The 2026 model year was supposed to be packed with fresh metal: new EVs, performance SUVs, and high-end luxury flagships. Instead, a lot of the “next big things” have quietly been pushed back, paused, or rerouted thanks to tariffs, changing EV incentives, and slower-than-hyped electric demand.
Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about vehicles that were delayed for 2026, why they got bumped, and when we’re actually likely to see them.
Dodge Hornet: Tariffs Put 2026 on Ice
What it is:
A compact crossover that shares its bones with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, built in Italy and sold here as Dodge’s small SUV.
Original plan:
The Hornet was expected to roll right into the 2026 model year with gas and hybrid versions.
What changed:
In 2025, the U.S. slapped a 25% tariff on certain imported vehicles. Because the Hornet is built in Italy, Stellantis confirmed that production of the 2026 Dodge Hornet is being postponed while it figures out how to respond to the new costs. Dodge hasn’t even committed to building any 2026 Hornets yet.
When to expect it:
Right now the 2026 Hornet is essentially in limbo. It may:
- Skip the 2026 model year entirely
- Come back later if production is moved or pricing is reworked
If you want one, the smart move is to shop 2025 models rather than waiting for a 2026 that might never show up.
Ram 1500 REV & Ramcharger: The EV Truck Shuffle
What they are:
Ram 1500 REV – a fully electric full-size pickup
Ramcharger – a range-extended “electric-first” 1500 that uses a gas engine as a generator
These were supposed to be Ram’s big answers to the F-150 Lightning and Chevy Silverado EV.
Original plan:
Ram had originally targeted mid-decade launches, with both trucks arriving earlier than 2026 to ride the first wave of EV pickup hype.
What changed:
Multiple reports now say Ram has pushed both back again:
- Ramcharger: slipping to around early 2026
- Ram 1500 REV: pushed out to roughly summer 2027
Ram has cited strategy reassessment and extended validation/testing as the reasons—code for “we’re watching the EV market cool off and don’t want to rush.”
When to expect them:
- Ramcharger: best guess is Q1 2026 at dealers
- 1500 REV: more like a 2027 model-year story, assuming no further delays
If you’ve been holding off on a truck specifically for the full EV 1500 REV, you’ll probably be waiting until at least the 2027 model year.
Range Rover Electric: From Late 2025 to 2026
What it is:
The first fully electric Range Rover, built on JLR’s MLA platform and positioned as a flagship luxury EV SUV.
Original plan:
JLR initially talked about customer deliveries starting in late 2025.
What changed:
In mid-2025, Jaguar Land Rover confirmed that the launch had been pushed into 2026, citing a need for more testing and a desire to match supply with real-world EV demand. The electric Range Rover is now targeting a 2026 on-sale date.
When to expect it:
JLR still says:
- Customer deliveries will begin in 2026, likely in phases by market
- High-demand EV markets (UK, parts of Europe, U.S., China) will be early priority
So instead of being a late-2025 pioneer, Range Rover Electric is now more of a headline act for 2026.
Jaguar Electric GT: Halo Car, New Timeline
What it is:
Jaguar’s upcoming four-door electric GT—often referred to as the brand’s new halo EV—meant to relaunch Jaguar as a high-end EV maker. Think Porsche Taycan rival with a Jaguar badge.
Original plan:
The plan had been:
- Production version revealed by the end of 2025
- Deliveries beginning late 2026
What changed:
Jaguar execs now say the reveal has been pushed into 2026. The car, expected to be the most powerful Jaguar ever with a price around $130,000, has slipped due to development delays and the brand reworking its EV rollout after cyberattacks and market turbulence.
When to expect it:
- Global reveal: sometime in 2026
- Customer deliveries: still targeted for late 2026 into 2027, depending on testing and ramp-up
If you’re cross-shopping high-end EV GTs, this one now looks like a late-cycle arrival rather than an early 2026 showroom star.
Kia EV9 GT: 500-Horsepower Family Hauler on Pause
What it is:
A high-performance version of the three-row Kia EV9 SUV, rated around 500+ horsepower with upgraded suspension, brakes, tires, and a 0–60 in the low 4-second range.
Original plan:
Kia unveiled the EV9 GT as a 2026 model, with U.S. sales penciled in for the second half of 2025.
What changed:
Kia has now confirmed that the EV9 GT has been “delayed until further notice” for the U.S. The company cites “changing market conditions”—including shifting EV incentives and new tariffs—as the main reason. It’s the second Kia EV for the American market to get put on hold after the EV4 sedan.
When to expect it:
Right now, there is no new U.S. launch window. Possibilities include:
- It launches first in Kia’s home market (South Korea) and other regions
- The U.S. version returns later if demand and policy line up
- Worst case, it stays forbidden fruit here
For now, plan on the regular EV9 trims being the only ones realistically available for 2026 in the U.S.
Kia EV4: Affordable EV Sedan Goes “Indefinite”
What it is:
Kia’s compact electric sedan, positioned as a more affordable EV below the EV6, with range and pricing aimed squarely at mass-market buyers.
Original plan:
U.S. launch was expected around early 2026, with pricing roughly in the $39k–$40k range depending on battery and trim.
What changed:
Kia has since indefinitely delayed the EV4’s U.S. debut, again citing policy shifts (tariffs on imported EVs, loss of the federal $7,500 tax credit) and a softer EV market than expected. Multiple sources now say its American future is “uncertain” rather than simply pushed back a few months.
When to expect it:
- EV4 is still expected to launch in other markets
- U.S. arrival is now a “maybe later in the decade” story, if at all
If you wanted a budget-oriented Kia EV sedan for 2026, you may need to pivot to something already on sale—or wait and watch.
Not Delayed—Just Gone: Acura ZDX EV
One more car worth mentioning isn’t so much delayed for 2026 as canceled before it gets there.
Acura ZDX EV:
- Production at GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee plant has already been stopped
- Acura confirmed the all-electric ZDX will not continue into the 2026 model year
- Slower EV demand and policy changes around incentives are key reasons
If you see a ZDX on a lot in 2025, it’s essentially leftover stock—there is no later 2026 version to wait for.
Why So Many 2026 Delays?
Across all these programs, a few themes keep coming up:
- Tariffs and trade policy – especially for vehicles imported from Europe and Asia into the U.S.
- EV demand not matching early hype, causing automakers to slow down or prioritize more profitable, flexible models
- Lost or changing incentives, including the end of federal EV tax credits for some imported EVs
- Extra testing/validation for first-generation EV platforms
For shoppers, it all means one thing: if you’ve been waiting on a specific “next big thing” for 2026, it’s worth double-checking the latest news. In a lot of cases, the surest bet is a vehicle you can buy now rather than one that just slipped into “delayed until further notice.”
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