2026 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Consumer Guide Announces 2026 Best Buys: Nissan Leads Popular Brands with Six Awards; Lexus Tops Premium Segment with Three

 Palatine, IL. December 2, 2025 – Consumer Guide^® Automotive, the main writer of authoritative, unbiased new-car critiques for 59 years, immediately introduced the recipients of its 2026 Best Buy Awards. A Consumer Guide Best Buy represents the best stability of attributes and worth in its class. For 2026, 32 Best Buys have been awarded in 13 lessons, offering clear, straightforward decisions for shoppers.

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Nissan is Consumer Guide’s most awarded model for 2026—incomes a powerful 5 Best Buy awards.

“Nissan has a broad product lineup, offering something in almost every category. Our editors have determined that six vehicles from Nissan are among the best products in their respective segments,” mentioned Consumer Guide Publisher Tom Appel, who led the editors’ choice course of for this 12 months’s checklist.

Among premium manufacturers, Lexus topped the checklist, having been awarded three Best Buy trophies for 2026.

The full checklist of Consumer Guide 2026 Best Buy Awards will be seen under.

Since 1967, Consumer Guide Automotive’s award-winning editorial group has used a rigorous and complete analysis course of to establish the autos worthy of great consideration by shoppers. The editors make the most of goal standards, akin to value, options, efficiency, lodging, gasoline economic system, reliability data, and resale worth, to evaluate every car.

The key to Consumer Guide Automotive’s annual Best Buy Awards is the cautious analysis of each facet of every car because it pertains to shoppers’ real-world driving expertise. It is that this thoroughness that leads shoppers to verify Consumer Guide Automotive critiques earlier than shopping for a brand new car.

Consumer Guide’s editorial group drives greater than 50,000 miles yearly evaluating what these autos do effectively—and what they don’t. Whether it’s driving by the town, on highways, in rural areas, on lengthy journeys, or just selecting up the youngsters at college, these autos are examined in the identical approach that typical automobile consumers would use their autos.

Complete critiques of the profitable autos, in addition to different pertinent info for in-market automobile consumers, will be discovered at Consumerguide.com. For a each day dose of automotive information, test-drive critiques, humor, and historical past, go to the CG Daily Drive weblog at Blog.Consumerguide.com.

For extra info, please contact Tom Appel at tom@cgauto.com or by telephone at 847-502-5373.

2026 Consumer Guide Best Buys

Subcompact Crossover

Buick Envista

Why it’s a Best Buy: Premium appear and feel, loads of passenger area, worth value

But… Not accessible with AWD

Base-Price Range: $25,995-$30,795

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 30

More on Envista

 

Chevrolet Trax

Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty character, ample cabin area, glorious gasoline economic system, cut price value

But… Not accessible with AWD

Base-Price Range: $22,995-$26,695

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 30

More on Trax

 

Hyundai Kona

Why it’s a Best Buy: Modern design, glorious highway manners, roomy cabin

But… A vale, however not the discount it was

Base-Price Range: $26,950-$35,750

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 26-31

More on Kona

 

Mazda CX-30

Why it’s a Best Buy: Premium energy and facilities in a tidy, sporty, reasonably priced package deal

But… Limited rear-seat area

Base-Price Range: $27,470-$39,395

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 25-27

More on CX-30

 

Nissan Kicks 

Why it’s a Best Buy: Excellent worth, shocking refinement, ample area, AWD now accessible

But… Could use somewhat extra energy

Base-Price Range: $23,925-$29,655

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 30-31

More on Kicks

 

Nissan Leaf 

Why it’s a Best Buy: Fresh and practical design, ample energy, respectable vary

But… Budget-conscious cabin materials, not but accessible with AWD

Base-Price Range: $31,485-$40,485

Range (EPA estimated): 259-303 miles

More on Leaf

Premium Subcompact Crossover

Alfa Romeo Tonale

Why it’s a Best Buy: Genuinely sporty character, engaging cabin, compelling costs

But… Not as refined as aggressive choices

Base-Price Range: $40,245-$44,745

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 24

More on Tonale

 

BMW X1

Why it’s a Best Buy: Expected BMW character at an affordable value, shocking passenger and cargo area

But… Options add up rapidly

Base-Price Range: $43,975–$53,075

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 26-28

 

Volvo EX30

Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty character, trendy design, practical cabin

But… Interior could learn as austere to some

Base-Price Range: $40,245-$49,445

Range (EPA estimated): 203-261 miles

More on EX30

 

Compact Crossover

Mazda CX-50

Why it’s a Best Buy: Upscale really feel, sporty character, glorious new hybrid powertrain

But… Pricey in prime trim ranges

Base-Price Range: $31,395-$44,395

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 25-38

More on CX-50

 

Nissan Rogue

Why it’s a Best Buy: Plenty of passenger area, refined journey and dealing with, glorious gasoline economic system

But… Engine can sound whiny

Base-Price Range: $30,585-$40,485

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 29-32

More on Rogue

Subaru Forester

Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty character, enjoyable design, excellent snow functionality

But… Not the quietest choice within the class

Base-Price Range: $31,445-$43,045

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 23-27

More on Forester

 

Premium Compact Crossover

Genesis GV70

Why it’s a Best Buy: Ultra-premium cabin and dynamic refinement, surprisingly sporty character

