[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] 2026 is expected to be an unusually busy year for car enthusiasts. News of new models is pouring in across both electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion vehicles, from the return of popular models to the arrival of entirely new ones.

Quartz reported on Jan. 8 that car publication Car and Driver recently released a list of the "most anticipated new cars of 2026" and compiled notable models set to enter the market over this year and next. The list includes a range of EVs and internal combustion vehicles, from traditional automakers to relatively new brands.

One of the most eye-catching models is the Ram 1500 TRX. The high-performance pickup TRX, once discontinued, is set to return as a 2026 model. It is known to feature more than 750 horsepower and a V8 engine, delivering even stronger performance than the model sold before its 2023 discontinuation. This is interpreted as an effort to reassert its presence in the high-performance pickup market.

BMW is expanding its flagship 3 Series into an electric vehicle. An electric version of the 3 Series sedan is set to be launched alongside the SUV-style iX3. The exact timing is expected to be late this year or early next year, and Car and Driver projected an electric driving range of up to 400 miles, about 640 km. That is a figure that could make it competitive in the premium electric sedan market.

EV startup Rivian is moving to broaden its customer base with a model in a more mainstream price range. The compact SUV R2 is slated to go on sale in earnest starting this year, with a starting price reported at about $45,000. Given that current Rivian models start above $70,000, it is far more accessible. A smaller electric crossover, the R3, has also been unveiled, but it is not expected to be launched in the short term.

Supercar brand Ferrari is also set to enter the EV market in earnest. Ferrari plans to unveil the brand’s first EV, the Elettrica, this year. Most detailed specifications remain under wraps, but Car and Driver reported the vehicle is likely to take an SUV form. Ferrari said it can reach 60 miles per hour in under 2.5 seconds from a standstill, making clear its intent to maintain a high-performance image in the electrification era.

An unusual model is the Slate Truck. This electric pickup aims for a first launch in late 2026, with an expected price of about $27,000. It might have been cheaper if federal EV subsidies had remained in place, but in a market where new-car prices are rising broadly, assessments say a low-priced electric pickup with a simple, practical concept could be competitive.

From the return of traditional internal combustion models to the expansion of the EV market, and from low-priced, high-performance and unusual concepts, 2026 is expected to be an important year for gauging the direction of the broader auto industry.