2026 Best Value New Cars Awards Announced Amid Rising Costs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Should l Buy CARS?
Source: Newsfilter
- Value Awards Announcement: Cars.com has announced its 2026 Best Value New Cars awards across eight key vehicle segments, highlighting the importance of affordability as gas prices soar and the average new car price increases by $709, reflecting a broader trend in consumer spending.
- Consumer Spending Trends: A recent Cars.com survey reveals that 75% of car shoppers are spending less and focusing on necessities, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior towards maximizing value amid rising costs of fuel, insurance, and repairs.
- Award Categories: The winners include the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Chevrolet Trax, and Kia Sportage Hybrid, showcasing vehicles that excel in price, standard safety and tech features, and fuel economy, thus meeting the growing demand for high-value options among cost-conscious consumers.
- Selection Criteria: To qualify for the awards, vehicles must meet several criteria, including having automatic transmissions and essential tech features, while also being priced below the segment average, ensuring that consumers receive the best value for their purchases.
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Analyst Views on CARS
Wall Street analysts forecast CARS stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 8.920
Low
16.00
Averages
19.33
High
25.00
Current: 8.920
Low
16.00
Averages
19.33
High
25.00
About CARS
Cars.com Inc., doing business as Cars Commerce Inc., is an audience-driven technology company. It is engaged in car buying and selling with products, solutions and machine-learning model-driven artificial intelligence technologies that span pretail, retail and post-sale activities. Cars Commerce platform is organized over four brands: the flagship automotive marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com, digital retail technology and marketing services from Dealer Inspire and D2C Media, essential trade-in and appraisal technology from AccuTrade, and media solutions from the Cars Commerce Media Network. It enables shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and connect with automotive retailers. Cars.com enables dealerships and original equipment manufacturers with solutions and data-driven intelligence. Its products and solutions have attracted over 19,200 franchise and independent dealer customers across the United States and Canada.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Kia Sportage Hybrid Recognized for Third Consecutive Year
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid has been recognized for the third consecutive year in Cars.com's 2026 Best Value New Cars awards, highlighting its outstanding performance and value in the compact SUV market.
- Value and Efficiency: This model stands out in its segment by offering impressive fuel efficiency and a competitive starting price, further solidifying Kia's position in the minds of consumers.
- Meeting Customer Needs: Kia America's VP of Sales, Eric Watson, stated that the Sportage Hybrid balances power, efficiency, and technology, meeting the needs of today's compact SUV buyers and enhancing brand appeal.
- Market Acknowledgment: Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman noted that the Sportage Hybrid S was awarded Best Value Compact SUV for its impressive fuel economy and practical features, reflecting consumers' emphasis on comprehensive vehicle value.
See More
2026 Kia Sportage Named Best Value Compact SUV
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage has been awarded the top spot in the compact SUV category of Cars.com's 'Best New Cars for the Money,' marking its third consecutive year on this list, highlighting its ongoing focus on value and practicality for daily use.
- Customer Satisfaction: Kia America's VP of Sales, Eric Watson, stated that the Sportage Hybrid continues to resonate with customers due to its perfect balance of power, efficiency, technology, and overall value, meeting the needs of today's compact SUV buyers.
- Fuel Efficiency and Pricing: The 2026 Sportage Hybrid stands out in its segment by offering a competitive combination of fuel efficiency and starting price, as evaluated by Cars.com, which calculates value by dividing the EPA's combined fuel economy rating by the vehicle's base price.
- Brand Commitment: Kia was recognized by TIME as one of the world's most sustainable companies in 2025, showcasing its leadership in automotive quality and sustainability, further solidifying its market image as the official automotive partner of the NBA and WNBA.
See More
2026 Best Value New Cars Awards Announced Amid Rising Costs
- Value Awards Announcement: Cars.com has announced its 2026 Best Value New Cars awards across eight key vehicle segments, highlighting the importance of affordability as gas prices soar and the average new car price increases by $709, reflecting a broader trend in consumer spending.
- Consumer Spending Trends: A recent Cars.com survey reveals that 75% of car shoppers are spending less and focusing on necessities, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior towards maximizing value amid rising costs of fuel, insurance, and repairs.
- Award Categories: The winners include the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Chevrolet Trax, and Kia Sportage Hybrid, showcasing vehicles that excel in price, standard safety and tech features, and fuel economy, thus meeting the growing demand for high-value options among cost-conscious consumers.
