6 Electric Vehicles To Avoid Buying In 2026
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Gary Dudak
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As gas-powered cars fade from view in the rearview mirror, electric vehicles (EVs) are dominating the automotive market. However, not every EV is worth your hard-earned money. With the rapid growth of electric SUVs, sedans and crossovers, some models are falling behind in performance, reliability and value.
To help you make an informed decision, GOBankingRates consulted automotive experts to uncover the worst electric cars to buy in 2026, and why you should steer clear of these EV models that miss the mark.
2026 Nissan Leaf
- MSRP: $26,000 to $40,485
Once a pioneer in the EV world, the Nissan Leaf’s older electric motor and battery pack are now showing their age. Aivaras Grigelevicius, an automotive expert at carVertical, shared, “There’s nothing wrong with offering an EV at an affordable price, but affordability shouldn’t come at the expense of better battery technology or faster charging speeds.”
The good news is that the 2026 Nissan Leaf ditches the older CHAdeMO port for the new Tesla-style NACs port for DC fast charging, which could tip the scales to making it a better buy in the new year.
2026 GMC Hummer EV
- MSRP: $99,095 to $107,195
Chris Pyle, an auto expert at JustAnswer, is skeptical about one of the Hummer EV’s touted features. “Four-wheel steering. It was a […] flop the last time they tried it, and it will be again,” he said. “More stuff to fail that is just not needed. It is a big SUV proving that you can tow or go off-road with an EV. How often will you be parallel parking and need four-wheel steering in those scenarios?”
2026 Rivian R1S
- MSRP: $78,790 to $131,800
While innovative, Rivian vehicles come with a potential financial risk. Pyle warned, “If you ever scratch it or bend a body panel, especially on the bed, get ready to cry. I have seen plenty of fender benders where this vehicle was in excess of $20K to repair cosmetic parts only.”
The 2026 Rivian has a lot of solid features, but the price point for both sticker cost and repairs may be enough of a deterrent for the average buyer.
2026 Tesla Model X
- MSRP: $101,630 to $116,630
Pyle also raised concerns about the Model X’s signature feature. “There have been and still are concerns with those winged doors working right and sealing properly,” he said.
He also shared a potential issue with its performance: “The car has too much power, resulting in it being used up too often, and then the driver finds themselves running out of battery power sooner than expected.”
2025 Toyota bZ4X
- MSRP: $36,350 to $46,750
Toyota’s entry into the EV market has been less than impressive. Grigelevicius didn’t mince words about it either.
“If anyone wants to see the attitude of one of the biggest companies in the world toward electric cars, the Toyota bZ4X is a prime example. It lacks innovation, features, refinement and a decent range. Even the charging speed is mediocre, and it just doesn’t make any financial sense to buy one in 2025 or beyond unless Toyota makes dramatic improvements to the bZ4X.”
In fact, the 2025 model was such an underperforming vehicle that the 2026 model is now the Toyota bZ, which aims to rebrand a bit.
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- MSRP: $39,990 to $57,990
Pyle suggested thinking twice before buying a Mach-E. “Ford is still in the learning curve,” he said. “This car did have a battery overheating concern, and it may still not be addressed fully.”
He also humorously pointed out a social downside. “As soon as you say electric Mustang, you are going to hear over and over this is not a Mustang at all, and hear about the Mustangs they used to and still own.”
If this worries you as well, the good news is that the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E is happening, with Ford introducing updates like the heritage-inspired GT California Special package, minor price adjustments and tweaks like making the frunk optional, with delivery options beginning in early 2026.
Laura Beck contributed to the reporting for this article.
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