners.

But not just N owners, but regular models, too, like Accents and base-model Elantras. Reckless driving to impress me — something I never recommend doing — was also a common thing by some of these owners. That's also something I'm used to with this job, by the way. For some reason, some folks react oddly when they spot a car on the road that raises their pulse. Somehow, this Hyundai had that effect on some of them.

Grabbing Attention As A Supercar Would

Hyundai

Moving on later into the week, and on my way to brunch with my brother, an Elantra N-Line owner with an N Performance sticker on his windshield suddenly parked next to us. The driver, who appeared to be a much younger dude than me, was losing his mind at the sight of the thing, asking me if he could take photos of the car. I obviously said yes, but his sheer excitement was something I had only previously seen with special machines like supercars or rare, classic JDM cars. This is a Hyundai Elantra!

Performance Hyundais Went From A Joke To The Hip Car On The Road

Hyundai

So, that's how much the automotive passion has shifted in the span of only a few decades. It also proves how Hyundai's efforts at attracting hardcore automotive enthusiasts with its N line has actually paid off. When I was growing out of the 1990s as a young adult buying my first car, Hyundais were honestly not on the radar of enthusiasts. Sure, the automaker had the Tiburon sports coupe, but it was never as polished or sorted out as, say, a Honda Prelude or a Toyota Celica.

Back then, kids bought Hondas, VWs, Toyotas, Mazdas, and, in some cases, even some American stuff, like the Chevrolet Cavalier/Pontiac Sunfire, or the Dodge Neon. The Elantra was a ho-hum, super cheap appliance on wheels that folks got because of low monthly payments and a good warranty. But something happened along the line. The Japanese got soft in the sport compact/hot hatchback segment, and Hyundai grasped an opportunity to gain market share while they were on their knees with the very first Veloster N.

Hyundai's Future As An Enthusiast Brand Looks Bright

Which is why Hyundai Canada isn't worried that the TCR Edition will end up sleeping in Canadian dealerships. Fred Mercier is confident that there's demand and hype for it, and the automaker could even increase the number of examples if it becomes a sales hit. Still no news on U.S. market penetration, by the way.

After dropping off the TCR at the press office following a full week with it, enjoying its tarmac-kissing performance the best I could on my favorite bits of asphalt, the Hyundai rep sent me a screenshot of the TCR parked at a nearby park I often like to go to wind down. The photo, or the "spotted", came from a fellow Veloster owner who had spotted it and felt the need to pull over and make a social media post about it. How many people are doing this with Honda Civics these days?

Source: Top Speed

ORANJESTAD - Hyundai, through its official distributor for Aruba, Garage Centraal, is pleased to announce that Hyundai will become an official sponsor for Aruba Little League.

This announcement was made official this Friday, with the presence of representatives of Little League with Garage Centraal in the showroom of Garage Centraal to kick off this important sponsorship of Hyundai for Aruba Little League.

Aruba Little League is a fundamental factor in the practice of baseball among our children and young people, as the largest league on our island. It develops their discipline, and creates behaviors that will be valuable not only in the framework of sports, but in their daily lives.

And the talent developed in this league achieves important results at international level, with Aruban teams that in the past have achieved victory in Caribbean competition, giving them the opportunity to reach the Little League World Series in Williamsport USA, the maximum competition of Little League at international level.

Now Hyundai announces its support for this important mission, which will be used for their expenses of the uniform that children of Aruba will use in international competitions, in addition to travel expenses for the local selections represent Aruba internationally. As a matter of fact, one of Aruba’s terams have qualified as champion of the Caribbean area, and will go to compete at the Little League World Series at Williamsport later this year.

This is in line with Hyundai's mission reflected in its motto of "Progress for Humanity" which looks beyond the company's cars as a simple form of transportation. And Hyundai has an important tradition of sponsorship of sporting activities, and Hyundai now includes baseball in this group is simply evidence that this company will seek the activities that are relevant in different regions of the world, and promote this to fulfill its goal of continuing to move into the future together. Furthermore, this sponsorship, an initiative of the board of directors of Garage Centraal, is being extended to other Caribbean islands, with which many more young people will benefit from it.

This is another initiative that will support our young people of Aruba, and it is a pleasure for Hyundai and Garage Centraal to be part of it.

More than 1 in 4 cars sold around the world in 2025 are expected to be EVs, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). And if EVs stay on track, they could make up over 40% of global car sales by 2030.

The IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2025 report, released today, shows the electric car market is still charging ahead, even with some bumps in the road. Despite economic pressures on the auto sector, EV sales hit a record 17 million in 2024, pushing their global market share past 20% for the first time. That momentum carried into early 2025, with EV sales jumping 35% in Q1 year-over-year. All major markets saw record-breaking Q1 numbers.

China continues to lead the EV race by a wide margin. Nearly half the cars sold there in 2024 were electric. That’s over 11 million EVs – more than the entire world sold just two years earlier. EV adoption is also booming in emerging markets across Asia and Latin America, where sales shot up by more than 60% last year.

In the US, EV sales grew about 10% year over year, with electric vehicles now making up over 10% of all new car sales. Meanwhile, Europe’s EV sales hit a plateau. As government incentives started to taper off, the continent’s market share held steady at around 20%.

“Our data shows that, despite significant uncertainties, electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “Sales continue to set new records, with major implications for the international auto industry.”

One of the main drivers is lower prices. The average cost of a battery electric car dropped in 2024, thanks to increased competition and falling battery prices. In China, two-thirds of EVs sold last year were cheaper than their gas-powered counterparts, and that’s without subsidies. But in markets like the US and Germany, EVs are still pricier up front: around 30% more in the US, and 20% more in Germany.

Still, EVs win when it comes to operating costs. Even if oil drops to $40 per barrel, it’s still about half as expensive to charge and run an EV at home in Europe than to drive a gas car. New cars tend to be bought by people or organizations that drive a lot for work. Older cars drag the average miles driven per car down. You can expect EVs to start dominating what you see on the roads a lot sooner than some of the statistics would suggest. The number of miles driven for EVs will be higher than ICE cars.

The report also notes the growing role of Chinese EV exports. About 20% of all EVs sold globally last year were imported. China, which produces over 70% of the world’s EVs, exported 1.25 million of them in 2024. These exports have helped push down prices in emerging markets.

And it’s not just electric cars that are on the rise. Electric truck sales jumped 80% globally last year, now making up nearly 2% of the truck market. Most of that growth came from China, where some heavy-duty electric trucks are already cheaper to run than diesel, even if the upfront cost is higher.

Source: Electrek