Every fall, the auto industry hits a familiar turning point, as the traditional auto-year calendar page flips to a new model year. Shoppers and aficionados alike have been living vicariously through mysteriously-lit, concept teasers, heavily camouflaged spy shots, and silk-covered auto show unveilings for most of the year, and now get their visceral taste of what’s new. The hype is done, and by the time spring rolls around, all the new-model-year pieces will be in place.
Automakers have historically timed their model-year transitions for autumn, though with the widespread dissemination of information over the past quarter-century, more vehicles are introduced when they’re ready, rather than when dealers can make the biggest splashes with complete model-year lineups. With that timing in mind, here are ten of the most widely anticipated 2026 models already in showrooms or ready for buyers to build and order.
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring
Starting Price: $94,900
One of the most anticipated vehicles in recent memory, the electric 2026 Lucid Gravity will come in multiple trim levels (Touring, Grand Touring, Dream Edition, maybe even a Sapphire), offering a spectrum of performance and feature sets. First out of the box was the Grand Touring, which sits squarely in the middle of the range, both in trim level and price. Its dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain delivers 828 hp and 909 lb-ft of torque, for 0–60 runs in the 3.5-second range.
The 2026 Lucid Gravity made its public debut in April 2025, where the Grand Touring variant was unveiled as the early production offering. The first of its bloodline, Gravity has been framed by Lucid as an evolution of the Air sedan. The more robust battery in the Gravity addresses Lucid Air concerns over thermal management and charging architecture. Standard features include, among others, air suspension, rear-wheel steering, and the ability to add 200 miles in about 11 minutes of fast charging.
Cadillac Lyriq-V
Starting Price: $78,595
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V uses a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain that makes 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, to propel the electric crossover to 0–60 mph times of 3.3 seconds (according to Cadillac), making it the brand’s quickest vehicle ever. It uses a 102 kWh battery pack, which gives it a less-than-stellar EPA-rated range of 285 miles. Standard equipment includes, among others, Brembo brakes, launch control, and performance-oriented steering and damping calibers.
Cadillac launched the Lyriq in 2023, and unveiled the Lyriq-V early in 2025 as its first V-Series EV. The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V represents a significant boost in performance, while addressing criticisms of reduced real-world range (versus estimates), overly soft dynamics, and limited driver aids. The Lyriq-V is cheaper than rivals like BMW iX M and Mercedes-AMG EQE, with similar or better estimates in range, though it lacks the badge cachet.
Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss
Starting Price: $70,000
The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss joins Chevy’s electric pickup lineup that includes one of the longest range EVs in the market—the Work Truck (WT). Trail Boss starts at a reasonable price but goes up by over $16,000 for the Max range version (which adds about 80 miles of range to an already-good 410 miles). Rugged upgrades include a 2-inch lift, 35-inch all-terrain tires, Terrain mode tailored for off-road driving, and active four-wheel steering.
The Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss was unveiled as part of the 2026 model refresh (the Silverado EV was introduced in 2024), taking the place of the RST trim at the top of the line, as well as addressing criticism of insufficient off-road legitimacy. Trail Boss comes only with the Extended or Max battery packs (yielding 410 and 493 miles, EPA estimated), though early reports are that the range shortens significantly under harsh use.
Audi A6
Starting Price: $64,100
The all-new 2026 Audi A6 sedan is available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with about a $7,000 span in pricing. The turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 (362 hp and 406 lb-ft) sends power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Standard features include a large 14.5-inch touchscreen and a comprehensive driver assist suite, but you’ll have to move up to the higher trim levels for items like a head-up display, upgraded audio, air suspension and rear steering.
The 2026 Audi A6 was unveiled mid-April 2025 as the latest generation built on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). Compared to its predecessor, the 2026 model makes the V-6 standard, refines aerodynamics (0.23 Cd), improves cabin soundproofing, and expands tech with updated displays, more driver aids, customizable lighting, and upgraded suspension, to address criticism over lack of power, dated interior tech, and soft handling.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
Starting Price: $58,955
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 arrives with an extensive lineup: S, SE, SEL, Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Design, with MSRPs ranging from $59,000 to $76,500. The S trim comes only in rear-wheel drive, which means for long range, you’ll want the RWD version (335 miles, versus the AWDs’ 311–320). Its weight and charging dynamics may force issues when pushed hard, but that probably isn’t a concern in its typically around-town, family-oriented segment.
