#United States #Chicago #Cars.com #Automotive Dealers #Dealer Awards

Celebrating the Best in Automotive Retail: 2026 Dealer of the Year Awards

Cars.com, a prominent platform for car shopping, has officially announced the winners of its annual Dealer of the Year Awards (DOTY) for 2026. This prestigious accolade spots the top automotive dealerships in the U.S. and Canada, serving as a valuable resource for consumers seeking remarkable car-buying experiences.

An Insight into the Award Selection Process

The evaluation of the nominees for the Dealer of the Year Awards is a data-driven process, grounded in consumer feedback. In 2025, Cars.com received nearly 1.3 million reviews, which helped determine the standout dealerships for this year’s accolades. The awarded dealerships were selected based on several crucial factors that play a role in customer satisfaction, including:

• - Average star rating
• - Total number of reviews
• - Dealer response to customer feedback

Jamie Oldershaw, the vice president of customer experience at Cars.com, emphasized the significance of consumer reviews, noting that they provide critical insights for shy shoppers. With research indicating that over 90% of early-stage car buyers are unsure about which dealership to choose, robust review data can guide their decision-making.

Recognizing Exceptional Dealerships: Regional and National Brand Winners

The 2026 Dealer of the Year Awards celebrate both regional winners and national brands. This year's regional winners include:

• - Mid-Atlantic: Mercedes-Benz of Edison - A Ray Catena Dealership, Edison, NJ
• - Midwest: Phillips Chevrolet, Frankfort, IL
• - New England: White River Toyota, White River Junction, VT
• - Plains: Reliable Lexus, Springfield, MO
• - Rocky Mountain: Courtesy Acura, Littleton, CO
• - Southeast: Honda of Concord, Concord, NC
• - Southwest: DM Leasing - Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
• - West: Lexus of Pleasanton, Pleasanton, CA

The national brand winners reflect the highest-rated dealerships within their respective brands. Some notable mentions include:

• - Acura: Hendrick Acura, Charlotte, NC
• - BMW: BMW of Springfield, Springfield, MO
• - Ford: Seelye Ford of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI
• - Toyota: Reliable Toyota, Springfield, MO

These dealerships were recognized not only for their performance but also for demonstrating high levels of responsiveness to customer reviews. Remarkably, nearly 90% of the award-winning dealerships actively engaged with customer feedback, highlighting their commitment to service excellence. In comparison, only 52% of non-winning dealerships exhibited such engagement.

Empowering Consumers Through Datadriven Insights

Cars.com provides an industry-leading dealership review platform, which enhances the car-buying journey by offering insights that empower both shoppers and dealerships. The platform's Smart Response tool, an AI-assisted feature, allows dealerships to respond to reviews faster, improving communication with customers and elevating their online presence. Additionally, dealerships can utilize their personalized Experience Report to maintain competitiveness and adapt to consumer needs more effectively.

Methodology Behind the Awards

The selection criteria for the Dealer of the Year Awards require dealerships to have accumulated 25 or more verified consumer reviews in 2025. The top automotive dealers were then judged based on their average star ratings and response rates to reviews, ensuring that only the most deserving dealerships are honored.

Conclusion

The Cars.com Dealer of the Year Awards not only celebrate excellence within the automotive industry but also serve as a beacon for consumers navigating the car-buying experience. The combination of comprehensive feedback, dedicated service, and swift communication all contribute to making informed decisions in an ever-evolving market. With these awards, Cars.com continues to foster a transparent and enhanced environment for both consumers and dealerships alike.