Electric Cars

Car and Driver magazine has once again curated its highly anticipated 10Best cars list for 2026, a definitive guide to the most outstanding vehicles available today. This annual accolade celebrates cars that not only push the boundaries of engineering and design but also deliver unparalleled driving pleasure and exceptional value. Through an exhaustive evaluation process that includes back-to-back testing on identical routes and comprehensive performance assessments, the magazine's seasoned experts meticulously scrutinize each contender. The selection criteria are stringent: vehicles must have a starting price under $115,000 and be available by January 2026. This rigorous methodology ensures that the 10Best list genuinely represents the cream of the crop, showcasing vehicles that embody their intended purpose with remarkable skill and an infectious joy behind the wheel.

Car and Driver's 2026 10Best: A Deep Dive into Automotive Excellence

The prestigious 2026 10Best awards from Car and Driver magazine have brought to light a remarkable collection of vehicles, each a testament to automotive innovation and driving passion. The selection process, a hallmark of the publication's commitment to thoroughness, involved extensive testing where every new and significantly updated model, alongside previous winners, was subjected to a gauntlet of evaluations. Judges, a team of twenty experienced evaluators, scored each car out of a hundred points after two weeks of intensive road tests, covering acceleration, braking, cornering, interior noise, and fuel efficiency.

Among the distinguished honorees, the BMW M2 stands out as a compact powerhouse. With 473 horsepower, it offers M3/M4 level performance in a more agile and affordable package, echoing the spirit of the iconic 2002. Its inclusion signifies its potent blend of power and practicality, fitting easily into urban landscapes without compromising on thrill.

Cadillac secured two spots with its formidable Blackwing series. The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, earning its fifth consecutive 10Best trophy, continues to impress with its smooth, customizable ride, manual gearbox option, and rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Not to be outdone, the larger Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing also made its fifth appearance, triumphing over new rivals like the BMW M5 and Audi RS7 in head-to-head comparisons, largely due to its superior value proposition and the bespoke options available through the 'Curated by Cadillac' program.

Chevrolet's mid-engine Corvette Stingray and E-Ray variants demonstrate a monumental shift in design, transforming the Corvette into a true ultra-high-performance sports car capable of competing with the world's elite.

Honda proved its consistent excellence with the Accord and Civic. The Accord was lauded for its unwavering quality and predictable performance, while the Civic, with its various iterations including the hybrid, Si, and Type R, was praised for its brilliant driving dynamics, affirming the adage, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'

In the electric vehicle realm, the Lucid Air Pure made its third consecutive appearance, solidifying its place as a newcomer that has swiftly earned respect for its innovative design and compelling performance.

Mercedes-Benz earned recognition for the E450 sedan and wagon, celebrated for their refined purpose and grace amidst a fast-paced automotive world, embodying understated elegance and quality.

The collaborative efforts of Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 showcased their prowess as light, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes, filling the void left by the temporary exit of some higher-priced competitors and proving that pure driving enjoyment doesn't always come with an exorbitant price tag.

Finally, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R, despite losing their manual transmission option in some markets, were still celebrated for their enduring appeal as hot hatches, proving that their spirit transcends a single feature.

These selections collectively paint a vivid picture of the current automotive landscape, where performance, value, and the sheer joy of driving remain paramount, guiding consumers towards vehicles that truly excel.

The 2026 Car and Driver 10Best awards offer valuable insights into the evolving automotive industry. It's inspiring to see a diverse range of vehicles, from high-performance sports cars to practical sedans, recognized for their excellence. This list serves not only as a benchmark for manufacturers but also as a trusted guide for consumers seeking quality, performance, and driving satisfaction. It highlights that true automotive brilliance lies in a harmonious blend of engineering prowess, emotional appeal, and tangible value, reminding us that the best cars are those that enrich our lives on every journey.

