Shopper Information Pronounces 2026 Greatest Buys: Nissan Leads Standard Manufacturers with Six Awards; Lexus Tops Premium Section with Three
Palatine, IL. December 2, 2025 – Shopper Information® Automotive, the main writer of authoritative, unbiased new-car evaluations for 59 years, at this time introduced the recipients of its 2026 Greatest Purchase Awards. A Shopper Information Greatest Purchase represents the best stability of attributes and worth in its class. For 2026, 32 Greatest Buys have been awarded in 13 lessons, offering clear, straightforward decisions for customers.
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Nissan is Shopper Information’s most awarded model for 2026—incomes a formidable 5 Greatest Purchase awards.
“Nissan has a broad product lineup, providing one thing in nearly each class. Our editors have decided that six automobiles from Nissan are among the many finest merchandise of their respective segments,” mentioned Shopper Information Writer Tom Appel, who led the editors’ choice course of for this yr’s listing.
Amongst premium manufacturers, Lexus topped the listing, having been awarded three Greatest Purchase trophies for 2026.
The entire listing of Shopper Information 2026 Greatest Purchase Awards may be seen under.
Since 1967, Shopper Information Automotive’s award-winning editorial staff has used a rigorous and complete analysis course of to establish the automobiles worthy of great consideration by customers. The editors make the most of goal standards, similar to worth, options, efficiency, lodging, gasoline financial system, reliability data, and resale worth, to evaluate every automobile.
The important thing to Shopper Information Automotive’s annual Greatest Purchase Awards is the cautious analysis of each side of every automobile because it pertains to customers’ real-world driving expertise. It’s this thoroughness that leads customers to examine Shopper Information Automotive evaluations earlier than shopping for a brand new automobile.
Shopper Information’s editorial staff drives greater than 50,000 miles yearly evaluating what these automobiles do properly—and what they don’t. Whether or not it’s driving by means of town, on highways, in rural areas, on lengthy journeys, or just selecting up the youngsters at college, these automobiles are examined in the identical method that typical automobile consumers would use their automobiles.
Full evaluations of the profitable automobiles, in addition to different pertinent info for in-market automobile consumers, may be discovered at Consumerguide.com. For a every day dose of automotive information, test-drive evaluations, humor, and historical past, go to the CG Day by day Drive weblog at Weblog.Consumerguide.com.
For extra info, please contact Tom Appel at tom@cgauto.com or by cellphone at 847-502-5373.
2026 Shopper Information Greatest Buys
Subcompact Crossover
Buick Envista
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Premium appear and feel, loads of passenger house, worth worth
However… Not accessible with AWD
Base-Worth Vary: $25,995-$30,795
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 30
Chevrolet Trax
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Sporty character, ample cabin house, glorious gasoline financial system, discount worth
However… Not accessible with AWD
Base-Worth Vary: $22,995-$26,695
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 30
Hyundai Kona
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Fashionable design, glorious highway manners, roomy cabin
However… A vale, however not the discount it was once
Base-Worth Vary: $26,950-$35,750
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 26-31
Mazda CX-30
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Premium energy and facilities in a tidy, sporty, inexpensive package deal
However… Restricted rear-seat house
Base-Worth Vary: $27,470-$39,395
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 25-27
Nissan Kicks
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Glorious worth, shocking refinement, ample house, AWD now accessible
However… May use just a little extra energy
Base-Worth Vary: $23,925-$29,655
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 30-31
Nissan Leaf
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Recent and useful design, ample energy, respectable vary
However… Price range-conscious cabin materials, not but accessible with AWD
Base-Worth Vary: $31,485-$40,485
Vary (EPA estimated): 259-303 miles
Premium Subcompact Crossover
Alfa Romeo Tonale
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Genuinely sporty character, enticing cabin, compelling costs
However… Not as refined as aggressive choices
Base-Worth Vary: $40,245-$44,745
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 24
BMW X1
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Anticipated BMW character at an affordable worth, shocking passenger and cargo house
However… Choices add up rapidly
Base-Worth Vary: $43,975–$53,075
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 26-28
Volvo EX30
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Sporty character, trendy design, useful cabin
However… Inside might learn as austere to some
Base-Worth Vary: $40,245-$49,445
Vary (EPA estimated): 203-261 miles
Compact Crossover
Mazda CX-50
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Upscale really feel, sporty character, glorious new hybrid powertrain
However… Dear in prime trim ranges
Base-Worth Vary: $31,395-$44,395
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 25-38
Nissan Rogue
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Loads of passenger house, refined experience and dealing with, glorious gasoline financial system
However… Engine can sound whiny
Base-Worth Vary: $30,585-$40,485
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 29-32
Subaru Forester
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Sporty character, enjoyable design, excellent snow functionality
However… Not the quietest choice within the class
Base-Worth Vary: $31,445-$43,045
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 23-27
Premium Compact Crossover
Genesis GV70
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Extremely-premium cabin and dynamic refinement, surprisingly sporty character
