Best Electric Vehicle of 2026
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5: Finalist
- Starting price: $36,600
- Estimated electric driving range: 221-318 miles
- Estimated combined fuel economy: 78-115 mpg-equivalent
The Hyundai Ioniq 5, again? Absolutely — though it doesn’t take home the top spot this year for Cars.com’s Best EV as it has in the past, it roundly earns its spot on the podium with our other finalists.
We’ve been fans of the Ioniq 5 since it came out for the 2022 model year, and Hyundai has steadily improved it since. Depending on battery and drivetrain configuration, EPA-rated range spans a very usable 221 to 318 miles, and DC fast charging is quick thanks to the Ioniq 5’s 800-volt architecture.
It’s an electric vehicle with an impressive selection of flavors, too. Aside from the regular ‘round-town vanilla Ioniq 5 with your choice of a single rear motor or dual-motor all-wheel drive, the 641-horsepower 5 N will not only jelly your eyes and carbonate your guts, but it will also simulate gear changes and emit a synthetic internal-combustion soundtrack. And for those who like to get a little dusty, the Ioniq 5 XRT comes with extra ground clearance, tow hooks, all-terrain tires and a Terrain mode.
Hyundai remixed the 5’s interior last year, too, with the center console getting a repositioned wireless charging pad and a new set of physical buttons for frequently accessed features like the heated seats and parking cameras. There was also a new steering wheel, updated climate controls, and newly standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specs and Reviews | Find a 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Near You
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Specs and Reviews | Find a 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Near You
2026 Nissan Leaf: Finalist
- Starting price: $31,485
- Estimated electric driving range: 259-303 miles
- Estimated combined fuel economy: 103-121 mpg-equivalent
Effort is often rewarded in the automotive industry, and in the case of Nissan’s heroic revamp of its entry-level EV, the Leaf, the model is poised for market success. Whereas the first two generations were relatively dowdy compact hatchbacks, the all-new 2026 Nissan Leaf flips the script as a fastback crossover with plenty of in-cabin character, good tech and a competitive powertrain.
Talk about a glow-up. The new third-gen Leaf enters a far more competitive (and popular) segment than where it was before and incorporates Nissan’s latest interior design language and tech, including either dual 12.3-inch displays or upgraded 14.3-inch screens, both of which include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2026 Leaf also offers a very reasonable EPA-rated driving range between 259 and 303 miles, depending on trim level, and with standard J1772 and North American Charging Standard charge ports, you’ll be able to plug in at most any charger you might come across. What’s more, the Leaf’s 75-kilowatt-hour battery pack can zip from 10%-80% in around 35 minutes thanks to the car’s peak 150-kilowatt DC fast-charge rate.
It’s an exceptional third act and one that proves Nissan’s still a driving force in democratizing EVs.
2026 Nissan Leaf Specs and Reviews | Find a 2026 Nissan Leaf Near You