Car and Driver’s editors have announced their 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs, a field that runs from budget crossovers to full-size haulers and electric newcomers. The list is judged on satisfaction per dollar under a $115,000 price cap, so value matters as much as capability. Here are twelve trucks and SUVs that earned a place.
1. Chevrolet Trax: Affordable Repeat Winner
The Trax returns to the list with a starting MSRP of $21,900, which makes it the cheapest entry in this group by a wide margin. GM’s 10Best announcement credits the small crossover for affordability, practicality and refinement, three traits rarely paired at that price.
For shoppers who want a new vehicle without stretching into the high-$20,000s or beyond, the Trax is the budget anchor of the list. The $21,900 figure is a starting price, so options and higher trims will raise the final cost.
2. Chevrolet Tahoe: Full-Size Luxury Capability
The Tahoe shares a single full-size slot with its GM siblings, and editors were impressed by its breadth of capability and luxury. The GM award summary groups it with the Suburban and Yukon rather than treating it as a lone winner.
Buyers who want a traditional body-on-frame family hauler get the shorter of the three bodies here. Because the honor is shared across nameplates, the Tahoe should be judged on its own trim, price and cargo needs, not on the badge alone.
3. Chevrolet Suburban: The Longer Wheelbase Sibling
Named alongside the Tahoe, the Suburban earned its place on the 2026 list for the same breadth of capability and luxury. GM’s official 10Best release lists the two nameplates together within one full-size entry.
The extra length is the practical difference, and families that regularly fill every seat while still wanting cargo room are the natural audience. Since the award covers the group, shoppers should compare cargo volume, towing needs and parking constraints before assuming the Suburban is the better choice.
4. GMC Yukon: Denali-Grade Take On The Formula
The Yukon and Yukon XL share the honor with the Tahoe and Suburban, for the same breadth of capability and luxury. That GM press roundup places GMC’s pair inside the same full-size slot rather than giving them a separate award.
The Yukon is the choice for buyers who like this formula but want a more upscale GMC presentation. Its recognition is shared with its Chevrolet cousins, so trim-level pricing and equipment deserve a direct comparison across all four bodies.
5. Honda CR-V: Seventh Win For A Staple
Honda’s compact SUV collected its seventh 10Best win, and Car and Driver called it “one spectacular do-everything SUV, with a price that lands in the affordable zone.” The Honda newsroom release highlights that quote as proof of its broad appeal.
A seventh trophy signals consistency across generations, which matters to buyers weighing long-term ownership. The editors’ phrase is praise for versatility and value, though final cost still depends on the trim and powertrain chosen.
6. Honda Passport: Rugged But Civil
This is the Passport’s first-ever 10Best win, and it makes the 11th Honda model honored by the program. Editors described it as “a well-rounded SUV that deftly toes the line between ruggedness and civility,” according to the Honda announcement.
That description suits buyers who want some trail credibility without giving up daily comfort. As a debut winner, it also shows Honda widening its award record beyond longtime favorites into the midsize SUV class.
7. Ford Maverick: Small Truck, Big Utility
The Maverick is on the list for a second year in a row, and the editors summed it up as “Small in stature and big in utility.” Ford’s 10Best feature article pairs it with the Ranger Raptor as its two honorees.
A back-to-back selection suggests the compact pickup has held up under repeat scrutiny rather than winning on novelty. Buyers who need an easy-to-park truck for weekend hauling are the obvious audience, though bed size remains smaller than a midsize pickup.
8. Ford Ranger Raptor: Fun And Good Value
Back for a second straight year, the Ranger Raptor drew the line, “It’s not often that anything as fun as the Ford Ranger Raptor is also an excellent value.” That Ford 10Best write-up puts it beside the Maverick as the brand’s pair of winners.
The Raptor suits drivers who want performance-oriented off-road hardware in a midsize truck without full-size price levels. Value here is the editors’ judgment, so actual pricing and options should be confirmed before shopping.
9. Lucid Gravity: First-Year Electric Contender
The Gravity made the list in its first year of eligibility, and the Grand Touring is rated up to 450 EPA-estimated miles. Lucid’s 10Best announcement also notes that the Air sedan earned a spot.
That range figure applies to the Grand Touring specifically, so other trims should be expected to differ. A debut winner shows the startup’s large electric SUV is being taken seriously by editors, not just by early adopters.
10. Hyundai Palisade Hybrid: Satisfaction Per Dollar
Car and Driver judges this field on “satisfaction per dollar” under a $115,000 cap, and the Palisade Hybrid cleared that bar. CarPro’s 10Best list breakdown confirms its place among the 2026 trucks and SUVs.
A three-row hybrid is relevant for large families trying to reduce fuel costs. The award speaks to value within the price ceiling, so shoppers should check the hybrid’s trim pricing and real-world mileage against rivals. The cap also keeps the list from favoring only costly luxury models.
11. Porsche Macan: Sporty Luxury Entry
The Macan appears on Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, one of the more premium names in the group. The CarPro roundup records the selection without detailing the editors’ reasoning.
Because the available summary offers no specific figures, shoppers should look at the full Car and Driver write-up for the powertrain and trim that earned the nod. As a luxury compact, it will carry a price well above the mainstream entries.
12. Ram 1500: Only Full-Size Pickup
The Ram 1500 is the only full-size pickup on Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best Trucks and SUVs list. According to CarPro coverage, that makes it the sole representative of the category in this lineup.
Truck buyers get one clear award-recognized option here instead of a field to sort through. Exclusivity on the list is not the same as winning every comparison, so towing, payload and cab configurations still need individual checking.
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