But… Not the discount it as soon as was

Base-Price Range: $50,480-$72,590

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 29-32

More on GV70

Midsize Crossover

Mazda CX-70

Why it’s a Best Buy: Luxury-class refinement, clean drivetrain, spectacular construct high quality

But… Available plug-in hybrid powertrain desires for refinement (we advocate the traditional powertrain)

Base-Price Range: $43,780-$58,200

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 25-56

More on CX-70

 

Mazda CX-90

Premium Midsize Crossover

Why it’s a Best Buy: Luxury-class refinement, clean drivetrain, spectacular construct high quality

But… Available plug-in hybrid drivetrain desires for refinement (we advocate the traditional powertrain)

Base-Price Range: $40,380-$58,900

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 25-56

More about CX-90

 

Lexus RX

Why it’s a Best Buy: Class-leading high quality, on-road refinement, long-trip consolation

But… Not as sporty as design suggests

Base-Price Range: $51,175-$63,495 (not together with PHEV)

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 25-36 (not together with PHEV)

More about LX

 

Lincoln Nautilus

Why it’s a Best Buy: Modern cabin, loaded with high-tech options, coddling cabin

But… Not particularly participating to drive

Base-Price Range: $55,905-$79,125

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 24-30

More about Nautilus

 

Large SUV

Ford Expedition

Why it’s a Best Buy: Modern inside, glorious energy, long-haul consolation

But… Fewer trim ranges for 2026 imply much less client alternative

Base-Price Range: $64,995-$86,655

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 18-19

More about Expedition

 

Nissan Armada

Why it’s a Best Buy: Modern tackle the big SUV, premium cabin, worth priced in class

But… Ride will be tough on damaged surfaces

Base-Price Range: $61,030-$82,740

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 17-18

More about Armada

Premium Large SUV

Infiniti QX80

Why it’s a Best Buy: Excellent cabin isolation, loads of energy, up-to-date tech

But… Pricey in prime trim degree

Base-Price Range: $85,940-$113,690

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 17-18

More about QX80

 

Lexus LX

Why it’s a Best Buy: Looks and feels precision-built, tidy dimensions imply simpler parking and garaging

But… Priced like bigger autos at school

Base-Price Range: $107,950-$116,950

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 19-20

More about LX

 

Lincoln Navigator

Why it’s a Best Buy: Classy and understated cabin, surprisingly deft dealing with, loads of energy

But… High value of entry

Base-Price Range: $94,590-$124,590

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 17

More about Navigator

Midsize Pickup

Nissan Frontier

Why it’s a Best Buy: Most reasonably priced pickup at school, clean V6 energy, easy management structure

But… No high-horsepower engine choice

Base-Price Range: $33,845-$44,065

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 18-21

More about Frontier

 

Large Pickup Truck

Ram 1500

Why it’s a Best Buy: Upscale cabin, class-leading journey and dealing with, slick and highly effective new 6-cylinder engines

But… Available “Hemi” V8 engine provides price, however no extra energy

Base-Price Range: $44000-$90,945

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 22-30

More about Ram 1500

Minivans

Chrysler Pacifica

Why it’s a Best Buy: Premium household conveyance boasting class-leading area, journey consolation, and accessible hybrid energy

But… Priced greater than different minivans

Base-Price Range: $45,940-$62,460

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 22-30

More about Pacifica

 

Kia Carnival

Why it’s a Best Buy: Smart-looking van now provided with hybrid drivetrain, most-affordable car in section

But… Ride consolation trails class leaders

Base-Price Range: $38,485-$52,585

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 21-32

More about Carnival

Small Car

Honda Civic

Why it’s a Best Buy: Sporty, however affords refinement of bigger automobile

But… Buyers ought to step as much as pricier hybrid fashions for greatest efficiency

Base-Price Range: $25,790-$34,690

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 31-49

More about Civic

 

Kia K4

Why it’s a Best Buy: Big refinement in a small package deal, engaging costs, trendy cabin

But… Desirable turbocharged engine restricted to prime trim ranges

Base-Price Range: $23,385-$29,985

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 31-49

More about K4

 

Nissan Versa

Why it’s a Best Buy: Among most-affordable new-vehicle choices, trendy really feel, loads of customary tools

But… Manual transmission now not accessible

Base-Price Range: N/A

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 35

More about Versa

 

Midsize Car

Toyota Camry

Why it’s a Best Buy: Standard hybrid drivetrain serves up energy and efficiency, refined and comfy cabin

But… Smooth accessible V6 is a factor of the previous

Base-Price Range: $30,195-$37,920

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 43-51

More about Camry

Car Stuff Podcast Camry Quick Review

 

Toyota Crown and Crown Signia

Why it’s a Best Buy: Crossoverlike utility in a sporty and engaging package deal

But… Signia wagon not provided with highly effective Hybrid Max engine

Base-Price Range: $43,110-$56,660 (Standard Crown)

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 30-41

More on Crown

 

Premium Large Car

Lexus LS

Why it’s a Best Buy: Rivals German giant sedans at a extra cheap value, glorious construct high quality

But… Front-row not as roomy because it could be, 2026 is the massive sedan’s final 12 months

Base-Price Range: $99,280

Fuel Economy (EPA mixed mpg): 22

More on LS

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2026 Consumer Guide Best Buy Pictures

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