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U.S. News Unveils 2026 Best Vehicle Brands and CPO Awards

U.S. News & World Report, renowned for its rankings and consumer advice, has officially introduced its 2026 Best Vehicle Brand Awards. This year's awards have expanded significantly, recognizing 39 brands across various segments of the automotive market, with special acknowledgment for electric vehicle excellence through the new categories of Best Electric Vehicle Brand and Best Luxury Electric Vehicle Brand.

The automotive landscape is shifting dramatically as electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly important. According to John Vincent, senior automotive correspondent at U.S. News, "The 2026 Best Vehicle Brand awards reflect the evolving automotive world, particularly highlighting the growing role of electric vehicles. This expansion is in response to the substantial surge in new EVs and premium electric options entering the market, which are significantly changing consumer preferences and setting new standards for automotive brand excellence."

Recognition of Excellence

In this year's awards, Ford claimed the title of Best Electric Vehicle Brand, while Lucid was honored as the Best Luxury Electric Vehicle Brand. The expansion of categories not only addresses the rise in EVs but also recognizes the merit and performance of traditional brands across cars, SUVs, trucks, and luxury vehicles.

The results for the 2026 Best Vehicle Brand Awards are as follows:

• - Best Car Brand: Honda, noted for its high quality across its offerings, particularly the Civic and Civic Type R.
• - Best SUV Brand: Hyundai, benefitting from the quality and appeal of models like the Palisade and Tucson.
• - Best Truck Brand: Ram has celebrated its seventh consecutive year for the Best Truck Brand, driven by the success of its Ram 1500 and 2500 models.
• - Best Luxury Brand: Genesis received its first Best Luxury Brand award, with standout models including the G90 and GV70.
• - Best Certified Pre-Owned Program: Lexus, recognized for its extensive warranty and premium benefits, has retained this title for nine consecutive years.

Insights into Consumer Preferences

According to U.S. News, these awards are based on comprehensive evaluations that include safety ratings, reliability data, and the overall consensus of automotive press reviews. The selected winners are determined by averaging the scores of all products within each brand across their respective classes.

In a landscape where consumer choice is being transformed by electric mobility, traditional brands are adapting to meet new expectations. The additions of dedicated electric vehicles categories signify an important trend in the automotive industry, encouraging brands to innovate and excel in areas critical to the future of transportation.

U.S. News Best CPO Program Award

Additionally, the U.S. News Best Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Program Award is a distinct honor aimed at recognizing the program providing the most comprehensive benefits to its customers. Lexus has once again set the industry standard with its best-in-class offerings, combining unlimited mileage warranties with premium features such as complimentary maintenance and loaner vehicles.

Vincent emphasizes the significance of these awards, stating, "With its industry-leading unlimited mileage CPO warranty and comprehensive luxury benefits, Lexus continues to shine as the benchmark in certified pre-owned programs."

These awards, issued by U.S. News, provide a valuable resource for consumers looking to make informed decisions on their vehicle purchases. For continuous updates and details on award winners, consumers can follow U.S. News on various social media platforms using the hashtags #BestVehicleBrands and #BestCPO.

For further information regarding the Best Vehicle Brands and the Best Certified Pre-Owned Programs, visit their dedicated pages on U.S. News & World Report's website.