- Selection Criteria: To qualify for the awards, vehicles must meet several criteria, including having automatic transmissions and essential tech features, while also being priced below the segment average, ensuring that consumers receive the best value for their purchases.
See More
Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Palisade Win Best Value New Car Awards
- Best Value EV: The Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE was awarded the 2026 Best Value EV, showcasing its innovative design, strong performance, and rapid charging capabilities, which highlight Hyundai's competitiveness in the EV market and meet consumer demands for high value.
- Best Midsize SUV: The Hyundai Palisade SE earned the title of Best Value Midsize SUV, featuring a newly available hybrid powertrain and spacious interior, making it more appealing for family adventures while offering a suite of advanced safety features that enhance the driving experience.
- Consumer Recognition: Cars.com selected the IONIQ 5 and Palisade SE based on consumer surveys and editorial reviews, emphasizing Hyundai's commitment to delivering high quality, innovation, and value, thereby strengthening the brand's position in the market.
- Market Investment: Hyundai plans to invest $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028, supporting its ongoing development in the EV and SUV sectors, aiming to meet the evolving consumer demands through technological innovation and market expansion.
See More
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid Named Best Value Compact SUV
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid has been awarded the top spot in the Compact SUV category of Cars.com's Best Value New Cars awards, marking its third consecutive year of recognition, which highlights its ongoing commitment to value and efficiency.
- Market Impact: Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales at Kia America, emphasized that the Sportage Hybrid achieves a perfect balance of power, efficiency, technology, and overall value, resonating well with today's compact SUV buyers and enhancing the brand's reputation.
- Competitive Pricing: The Cars.com Best Value New Cars award is based on the ratio of the EPA's combined fuel economy rating to the vehicle's base price, and the 2026 Sportage Hybrid leads its segment by offering a competitive combination of fuel efficiency and starting price, underscoring its value proposition.
- Consumer Expectations: Jenni Newman, Editor-in-Chief of Cars.com, noted that the Sportage Hybrid not only offers competitive pricing but also impressive fuel economy and practical features, demonstrating that modern car buyers define value beyond mere affordability.
See More
Cars.com Announces Dealer of the Year Awards for 2026
- Dealer of the Year Awards: Cars.com has announced its 2026 Dealer of the Year Awards, recognizing top automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, which aims to enhance consumer trust by highlighting dealerships that provide exceptional car-buying experiences.
- Consumer Review Data: In 2025, Cars.com evaluated nearly 1.3 million consumer reviews to determine the award winners, emphasizing the critical role of customer feedback in improving dealer service quality and responsiveness.
- Response Rate Comparison: Nearly 90% of the award-winning dealers actively respond to customer reviews, compared to only 52% of non-winning dealers, illustrating a direct correlation between high response rates and customer satisfaction.
- Smart Response Tool: The AI-assisted Smart Response tool provided by Cars.com enhances dealers' response speed and quality, enabling them to maintain a competitive edge and improve communication with customers in a highly competitive market.
See More
Kia Sportage Hybrid Recognized for Third Consecutive Year
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid has been recognized for the third consecutive year in Cars.com's 2026 Best Value New Cars awards, highlighting its outstanding performance and value in the compact SUV market.
- Value and Efficiency: This model stands out in its segment by offering impressive fuel efficiency and a competitive starting price, further solidifying Kia's position in the minds of consumers.
- Meeting Customer Needs: Kia America's VP of Sales, Eric Watson, stated that the Sportage Hybrid balances power, efficiency, and technology, meeting the needs of today's compact SUV buyers and enhancing brand appeal.
- Market Acknowledgment: Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman noted that the Sportage Hybrid S was awarded Best Value Compact SUV for its impressive fuel economy and practical features, reflecting consumers' emphasis on comprehensive vehicle value.
See More
2026 Kia Sportage Named Best Value Compact SUV
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage has been awarded the top spot in the compact SUV category of Cars.com's 'Best New Cars for the Money,' marking its third consecutive year on this list, highlighting its ongoing focus on value and practicality for daily use.
- Customer Satisfaction: Kia America's VP of Sales, Eric Watson, stated that the Sportage Hybrid continues to resonate with customers due to its perfect balance of power, efficiency, technology, and overall value, meeting the needs of today's compact SUV buyers.