Unveiled as a flagship three-row SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 was publicly revealed at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, addressing common Hyundai EV complaints of cabin sound deadening with active noise cancellation and exterior aerodynamics (0.259 Cd). The Hyundai Ioniq 9 uses 800-volt charging architecture to support rapid 10 percent–80 percent charging in less than 25 minutes. Early reviews praised its spaciousness and real-world usability, and criticized its steering and braking response.
BMW X3
Starting Price: $50,900
The 2026 BMW X3 is offered in BMW’s traditional two tiers, starting with the base X3 30 xDrive and stepping up to the higher-performance X3 M50 xDrive for $15,000 more. The former uses a 255-hp mild‐hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the latter steps up to a near 400-hp turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid delivering 393 hp. Both are AWD, though the M50 variant gets performance-oriented suspension, upgraded brakes, larger wheels, and sportier styling.
Advanced driver assistance systems and a comprehensive suite of options are part of the standards in the BMW X3, redesigned for the 2025 model year, and sit it in good stead against the likes of the Audi Q5 and Lexus NX, among others. BMW has listened to criticisms about under-equipped base trims and made more features standard or more accessible in lower-cost packages, and has also addressed noise and ride comfort in the lower trim.
Mercedes-Benz GLB
Starting Price: $43,800
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB comes in three trims, starting at just under $44,000 for the RWD 221-hp GLB 250, and climbing to over $60,000 for the AWD 302-hp Mercedes-AMG GLB 35. Standard equipment includes a power liftgate, dual-zone climate contro, and remote start, among others, with the top-of-the-line AMG 35 adding performance upgrades in the form of a sport suspension, AMG-tuned engine, and sport cosmetics.
The 2026 the Mercedes-Benz GLB gets an available third row of seats and a bit of a nose job, as well as new exterior design packages—a “Sun & Sound” package features a panoramic moonroof and 10-speaker sound system), an AMG Night Package paints the SUV up in gloss black and adds AMG styling cues, and a Midnight Edition swaps in 20-inch AMG wheels, and adds adjustable dampers.
Jeep Cherokee
Starting Price: $35,000
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee returns to the lineup (after a two-year absence) as a hybrid-only AWD model with four trim options—Base, Laredo, Limited, and Overland—with MSRPs starting at $35,000 and escalating to $44,595. The new, boxier proportions offer up improved people and cargo room, with an interior that ranges from utilitarian to premium. Atop the line, the Overland upgrades to a dual-pane sunroof, 360-degree camera, heated/ventilated front seats, and advanced sound system.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee leans more aggressively in its off-road direction than do rivals like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, while still offering family values of interior versatility and competitive tech. The all-new Cherokee is built on the STLA Large Transverse architecture, and uses a 1.6-liter turbo “four” plus two motors for a combined output of 210 hp. There are no “Trail Rated” models to start.
Nissan Leaf S+
Starting Price: $29,990
The Nissan Leaf has been reimagined for 2026 in four trim levels, starting with the entry-level S that won’t be available until the spring. Right now, buyers can choose from S+, SV+ and Platinum+, priced from $30,000 to $39,000. The currently available trims use a 214 hp motor (the S will use a 174 hp motor) and a 75 kWh battery (52 kWh in the S). Although the new look is more SUVish, the Leaf is still only FWD.
Introduced in mid-2025, the all-new, third-generation 2026 Nissan Leaf has a more commanding crossover presence, more extensive driving aids, updated charging solutions (including NACS) and an updated interior with dual screens and more standard tech. The biggest change comes in estimated range, which at over 300 miles (depending on model and equipment) is as much as 30% better than the previous generation.
Kia Sportage
Starting Price: $28,690\
The 2026 Kia Sportage is again one of the more complete models in the industry, offering several trims with gasoline (ICE), hybrid (HEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The FWD ICE Sportage LX is the entry point to the Sportage lineup at $28,690, with the hybrid models running somewhat parallel to the ICE models. The line tops off with the PHEV Sportage X-Line models, priced at $40,490–$47,190.
The refreshed 2026 Kia Sportage was announced in 2025 with updated lighting, a more upright grille, revised front and rear bumpers, and refreshed interior colors and materials. Kia also updated tech and refined driver assistance systems, and uprated power in the hybrid (now 232 hp, up from 227) and PHEV (268, up from 261). Notably, the PHEV is up 10 percent in EPA-estimated range (470 miles, up from 430), though electric range remains about the same.