20 Best New Cars for Your Money in 2026, According to US News

©Kia

With the average new car price now above $50,000, getting good value matters more than ever. If you’re buying in 2026, you want a vehicle that’s not only affordable up front but also economical to own over time.

To identify the best new cars for your money in 2026, U.S. News & World Report evaluated models for quality, value and long-term ownership costs. Factors included fuel economy, safety ratings, reliability data, comfort and predicted maintenance expenses.

Based on this analysis, here are the 20 new cars that offer the strongest value for U.S. buyers this year.

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Best Compact Car: 2026 Kia K4

Overall score (out of 10): 9.1

Why it won: Affordable in all trims, spacious cabin, easy-to-use infotainment system, long warranty

Check Out: 5 Reliable Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops Ahead of Spring 2026

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©Honda

Best Midsize Car: 2026 Honda Accord

Overall score (out of 10): 9.4

Why it won: Spacious interior, intuitive technology, nimble handling, comfortable ride, great fuel economy

Also See: 4 Car Brands That Are Likely To Last 250K Miles — and 4 That Aren’t

DREW PHILLIPS / Hyundai

Best Compact Hybrid Car: 2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Overall score (out of 10): 9.2

Why it won: Many safety features come standard, excellent fuel economy, affordable starting price

©Toyota

Best Midsize Hybrid Car: 2026 Toyota Camry

Overall score (out of 10): 9.4

Why it won: Excellent fuel economy, many standard features, comfortable ride and handling

©Toyota

Best Sports Car: 2026 Toyota GR86

Overall score (out of 10): 9.4

Why it won: Superb handling, suspension suitable for everyday driving, low price for a sports car

©Nissan

Best Subcompact SUV: 2026 Nissan Kicks

Overall score (out of 10): 8.5

Why it won: High value, impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid, effective cargo space, attractive interior and exterior

©Kia

Best Subcompact Hybrid SUV: 2026 Kia Niro

Overall score (out of 10): 8.6

Why it won: Great mileage, lots of room, many available features, cool styling

Find More: Auto Experts Say Stop Buying These 6 Luxury Cars Immediately

ROCHE PHOTO / Chevrolet

Best Compact EV SUV: 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV

Overall score (out of 10): 9

Why it won: Stylish, roomy, well-equipped, long mile range, practical for daily use

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Best Compact Hybrid SUV: 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid

Overall score (out of 10): 9.3

Why it won: Sleek interior, spacious cargo area, low starting price for the class

©Kia

Best Compact Plug-In Hybrid SUV: 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid

Overall score (out of 10): 9.4

Why it won: Spacious interior, excellent list of features, strong fuel economy, easy acceleration

©Hyundai

Best Compact SUV: 2026 Hyundai Tucson

Overall score (out of 10): 9.3

Why it won: Roomy interior, many standard features, generous cargo space

©Kia

Best Midsize EV SUV: 2026 Kia EV9

Overall score (out of 10): 8.9

Why it won: Many standard features, plenty of interior space, affordable starting price

Discover More: 3 Car Models Expected To Plummet in Value in 2026 — and 3 To Buy Instead

©Kia Media

Best Midsize Hybrid SUV: 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid

Overall score (out of 10): 8.5

Why it won: Strong fuel economy, many standard features, smooth ride

©Mazda

Best Midsize Plug-In Hybrid SUV: 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV

Overall score (out of 10): 9.2

Why it won: Stylish exterior and interior, effective plug-in hybrid powertrain, better handling than others in its category

JAMES LIPMAN / Nissan

Best 2-Row Midsize SUV: 2026 Nissan Murano

Overall score (out of 10): 8.4

Why it won: High-end interior, very comfortable seats, upscale look compared to class rivals, hands-free driving assist available

©Kia

Best 3-Row Midsize SUV: 2026 Kia Sorento

Overall score (out of 10): 8.8

Why it won: Refined, comfortable, many high-tech features come standard

©Ford

Best Large SUV: 2026 Ford Expedition

Overall score (out of 10): 9.1

Why it won: Powerful acceleration, comfortable handling, stylish and ample interior, advanced tech and safety features

See More: 7 Critical Checks Before Buying a Used Car, According to Mechanics

©Honda

Best Minivan: 2026 Honda Odyssey

Overall score (out of 10): 9.3

Why it won: Very spacious, solid acceleration, long list of standard features

Best Midsize Pickup Truck: 2026 Toyota Tacoma

Overall score (out of 10): 8.8

Why it won: Many features come standard, several engine options, comfortable front seats

©Ford

Best Full-Size Pickup Truck: 2026 Ford F-150

Overall score (out of 10): 9.6

Why it won: Configurations that can suit many drivers, several powertrain options, spacious cabin

Editor’s note: Vehicles were sourced from U.S. News’ “2026 Best Cars for the Money.” Prices are sourced from official websites and are accurate as of Jan. 30, 2026. Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact year, make or model of the vehicle(s) listed in this article.