From budget-friendly commuters to torque-monster Hummers, electrification dominated the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow.
It’s enough to produce range, no, make that array anxiety. Clearly, reports of electrification’s demise are greatly exaggerated.
At Toronto’s CIAS, there were quirky inventions, of course; concepts showing how the world could be. But they were vastly outnumbered by major manufacturers displaying fully electric products (never mind all the hybrids), most of which you can buy now. Many qualify for the $5,000 Canadian federal rebate on EVs priced under $50,000 (terms and qualifying models apply).
Let’s skim a few from the multitude.
The IQs of Cadillac
Now that Billy Joel is enjoying a renaissance, you’re welcome to sing Cadillac-ack-ack-ack again, but maybe substitute “IQ” for “ac.”
A trio of big, bigger, biggest SUVs, the 2026 Lyriq, Vistiq and Escalade IQ, were complemented by the sleek and stunning Celestiq sedan, barely keeping the “car” in carmaker.
Kia’s EV Naming System: Now Based on Your Fingers
So much news from Kia. On the eve of CIAS, the EV9 won Canada’s Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year. In photos, you’d swear it was blushing.
Meanwhile, a pre-production EV5 rested on green indoor-outdoor carpet, expected to arrive in Canada this spring. Finally, the just-released EV4 sedan starts just under $39,000 — leaving room for options while still qualifying for the $5,000 rebate.
Sense and Sensation from Ford
Back in the day, electric Smart cars were badges of honour for true beliEVers. But let’s be honest: the biggest polluters were, and still are, trucks and SUVs.
Ford’s all-electric E-Transit is quiet, fume-free and sensible. In contrast, it stood near a lineup of Mustang Mach-Es; Select and Premium eAWD trims, plus the boldly branded GT California Special. All are brazenly impractical. All are undeniably fun.
Chevrolet: From the Doable to the Diabolical
For most EVs here, keeping the price under $50,000 including freight is tricky. Enter the Chevrolet Bolt LT and RS. Starting at $43,370 and $46,070 respectively, they qualify for the rebate, if you resist loading them up with extras.
GM is cancelling Bolt production next year, a pity. Is Chevrolet hoping the larger Blazer and Equinox EVs will take its place?
Then there’s the outrageous side of electrification. GMC displayed Silverado and Sierra EVs that don’t seem quite as huge as they are, at least when parked beside Hummer EVs.
Hummers? Yes. The 3X configuration offers an estimated 502 km of range and produces a staggering 11,500 pound-feet of torque. Does it qualify for the rebate? We both know the answer.
BMW Focuses on iX3 and Its Neue Klasse Philosophy
Making a major statement about the upcoming 2027 iX3, the first model in BMW’s Neue Klasse design direction, the brand commandeered CIAS’s entire Level 600 floor.
Other noteworthy EVs included the sleek i4 and the redesigned iX. But the real story is philosophical. BMW’s Neue Klasse approach signals a reset in design and technology. Expect a one-to-one interview with Hussein Al Attar, Director of Automotive Design at BMW Group Designworks, in this spring’s edition of Vicarious.
Toyota and Lexus: More Range, Not Always Fully Electric
Toyota and Lexus showcased a wide array of hybrids alongside their EV offerings, reminding us that entering the electric pool doesn’t always require full battery commitment.
Lexus’s ES 500e AWD boasts an estimated 400–415 km of range. It sat near a wrapped RZ 450e highlighting the brand’s Cirque du Soleil partnership.
Toyota displayed the subcompact C-HR XSE and a trio of bZ models: the XLE AWD, the outdoorsy bZ Woodland (with 3,500-pound towing capability), and the bZ Limited AWD.
Tesla Showed a Range — Not Always in a Good Way
Tesla’s sedans remain elegant, the Model 3 still a favourite. The Model Y Performance and Standard appeared at CIAS for the first time, despite years on the market.
Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, stood powered off, thankfully. And just when you thought the Cybertruck couldn’t be more polarizing, they added a tent. The result? A collection of design decisions that might give the Edsel confidence.
Nissan: The Brand That Brought EVs to the Masses
Let’s not forget late 2010, when the first Nissan Leaf helped normalize electric driving.
The displayed 2026 model starts just under $48,000, likely placing it just outside today’s rebate window.
A Stellantis Steal
A rotating platform showcased “Canada’s first fully electric trail-rated SUV”, the 2026 Jeep Recon. Useful if your commute involves rockslides.
Far more commuter-friendly is the delightfully small Fiat 500e. Stellantis listed the 2025 model starting at $26,330. At that price, it’s tempting, if you can find one.
Right Honourable Canadian Mentions: Project Arrow
You can’t buy the Arrow Vector or Borealis, they’re concept vehicles. But if you could, they’d qualify for the rebate regardless of price. They’re Canadian.
For now, they stand as proof of what domestic innovation can accomplish, many elements even 3D-printed.
So Much Choice It Hurts
This was only a sampling. Other green brands likely felt green with envy if not mentioned here.
The EV landscape isn’t shrinking.
It’s multiplying.
And yes, it may cause array anxiety.