Buying a new car is a major commitment, as you’ll be driving it, and likely paying for it, for the next few years. Shopping around for a good deal and sitting behind the wheel of anything you’re considering buying can help you narrow down what you like, and so can research. Edmunds has done theirs and just revealed the winners of their Top Rated Vehicle Awards of 2026.
- They do their own independent testing and evaluation process, including analyzing many miles of each vehicle’s real-world use and how they perform on the Edmunds test track.
- Their awards are split into six main categories: best car, best SUV and best truck, and electric versions of the same categories, as well as their Best of the Best award.
- The winner of the 2026 Top Rated Best of the Best is the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, which has a starting price of $45,760.
- Edmunds reports, “The new Hyundai Palisade doesn’t just level up over its predecessor, it raises the bar for SUVs of all shapes and sizes.” They also note that it “comes packed with every single technology feature or creature comfort anyone could want.”
Edmunds Top Rated Vehicles of 2026
- Top Rated Car: Honda Civic Hybrid
- Top Rated Electric Car: Tesla Model 3
- Top Rated SUV: Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
- Top Rated Electric SUV: Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Top Rated Truck: Ford Maverick
- Top Rated Electric Truck: Rivian R1T
- Top Rated Best of the Best: Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
Source: USA Today
Photo: Tsuji / E+ / Getty Images