Californians top vehicle choices of 2026 revealed

Newly released vehicle registration data has revealed the models Californians couldn’t get enough of in the first part of 2026, with Tesla and Toyota dominating the state’s rankings.The latest California Auto Outlook report found more than 416,000 new vehicles were registered across the Golden State in the first three months of 2026.The report found a significant drop in California new light vehicle registrations.

Declining 8.9 percent during the first three months of this year versus the same period in 2025.At the top of the rankings was the Tesla Model Y.The electric SUV led both the EV and light truck categories, recording 22,907 registrations in Q1 of 2026.No other vehicle came close.

The Honda CR-V moved up the list, now the second-best-selling light truck in California, finished more than 10,000 registrations behind the Model Y.Tesla’s dominance didn’t end there.The Model 3 ranked fourth among EVs and was also the fifth-best-selling passenger vehicle in the state.Toyota, meanwhile, maintained a commanding presence across all three categories.The Camry Hybrid secured the No.

2 spot among EVs with 14,903 registrations, while the Camry topped California’s passenger vehicle rankings with 14,905 registrations.Toyota also landed the RAV4 Hybrid on the EV list and placed both the RAV4 and Tacoma among the state’s five most popular light trucks.Honda also posted a strong showing.

The CR-V Hybrid ranked third among EVs, while the CR-V ranked second among light trucks in California.The Civic also finished second among passenger vehicles.The rankings come as Californians continue embracing electrified vehicles.

The report found that zero-emission vehicles accounted for 13.7% of all new vehicle registrations in the first quarter of 2026, while hybrids accounted for another 20.9% of the market.Combined, nearly 35% of all new vehicles registered so far this year in California were either electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fuel-cell powered.Toyota remained...