The Tesla Model Y has been the world’s best-selling car not just best-selling EV, but best-selling car, full stop for the last two years running, and the 2026 Juniper refresh shows exactly why Tesla isn’t resting on that achievement. The exterior has been substantially cleaned up, with a smoother front fascia, flush door handles now standard across the range, and a dramatically redesigned rear lamp cluster.

The Long Range Dual Motor powertrain produces 456 hp and an EPA-estimated 338 miles of range genuinely class-leading for the price point. The 0–60 mph time of 4.2 seconds makes it faster than many dedicated sports cars in a vehicle that comfortably seats five adults with 76 cubic feet of cargo space. The Autopilot system, now including full Supervised FSD capability as standard in several markets, remains the most capable driver assistance suite you can buy without ticking a six-figure options box.

BMW i5 M60 xDrive remains the one electric executive car that can genuinely replace a beloved combustion saloon without asking you to grieve the transition. The recipe is part performance, part dynamic balance, and part engineering honesty the i5 has steering that communicates, suspension that breathes through bends, and a chassis balance that feels tuned by people who actually care about the driver’s experience rather than just the press-release numbers.

Those numbers are still exceptional: 590 hp from a dual-motor AWD system gives a 3.3-second 0–60 mph sprint, and the 84.3 kWh usable battery returns an EPA-estimated 305 miles. The 205 kW DC fast-charging capability means 10–80% in around 22 minutes at a compatible charger.

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a powerful argument for why the naturally aspirated V8 still matters emotionally. The 5.0-litre Coyote V8 has been hand assembled with specific tolerances, fitted with a flat-plane crankshaft (borrowed from the Shelby GT500 programme), and breathes through a revised induction system to produce exactly 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque.

Ford pairs it with a six-speed manual gearbox (a proper H-pattern, with a rev-matching downshift system you can turn off), Brembo six-piston front brakes, a MagneRide continuously controlled suspension system, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres on staggered 19-inch wheels.

The Ioniq 9 is the vehicle that large families have been waiting for the EV revolution to produce. Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform already proven through the Ioniq 6 and Genesis GV80 Coupe EV it offers proper three-row seating for seven adults, a 110.3 kWh usable battery, and an EPA-estimated 335 miles of range in rear wheel drive configuration. The AWD dual-motor variant we’d recommend offers 422 hp and a 4.9-second 0–60 mph time, which is frankly absurd for something with the proportions and practicality of a full-size people carrier.

What sets the Ioniq 9 apart from the competition isn’t just the numbers it’s the thoughtfulness. The front seats swivel to face the rear when parked, creating a genuine lounge configuration. The second-row seats recline dramatically for long motorway journeys. The boot, even with all three rows occupied, offers a usable 20 cubic feet of cargo space. The 350 kW charging capability means 10–80% in as little as 24 minutes on a suitable charger.

Toyota RAV4 PHEV makes a compelling, mature, and genuinely intelligent argument for why the plug-in hybrid transition technology is still the right choice in 2026. The 2026 model brings an expanded 22.7 kWh battery (up from 18.1 kWh in earlier generations), pushing the EPA all-electric range to 42 miles enough for most daily commutes to run purely on electrons.

When the battery depletes, a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine works in harmony with front and rear electric motors for 306 hp combined and a combined 39 mpg on the EPA test cycle. Toyota’s E-Four electric AWD system delivers genuine off-road and slippery surface capability without a mechanical rear axle. The interior has been updated with a 10.5-inch infotainment screen, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This isn’t an exciting car.