The American consumer resource Consumer Reports has published its ranking of the best cars for 2026. In a market flooded with promises, experts put more than 260 models to the test in order to sift the wheat from the chaff. The result? Japanese engineering literally dominates the scene, while electrification is no longer an exotic, but a mandatory element of the winning recipe.
To reach the top, this year's honorees had to pass through the sieve of large-scale test drives, rigorous crash tests and - most importantly - the impartial verdict of real owners on reliability. It turned out that the formula for success this year is “Made in Japan“, as brands from the Land of the Rising Sun occupy as many as 6 out of 10 possible categories. It is impressive that each of the winners offers buyers an electrified version - a clear signal that the time of classic ICE without hybrid support is slowly running out.
In the segment of “city runners“ and family classics, the Honda Civic and the eternal Toyota Camry left no chance for the competition, proving that traditions are alive. Adventure lovers and high seating positions also have their favorites - Subaru literally won the crossovers with its Crosstrek and Forester models. For larger families who do not compromise on space, the huge Toyota Grand Highlander turned out to be the undisputed leader in the mid-size.
The luxury segment this year speaks two languages - Japanese and German. While the Lexus NX dominates the compact premium crossovers, the Bavarian power of the BMW X5 defended Europe's honor in the mid-range. There is no shortage of American muscle, but it is concentrated where the States are strongest - in pickup trucks. The Ford Maverick and the legendary Ford F-150 remain unattainable workhorses, and the crown for pure electric vehicles was quite logically placed on the head of the Tesla Model Y.
The best cars of the year according to Consumer Reports: