With 2026 models now starring in showrooms all around the country, this is a good time to pick up a deal on a “leftover” 2025. Here are six great choices you might not have considered that are well worth well giving a shot.
With prices on new vehicles still rising, some 2025 models, like the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, could be great deals in 2026.
Model year 2025 started out as a banner year for EVs, until the Trump administration revealed its outright hostility toward them. So now, many of the federal mandates, subsidies and regulations implemented to help further the development of this technology in this country have been shut down. Many industry observers have called the moves extraordinarily shortsighted. Particularly when there are many good models such as the Hyundai Ioniq5 N and Volvo EX30 are.
However, it also means dealers will be very happy if you show up looking for an EV.
On the non-EV front, Kia’s Carnival proves there’s still life in the minivan, Honda’s Ridgeline demonstrates it can be a formidable partner off-road and VW’s Taos continues its valiant effort to supplant the Golf. But wait, here’s the good part. With their 2026 replacements taking center stage in showrooms, there are some great deals to be had on these potentially overlooked models. Here’s list of six 2025 model-year vehicles to examine closely.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Strong performance, standard all-wheel drive and modest off-road capability make the Honda Ridgeline Trailsport appealing.
This high‑performance, 641-horsepower all‑wheel‑drive electric crossover combines track‑focused hardware with everyday usability. Ioniq 5 N offers a powerful dual‑motor powertrain and performance drive modes, along with upgraded chassis, braking, and interior components over the regular Ioniq 5.
Capable of delivering a zero-to-60 time of three seconds and delightful handling, driving the Ioniq 5 N is an absolute blast. What’s more, the Ioniq 5 N offers the same utility as the standard Ioniq 5. In other words, the Kia crossover is capable being everything you want it to be — and everything you need it to be too. Pricing starts at $66,200.
Honda Ridgeline Trailsport
The off-road-oriented Trailsport trim package for Honda’s midsize pickup brings enhancements to deal with rugged terrain. Propulsion comes from a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This is matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Trailsport-specific hardware includes all-terrain tires, an oil-pan skidplate and 18-inch Pewter Gray alloy wheels.
Kia’s design language means its Carnival people hauler looks more like an SUV than a minivan.
Visual cues include perforated leather-trimmed seats with Trail Orange stitching, body-colored front and rear parking sensors, as well as orange ambient lighting accents. And it all works. I found the Ridgeline Trailsport more than ready to deal with the obstacles my favorite off-road course threw at it. Pricing starts at $45,995.
Kia Carnival
Kia’s design team pulled off some pretty slick subterfuge when they made the Carnival look like an SUV. In fact, you have probably sat next to a Kia Carnival at a traffic signal without realizing it was a minivan. One look at its spacious interior and family-friendly features, such as its power sliding doors and Smart Power Liftgate tells the real story though. Capable of seating up to eight, Carnival is powered by a 287-hp, 3.5-liter V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
Volkswagen updated the exterior look of the 2025 Taos compact SUV, looking to keep it popular with buyers.
Safety features include forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot collision avoidance. Highway driving assist and a surround-view monitor can be had as options. VIP Lounge Seats with power leg extensions are also offered as an option. Maximum cargo space is 145.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Carnival’s touchscreen infotainment suite is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Pricing starts at $37,390.
Volkswagen Taos
The announcement of the demise of the VW Golf back in 2021 left me dumbfounded. And though it’s been five years, I still miss the scrappy little hatchback. In its place, we now have the VW Taos, a compact crossover, which features an efficient turbocharged engine, a spacious interior treatment and an abundance of standard safety features. Power comes from a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, producing 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive can be had as an option.
A compact, fully electric SUV, Volvo’s EX30 is designed for efficiency, performance and, of course, safety.
Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking. Cloth seats in two-tone patterns are standard, with options for either leatherette or leather. Taos can also be had with heated/ventilated front seats and a digital cockpit display. Pricing starts at $26,500.
Volvo EX30
A compact, fully electric SUV, Volvo’s EX30 is designed for efficiency, performance and, of course, safety. The Single Motor Extended Range version offers rear-wheel drive with 268 hp and up to 261 miles of EPA-estimated range. The version of the EX30 will also scamper to 60 in 5.1 seconds. The Twin Motor Performance setup provides all-wheel drive and 422 hp. This one does zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and is capable of up to 253 miles of range.
Standard safety features include automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, Pilot Assist, a 360-degree camera and collision avoidance for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The EX30 also offers up 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind its second row of seats. DC fast charging takes the EX30’s battery pack from 90% depleted to 80% charged in roughly 26 minutes. Pricing starts at $40,345.
The second-generation Volvo XC90 remains one of the most desirable models in its class.
Volvo XC90
Known for its safety features, spacious three-row seating and refined performance, the luxurious Volvo XC90 is offered with a choice of two hybrid powertrains. The base system makes 247 hp, while the alternative delivers 295. Either way, you’ll get an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Standard features include heated front seats, a panoramic roof, four-zone climate control and a high-performance sound system. Options include leather upholstery, heated rear seats and a Head-Up Display. Safety features include lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control as well as collision avoidance for vehicles and pedestrians. Pricing starts at $62,445.
These are six potentially overlooked models I think deserve a spot on your cross-shopping list. What’s more, this is a really good time to go shopping for them, as dealers are trying to move the remaining 2025 models. This means some nice discounts are being offered, so happy shopping!
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