Top 12 Most Anticipated Cars of 2026 You’ll Want to Own

From futuristic EVs to high-performance hybrids, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for car lovers. These 12 upcoming models promise cutting edge technology, bold design, and thrilling performance the future of driving starts here.

Tesla Model 2

Okay, let’s just address the little elephant: if Tesla actually ships this thing in 2026, the world kinda flips, because a small Tesla at, like, around $25,000 to $28,000 is… yeah, that’s huge. I’m picturing a tidy hatch with 250-ish miles of range, LFP battery for durability, and the usual software swagger, even if I roll my eyes at “Full Self-Driving,” it’s still cool tech. It’s the car for people who want a Model 3 vibe but don’t want to live at the dealer finance desk, you know? And if they nail charging speeds and don’t cheap out on the interior, it’ll be everywhere, like AirPods for the road.

Rivian R3

Not gonna lie, this is the one I’d doodle in a notebook during a boring meeting. It’s adorable but tough, like a hiking boot with eyebrows, and the R3X performance version is basically the chaotic one your mom warned you about. Rivian says affordable-ish, so I’m thinking somewhere near $37,000 to $45,000 depending on motors and battery, and if they keep that slick UI, clever storage, and camp-friendly features, it’s gonna steal hearts in city lots and trailheads. Also, colors, please let them be fun and not fifty shades of gray.

Honda Prelude

The Prelude coming back is like a band reunion where, shocker, they still sound good. It’s a tidy hybrid coupe, not wild power but the kind that makes daily driving feel a bit special, which, honestly, I miss. Expect solid mpg, a sweet steering feel (Honda tends to get that right), and a price that feels reasonable in 2026 money, like mid-$30,000s to maybe $38,000 if you tick fancy options. It’s the “I work in tech but I’m still sensible” car, and I mean that as a compliment.

Porsche 718 EV

So, this one’s the heart pick. The Boxster/Cayman going electric sounds controversial until you remember Porsche is annoyingly good at making you forget your opinions and just grin. I’m expecting instant torque, scalpel handling, and a price that hits like rent in a coastal city, so figure $80,000 to $100,000 depending on spec. If they keep the steering feel alive and the weight in check, it’ll be the benchmark for every sporty EV that follows. Also, roof-down, silent whoosh? That’s a vibe.

BMW M5 Touring

A 700-plus horsepower hybrid wagon that can drop kids at school and vaporize time on the way back? I mean… yes. The V8 plug-in setup is gloriously extra, and the Touring bit (the wagon) just makes me happy, like someone slipped a cheat code into adulting. Price-wise, we’re talking $130,000-ish depending on options (and BMW options are, uh, a lot), but the mix of pace, space, and menace is ridiculous in the best way. It’s the one your neighbor says they don’t need, then buys anyway.

Jeep Recon EV

Doors off, trail mode on, electrons flowing, this is Jeep doing Jeep, but with a battery. I’m into the idea: proper off-road geometry, chunky tires, and those little details like removable bits that make a Jeep feel like a life choice. Range around 250 to 300 miles would be fine if they nail fast charging and durability, and the price feels like mid-$50,000s to maybe low-$60,000s. If it can do a legit weekend on dirt without whimpering at a puddle, I think it lands.

Hyundai Ioniq 7

Hyundai’s been on a sneaky hot streak, and the Ioniq 7 is the “living room with wheels” concept actually becoming useful. Three rows, flat floor, fast charging on 800V (the “twenty-minute coffee stop and you’re back” kind), and a design that looks like the future but not in a weird toaster way. I’d guess $55,000 to $70,000 depending on trims and dual motor, and if they bundle great driver assists and a comfy cabin, families will flock like it’s a Costco sample day.

Kia EV3

This is the practical one I keep circling back to, like, do I want a supercar? Yes. Do I need an EV that parks easy, goes 250 to 300 miles, and costs about $30,000 to $37,000? Also yes. Kia’s been murdering it with value and design, and the EV3 feels like the “first EV” for a lot of people who just want something simple, cute, and not stressful. If it keeps the EV6’s snappy charging and that chilled-out interior vibe, boom, winner.

Mercedes G 580 (Electric G-Class)

It’s the same big square brick of cool, just with a silent sledgehammer under it. Four motors, silly control off-road, and enough presence to make valet attendants stand a little straighter, this electric G is pure theater and honestly I respect the commitment. It won’t be cheap (think $150,000 to $180,000), but it’s the rare EV that feels both luxury and absurdly capable, like wearing a tux to a mud run and somehow pulling it off.

Polestar 5

If you want something that whispers “Scandinavian spaceship,” this is it. Long, low, clean lines, a big-boy battery on 800V, and performance that should land somewhere in the “oh that’s fast” zone without screaming about it. Inside, expect calm materials and screens that don’t shout, which, yes, please. Price feels $85,000 to $100,000-ish, and it’s the kind of car you buy when you’re allergic to drama but like winning anyway.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz (US 3-Row)

The happy van! I swear everyone smiles when they see it. The longer-wheelbase, three-row version finally landing in the US is basically a nostalgia machine with USB-C ports. Figure $55,000 to maybe low-$70,000s, and in return you get family-hauler practicality, decent range, and the sheer joy of driving a vibe. If VW’s software behaves (please), it’s gonna be the unofficial car of beach days and farmer’s markets.

Dodge Charger (Daytona EV + Sixpack)

Okay, tiny chaos energy here because it’s both electric and gas (hello, twin-turbo inline-six), and I love that Dodge is like “we’re doing both, deal with it.” The Daytona EV sounds wild with that synthetic “exhaust” rumble, and the Sixpack feels like old-school muscle got a tech makeover. Pricing probably starts around $50,000 for the gas versions and pushes into the $70,000 to $90,000 range for the hotter EVs. Is it subtle? No. Is it fun? Extremely.