Higher Gas Prices Put the Spotlight on the 2026 AAA Car Guide Winners
Higher Gas Prices Put the Spotlight on the 2026 AAA Car Guide Winners
AAA has awarded the 2026 Lucid Gravity Touring as the overall winner and top vehicle in the midsize SUV category for the 2026 AAA Car Guide. This year, all category winners are either electric (EV) or hybrid vehicles.
“Higher gas prices may increase consumer interest nationwide in making the switch to EVs,” said Megan McKernan, manager of AAA’s Automotive Research Center. “This year’s AAA Car Guide helps drivers across the country compare vehicles with comprehensive information spanning eight vehicle categories.”
Key Winners
The AAA Car Guide winners feature multiple advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), reverse automatic emergency braking (RAEB), and lane-keeping assistance (LKA).
The 2026 Lucid Gravity Touring was selected as the top vehicle in the midsize SUV category and was crowned the overall 2026 AAA Car Guide winner. This vehicle debuted last year and made its first entry into the AAA Car Guide. SUVs are often popular amongst consumers because of their versatility, safety, and comfort.
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus won the top spot in the minivan category. This minivan is a reimagined version of the beloved VW Bus and seats up to 6 or 7, depending on the configuration.
The only hybrid winner this year was in the small car category: the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring.
Scoring Ranked by Category:
Category | Vehicle Name |
Overall | Lucid Gravity Touring (Electric) |
Small Cars | Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring (Hybrid) |
Midsize Cars | BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (Electric) |
Large Cars | Lucid Air Pure (Electric) |
Pickups | Chevrolet Silverado EV LT Extended Range (Electric) |
Minivans | Volkswagen ID. Buzz Pro S Plus (Electric) |
Small SUVs | Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (Electric) |
Midsize SUVs | Lucid Gravity Touring (Electric) |
Large SUVs | Hyundai Ioniq 9 Performance Limited (Electric) |
“Our goal with the AAA Car Guide is to help consumers navigate the evolving automotive marketplace by evaluating the latest vehicles, providing unbiased evaluations, as well as including additional automotive-related information," said McKernan.
Background
The AAA Car Guide includes comprehensive reviews of each vehicle based on 14 criteria, including advanced safety features, fuel efficiency, braking, performance handling, ride quality, and infotainment usability. Vehicles are tested, scored, and placed into one of eight categories by AAA’s Automotive Research Center.
AAA EV Resources
- AAA Car Guide Website: For those in the market for newer used EVs, the online resources also contain links to prior editions of the guide.
- AAA Your Driving Costs calculator: Consumers should consider estimates of the cost of owning a vehicle based on financing it, owning and driving it for five years, and trading it in at the end of those five years.
- AAA Your Driving Costs revealed that as of September 2025, the annual cost to own and operate a new vehicle was $11,577, or $965 per month, which was a drop of $719 from 2024. That figure may be higher this year for gas-powered vehicles given higher pump prices, if they last.
- #AdultingwithAAA: Car Care Electric Vehicles – Low Maintenance – No Problem: AAA series for young adults providing helpful tips, advice and life hacks on all things “#Adulting”.
- Mobile EV Charging Pilot & AAA EV Member Benefits: Available in select cities, this service is now part of our roadside assistance and will get EV owners back on the go if they run out of charge. That’s just one of the many benefits and services we offer our EV members.
Overall winners, detailed evaluation criteria, vehicle reviews, and an in-depth analysis of ADAS technology can be found at AAA.com/CarGuide.