Best 2026 Hybrid and Electric Cars and SUVs

Despite the end of EV incentives, our interest in hybrids and electrified vehicles continues to grow, spurred by soaring gas prices, and a growing selection of models in all price ranges and sizes.

While a small hybrid car might be the most efficient, it won’t fit everyone’s life. There are now subcompact, compact and midsize hybrid SUVs, minivans, and luxury models.  Which are the best?

The 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards  by U. S. News & World Report rates more than a dozen hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and full electric(EV) models.

Hyundai and Kia lead the industry in 2026, earning three awards each.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Hyundai Ioniq 5 each earned their third consecutive titles, leading the breakout Best Compact Hybrid SUV and Best Compact Electric SUV categories, respectively, while the Hyundai Ioniq 9 secured top honors in the Midsize Electric SUV breakout segment.

Kia stood out in the hybrid SUV categories, with the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid taking home its second win as Best Compact Plug-In Hybrid SUV and the Kia Niro securing Best Subcompact Hybrid SUV for the fifth time in the award’s history.

The redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid captured its first win in the Best Midsize Hybrid SUV breakout category, thanks in part to its excellent interior and tech.

Two other SUVs that secured top recognition this year were the Nissan Leaf as Best Subcompact Electric SUV and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV, which won Best Midsize Plug-In Hybrid SUV.

With high interior and fuel economy scores, the Toyota Sienna claimed the inaugural Best Hybrid Minivan title. An additional brand win goes to the Toyota Camry, which took home the award for Best Midsize Hybrid Car.

The Honda Civic Hybrid celebrated its first-time victory as the Best Compact Hybrid Car, thanks to the vehicle’s blend of performance, space, fuel efficiency and safety.

Returning categories for 2026 include the Best Luxury Electric Car, claimed by the Lucid Air, and Best Electric Truck, which went to the Rivian R1T for the first time. The Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid earned its debut triumph as Best Luxury Hybrid SUV.

Award Methodology

To identify leaders for each of the 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars award categories, U.S. News evaluated 138 luxury and affordable hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars, SUVs and trucks. U.S. News considered gas mileage and range data from the EPA, pricing information and the consensus opinion of the automotive press, including our own industry experts. The winners are highly-rated for quality, efficiency and value in their respective segments. Read more about our ranking methodology here.

For more information on the Best Hybrid and Electric Cars, explore US News social media accounts.

About U.S. News Best Cars

Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings and reviews of the majority of new vehicles sold in America.

The magazine also publishes the Best Cars Awards, including Best Vehicle Brands, Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families. U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering industry-leading advice for researching cars and finding cars for sale, as well as its U.S. News Best Price Program.

Full Disclosure

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter was a freelance automotive expert contributor to U.S. News for more than a decade.

• These articles by Evelyn Kanter are the only ones left on the U. S. News website.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter