The Car Guide’s Favourite Cars and SUVs for 2026
The Car Guide is your trusted source when it comes to shopping for a new vehicle. Every year, our team of experts spends long hours debating and selecting the Best Buys in the various segments.
Each vehicle is judged on a variety of criteria and compared to its competitors. Those that rank among the Best Buys stand out in one or many departments such as efficiency, driving pleasure, versatility, predicted reliability and overall value. Shoppers can therefore make smarter decisions based on their specific wants and needs.
Some of the vehicles identified as Best Buys are also favourites of The Car Guide. We thought we’d feature them here, but be sure to visit our website to learn more about them.
Honda Civic (compact cars)
It’s hard to fault the Civic as far as driving dynamics are concerned. This car always stands out with a pleasant and comfortable experience behind the wheel, plus varying levels of sportiness. Inside, the Civic offers a user-friendly and spacious cabin regardless of body styles. And given the current political situation, the fact that part of its production takes place in Canada makes it all the more attractive.
Subaru Crosstrek (subcompact SUVs)
While the base Crosstrek is more or less interesting in terms of powertrain and features, the rest of the lineup seems tailor-made for Quebec drivers. You get generous content, fuel-efficient engines and excellent all-wheel drive at a reasonable price. Let’s not forget the Crosstrek’s good reliability and resale value. This is a crossover we highly recommend buying.
Toyota RAV4 (compact SUVs)
Completely redesigned for 2026, the best-selling SUV in Canada now offers a standard hybrid and optional plug-in hybrid powertrain. It has all the ingredients to maintain its leading position in the segment. Sharper-looking and more versatile, the new RAV4 also addresses the issues that disappointed some buyers about the outgoing generation. The fully revamped interior is one example.
Toyota Land Cruiser (4×4 SUVs)
Delightfully classic yet modern, the Land Cruiser delivers a beautiful dose of analog normalcy in a world obsessed with screens and digital technology. Safe and enjoyable in urban driving, it has all the tools and attributes to tackle the toughest trails with poise and confidence. All of this comes with the promise of unparalleled reliability and durability. In fact, the Land Cruiser seems downright indestructible.
BMW i4 (electric cars)
The BMW i4 represents an attractive option for consumers looking for a long-range electric car at a relatively affordable price. In its class, it’s the one that looks the most like a conventional car and also the most refined. While maximum range is slightly shorter than that of a Tesla or Hyundai, the smooth and strong powertrain is impressive. So is the driving experience.
Kia EV3 (compact electric crossovers)
Cute, efficient and versatile, the EV3 won’t arrive in Canada until later in 2026. That said, it will play an important role at Kia. Although this little crossover only has front-wheel drive, it proves fun and surprisingly comfortable, and its 201-horsepower motor is powerful enough to be pleasant and react quickly when needed. The boxy exterior looks great, while the interior offers beautifully finished and sustainable materials, bright colours and generous space that can suit a variety of family needs.
Volkswagen Golf GTI / Golf R (sporty compact cars)
The latest Golf is a fantastic car, offering solid performance and dynamic handling without compromising versatility. The GTI will please drivers looking for a fun hatchback, while the R is aimed at those who want all-wheel drive and performance that would put some luxury brands to shame. It’s too bad the manual transmission is gone, but the seven-speed DSG does a remarkable job.
Mazda MX-5 (sports cars)
As the embodiment of pure driving pleasure, the lightweight and agile MX-5 is arguably the perfect option for a convertible. It comes at a lower price than its rivals and reliability is not a concern. Even though the engine is short on power, it can be easily exploited to its full potential, while handling remains fabulous. Alas, the tight cabin doesn’t accommodate drivers of all sizes.
Porsche 911 (premium sports cars)
The 911 is one of those vehicles that everyone at The Car Guide agrees on. Regardless of the model, it offers a pleasant drive, great mechanical feel and crisp handling. Despite increasingly high prices that put it out of reach for many buyers, the 911 somehow continues to provide excellent value. It’s an iconic sports car that has stood the test of time and retains a youthful spirit more than 60 years after its birth.