- Fuel Efficiency and Pricing: The 2026 Sportage Hybrid stands out in its segment by offering a competitive combination of fuel efficiency and starting price, as evaluated by Cars.com, which calculates value by dividing the EPA's combined fuel economy rating by the vehicle's base price.
- Brand Commitment: Kia was recognized by TIME as one of the world's most sustainable companies in 2025, showcasing its leadership in automotive quality and sustainability, further solidifying its market image as the official automotive partner of the NBA and WNBA.
See More
2026 Best Value New Cars Awards Announced Amid Rising Costs
- Value Awards Announcement: Cars.com has announced its 2026 Best Value New Cars awards across eight key vehicle segments, highlighting the importance of affordability as gas prices soar and the average new car price increases by $709, reflecting a broader trend in consumer spending.
- Consumer Spending Trends: A recent Cars.com survey reveals that 75% of car shoppers are spending less and focusing on necessities, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior towards maximizing value amid rising costs of fuel, insurance, and repairs.
- Award Categories: The winners include the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Chevrolet Trax, and Kia Sportage Hybrid, showcasing vehicles that excel in price, standard safety and tech features, and fuel economy, thus meeting the growing demand for high-value options among cost-conscious consumers.
- Selection Criteria: To qualify for the awards, vehicles must meet several criteria, including having automatic transmissions and essential tech features, while also being priced below the segment average, ensuring that consumers receive the best value for their purchases.
See More
Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Palisade Win Best Value New Car Awards
- Best Value EV: The Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE was awarded the 2026 Best Value EV, showcasing its innovative design, strong performance, and rapid charging capabilities, which highlight Hyundai's competitiveness in the EV market and meet consumer demands for high value.
- Best Midsize SUV: The Hyundai Palisade SE earned the title of Best Value Midsize SUV, featuring a newly available hybrid powertrain and spacious interior, making it more appealing for family adventures while offering a suite of advanced safety features that enhance the driving experience.
- Consumer Recognition: Cars.com selected the IONIQ 5 and Palisade SE based on consumer surveys and editorial reviews, emphasizing Hyundai's commitment to delivering high quality, innovation, and value, thereby strengthening the brand's position in the market.
- Market Investment: Hyundai plans to invest $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028, supporting its ongoing development in the EV and SUV sectors, aiming to meet the evolving consumer demands through technological innovation and market expansion.
See More
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid Named Best Value Compact SUV
- Award Recognition: The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid has been awarded the top spot in the Compact SUV category of Cars.com's Best Value New Cars awards, marking its third consecutive year of recognition, which highlights its ongoing commitment to value and efficiency.
- Market Impact: Eric Watson, Vice President of Sales at Kia America, emphasized that the Sportage Hybrid achieves a perfect balance of power, efficiency, technology, and overall value, resonating well with today's compact SUV buyers and enhancing the brand's reputation.
- Competitive Pricing: The Cars.com Best Value New Cars award is based on the ratio of the EPA's combined fuel economy rating to the vehicle's base price, and the 2026 Sportage Hybrid leads its segment by offering a competitive combination of fuel efficiency and starting price, underscoring its value proposition.
- Consumer Expectations: Jenni Newman, Editor-in-Chief of Cars.com, noted that the Sportage Hybrid not only offers competitive pricing but also impressive fuel economy and practical features, demonstrating that modern car buyers define value beyond mere affordability.
See More
Cars.com Announces Dealer of the Year Awards for 2026
- Dealer of the Year Awards: Cars.com has announced its 2026 Dealer of the Year Awards, recognizing top automotive dealers in the U.S. and Canada, which aims to enhance consumer trust by highlighting dealerships that provide exceptional car-buying experiences.
- Consumer Review Data: In 2025, Cars.com evaluated nearly 1.3 million consumer reviews to determine the award winners, emphasizing the critical role of customer feedback in improving dealer service quality and responsiveness.
- Response Rate Comparison: Nearly 90% of the award-winning dealers actively respond to customer reviews, compared to only 52% of non-winning dealers, illustrating a direct correlation between high response rates and customer satisfaction.
- Smart Response Tool: The AI-assisted Smart Response tool provided by Cars.com enhances dealers' response speed and quality, enabling them to maintain a competitive edge and improve communication with customers in a highly competitive market.
See More
