Nissan Leaf Named Best Car of 2026 by Cars.com
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3d ago
0mins
Should l Buy CARS?
Source: Newsfilter
- Best Car Award: The 2026 Nissan Leaf, starting at $31,485 and boasting an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles, has been awarded Cars.com's Best Car of the Year, showcasing that value and innovation can coexist in the EV market.
- SUV and Family Car Awards: The 2026 Nissan Armada, with its powerful twin-turbo V-6 and 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, was named Best SUV, while the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, offering flexible three-row seating and a hybrid option, secured the Best Family Car award, meeting consumer demands for space and usability.
- Best Pickup Truck: The 2026 Ram 1500, with its diverse trim options and the return of the Hemi V-8, delivers exceptional capability and comfort, solidifying its leadership position in the pickup market and appealing to a broad consumer base.
- Electric and Luxury Vehicle Awards: The 2026 Kia EV9, recognized for its 305-mile range and family-friendly versatility, won Best EV, while the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, with its 465-mile range and luxurious design, was awarded Best Luxury Vehicle, highlighting the potential of EVs in the luxury segment.
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Analyst Views on CARS
Wall Street analysts forecast CARS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CARS is 19.33 USD with a low forecast of 16.00 USD and a high forecast of 25.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 11.020
Low
16.00
Averages
19.33
High
25.00
Current: 11.020
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.
Nissan and Ram Win Cars.com's Best Of Awards
- Best Car Selection: Cars.com has named the Nissan Leaf as the Best Car of 2026 in its annual Best Of Awards, highlighting its value and innovation in the EV market, especially as federal tax credits phase out, catering to consumer demand for affordable electric vehicles.
- Ram Truck Performance: Ram has secured the Best Pickup Truck award for the second consecutive year, demonstrating its strong competitive position in the market, particularly as consumer focus on practicality and safety intensifies, thereby reinforcing the brand's market standing.
- Market Trends Reflection: The 2026 award-winning vehicles reflect a growing consumer emphasis on long-term value and usability amid rising vehicle prices and limited budget-friendly used options, with Cars.com’s selection criteria underscoring the importance of quality, innovation, and value.
- Automotive Market Impact: Cars.com attracts nearly 25 million consumers each month, and as a leading automotive marketplace, its award results not only influence consumer purchasing decisions but also provide valuable market feedback to manufacturers, fostering innovation and development within the industry.
See More
Nissan Leaf Named Best Car of 2026 by Cars.com
- Best Car Award: The 2026 Nissan Leaf, starting at $31,485 and boasting an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles, has been awarded Cars.com's Best Car of the Year, showcasing that value and innovation can coexist in the EV market.
- SUV and Family Car Awards: The 2026 Nissan Armada, with its powerful twin-turbo V-6 and 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, was named Best SUV, while the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, offering flexible three-row seating and a hybrid option, secured the Best Family Car award, meeting consumer demands for space and usability.
- Best Pickup Truck: The 2026 Ram 1500, with its diverse trim options and the return of the Hemi V-8, delivers exceptional capability and comfort, solidifying its leadership position in the pickup market and appealing to a broad consumer base.
- Electric and Luxury Vehicle Awards: The 2026 Kia EV9, recognized for its 305-mile range and family-friendly versatility, won Best EV, while the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, with its 465-mile range and luxurious design, was awarded Best Luxury Vehicle, highlighting the potential of EVs in the luxury segment.
See More
DealerCloud LLC Launches Efficient AI System for Automotive Dealers
- Shortened Sales Cycle: Initial tests of DealerCloud LLC across 15 DGDG dealerships revealed a 30%-40% reduction in sales cycles, significantly enhancing dealer efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Increased Close Rate: The new system achieved a 30% lift in close rates for internet leads, which not only strengthens dealers' market competitiveness but also lays a foundation for future sales growth.
- Innovative Tech Collaboration: The partnership between Cars Commerce, DGDG, and Salesforce aims to address customer data integrity and system fragmentation issues, driving modernization in the automotive retail sector and improving overall operational efficiency.
- Intelligent Operations: DealerCloud LLC empowers dealers with unified data and AI-driven automation, enabling faster operations and superior customer experiences, marking a turning point in automotive retail.
See More
DealerCloud LLC Launches Powerful AI System for Automotive Dealers
- Shortened Sales Cycle: Initial tests of DealerCloud LLC across 15 DGDG dealerships resulted in a 30%-40% reduction in sales cycles, significantly enhancing sales efficiency and enabling faster transactions.
