Honda is starting 2026 on a high note, with seven models earning coveted “Editors’ Choice” awards from Car and Driver and underscoring the brand’s strength in sedans, compact cars, performance models and SUVs. The recognition spans both gasoline and hybrid variants and positions Honda as a benchmark for mainstream buyers looking for balanced design, technology and real-world usability.
Broad Recognition Across Key Segments
Car and Driver’s 2026 Editors’ Choice list is drawn from more than 450 vehicles tested and ranked across 47 segments, with only the top-rated models—those scoring 9, 9.5 or 10—making the cut. Honda’s seven award winners highlight the brand’s breadth of competency, from family sedans and everyday compacts to performance-oriented variants and versatile utility vehicles.
The honored Honda models are:
- Mid-size Family Sedan: 2026 Honda Accord (including Accord Hybrid)
- Compact Car: 2026 Honda Civic (including Civic Hybrid)
- Sport Compact Car: 2026 Honda Civic Si
- Sport Compact Car: 2026 Honda Civic Type R
- Compact SUV: 2026 Honda CR‑V
- Hybrid Compact SUV: 2026 Honda CR‑V Hybrid
- Mid-Size Two-Row SUV: 2026 Honda Passport
These awards signal that Honda’s core nameplates continue to set the pace in their respective categories at a time when consumer expectations for technology, efficiency and safety are rapidly rising.
Accord and Civic: Cornerstones of the Lineup
The 2026 Honda Accord continues to anchor the mid-size family sedan segment, pairing a spacious, comfortable cabin with polished ride and handling and the option of an efficient hybrid powertrain. Car and Driver notes that the Accord delivers “virtuoso ride and handling” and remains its top pick among family sedans, with the Accord Hybrid adding impressive EPA fuel economy to its long-standing strengths.
In the compact segment, the Civic lineup—Sedan, Hatchback and the new Civic Hybrid—earns Editors’ Choice recognition by combining clean, upscale design with agile driving dynamics and strong efficiency. The Civic Hybrid in particular stands out with a combined 49 mpg rating, quick acceleration that actually beats the sporty Civic Si to 60 mph, and accessible pricing that broadens its appeal to value-focused buyers.
Performance Cred: Civic Si and Type R
On the enthusiast side, both the Civic Si and Civic Type R secure 2026 Editors’ Choice honors in the sport compact category, reinforcing Honda’s performance credibility. The Civic Si is praised for its precise six-speed manual gearbox, approachable performance envelope and budget-friendly positioning, making it a compelling entry point for drivers who want more engagement without sacrificing daily usability.
The Civic Type R continues to occupy the top rung of Honda’s performance ladder, delivering track-capable handling, a powerful turbocharged engine and a versatile hatchback body style. Car and Driver highlights the model’s race-car-like driving excitement and slick manual transmission, noting that the Type R manages to blend serious performance with enough practicality for day-to-day driving.
CR‑V and Passport: SUV Strength
In the SUV space, the 2026 Honda CR‑V and CR‑V Hybrid carry the Editors’ Choice flag in the compact and hybrid compact SUV categories. The CR‑V is commended for its agreeable ride quality, generous rear-seat legroom and updated tech, while the hybrid variant adds a more efficient and refined powertrain that maintains the model’s reputation for practicality.
The redesigned 2026 Honda Passport rounds out Honda’s Editors’ Choice wins as the selected mid-size two-row SUV, combining rugged, boxier styling with increased off-road capability and a spacious interior. Reviewers point to its balance of trail-ready hardware and on-road comfort, making it a strong option for buyers who want a capable adventure vehicle that still works as a daily family hauler.
Record Car and Driver 10Best Performance
Beyond the Editors’ Choice list, Honda’s momentum is further validated by its performance in Car and Driver’s 2026 10Best awards. The brand captured four 10Best trophies—more than any other manufacturer for the fourth consecutive year and the highest total in the history of the award, pushing Honda’s all-time 10Best count to 99.
The Civic lineup (Sedan, Hatchback, Si, Type R and Civic Hybrid) and the Accord/Accord Hybrid were named to the 10Best Cars list, while the CR‑V, CR‑V Hybrid and all-new Passport joined the 10Best SUVs roster. The Accord remains the most decorated vehicle in Car and Driver 10Best history, with 40 total appearances and an unbroken 28-year streak, while the Civic now holds 12 total wins and the CR‑V has notched seven.