New Cars and SUVs Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026
If you're looking for a new set of wheels next year, the choices are overwhelming. From 3-row SUVs to wagons and futuristic EVs, buyers have a wide range of powertrains, prices and body styles to pick from.
According to several insiders, here are the hottest vehicles headed to showrooms.
Mercedes-Benz CLA and GLB
Mercedes has a busy 2026 schedule planned with launches of the CLA sedan, GLB SUV and flagship S-Class.
The GLB got a complete interior redesign and can seat five or seven passengers depending on configuration. Latest model offers more headroom and legroom for second-row passengers. New panoramic roof comes standard. Buyers get three powertrain options: a new 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline hybrid and two electric versions. The GLB can charge up to 162 miles of range in 10 minutes, according to Mercedes.
The CLA might be even more important for the luxury automaker though. It’s available as an electric sedan starting at $47,250 or as a hybrid, the entry-level car packs serious tech inside.
Electric CLA can travel 374 miles on a charge. The battery can recoup roughly 200 miles in 10 minutes. DC fast charging up to 320 kilowatts is possible too.
"It's our vision for an EV to charge like fuel. Range anxiety will go away," said Markus Schäfer, a Mercedes board member and chief technology officer.
Kia K4 Hatchback
The K4 Hatchback starts at $24,890 and will be available early 2026.
"I am so excited for it," Robby DeGraff, manager of product and consumer insights at AutoPacific, told ABC News. "Hatchbacks might be making a comeback. It has a humongous cargo area and will be fun to drive. In terms of value, this should be a winner."
The base 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower. For something sportier, the GT-Line Turbo model runs $28,790 and makes 190 hp.
DeGraff said Kia's latest Telluride SUV, now available with a hybrid powertrain, should also be popular. "A hybrid Telluride is long overdue," he said. "Losing the V6 engine will be a bummer for some people, but the Telluride will be hit no matter what."
The turbo hybrid powertrain delivers combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 600-mile driving range.
"The Telluride changed what Kia is," according to Tony Quiroga, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. "The new Telluride looks more expensive than it will be and probably start around $40,000. This version gives off a Range Rover vibe."
Subaru Outback
Subaru packed new tech in the latest Outback, including a 12.1-inch high-resolution infotainment screen and advanced driver assistance features. Drivers can enable Hands-Free Assist that works at speeds up to 85 mph on highways.
DeGraff said the SUV's updated styling—new front fascia, larger grille, boxier profile—could be "make or break" for consumers, but Subaru still offers "the best all-wheel drive system in the entire industry."
Quiroga said the design changes make the Outback look more like a traditional SUV instead of a lifted wagon. "The latest Outback has the refinement and practicality of a wagon but is still very car-like. I see that as a plus."
Seventh-generation Outback starts at $34,995 for the Premium trim.
Chevy Bolt Returns
The Chevy Bolt, one of the few affordable EVs sold in the U.S., is making a comeback as a 2027 model though production will be limited.
Latest trims—Bolt RS and LT—start under $30,000 and charge 2.5 times faster than the previous model. Owners can expect 255 miles of range on a fully charged battery. It's also the first Chevy fitted with a NACS charging port. Deliveries begin first half of 2025.
"The 2027 Bolt is a clone of the outgoing one but it has more modern tech. For budget shoppers who want to go electric, the Bolt is a home-run product," DeGraff said.
BMW iX3
The all-new iX3 goes on sale summer 2026 and will be hugely important for BMW, according to Alistair Weaver, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.
The compact SUV runs $60,000 and underwent a dramatic transformation. Range hits 400 miles. BMW's 800V architecture means drivers can add nearly 175 miles of range in less than 10 minutes with a maximum charging rate of 400 kW. Dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain makes 463 hp.
"Most EV owners are happy with 300 miles, but this will do 400, and it can recharge almost twice as fast as a Tesla," Jared Rosenholtz, editor at large for CarBuzz, told ABC News. "All of this will be available for just over $60,000, not $100,000."
The Bottom Line
2026 brings a solid mix of hybrids and EVs across different price points. Range anxiety keeps getting addressed with better batteries and faster charging times.
Whether these vehicles live up to the hype depends on real-world performance, reliability, and whether charging infrastructure keeps improving. For now, though, 2026 looks like a strong year for new vehicle options across the board.
Did you find this information useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline to share with your friends.