These are the Best New Cars That We Can’t Wait to Drive in 2026
And why you should put them on your must-drive list, too
January always poses the most optimistic of questions: What does the future hold? What do we want to accomplish, acquire, achieve? Whiling away winter nights dream scrolling vacations, renovations and celebrations, our dream car comes up in the shuffle. Of course it does: it’ll take us on that road trip, overlanding adventure or allow us to say buh-bye to buying gas. But the best new cars will do more than that: They’ll set a trend, change our style, make a statement. Bring us into new tech, to new places and indoctrinate us into a life we only dreamed of before. And, there’ll be that new car smell.
These are the best new cars we’re dreaming of for 2026. It’s a pretty impressive list, so book mark this page and these cars; you’ll want to put these test drives on your calendar.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
The Newest Volvo: EX60
Volvo has been on a design journey the last few years, advancing Scandie-chic design with some of the most elegant and modern materials and designs seen anywhere. For 2026 the EX60, the 5-passenger EV version of the brand’s best-selling SUV will add more tech with a camera-informed AI system that can not only scan the cloud for the perfect coffee shop, but scan the street, too. The system will also be able to have conversation with with you so you can narrow down the topic or ask specific questions like, does that coffee shop on the north west corner have chai latte?
Add to that the EX60’s 400 mile range, fast charging electric architecture and powerful powertrain and this will be a must-drive, especially for those EV fence sitters.
The Super Chic Infiniti QX65
We got our first glimpse of the Infiniti QX55 at Monterey Car Week and were frustrated only that we were not allowed to go inside. But its sleek coupe-style silhouette, sporty profile and elegant proportions make this one a must-drive, and maybe a must-buy. What we do know is that the exterior advances what we saw on the Infiniti QX80 and later on the QX60, from the bamboo-inspired front grille to the piano key rear tail light bar. If the QX80 is any indication, expect an expansive multimedia system, intuitive tech features and some nice luxuries, plus beautifully composed leather seating, a signature for Infiniti.
The Incredible Kia Telluride Sets the Stage for the Best New Cars
We got a good look at the 2027 (yes, 2027!) Kia Telluride in late 2025 and can only say: wow. Kia managed to really play on the ‘mini Rover’ idea even more, flattening out lines and modernizing out some of the details that now give the Telluride an even more expensive and muscular look. Plus, there’ll be a hybrid version with more power and better MPG and enhanced off-roading. This one will be quite good.
The EV Worth Waiting For: Rivian R2
Last year we got our first peek at the smaller, smarter, less pricey Rivian R2, a 5-passenger electric SUV. And while yes, it’s cute, it’s so much more than that: It’ll be equipped with a point to point hands free driving, meaning you can get in it and literally never touch the steering wheel—or nearly almost never. You’ll still need to pay attention, grab the wheel when it’s time for a human to take over, such as when a school bus slows in the other lane and puts out its stop sign. In all, the R2 promises a lot of the future of driving… in 2026.
The Rebirth of the BMW iX3
2026 promises a lot of news for BMW fans, including the release of the iX3, the electric version of the X3 (and yes, the BMW team is tired of me asking when???). But shortly afterward we should also see a new X3 and a new 3 Series, all outfitted with new tech, new design, new materials and the choice of gas, hybrid or electric. All this falls under BMW’s Neue Klasse vision of the next era of BMW and it’ll be exciting. The iX3 is just the start.
The Open Air Jeep Recon Is the Freedom Ride We Need Now
Jeep rolled out the long-awaited Recon at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, showing off its removable doors and roof on a completely all-terrain capable Jeep that solves all the things we don’t love about Wrangler: It’s larger, more spacious, has more luxury details and feels modern rather than vintage rugged (which we love Wrangler for, but maybe not every day, in heels and a dress…). Recon is the go-anywhere Jeep that’s as at home at on a red carpet as it is on the dunes of Mojave.
The Mazda CX-5 Is Getting A Glow-Up and We’re SO HAPPY For Her!
Inside and out the 2026 Mazda CX-5 has been redesigned with new electronics, new controls a new front face, new lights, you name it. We will drive this one shortly and are very excited to poke and prod this flagship to see what Mazda’s designers have come up with. We’ve been quite impressed with some of the company’s modern designs—its Chrystal Soul Red Metallic paint is hands down the best in the auto biz—in this staple of SUV life.
