Car and Driver’s annual 10Best list rewards cars that are rewarding to drive, and the 2026 class mixes long-running favorites with newer electric and performance entries. Honda, General Motors, Volkswagen and several European and Japanese brands all placed models on the roster. Here are twelve of the cars that earned a spot, each with the reason it made the cut.
1. Honda Accord: Forty Trophies, Twenty-Eight Years
Honda’s 10Best announcement states that the Accord is now a 40-time 10Best winner, with the streak running 28 years in a row. That run of 28 consecutive years is a remarkable stretch for any midsize sedan to sustain.
For shoppers, the repeat honors point to a family sedan that keeps getting refined rather than reinvented. A car with that record of editorial approval tends to hold steady resale appeal, and the steering and ride balance behind the trophies are the traits that carry over to ordinary commuting.
2. Honda Civic: Brilliance Without the Price Tag
Honda counts this as the Civic’s 12th 10Best award, and its Honda press release quotes the editors’ verdict that the owner is rewarded with a car that is brilliant to drive. The compact has earned its place through precise steering, a well-damped chassis and an interior that feels more expensive than its sticker suggests.
Buyers who want driving fun without moving into sports-car money get the clearest case here. A dozen trophies across generations suggest the formula is deliberate, and owners can expect a small car that still rewards a winding road on an ordinary weekday.
3. Chevrolet Corvette: Stingray and E-Ray Share the Stage
The GM 10Best release lists both the Stingray and the electrified E-Ray among the honorees, marking the 10th straight appearance for a Corvette. Across the award’s 43-year history the nameplate has collected 27 wins, an unusually high strike rate for a single model line.
The mid-engine layout gives owners supercar-style balance at a price far below European exotics. Choosing between the pure V8 Stingray and the all-wheel-drive hybrid E-Ray comes down to whether traction and added speed matter more than lower weight and simplicity.
4. Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing: Track Pace in a Tailored Suit
General Motors’ recap describes this repeat honoree as a blend of track-ready capability paired with Cadillac luxury, and the GM’s 2026 honors confirms it returned to the 10Best roster. The compact sport sedan carries a high-output engine and tuned chassis hardware aimed at lapping circuits.
Owners get a daily driver that can double as a weekend track tool, though the stiff setup and thirsty engine are the trade for the speed. The small footprint makes it easier to place on a tight road than the larger sedan sold above it.
5. Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: Every Year Since 2022
This sedan has made the list every year since its first appearance in 2022, according to the GM 10Best roundup that covers GM’s six honorees. Staying on a competitive roster for that long means the car has kept pace even as rivals from Germany refreshed their lineups.
The record points to a rare American sports sedan with real handling credentials. Buyers should weigh the generous power against fuel costs and a cabin that is roomier than the compact model’s, but less delicate in its finishes.
6. Volkswagen Golf GTI: Twenty Appearances and Counting
Dealer coverage notes this hot hatch is making its 20th appearance on the 10Best list, and the VW 10Best coverage adds that it is powered by a 241-hp turbocharged engine. Two decades of recognition make it one of the most consistently honored performance cars in the award’s history.
The GTI remains the sensible performance pick, pairing hatchback practicality with front-wheel-drive manners that suit year-round use. Owners get real cargo space and a polished interior, with enough power to be entertaining but not so much that daily driving becomes tiring.
7. Volkswagen Golf R: Four Seconds to Sixty
The Golf R lands on its fifth 10Best list, and a dealer-published Golf R recap describes 328 hp and a sports car that will rip to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Standard all-wheel drive lets it put that output down in poor weather where front-drive rivals struggle.
The R suits buyers who want near-supercar acceleration in a quiet, practical hatchback. The step up from the GTI costs more and brings a firmer, busier ride, so it fits drivers who regularly use the extra grip and speed rather than those who just want a quick commuter.
8. Lucid Air: A Three-Peat for the Electric Sedan
Lucid announced that its Air earned a 10Best three-peat, a third straight year on the list, according to this Lucid 10Best announcement published on Finviz. The Air Pure starts at $70,900 and carries up to 420 EPA-estimated miles of range.
That pairing of range and price positions the Air as a credible alternative to established luxury sedans, not only a showpiece. Buyers still need to consider charging access and a young service network, but three years of editorial approval show the engineering has staying power.
9. BMW M2: Compact Muscle From Munich
Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best Cars list includes the BMW M2, as the 10Best cars list summarizing the winners notes. The small rear-drive coupe keeps the compact performance formula that long defined the brand, with a turbocharged six-cylinder and a chassis tuned for tight, quick corners.
For enthusiasts, the M2 delivers much of the larger M cars’ character in a smaller, lighter and cheaper package. Anyone considering it should expect a stiff ride and a firm price for options, but the payoff is a coupe that still feels engaging below the speed limit.
10. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The E450 Makes the Cut
The E450 version earned a place on Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best Cars list, according to a 10Best winners roundup that rounds up all the winners. It adds a turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid assistance to the brand’s mid-size luxury sedan formula.
The E-Class suits buyers who prize quiet comfort and technology over sharp handling, and the recognition shows that the current model also drives well. Owners should budget for option packages, since the headline price rarely includes the features that make the cabin feel special.
11. Subaru BRZ: One Half of a Matched Pair
The Subaru BRZ shares a 2026 10Best Cars slot with its Toyota GR86 twin, a detail the 10Best cars roundup on the winners highlights. The two coupes come from one joint project and use the same lightweight rear-drive platform with a naturally aspirated flat-four engine.
Choosing the BRZ over its sibling is mostly a matter of suspension tuning, styling and dealer preference, since the fundamentals match. Either way, owners get an affordable, balanced coupe that teaches car control better than most faster machines.
12. Toyota GR86: Rear-Drive Fun for Everyday Money
Toyota’s coupe shares the 2026 10Best Cars slot with its Subaru BRZ twin, as a full 10Best summary covering the full winners list explains. Both cars are small, light and rear-drive, built around a flat-four engine that favors balance over outright power.
The GR86 appeals to drivers who want a manual-friendly sports car with low running costs and an easy-to-learn character. Skipping big horsepower figures keeps insurance and fuel bills modest, while the chassis rewards anyone who enjoys using every gear on a back road.
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