And The Winners Are: Western Automotive Journalists Best of the Bay 2026
Twelve journalists, twelve vehicles and a day and a half of driving the Sonoma County backroads near Petaluma, California.
It's Best of the Bay, a yearly event for Western Automotive Journalists (WAJ), the automotive media organization for Northern California. When the driving's done, the voting begins.
This year, there were six categories: Best Compact SUV, Best Car, Best EV, Best Luxury SUV, Best Supercar and Best Overall. One category (Best Overall) was a tie that required a runoff. But first...
BEST COMPACT SUV NOMINEES:
2027 Kia Seltos X-Line SX AWD:
2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4:
2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition:
And the winner is:
Regular readers may remember my enthusiasm for the Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo when I reviewed one in March of 2024. My WAJ colleagues also found a lot to like:
“It doesn’t have the ‘most’ anything, not the most horsepower, the biggest screen, or the widest acreage of leather. But every element fits together well and results in a small SUV that’s simply a pleasure to drive. Good job, Mazda.“
“With its efficient use of space, spunkiness, and price, the Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo Aire Edition is best in class.”
The runner-up compact SUV is the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland, which would have had my vote if it hadn't had a price tag of $46,585 as tested---giving the Mazda a $9,345 price advantage. Still, I liked the Cherokee a lot, and agree with this note from a fellow judge:
“a well-appointed SUV that can tackle tough terrain while delivering 37 MPG. Impressive comeback.”
And I don't want to overlook the new 2027 Kia Seltos. It's roomy, economical and inherits the rugged styling of its big brother, the Telluride. I'm very much looking forward to the opportunity to do a full review.
BEST CAR NOMINEES:
2026 Honda Prelude:
2026 Lexus ES 500e Luxury:
And the winner is...
Based on conversations at lunch and dinner, I think we all were impressed by the electric version of the new ES (there's also a hybrid ES 350, which we have not driven yet). Notes from the ballots:
"Quiet, powerful and luxurious.”
“Just silky,”
“Serene. Smooth. Powerful. Lexus ES owners looking to go electric will feel right at home in the ES 500e.”
Honda’s sporty hybrid Prelude was the runner-up. I reviewed the Prelude, this exact one in fact, back in August, and it's worth your time to read that review for the deep dive.
BEST EV NOMINEES:
2027 Kia EV3 GT-Line AWD Long Range:
2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited:
2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Premium AWD:
And the winner is...
The judges:
“Crisp and distinctive design, an abundance of features, clever packaging, solid EV range, and driving it feels like entertainment. One feels good just walking up to it.”
“...fun to drive, well put together, and practical.”
The Subaru Trailseeker was this year’s Best EV Runner-Up.
“The Trailseeker is a form Subaru owners know and love -- a raised, all-wheel-drive wagon with plenty of space and a chunky exterior. Subaru fans wanting to go electric will take to it.”
The Toyota bZ Woodland shares the same platform and many of the Trailseeker's compontents. Look for full reviews of the bZ Woodland here on November 18 and of the Trailseeker on December 4.
BEST LUXURY SUV NOMINEES:
2027 Genesis GV60 Magma:
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy:
2026 Maserati Grecale Modena:
And the winner is:
I have been smitten by the new Palisade since I attended its launch event in Calistoga in the summer of 2025. And, in a testament to how well they hold up even under the---well, let's just use the word "care"---of automotive journalists, I reviewed this exact Palisade Calligraphy a year ago next week. And it's still turning the heads of pros who drive dozens if not hundreds of cars a year:
“Why benchmark the Grand Highlander when you can benchmark the Range Rover? The Palisade feels like a luxury vehicle, for the price of a mainstream family SUV.”
“Beautifully finished in and out, with the nicest interior treatment in the competition—period. Smooth, comfortable, and quiet - the Palisade is luxury personified.”
The runner-up Best Luxury SUV is the 2027 Genesis GV60 Magma, the Mr. Hyde to the regular GV60's Dr. Jekyll. One colleague's take:
“A luxury EV with a power boost button to shoot you into the stratosphere makes the GV60 Magma as much an amusement park ride as a daily driver.”
As for the Maserati Grecale Modena, it is a luxury SUV with 385 horsepower and a luscious dark red leather interior. Base price $84,500, as tested $90,320 (Speed limited to 149 mph because Joe Walsh ruined it for everybody).
BEST SUPERCAR NOMINEE:
So, here's the thing: McLaren said yes when we invited them to join us at Best of the Bay 2026 and they did not show up empty-handed, so we're not about to send them home empty-handed just because no other supercars came to play.
Best Supercar is a category of one this year, but if Ferrari and Lamborghini had shown up, if Maserati had brought an MCPura or GT2 Stradale instead of the Grecale SUV, there's no guarantee the McLaren Artura (base price $255,400/as tested $302,650) wouldn't have come out the winner. It's that impressive---a fire-breathing supercar that is also a plug-in hybrid capable of traveling 11 miles on pure electric power and---if you plug it in and use that electric range first, is rated by the EPA at 45 MPGe.
“Stunning styling punctuated by winged Dihedral doors, fighter-jet cockpit styling, V6 engine roar and an EV mode for up to 80 mph places the Artura in a league of its own.” “Stunning to look at, surprisingly easy and comfortable to drive, the McLaren Artura is a little intimidating (partially because of its $302,650 price tag) until you spend some time at the wheel. A lot of supercars are punishing to be in ---the suspension and steering put you through a workout to manage the stupendous power. But the Artura felt like a car that would be fine for Sunday drives in the Wine Country backroads as well as track day at Sonoma Raceway.”
That second quote is mine. I very casually, subtly, almost subliminally (he probably didn't even pick up on it) pleaded and begged the McLaren rep to let me have a week in it for a full review. If that happens, wonderful. If the 45 minutes I got in Petaluma was it, I'm still a very happy man.
And that brings us to the final category. Of the 12 cars above, we chose:
And here, I'll let the official WAJ press release do the talking:
The competition for the top honor was fierce this year, with the Mazda CX-30 just edging out the runner-up 2026 McLaren Artura. The judges ...heaped praise on the overall appeal of Mazda’s compact crossover.
“The Mazda CX-30, like Mazda’s Miata, somehow feels wonderfully balanced; the right amount of power, great handling for a crossover, and enough comfort to serve as an everyday vehicle. A compact SUV for people who enjoy driving.”
"The Mazda just has the whole package---speed, comfort, reasonable fuel economy-- and an interior much nicer than its price tag.”
