It’s been a crazy year for the automotive industry. In 2025, we saw Tesla stall as Elon Musk went political, Nissan entered a fight for survival, tariffs confused the hell out of everyone, hybrid stepped forward as all-electric stepped backward, Ram brought back the Hemi V8, and Aston Martin launched a baby stroller. And that’s not even scratching the surface. Ford couldn’t stay out of the news due to recalls (more than 140 for the year as we write this), Koenigsegg went on an absolute mission to break as many records as possible, while a driverless car broke the land speed record.
So, what’s coming in 2026? Nobody knows, but we’re going to have a crack at making some predictions.
The predictions in this article are speculative based on day-to-day industry insights. Predictions are in no way official confirmation of any such events happening. Individual predictions are the opinions of the indicated team member.
When Dodge launched the Charger Daytona EV, nobody was particularly surprised when it flopped. Except maybe some Dodge executives. In a panic, Dodge pushed out the twin-turbo Hurricane I6 R/T before the electric model’s R/T trim, with the inline-six immediately picking up sales at a rate the EV could never match. And while some might merely be happy that the combustion model is doing the things, we’re pretty sure Dodge won’t stop there.
With the Hemi making a comeback in the Ram 1500 (with insane demand), emissions laws being relaxed, and a new Ram TRX almost certainly on the way, it’s just a matter of time before the V8 is dropped into the new Dodge Charger platform. Dodge execs hinted earlier this year that the Hemi could fit the new Charger’s platform, and with the way the company has changed tune this year, we’re pretty sure they’ll find a way to make it work – even if it’s slower than the Hurricane-powered model. Coupled with the revival of the SRT division, this one’s almost a shoo-in. But how much will Dodge charge for the privilege?
The most likely prediction here is that the Tesla Roadster gets delayed again, but looking at Tesla’s situation, there’s more to it than that. In 2025, CEO Elon Musk’s foray into politics did an immense amount of damage to the brand. Not only did it hurt sales for Tesla both locally and abroad, but it tanked used Tesla car prices, particularly the ill-fated Cybertruck, which became an icon of Musk’s political and ideological choices and erratic behavior.
Yet, Musk carries on as CEO of Tesla into 2026 having seriously damaged the brand image and leaving a lot of previous customers disillusioned. It’s hard to see a way forward unless Musk is outed as CEO, and even the path isn’t well lit.
Of course, many have predicted Tesla’s downfall for over a decade now, and it still hasn’t happened, so while we have an inkling this year could see the brand slip, nothing is certain.
While putting all the controls in software to be accessible on the infotainment screen saves automakers money, the pushback has been so strong we suspect there will be a lot of turnarounds in 2026 when it comes to refreshes – much like we saw a few years ago with volume knobs. We’ve already experienced automakers making it a point in presentations to tell us they have made sure there are tactile buttons on some models, and it’s a trend we expect to continue and become stronger. The same goes for aesthetically pleasing yet, ultimately, annoying touch-capacitive switches.
But while buttons will make a comeback for some brands, we also think certain automakers will double down on screens, creating a divide between those who’ve realized the error of their ways and those who adhere to the “no, it’s the buyers who are wrong” mentality.
Nissan is up a certain creek right now and in desperate need of a paddle. The reasons Nissan is in big trouble are varied between bad leadership, bad decisions, and a bit of unforeseen craziness. Honda offered a paddle, but it looks like pride on Nissan’s part got in the way of an actual deal being struck. Moving into 2026, and without help, things are going to get desperate for Nissan at the corporate and manufacturing level.
We believe it’s going to reach the point of desperation where it accepts a partial buyout or goes under. And may not get a better deal than it would have had with Honda first time around. Nissan hasn’t ruled out being open to partnership at any point in 2025, and it’s rapidly planning new products like an expanded Nismo lineup globally, but we think if the right offer comes along, Nissan’s ready to sell up a significant stake just to stay alive.
You asked for a manual Nismo. It’s just around the corner.
This is my pet prediction. A small percentage of modern cars come with analog gauges anymore, and have been replaced with digital screen and representation. It’s cost-effective for automakers to have one screen that fits all but can be adapted for different models in style and content. A digital screen can also display lots of extra information, and can be user-configurable. However, we’ve lost a mechanical component of a car and an area that can be absolutely basic or wonderfully engineered, detailed, and pleasing to use.
Think digital watches versus mechanical watches. Digital watches are generally cheap as they are easy to mass produce. Just like digital gauges on a car. We’re long past the point now where a digital dashboard stands out or is expensive. Rolls-Royce uses a digital dashboard, as does your average new Hyundai. I believe that will start to change, and we’ll see luxury cars go back to analog dials and go nuts on them.
Bugatti is leading the way on this, but we’re sure others in the high-end space will follow. Digital ages poorly, but analog stays classy forever when done right.
In quick succession towards the end of the year, Ram canceled its all-electric pickup truck plans, replacing the Ram 1500 REV (electric) with a range extender called the, err, Ram 1500 REV. The range-extender was previously called the Ramcharger, but the pivot was likely made to free that name up for an upcoming SUV. We digress.
Stellantis is putting a significant share of its eggs in the REEV/EREV basket, not just with the Ram 1500 REV but the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which has also become an EREV for 2026. But, the REEV concept is expensive to develop and still requires batteries and software, and the current administration has rolled back emissions laws. It would be quite easy right now for Stellantis to pull the plug again, not throw any more money into any kind of electric truck. Like Dodge, Ram has its demographics, and the V8 is king.
Rumors of a new mid-engined Toyota MR2 have been around for a long time, but never substantiated beyond the FT-Se concept. However that all changed at the start of 2025 when Toyota revealed a mid-engined GR Yaris prototype at Tokyo Auto Salon. Not only was the engine a new generation of turbocharged four-cylinder that Toyota wants to become “the new 2JZ” but the prototype was confirmed to be an active investigation by the automaker into the viability of a mid-engined performance model.
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Fast-forward to late November, and a slew of trademarks for MR-S, MR2, and GR MR-S in over a dozen countries suggests the MR2 revival is imminent. Toyota’s had its struggles throughout the year with the mid-engined prototype development, but it’s putting the pieces in place to make it happen. And with the GR Supra ending production in March 2026, the GR GT taking over the mantle as a halo supercar for the brand, and the GR86 nearing the end of its run, a new mid-level sports car from Toyota is perfectly primed to succeed.
The MR2 might not be the only historic sports car Toyota revives, as the Celica may be primed for a comeback, too. If Toyota wanted to take wind out of the Honda Prelude‘s sales – more than it’s already substantial price tag has already done – it would drop the new four-cylinder turbo hybrid drivetrain it’s developing in a Corolla chassis, let GR have a tweak of the suspension and steering, give it a sporty coupe body, and call it the new Celica.
Toyota has a lot of balls in the air right now, but it’s also simplifying by making everything hybrid, and a sporty little front-wheel drive coupe would be a perfect reply to the disappointment many have in Honda following the Prelude’s history as an icon. Particularly if it makes around 250 horsepower.
The Celica revival rumors have been swirling for a couple of years now, and if the anticpiated arrival in 2027 is anything to go by, it should be revealed during the 2026 calendar year.
Honda has built a performance coupe that finds itself in a class of one, but one test still awaits the new Prelude.
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While it is undeniable that Elon Musk’s political gambit negatively impacted Tesla’s sales and used car prices I think you are missing the big, long term picture. I think Tesla will come out of 2026 stronger than ever. Remember what upsets one political side of the market caters to the other. 
