General Motors walked away from New England with two trophies last week. The Chevrolet Suburban Z71 was named Top Winter Pick for Full-Size SUV and the Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport took Top Winter Pick for Luxury SUV at the 2026 New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) Winter Vehicle Awards.
The awards were announced July 15, 2026 at NEMPA’s annual awards dinner, held at the organization’s headquarters in Middleborough, Massachusetts. Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars, served as master of ceremonies.
A Quick Note Before We Dig In
A little transparency, because you deserve it. Along with running GM-Trucks.com, I have the privilege of serving as President of the New England Motor Press Association. That role gave me one of the best moments of my summer: personally handing Chevrolet’s trophy to Chevy spokesperson Alex Nunez in front of a room full of colleagues and friends.
The winners aren’t my call, and that’s exactly how it should be. NEMPA’s Winter Vehicle Awards are voted on by the association’s membership of automotive journalists, based on real-world evaluation in New England conditions. My job that night was simply to celebrate the results. And when two GM SUVs earn that kind of recognition from writers who spend every winter driving on snow, ice, and frost heaves, sharing the news here is a genuine pleasure.
Why a NEMPA Winter Award Actually Means Something
Plenty of awards get handed out in this industry. NEMPA’s are different because of where the testing happens. New England throws weather, terrain, and road conditions at a vehicle that most of the country never sees: lake-effect snow, black ice, frost heaves, unplowed back roads, and salt, so much salt.
The region’s buyers are paying attention too. New Englanders spent $67.9 billion on new cars and trucks in 2025, according to NADA data. A vehicle that proves itself here has earned the badge.
Chevrolet Suburban Z71: Top Winter Pick, Full-Size SUV
The Chevrolet Suburban in Z71 trim beat out the full-size SUV field as NEMPA’s Top Winter Pick. It’s a fitting result for the off-road flavor of Chevrolet’s longest-running nameplate. The Z71 package pairs the Suburban’s massive three-row practicality with four-wheel drive hardware and all-terrain rubber that make it a legitimately capable rig when the pavement disappears under snow.
For New England families hauling kids, dogs, and gear to the mountains all winter, that combination is exactly the point.
Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport: Top Winter Pick, Luxury SUV
On the luxury side, the Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport claimed Top Winter Pick for Luxury SUV. The Escalade shares its bones with the Suburban and Tahoe, so its winter chops are no surprise to anyone here. NEMPA’s members recognized that the flagship Cadillac delivers that capability wrapped in a level of comfort and technology that makes a February commute feel like a first-class cabin.
The Complete 2026 NEMPA Winter Vehicle Award Winners
GM’s two wins came against a deep field. Here’s the full list of winners for context:
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Official Winter Vehicle of New England | Subaru Outback Wilderness |
| Best Winter Truck | Ram 1500 Warlock |
| Best Winter Crossover | Honda Passport TrailSport |
| Best Winter Family Utility Vehicle | Kia Telluride X-Pro |
| Best Winter EV | Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy |
| Top Winter Pick: Compact/Midsize Truck | Ford Maverick Hybrid |
| Top Winter Pick: Full-Size Truck | Ford F-150 Tremor |
| Top Winter Pick: Small SUV | Subaru Crosstrek Sport Hybrid |
| Top Winter Pick: Compact SUV | Subaru Forester Hybrid |
| Top Winter Pick: Mid-Size SUV | Toyota 4Runner Limited |
| Top Winter Pick: Full-Size SUV | Chevrolet Suburban Z71 |
| Top Winter Pick: Luxury SUV | Cadillac Escalade Platinum Sport |
| Top Winter Pick: Luxury Mid-Size SUV | Acura MDX Type-S |
| Top Winter Pick: Luxury Compact SUV | Genesis GV70 |
| Top Winter Pick: Performance Car | Dodge Charger Six Pack Plus |
| Top Winter Pick: Daily Driver | Toyota Prius AWD Limited |
| Top Winter Pick: Family Hauler | Toyota Sienna Platinum AWD |
| Top Winter Pick: All Year EV | Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally |
| Yankee Cup Technology Award | Rivian |
| Ritvo Design & Elegance Award | McLaren Artura Spider |
The evening also honored two industry professionals: Zachary Reed of Toyota Motor North America received the Charles E. Dole High Road Award, and George Kennedy of Kia America took home the Camel’s Back Award.
The full announcement is available on NEMPA’s website, and you can find more GM news right here as it breaks.
Join the Discussion
Do you trust your Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, or Escalade when the snow starts flying? Tell us about your winter experience in the 2021-2026 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon & Escalade forum on GM-Trucks.com.
Zane Merva is the Executive Editor of GM-Trucks.com and the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated ‘Car Talk’ Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire