RAC New Car Awards 2026: the best new cars on sale today
Automotive Content Editor
With dozens of brands and thousands of different models to choose from, buying the right new car can be a tough decision. That's why we've launched the RAC New Car Awards, giving you the ultimate verdict on the best vehicles you can buy today.
For more than a century, the RAC has been helping drivers stay informed and on the move.
The judging process for selecting the overall RAC Car of the Year 2026 involved a team of RAC experts with extensive automotive expertise, including RAC Patrol of the Year Ross Templeman and RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year Jack Halstead.
Vehicles were evaluated against their direct rivals using a 10-point scoring system across seven key criteria: value, running costs, safety, practicality, ride and handling, interior and technology, and performance.
We've cherry-picked the best vehicles across nine categories covering some of the most popular market segments.
From small cars to luxury and sports cars, family-focused models, hybrids, large SUVs and electric cars, we've covered all the bases in the search for the ultimate new cars.
Check out the winners, including the RAC Car of the Year 2026, in the list below.
You can also find out how we test cars to come up with our review verdicts.
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RAC New Car Awards: The winners
Car of the Year 2026
Winner: Kia EV2
Put simply, the Kia EV2 is the RAC Car of the Year 2026 because it sets a new benchmark for affordable electric cars. Its combination of low running costs, impressive range and keen pricing makes it an exceptionally compelling choice for UK motorists.
For less than £25,000, it offers a class-leading 275 miles of range and space for four adults, along with a practical boot, a high-quality interior and a generous list of standard equipment. What's more, it's quiet, comfortable and easy to drive, feeling like a larger and more expensive car than its compact dimensions suggest.
It feels more sophisticated and grown-up than all of its small electric car rivals. Combine all that with Kia's industry-leading seven-year warranty and the EV2 is a worthy and clear-cut winner.
The Kia EV2 is the first small, affordable electric car that requires almost zero compromise. It's agile and easy to drive but also refined and comfortable, while a lot of the great tech from Kia's bigger EVs is also included. Factor in the space inside, the range and the keen pricing, and it's a fully deserving Car of the Year.
Dan Powell
Editor, RAC Drive
Best small car
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Winner: Fiat Grande Panda
The Grande Panda is the best Fiat we've driven in years. It's dripping with fun and character, but this enlarged version of a city car icon isn't all style and no substance.
We're huge fans of the Grande Panda's keen pricing as well as its comfortable, easy driving experience, intuitive cabin controls and surprising practicality. It's at its best in zippy, fuel efficient hybrid form but can also be had with super smooth electric power.
Highly commended: Toyota Aygo X
The Toyota Aygo X has always been fun to drive and cheap to run, but the addition of Toyota's well-proven hybrid power improves the package. Couple that with the brand's excellent warranty and you've got peace of mind in a tiny package.
Highly commended: Skoda Fabia
If you want a small car that's so practical it could serve as a small family car then the Skoda Fabia should be top of your list. That's thanks to plenty of space, three ISOFIX points and a well-thought-out boot, while the Fabia is also confidence-inspiring to drive, fuel efficient and has an easy-to-use cabin.
Best small electric car
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Winner: Kia EV2
The small electric car market is more crowded than ever, but Kia's new EV2 takes the category win because it has a wider range of abilities than any rival on sale today. From its class-leading range on a charge in Long Range form, to its grown-up driving experience and spacious, well-equipped interior, the EV2's all-round competence will be tough to beat.
Highly commended: Renault 4 E-Tech
If charm and character were top of our list of priorities then the excellent Renault 4 would take the win here. It's capable and comfortable on the road and has a real feel-good factor, while being more spacious than the best-selling Renault 5. It's good value, too, but can't match the Kia's range, charging speeds and warranty.
Highly commended: MG 4 Urban EV
The MG 4 Urban is a very different proposition to the Renault 4, majoring on value for money over desirability. Behind the anonymous looks lies an impressively roomy and well-appointed interior, keen performance, a decent range and an easy driving experience.
Best small SUV
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Winner: Dacia Duster
The Dacia Duster has got better with each generation, with this latest version still offering outstanding value but demanding fewer compromises.
It's cheap to run - particularly with hybrid power - while offering plenty of space for the family, a decent driving experience and genuine off-road capability. All engines offer strong performance, too, while it's comfortable and easy to drive.
You'll find rivals with plusher interiors and more gadgets, but they'll cost an awful lot more to buy. If you want the no-nonsense essentials of motoring, the Duster is as good as it gets.
Highly commended: Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen majors on comfort and value, and the C3 Aircross perfectly encompasses this. It’s priced like a small car but offers seating for up to seven, or a huge boot and good passenger space in five-seat form. A smooth ride, peppy entry-level petrol engine and decent kit levels make it a strong choice.
Highly commended: Volkswagen T-Roc
The Volkswagen T-Roc is a popular model, and this latest version is more complete than ever. With a comfortable ride, composed handling, a solid and neatly designed interior and plenty of space, it’s an extremely complete small SUV.
Best family car
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Winner: Nissan Qashqai
The British-built Qashqai is the most accomplished car in its class. All versions are easy to drive and spacious, while Nissan's e-Power hybrid technology blends performance and efficiency exceptionally well.
Interior comfort is first class, while passenger space is generous. The Qashqai also has a practical boot, that makes it perfectly suited for family car life.
Unlike some of its rivals, Nissan has resisted the trend for removing physical buttons. This means you have lots of buttons and dials, while everything is intuitively laid out and easy to prod when on the move.
Highly commended: Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a highly capable hybrid hatchback, which makes it a good option for drivers who don't want an SUV. Smooth to drive and affordable to run, the Honda Civic does most things well. We think its interior is one of the smartest in its class, while its rewarding driving dynamics make it fun to drive on a twisty B road.
Highly commended: Citroen C5 Aircross
The Citroen C5 Aircross is a strong family car. Easy to use, spacious and superbly comfortable, we rate it as one of the best cars in its class. The ride quality is excellent, with Citroen's sophisticated suspension system ironing out potholes and road imperfections with ease, while both the petrol and electric versions get the same 565-litre boot.
Best midsize electric car
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Winner: Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
We know the new Mercedes-Benz CLA is an excellent car in fully electric form - and the Shooting Brake's extra dose of rear passenger space and versatility makes it a winning package in its class.
With clever technology, a comfortable and well rounded driving experience and almost no price premium for choosing the EV over the hybrid version, the CLA Shooting Brake has plenty of appeal.
But factor in its top-notch efficiency enabling a class-leading range on a charge, plus its super-fast charging speeds, and we reckon it's the best midsize electric car on sale today.
Highly commended: Renault Scenic E-Tech
If it wasn't for the impressive CLA Shooting Brake, Renault's largest electric car would be taking home the top prize. Even so, the Scenic E-Tech is a thoroughly recommendable family-sized EV. With lots of space, a classy interior with easy-to-use tech, a confidence-inspiring drive and great range for the money, the Scenic is a top-notch choice that offers style and substance in equal measure.
Highly commended: Skoda Elroq
Skoda's midsize electric SUV plays to the brand's strengths superbly. It's so practical and spacious that the bigger Enyaq seems almost unnecessary, while the solid, no-nonsense cabin is a great place to spend time. Factor in the comfortable ride, low noise levels, good performance and strong range, and the Elroq easily earns its place in our awards.
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Best large electric car
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Winner: BMW iX3
The iX3 stands out for its outstanding range of up to 500 miles on a full charge. But it's more than just a number: it's a great premium electric SUV.
Its super-fast charging speeds mean electric motoring hits new standards of long distance ability, while you'll have fun driving it all those miles thanks to its firm yet controlled ride and impressive handling. It's also fast, stable and inspires confidence like no rival.
On top of that, the interior blends traditional BMW quality with innovative design. The technology is impressive, too, but it isn't overbearing, while the space for passengers and luggage is very good. It's a superb preview of the German brand's electric future.
Highly commended: Mercedes-Benz GLC
The comfortable and high-tech GLC runs the iX3 very close in several areas, but can't quite match it for range and usability. It's comfortable though, especially with air suspension, and combines a spacious interior with premium touches and a dazzling array of in-car features. All versions offer strong performance and refinement, while efficiency is strong for a big, heavy SUV.
Highly commended: Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
The ID.7 is arguably Volkswagen's best electric car, and in Tourer form it shows that estate cars still have plenty of appeal. There's a huge amount of space inside and a large, flexible boot, while the ID.7 also feels solidly built and blends ride and handling well. It's not far behind the more expensive models here for outright range and performance, either.
