Consumer Reports Top 10 Cars of 2026: Every Single Pick is Electrified

Consumer Reports just dropped their 2026 Top Picks list, and there's a seismic shift happening in the auto industry that you need to know about. Every single vehicle on this year's list features some form of electrification. That's not a coincidence—it's a signal.

"Everything here is electrified, so to speak," said Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development at Consumer Reports. "You hop into basically any of the hybrids that are on this list, you'd be hard pressed to realize you are driving anything other than a regular car."

The Complete 2026 Top 10 List

What This Means for Car Buyers

The message from Consumer Reports couldn't be clearer: if you want the best cars on the market right now, you're looking at electrified powertrains. But here's the thing—these aren't the compromise-filled hybrids of a decade ago.

The Civic Hybrid is a perfect example: it's not just more fuel efficient than the regular Civic—it's actually faster and more refined. That 200 horsepower hybrid system churns out 50 more horses than the base engine while sipping fuel at 44 MPG. That's the new reality.

Three New Winners This Year

Consumer Reports added three new models to the Top Picks for 2026:

• Honda Civic: Finally breaks onto the list, with CR calling the Hybrid "more than the sum of its test results" and praising its "refreshingly entertaining" driving experience on twisty roads.
• Toyota Grand Highlander: Takes over for the regular Highlander. CR notes it's "rare to find a three-row SUV that's roomy enough to accommodate an adult in every seat and still have space for cargo."
• Ford F-150: The first full-size pickup on the Top Picks list since 2019. Improved reliability finally earned it a spot, and the PowerBoost hybrid adds efficiency without sacrificing capability.

Who Got Dropped?

Three vehicles didn't make the cut this year:

• Nissan Sentra: Lost its spot to the Honda Civic
• Toyota RAV4: The 2026 model wasn't available in time for testing (watch for it next year)
• Toyota Highlander: Replaced by the larger Grand Highlander

The Bottom Line

With the average new car transaction price hovering around $50,000, it's worth noting that several Top Picks come in well under that number. The Honda Civic starts at just $24,695, and the Ford Maverick at $26,995—both with hybrid powertrains standard or available.

Consumer Reports' methodology is rigorous: they buy every vehicle they test (no freebies from manufacturers), run them through extensive road tests, track real-world reliability data from owners, and factor in government and insurance crash test results. When they say these are the best, it's backed by data.

The electrification of this list isn't a political statement—it's simply where the best cars are being made right now. Hybrids offer more power, better efficiency, and quieter cabins than their gas-only counterparts. As CR's Alex Knizek put it: "You'd be hard pressed to realize you are driving anything other than a regular car."