- IONIQ 5 SE named Best Value EV and Palisade SE earned Best Value Midsize SUV - Veteran editorial team from leading automotive marketplace names its favorite value vehicles for 2026 - Kona SE and Elantra SE named finalists in Best Value New Cars list FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Palisade SE trim models have received the 2026 Best Value New Car award by Cars.com. The IONIQ 5 SE was recognized as the Best Value EV, while the Palisade SE earned the title of Best Value Midsize SUV. These honors emphasize affordable, non-luxury, mass-market vehicles that offer essential features, including automatic transmission, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, brake assist, and lane departure warning. Cars.com based these selections on consumer survey results and editorial judgment. For 2026, Cars.com also recognized Hyundai's Kona SE and Elantra SE as finalists in the Best Value Subcompact SUV and Best Value Compact Car categories. The Best Value New Cars of 2026 by Cars.com list acknowledges exceptional vehicles in quality, innovation, and value as judged by Cars.com's editorial team of car reviewers. The EPA's annual fuel costs are also factored into the rankings for gas-powered vehicles. "Winning the Best Value EV and Best Value Midsize SUV awards highlights our commitment to offering customers the features they want at competitive prices," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "Hyundai delivers design, technology, efficiency, and value for buyers in today's market." The IONIQ 5 SE continues to lead its segment, distinguished by its innovative design, strong performance, rapid charging capabilities, and practical usability. Buyers may select either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, with real-world functionality enhanced by ultra-fast DC charging, reliable driving range, and