2026 Lexus IS Returns — But With V-6 Only
The 2026 Lexus IS compact sedan returns with a new look and streamlined configurations. Only the IS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport Design trims will be offered, which means only one engine choice: a 3.5-liter V-6. The base four-cylinder IS 300 and sporty V-8 IS 500 will no longer be offered, the latter of which also included the top-end F Sport Performance trim. Still, the continuation of the aging IS 350 may be relief for fans of the shrinking compact sedan class.
2026 Lexus IS 350 | Manufacturer image
What’s New?
The third-generation Lexus IS launched for the 2014 model year, so the return of the aging IS marks this generation’s 12th year without a major overhaul. Lexus freshens it yet again with sharper ends, and the interior gains larger tech interfaces and more refined trim finishes.
On the outside, the Lexus hourglass grille appears lower and broader. Both grades roll on newly styled 19-inch aluminum wheels, while the F Sport variant can be equipped with an available rear spoiler and red brake calipers. Seven exterior color options can be had, including a new Wind hue that’s light gray.
The interior wears more significant updates to match newer Lexus vehicles. It comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster beside a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment that’s a significant update over 2025’s 8-inch touchscreen. Buttons and switches for climate controls remain, lined up neatly in a row beneath the touchscreen. Other modern updates include two USB-C ports in the front and rear, a wireless smartphone charger, and either a standard 10-speaker Lexus Premium or an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. A bright red interior color is also available.
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 becomes standard for 2026. It includes automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alerts, lane departure steering assist, road sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, emergency steering assist and intersection assist. It also comes with Proactive Driving Assist that works when the adaptive cruise control is on and will slow the vehicle down for curves and provide braking and steering to maintain the distance between the IS and the vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist ahead.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
With the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder and endearing 5.0-liter V-8 no longer offered, the only engine is the 3.5-liter V-6 tuned to make 311 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque. The IS 350 still comes standard with rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, whereas all-wheel-drive versions use a six-speed automatic. While the lone engine carries over, the 2026 IS comes with electric power steering and a tweaked suspension intended to smooth driver inputs.
The 2025 IS 350 was EPA-rated at 23/28/20 mpg city/highway/combined with RWD and 22/26/19 with AWD. Though official EPA estimates are not yet available, expect the 2026 model to carry over those ratings.
Trim Level and Release Date
The 2026 Lexus IS 350 goes on sale early in 2026. Pricing details will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Read More About the Lexus IS 350:
- Silver on the Horizon, Yellow in Your Retinas: 2025 Lexus IS Starts at $41,360
- Study: These 3-Year-Old Cars Are the Most Dependable
- 2024 Lexus IS Luxury Sedan Expands F Sport Options, Pricing Starts at $41,235
- 2023 Lexus IS Offers New Appearance Packages, Modest Price Bump
- Research the Lexus IS 350
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Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
Ridgeline?
By Robert Duffer
September 9, 2025
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2026 Honda Ridgeline | Manufacturer image
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline celebrates its 20th anniversary as one of the most road-friendly mid-size pickup trucks. Sharing a platform with the Pilot SUV, the Ridgeline and its roomy crew cab use a versatile pickup bed that has a dual-opening tailgate and a hidden trunk in the cargo bed. Made in America, the Ridgeline rides as comfy as an SUV and comes well equipped with standard safety and convenience features.
Not much changes for the Ridgeline’s 20th anniversary except for a couple of color changes and modest price increases that range from $415 to $445. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline starts at $42,090 (all prices include a $1,495 destination fee).
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline is on sale now. Pricing is below, with model-year 2025 prices in parentheses:
- Sport: $42,090 ($41,645)
- RTL: $44,890 ($44,475)
- TrailSport: $47,290 ($46,875)
- Black Edition: $48,690 ($48,245)
What’s New?
For 2026, Honda spritzes up the Ridgeline with a new Ash Green Metallic color that’s exclusive to the off-road-leaning TrailSport trim and a contrasting black roof option for the Black Edition.
The available black roof contrasts the white body on the range-topping Black Edition, or it can be had with a body-color roof. The new color on the TrailSport trim is shared with other TrailSports in Honda’s family, including the model-year 2026 Passport and CR-V hybrid.
