If you're considering a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or are ready to take the plunge to go all-electric, here's a list that will interest you. It's U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards. They recognize what U.S. News says are the top electrified vehicles across a rapidly expanding field. The annual awards, announced in conjunction with Earth Day, reflect the growing number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric options now available to consumers.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the 2026 awards cover 15 categories and include 19 total winners. Vehicles were evaluated using a combination of EPA fuel economy and electric range data, pricing, and the consensus of the automotive press, along with the publication’s own rankings and reviews.
“This year’s awards categories were expanded to better suit a broader set of buyers’ needs,” said Tony Markovich, senior editor for U.S. News Autos, in the announcement. The expanded categories reflect how quickly the electrified vehicle landscape has evolved, now spanning everything from small hybrid SUVs to luxury electric models.
Here is the full list of 2026 U.S. News Best Hybrid and Electric Cars winners:
Best Hybrid Car: 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Best Luxury Hybrid Car: 2026 Lexus ES Hybrid
Best Hybrid SUV: 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Best Luxury Hybrid SUV: 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid
Best Plug-In Hybrid Car: 2026 Toyota Prius Prime
Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrid Car: 2026 Volvo S60 Recharge
Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV: 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrid SUV: 2026 Volvo XC60 Recharge
Best Electric Car: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Best Luxury Electric Car: 2026 Lucid Air
Best Electric SUV: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Best Luxury Electric SUV: 2026 BMW iX
Best Electric Truck: 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning
Best Luxury Electric Truck: 2026 Rivian R1T
Best Hybrid Minivan: 2026 Toyota Sienna
Best Electric Van: 2026 Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Best Luxury Electric Van: 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQV
Best Electric Performance Car: 2026 Porsche Taycan
Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrid Performance Car: 2026 BMW XM
The breadth of winners underscores how far electrified vehicles have come in a relatively short time. What was once a niche segment dominated by a handful of models has grown into a full lineup of options across nearly every category, from compact cars to full-size trucks and family haulers.
U.S. News’ approach focuses on matching vehicles to buyer needs rather than naming a single overall winner. Efficiency, range, price, and overall quality all factor into the rankings, but the goal is to help consumers identify the best vehicle for their particular situation.
That matters more now than ever. Buyers today aren’t just deciding whether to go hybrid or electric—they’re choosing between multiple configurations, price points, and use cases. A fuel-sipping hybrid sedan may make perfect sense for a commuter, while a three-row hybrid SUV or electric truck might better suit a growing family or a working household.
The list also highlights a trend that’s hard to ignore: many of the winners come from brands that have aggressively invested in electrification over the past few years. Hyundai, Toyota, and Volvo, in particular, show up repeatedly, signaling that consistency across a lineup is becoming just as important as standout individual models.
As always, awards like these are a starting point, not the final word. Real-world considerations—dealer pricing, incentives, charging infrastructure, and long-term reliability—still play a major role in any purchase decision.
Still, if you’re beginning the shopping process, this list offers a useful snapshot of where the market stands today—and how quickly it’s changing. Not long ago, “hybrid” meant one or two choices. Today, it means just about everything.