- Increased Internet Lead Conversion: The new system achieved a 30% lift in conversion rates for internet leads at DGDG, which not only improved customer acquisition capabilities but also opened up greater revenue potential for dealers.
- Modern Technology Integration: DealerCloud LLC leverages the Agentforce Automotive platform to unify data among OEMs, retailers, and buyers, enhancing customer experience and streamlining operations, thereby driving modernization in the industry.
- Sales Boost for New Hires: New hires experienced a 38% increase in sales performance after using DealerCloud LLC, indicating the system's effectiveness in onboarding and implementation, providing dealers with a competitive edge.
See More
AccuTrade IMS Launches at NADA 2026 to Enhance Used Car Profitability
- Technological Innovation: The newly launched AccuTrade Inventory Management System (IMS) provides dealers with precise appraisals and VIN-level risk scoring, facilitating a rapid path to profitability from acquisition to retail or wholesale, significantly enhancing used car business profitability.
- Integrated Solution: The IMS seamlessly integrates with Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, and DealerClub, offering real-time inventory updates and online chat features, enabling dealers to make smarter pricing decisions and seamless retail or wholesale choices, thereby optimizing overall operational efficiency.
- Market Opportunity: Joe Oliveri, Senior Director of Product at AccuTrade, emphasizes that the used car profitability potential in 2026 is substantial, and the IMS is designed to help dealers seize this opportunity by providing essential appraisal and valuation tools to ensure profitable exits every time.
- Showcase at NADA: The AccuTrade IMS will be showcased at the NADA Show in Las Vegas at booth #3723W, where visitors can participate in the DealerClub Live No-Reserve Auction and Pricing Game, gaining further insights into the application of the new technology and product structure.
See More
AccuTrade IMS Launches to Enhance Used Car Profitability
- Precision Appraisal Tool: AccuTrade IMS utilizes one of the industry's leading appraisal engines, delivering VIN-specific deductions, real-time competitive data, and daily adjusted values, which helps dealers eliminate manual guessing and enhance profitability in used car transactions.
- Innovative Risk Management: The system evaluates vehicles based on risk rather than age, employing proprietary intelligence scoring to avoid price wars, significantly improving inventory management efficiency and enabling dealers to complete merchandising tasks in 45 seconds instead of 20 minutes.
- Profit Forecasting and Exit Strategy: AccuTrade IMS provides retail versus wholesale profit predictions and offers instant liquidation options through integration with DealerClub's wholesale network, assisting dealers in formulating optimal exit strategies to maximize profits for every vehicle.
- Integrated Solution: The system stands out with its connected workflow across the Cars Commerce ecosystem, allowing dealers to appraise, price, merchandise, and sell vehicles on a single platform, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
See More
Nissan and Ram Win Cars.com's Best Of Awards
- Best Car Selection: Cars.com has named the Nissan Leaf as the Best Car of 2026 in its annual Best Of Awards, highlighting its value and innovation in the EV market, especially as federal tax credits phase out, catering to consumer demand for affordable electric vehicles.
- Ram Truck Performance: Ram has secured the Best Pickup Truck award for the second consecutive year, demonstrating its strong competitive position in the market, particularly as consumer focus on practicality and safety intensifies, thereby reinforcing the brand's market standing.
- Market Trends Reflection: The 2026 award-winning vehicles reflect a growing consumer emphasis on long-term value and usability amid rising vehicle prices and limited budget-friendly used options, with Cars.com’s selection criteria underscoring the importance of quality, innovation, and value.
- Automotive Market Impact: Cars.com attracts nearly 25 million consumers each month, and as a leading automotive marketplace, its award results not only influence consumer purchasing decisions but also provide valuable market feedback to manufacturers, fostering innovation and development within the industry.
See More
Nissan Leaf Named Best Car of 2026 by Cars.com
- Best Car Award: The 2026 Nissan Leaf, starting at $31,485 and boasting an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles, has been awarded Cars.com's Best Car of the Year, showcasing that value and innovation can coexist in the EV market.
- SUV and Family Car Awards: The 2026 Nissan Armada, with its powerful twin-turbo V-6 and 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, was named Best SUV, while the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, offering flexible three-row seating and a hybrid option, secured the Best Family Car award, meeting consumer demands for space and usability.