Best large SUV
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Winner: Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe shows just how far Hyundai has come in two decades. It's a brilliant SUV for large families or those who need the extra versatility smaller models just don't offer.
Unlike many seven-seat rivals, there's genuine room for seven adults to get comfortable in the Santa Fe, with flexible seating and a vast boot that can swallow everything family life can throw at it.
But it isn't just the space on offer: the Santa Fe feels like a premium SUV inside thanks to its extensive kit list, solid build quality and great driving position. It's also comfortable, refined and easy to drive smoothly, with hybrid or plug-in hybrid power keeping running costs down. Overall, it's the full package.
Highly commended: Land Rover Defender
Land Rover has no shortage of big SUVs to consider, but the Defender offers the best blend of design, comfort and capability - particularly in its mid-sized 110 form. With an impressively premium drive, great engine options and plush interior, you'd almost forget that it's also one of the finest off-roaders money can buy. Only its high price holds it back from the outright win.
Highly commended: Peugeot 5008
The Peugeot 5008 isn't quite as spacious or premium as the Santa Fe, but with prices starting from considerably less it's an awful lot of car for the money. There's room for seven adults, a classy interior, a big boot and a comfortable ride, while the 5008's choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric power means there's something for everyone.
Best luxury car
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Winner: BMW i7
The i7 is the pinnacle of BMW's saloon car range and it feels every bit the worthy flagship. It's a fantastic luxury car that's as good to drive as be driven in.
The interior blends stunning technology with outstanding fit and finish. Features such as the massive Theatre Screen and the amazing Executive Pack rear seats make this the best car in its class for the lucky few to travel in the back.
But there's enjoyment to be had from behind the wheel, too. A cossetting ride combines with surprisingly capable handling to make the i7 feel like a smaller and lighter car than it is. And the i7 is our preferred choice over the petrol-powered 7 Series because it feels smoother, faster and has plenty of range on a charge.
Highly commended: Range Rover
The Range Rover is a luxury icon for good reason. You feel like royalty from behind the wheel thanks to its fantastic driving position and pillowy soft suspension - but this Range Rover also offers stronger performance than ever. The cabin is luxurious, too, but its real party trick is being a proper luxury car while also being a fantastic off-roader.
Highly commended: Porsche Panamera
A Porsche in the running for best luxury car? Absolutely, because the latest Panamera blends the brand's traditional sporting qualities with a new level of luxury. Its clever Active Ride Control sets new standards for composure, while all versions offer serious performance. It can't quite offer the rear seat comfort of the BMW, though.
Best sports car
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Winner: Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 has been the defining sports car for decades, and it continues to set the standard to beat.
Behind its iconic shape lies the best engineering in the business. From the purist's Carrera T to the race-bred GT3 and the bonkers fast Turbo S, there's something for every need and (almost) every budget. All versions make the exciting flat-six engine the centrepiece, too.
The 911 blends outstanding dynamic ability with surprising everyday usability - particularly in lesser variants. As a sports car to use everywhere from a track day to the school run, nothing comes close.
Highly commended: Mazda MX-5
The MX-5 continues to be Mazda's finest hour. Nothing else on sale today follows its 'less is more' approach so well - there are much faster and grippier sports cars out there, but none that can put such a smile on your face at normal road speeds. It's affordable, cheap to run and usable every day, too - if not the most spacious and practical option.
Highly commended: BMW M2
The M2 is undoubtedly the best M car BMW makes today. Its immense straight-six engine delivers all the performance you'd reasonably need anywhere, while its balanced handling means it's properly entertaining. Factor in its relative practicality and comfort, and the M2 is a great daily driver with plenty of fun factor.
RAC New Car Awards FAQs
In order for a car to qualify for the RAC New Car Awards 2026, it needed to be on sale in the UK now and available for testing in right-hand drive form by our automotive experts.
The RAC New Car Awards celebrates the best new cars on sale in the UK today across nine key market categories. We don't just have a quick test drive or look at a spec sheet: our experts have extensively tested each car to help you make the most informed choice when buying or leasing your next car.
The RAC New Car Awards are aimed at informing general motorists on the best cars they can buy today. We have excluded models that have little relevance to the average consumer, and focused on value-for-money options across the market.