However… Not the discount it as soon as was
Base-Worth Vary: $50,480-$72,590
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 29-32
Midsize Crossover
Mazda CX-70
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Luxurious-class refinement, easy drivetrain, spectacular construct high quality
However… Out there plug-in hybrid powertrain needs for refinement (we suggest the traditional powertrain)
Base-Worth Vary: $43,780-$58,200
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 25-56
Mazda CX-90
Premium Midsize Crossover
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Luxurious-class refinement, easy drivetrain, spectacular construct high quality
However… Out there plug-in hybrid drivetrain needs for refinement (we suggest the traditional powertrain)
Base-Worth Vary: $40,380-$58,900
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 25-56
Lexus RX
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Class-leading high quality, on-road refinement, long-trip consolation
However… Not as sporty as design suggests
Base-Worth Vary: $51,175-$63,495 (not together with PHEV)
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 25-36 (not together with PHEV)
Lincoln Nautilus
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Fashionable cabin, loaded with high-tech options, coddling cabin
However… Not particularly partaking to drive
Base-Worth Vary: $55,905-$79,125
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 24-30
Giant SUV
Ford Expedition
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Fashionable inside, glorious energy, long-haul consolation
However… Fewer trim ranges for 2026 imply much less client alternative
Base-Worth Vary: $64,995-$86,655
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 18-19
Nissan Armada
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Fashionable tackle the massive SUV, premium cabin, worth priced in class
However… Trip may be tough on damaged surfaces
Base-Worth Vary: $61,030-$82,740
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 17-18
Premium Giant SUV
Infiniti QX80
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Glorious cabin isolation, loads of energy, up-to-date tech
However… Dear in prime trim stage
Base-Worth Vary: $85,940-$113,690
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 17-18
Lexus LX
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Appears and feels precision-built, tidy dimensions imply simpler parking and garaging
However… Priced like bigger automobiles at school
Base-Worth Vary: $107,950-$116,950
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 19-20
Lincoln Navigator
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Stylish and understated cabin, surprisingly deft dealing with, loads of energy
However… Excessive worth of entry
Base-Worth Vary: $94,590-$124,590
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 17
Midsize Pickup
Nissan Frontier
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Most inexpensive pickup at school, easy V6 energy, easy management format
However… No high-horsepower engine choice
Base-Worth Vary: $33,845-$44,065
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 18-21
Giant Pickup Truck
Ram 1500
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Upscale cabin, class-leading experience and dealing with, slick and highly effective new 6-cylinder engines
However… Out there “Hemi” V8 engine provides price, however no extra energy
Base-Worth Vary: $44000-$90,945
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 22-30
Minivans
Chrysler Pacifica
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Premium household conveyance boasting class-leading house, experience consolation, and accessible hybrid energy
However… Priced increased than different minivans
Base-Worth Vary: $45,940-$62,460
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 22-30
Kia Carnival
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Good-looking van now supplied with hybrid drivetrain, most-affordable automobile in phase
However… Trip consolation trails class leaders
Base-Worth Vary: $38,485-$52,585
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 21-32
Small Automobile
Honda Civic
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Sporty, however gives refinement of bigger automobile
However… Consumers ought to step as much as pricier hybrid fashions for finest efficiency
Base-Worth Vary: $25,790-$34,690
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 31-49
Kia K4
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Massive refinement in a small package deal, enticing costs, trendy cabin
However… Fascinating turbocharged engine restricted to prime trim ranges
Base-Worth Vary: $23,385-$29,985
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 31-49
Nissan Versa
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Amongst most-affordable new-vehicle choices, trendy really feel, loads of normal tools
However… Guide transmission now not accessible
Base-Worth Vary: N/A
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 35
Midsize Automobile
Toyota Camry
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Normal hybrid drivetrain serves up energy and efficiency, refined and cozy cabin
However… Easy accessible V6 is a factor of the previous
Base-Worth Vary: $30,195-$37,920
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 43-51
Automobile Stuff Podcast Camry Fast Evaluate
Toyota Crown and Crown Signia
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Crossoverlike utility in a sporty and enticing package deal
However… Signia wagon not supplied with highly effective Hybrid Max engine
Base-Worth Vary: $43,110-$56,660 (Normal Crown)
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 30-41
Premium Giant Automobile
Lexus LS
Why it’s a Greatest Purchase: Rivals German massive sedans at a extra affordable worth, glorious construct high quality
However… Entrance-row not as roomy because it is likely to be, 2026 is the large sedan’s final yr
Base-Worth Vary: $99,280
Gasoline Financial system (EPA mixed mpg): 22
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2026 Shopper Information Greatest Purchase Footage
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