There are still some 2025 cars and trucks on dealership lots. And your local car salesperson may offer you a bang-up deal to get them gone. But these six models don’t just have major redesigns in the works for 2026, these automakers are changing their entire philosophy. The results are cars, SUVs, and trucks that may be worth waiting for

2026 BMW 3 Series

If you don’t like the new BMW 3 Series you see around, BMW’s got a car for you: the redesigned 2026 3 Series. Gone is the super tall grille, and back is the “retro” kidney-shaped grille. The 330i still offers basic RWD if you want to get a little sideways. But if you want the signature BMW six-cylinder sound, you’ll need to upgrade from the turbocharged I4 base models to the turbocharged I6 M3. Rumors are even swirling that BMW is going truly old school by reintroducing the “Touring” (Wagon) configuration to the US market. The 2026 3 Series is leaning (back) into what BMW does best.

2026 Subaru Outback

Subaru is doing something a bit different than BMW. The Outback was traditionally its lowest, station-wagon-sized vehicle. But for 2026, the Outback is going full crossover SUV size. That means the load floor is 43.3 inches wide, and the maximum cargo space is 34.3 cubic feet. It keeps Subaru’s traditional 2.5-liter four-cylinder and AWD. So if you want a crossover, the Outback should now be on your list.

2026 Toyota RAV4

Toyota’s the company that proved hybrids aren’t just fuel efficient—hybrids are more reliable. It’s no surprise that America’s favorite sedan—the Toyota Camry—went fully hybrid for the 2025 model year. And now, 100% of 2026 RAV4 crossovers will be hybrids. One of the most exciting configurations will be the plug-in hybrid, which Toyota is advertising with “up to a 50-mile manufacturer-estimated all-electric driving range.”

2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

Hyundai rolled out a 2026 Palisade SUV with trims you might call the Jekyll and Hyde. The well-behaved Palisade will be the all-new hybrid, with a turbocharged I4 and electric engine. Meanwhile, the XRT Pro off-road trim of the crossover gets jacked up to 8.4 inches of ground clearance. Rumor is Hyundai is working on a full-frame SUV/truck, but it’s been interesting to see how far the automaker can push unibody construction.

2026 Honda Prelude

One of the most anticipated nameplate revivals of 2026 is the Honda Prelude. It’ll be a FWD hybrid electric coupe. If you want a Honda but are dreaming of something just a touch sportier than a sedan, the Prelude might be for you. Its liftback design ups cargo space (a tiny bit). Meanwhile, its Civic Type R suspension bits make it a bit nimbler for a FWD. The result may turn out to be a darn good do-everything sports car.

2026 Ram 1500

Retro seems to be the word of the year. Ram axed the V8 engine in the half-ton 1500 for the 2025 model year, but now its HEMI is coming back for 2026. I don’t see it on the configurator yet, and it may be a special order, but the automaker insists it’s coming. It looks like its turbocharged I6 replacement engine will still be available. But not everything’s “retro” at Ram. The automaker says it’s still working on the “range-extended EV,” which is a fully electric, 654-horsepower truck that packs a V6 under the hood you can use as a generator to top off the battery. It sounds like a wonky setup, but it should have more torque than a diesel and be able to tow for days. It was originally slated for 2026. Whenever it does come out, it may prove to be the future of the pickup truck.