The Audi Q3 Has Long Been Our Favorite Entry-Level Luxe SUV
And for good reason: For a very reasonable price Audi delivers a smart, sassy, luxe filled SUV that simply spoils you for life. No way you’re downgrading to something less luxe; from here buyers look to larger Audis and other luxury brands. That’s because the Q3 is essentially a mini-me of its larger siblings the Q5, Q7 and Q8, featuring much of the tech, detailed interiors and fresh exterior styling. Plus, that light show. Audi offers lighting packages on its cars and SUVs that allow you to customize your headlights and lighting signature. It’s honestly one of the company’s coolest features.
The Slate Truck Is On The Way, But Not Soon Enough
We’ll have to wait until late 2026 for the Slate Truck, a completely customizable electric truck that can be turned into an SUV, and open-air roadster, wrapped and outfitted with custom colors, accessories and features. Your imagination is the limit and with a starting price of just about $25K most buyers will have plenty of room to be creative, and to let this truck—or SUV or open air jalopy—grow with them and their budget. Only only hope is that when we finally get to try it we also get to try wrapping, 3D printing and creating our own vision for this truck. I might just take mine home.
The Acura RSX Is Designed to Make Us Swoon
That’s because it brings a whole new design language, more sinewy, rounded and modern. This is the new direction of Acura under new design director Yasutake Tsuchida, formerly of Mazda, who told me earlier this year that designing for Acura has long been his dream. Now, he gets to put his stamp on the brand, first with the all-electric RSX but soon it’ll be the updated RDX, MDX and eventually the NSX. This first peek at his work for Acura will be the window into the future of the brand and worth getting a front row seat.
A Corvette SUV? Yes, and Also, Wow.
With the incredible success of the Lamborghini Urus, the Bentley Bentayga and the Porsche Cayenne, it’s clear: supercar buyers want an SUV version. All those models are best sellers for these performance-focused brands and frankly, Corvette is leaving money the table and customers in the cold without an SUV. 2026 will see that come to an end with the introduction of the Corvette SUV. Finally.
The Charger Hellcat Will Return V8 Power to This Incredible Car
Dodge is on a roll with the most beautiful and heritage-inspired new line of muscle cars. The company rolled out the the all-electric Charger Daytona first and while it didn’t win everyone over (me excluded; I loved it) with its EV powertrain, it did win huge applause for the design. Which made the Charger Sixpack, a 6-cylinder turbo in 420 or 550 HP, an instant hit and award winner. Now, get ready to go back to Hellcat, the V8, super growly muscle car that fans love to love. We can’t wait to see chat else the rabble-rousers at Dodge have up their sleeves.
The Time for the Genesis GV 90 is SOON
We saw this concept at the New York Auto Show 18 months ago and IT. IS. TIME. The Genesis GV90 is set to rival the Rolls Royce Cullinan at what is likely to be the brand’s most bold statement to date, an elegant tech-filled SUV that will also be its most expensive and exclusive. We’d hoped to have more information on it by now and to anticipate driving it soon, but production has been delayed. We are still waiting on details —will it have outward-opening coach doors? Swivel seats? An open-plan interior? We’ll just have to wait and see. And we simply can’t wait.
The Jaguar I Type Is Setting Pace for a New Era
Don’t listen the naysayers who jumped on the truly novel and completely unique concept of the Jaguar Type 00 when it debuted just over a year ago. The prototype is already testing on tracks in Europe and winning rave reviews. It’s electric and it’s poised to take Jaguar into a new realm, that of the post-$200K sports sedan. From what we’ve seen so far, its completely intriguing. We are reserving any judgement until we see it in full, but I have faith in luxury car designers these days; they know how to read a market.
The Porsche Cayenne Electric Is Set To Win My Heart
There are two things I really love about Porsche: Its dedication to building EVs that take the magic of electric driving and pair it with Porsche’s brand of performance specs; and how the company created a performance SUV, proving all the naysayers wrong who said the Cayenne could never be a real Porsche. Add to that the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Last year I had spent a long weekend with the Macan Electric and while I loved it, I do like the heft of an SUV that takes up space on the road and delivers a lot of power underfoot—together making me feel stronger, more powerful more muscular. That’s the promise of the Porsche Cayenne Electric. And it promises to be good.
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