In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by SUVs and crossovers, the mid-size sedan segment has faced considerable challenges, leading many manufacturers to cease production of their once-popular models. However, defying market trends and earlier speculation about its demise, the Nissan Altima is slated to return for the 2026 model year, albeit with significant adjustments to its available configurations and a notable increase in price. This decision underscores Nissan's commitment to the Altima, even as it navigates a shifting consumer preference.

The 2026 Altima's strategy involves streamlining its offerings, which means the previous entry-level S and the top-tier SL trims will no longer be available. This move aims to simplify the purchasing process and concentrate on the more popular configurations. As a result, the Altima SV now assumes the role of the base model, introducing a higher entry price point compared to its predecessors. This repositioning, coupled with a general price hike across the remaining models, reflects the evolving economics of automotive production and marketing. Despite these changes, the core mechanicals, including the reliable 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and the Xtronic continuously variable transmission, remain constant, providing a familiar driving experience for loyal Altima customers.

Refined Offerings and Increased Investment in the Altima

The 2026 Nissan Altima lineup has been strategically reconfigured, reflecting a careful balancing act between market demand and product sustainability. The base 'S' and premium 'SL' trims have been retired, leaving the 'SV' as the new entry point, commanding a starting price of $28,825 after factoring in the destination charge. This represents a modest increase of $150 over the previous 'SL' model and a more substantial $580 jump from the former 'S' trim. The 'SR' trim now stands as the top-tier option, priced at $30,325, which is $250 more than its 2025 counterpart. All-wheel drive, a sought-after feature for many consumers, continues to be available as a $1,400 upgrade, notably $100 less than the previous model year, enhancing its value proposition. The SR trim further distinguishes itself with aesthetic and performance enhancements such as 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters, a sport-tuned suspension, and upgraded interior features like a 12.3-inch infotainment display, wireless connectivity, and sport seats with distinctive contrast stitching.

The strategic adjustments to the Altima's trim levels and pricing reflect Nissan's adaptive approach to the mid-size sedan market. By eliminating the lowest and highest volume sellers, Nissan aims to optimize production and focus on the most competitive offerings. The inclusion of premium features as standard in the SR trim, such as the advanced infotainment system and sport-oriented design elements, seeks to attract buyers looking for a blend of style, technology, and performance. The availability of all-wheel drive across both remaining trims, with a slightly reduced cost, caters to a broader audience, especially those in regions experiencing diverse weather conditions. Furthermore, the introduction of the SR Premium and SR Midnight Edition packages provides additional customization options, allowing consumers to personalize their vehicles with features like heated seating, advanced audio, navigation, and unique blacked-out exterior accents, thereby broadening the Altima's appeal and enhancing its competitive edge in a challenging market segment.

Mechanical Continuity and Market Resilience

Under the hood, the 2026 Nissan Altima retains its familiar powertrain options, which have been a staple of the model for years. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit, producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque in front-wheel-drive configurations. For those opting for all-wheel drive, the engine delivers a slightly adjusted output of 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Power is consistently managed by Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), which remains the sole transmission offering across all variants. This commitment to the established powertrain underscores Nissan's focus on reliability and fuel efficiency, rather than introducing new mechanical innovations for this model year. The decision to carry over the existing engine and transmission suggests a strategy aimed at maintaining cost efficiency and leveraging proven technology.

The continued presence of the Altima in the market, despite earlier widespread expectations of its discontinuation after 2025, highlights its unexpected resilience in a contracting segment. This persistence is particularly notable given the declining sales figures for the model, with a 12 percent drop for the current year, building on an 11 percent decrease in 2024. In contrast, the smaller Nissan Sentra, which recently received a significant refresh, has seen a 1.6 percent increase in sales during the first three quarters of the year. The Altima’s survival for another year could be interpreted as a strategic move by Nissan to continue catering to a niche of sedan enthusiasts, or perhaps to gauge market response to its revised trim structure before making a final decision on the model's long-term future. This suggests that Nissan might be extending the Altima's lifespan to buy time, either for a potential future redesign or to slowly phase it out as the market fully transitions towards other vehicle types.