Cars.com Names 2026 Dealer of the Year Using 1.3M Reviews
Cars.com collected 1.3 million of its 16 million consumer reviews in 2025 to select the 2026 Dealer of the Year Awards, honoring U.S. and Canadian dealerships by star ratings, review count and responsiveness. Winners posted a 90% review response rate versus 52% for non-winners, highlighting its Smart Response AI tool.
1. Awards Overview
Cars.com’s annual Dealer of the Year Awards used 1.3 million consumer reviews submitted in 2025 from its 16 million-review platform to identify top U.S. and Canadian dealerships. Winners were evaluated on average star rating, total number of reviews and responsiveness to customer feedback.
2. 2026 Dealer of the Year Winners
Regional honorees include Mercedes-Benz of Edison (NJ), Phillips Chevrolet (IL), White River Toyota (VT) and Reliable Lexus (MO). National brand winners span 40 marques, featuring Hendrick Acura (NC), Alfa Romeo Fiat of Strongsville (OH) and Park Place LTD (WA) among others.
3. Platform Engagement and Tools
Award recipients achieved a 90% review response rate compared with 52% for non-winners, underscoring the value of timely engagement. Cars.com’s Smart Response AI tool accelerates response time, enhances message quality and boosts dealer SEO performance.