Otherwise, the 2026 Ridgeline largely carries over. Launched for the 2006 model year, the Ridgeline goes long in the second generation of its product cycle after a mild refresh for 2024.
Powertrain Specs and MPG
A 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive is standard on all four trims of the 2026 Ridgeline. That helps it carry almost 1,600 pounds of occupants and cargo, which is in line with rivals that include the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma, and its towing capacity remains at 5,000 pounds. Though official EPA estimates aren’t yet available for the 2026 model, Honda expects fuel economy to remain the same as 2025, with estimated ratings of 18/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined for all trims except the TrailSport and its 18/23/20 mpg figure.
Read More About the Honda Ridgeline:
- 2025 Honda Ridgeline: Which Trim Level Is Right for You?
- Is the 2024 Honda Ridgeline a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros, 4 Cons
- Can the 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Really Go Off-Road?
- What Are the Best Used Pickup Trucks Under $30,000?
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Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.Should Tesla Model Y Owners Get the New 2026?
By Mike Hanley
September 9, 2025
2026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Key Points in This Review:
- Tesla has updated its Model Y electric SUV for 2026 with new styling and features.
- Despite the changes, the 2026 Model Y still drives and operates much like its predecessor.
- The changes for 2026 aren’t significant enough to warrant upgrading if you currently have a Model Y.
Tesla’s popular Model Y electric SUV received a host of updates for the 2026 model year, with new exterior styling, a new interior and new features. We’ve already taken a quick spin in the 2026 Model Y Launch Series, which is no longer offered, but we recently spent two weeks in the more affordable all-wheel-drive Long Range version.
Cars.com owned a 2021 Model Y for more than two years as a long-term test car, so we’re very familiar with this EV, and we were curious to see whether the changes for 2026 address the issues we had with the prior generation — as well as how it stacks up against today’s all-electric competition.
Related: 2026 Tesla Model Y Gets Long Range AWD Variant, Starts at $50,380
This article covers the Long Range AWD version of the 2026 Model Y, but Managing Editor Joe Bruzek drove the Launch Series of the updated Model Y and we have some split opinions on the car’s changes, covered below.
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Ride Quality Still on the Firm Side
- Takeaway: If you thought the prior Model Y’s ride was too firm, you’ll probably think the same of the 2026 version.
Overly stiff ride quality was a big drawback of our long-term Model Y even though it did contribute to the SUV’s sporty handling. That firm suspension tuning continues in the 2026 Model Y, which is disappointing because the stiff suspension tuning can grate on your nerves after a while if you live somewhere that doesn’t have perfectly smooth roads. There’s plenty of pockmarked, potholed pavement around Cars.com’s Chicago headquarters, and it makes for a bumpy, almost brittle ride quality with the Model Y’s optional 20-inch wheels and tires (19-inch wheels and tires are standard). It’s all the more frustrating because competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 deliver more forgiving ride comfort that’s a better fit for how an SUV like this is used day in and day out.
1 / 82026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
An Ever-So-Slight Improvement in Outward Visibility
- Takeaway: The new Model Y’s exterior shape and windows are unchanged, so rear visibility is just as restricted as it was before, and new blind spot warning indicators near the side mirrors are only marginally beneficial.
The general shape and greenhouse of the Model Y hasn’t changed for 2026, so it’s probably not surprising that rear visibility is about as bad as it was before; it’s very hard to see what’s behind you due to the position and angle of the rear window. There are helpful camera views when reversing, but they aren’t a replacement for natural visibility.
1 / 42026 Tesla Model Y | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
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There are also now blind spot warning indicators near the base of the front windshield pillars near the side mirrors. When a car enters your blind spot, a small red light appears in the mesh-covered area near the pillar. The warning light sometimes seemed to activate later than I would have expected, and the pinpoint red warning light is subtler than other blind spot indicators, but I like having the indicator near the side mirror, which is where your eyes might already be looking when you’re thinking about changing lanes. There are also still blind spot camera views that appear on the car’s center touchscreen.