- Best Pickup Truck: The 2026 Ram 1500, with its diverse trim options and the return of the Hemi V-8, delivers exceptional capability and comfort, solidifying its leadership position in the pickup market and appealing to a broad consumer base.
- Electric and Luxury Vehicle Awards: The 2026 Kia EV9, recognized for its 305-mile range and family-friendly versatility, won Best EV, while the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, with its 465-mile range and luxurious design, was awarded Best Luxury Vehicle, highlighting the potential of EVs in the luxury segment.
See More
DealerCloud LLC Launches Efficient AI System for Automotive Dealers
- Shortened Sales Cycle: Initial tests of DealerCloud LLC across 15 DGDG dealerships revealed a 30%-40% reduction in sales cycles, significantly enhancing dealer efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Increased Close Rate: The new system achieved a 30% lift in close rates for internet leads, which not only strengthens dealers' market competitiveness but also lays a foundation for future sales growth.
- Innovative Tech Collaboration: The partnership between Cars Commerce, DGDG, and Salesforce aims to address customer data integrity and system fragmentation issues, driving modernization in the automotive retail sector and improving overall operational efficiency.
- Intelligent Operations: DealerCloud LLC empowers dealers with unified data and AI-driven automation, enabling faster operations and superior customer experiences, marking a turning point in automotive retail.
See More
DealerCloud LLC Launches Powerful AI System for Automotive Dealers
- Shortened Sales Cycle: Initial tests of DealerCloud LLC across 15 DGDG dealerships resulted in a 30%-40% reduction in sales cycles, significantly enhancing sales efficiency and enabling faster transactions.
- Increased Internet Lead Conversion: The new system achieved a 30% lift in conversion rates for internet leads at DGDG, which not only improved customer acquisition capabilities but also opened up greater revenue potential for dealers.
- Modern Technology Integration: DealerCloud LLC leverages the Agentforce Automotive platform to unify data among OEMs, retailers, and buyers, enhancing customer experience and streamlining operations, thereby driving modernization in the industry.
- Sales Boost for New Hires: New hires experienced a 38% increase in sales performance after using DealerCloud LLC, indicating the system's effectiveness in onboarding and implementation, providing dealers with a competitive edge.
See More
AccuTrade IMS Launches at NADA 2026 to Enhance Used Car Profitability
- Technological Innovation: The newly launched AccuTrade Inventory Management System (IMS) provides dealers with precise appraisals and VIN-level risk scoring, facilitating a rapid path to profitability from acquisition to retail or wholesale, significantly enhancing used car business profitability.
- Integrated Solution: The IMS seamlessly integrates with Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, and DealerClub, offering real-time inventory updates and online chat features, enabling dealers to make smarter pricing decisions and seamless retail or wholesale choices, thereby optimizing overall operational efficiency.
- Market Opportunity: Joe Oliveri, Senior Director of Product at AccuTrade, emphasizes that the used car profitability potential in 2026 is substantial, and the IMS is designed to help dealers seize this opportunity by providing essential appraisal and valuation tools to ensure profitable exits every time.
- Showcase at NADA: The AccuTrade IMS will be showcased at the NADA Show in Las Vegas at booth #3723W, where visitors can participate in the DealerClub Live No-Reserve Auction and Pricing Game, gaining further insights into the application of the new technology and product structure.
See More
AccuTrade IMS Launches to Enhance Used Car Profitability
- Precision Appraisal Tool: AccuTrade IMS utilizes one of the industry's leading appraisal engines, delivering VIN-specific deductions, real-time competitive data, and daily adjusted values, which helps dealers eliminate manual guessing and enhance profitability in used car transactions.
- Innovative Risk Management: The system evaluates vehicles based on risk rather than age, employing proprietary intelligence scoring to avoid price wars, significantly improving inventory management efficiency and enabling dealers to complete merchandising tasks in 45 seconds instead of 20 minutes.
- Profit Forecasting and Exit Strategy: AccuTrade IMS provides retail versus wholesale profit predictions and offers instant liquidation options through integration with DealerClub's wholesale network, assisting dealers in formulating optimal exit strategies to maximize profits for every vehicle.
- Integrated Solution: The system stands out with its connected workflow across the Cars Commerce ecosystem, allowing dealers to appraise, price, merchandise, and sell vehicles on a single platform, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
See More
