New Cars in the UAE This Month—Latest Launches and Price Highlights

The start of 2026 seems to be quite an event for new car sales in the United Arab Emirates automotive markets. As January is turning into a rather high‑activity month for car buyers in the market, there is a mix of EV, petrol, diesel, budget and luxury new car models arriving at the showroom. If you are a buyer, there is a lot for you to explore; many exciting choices await you. Besides aggressive prices, there are many new enticing offers too. What is more interesting is the way the new car has now been upgraded with the latest tech, range, features and greater performance to basically redefine your ownership experience. Before setting out on your actual buying journey, it is necessary to look beyond the obvious headline‑grabbing offers, especially at a time when real‑world ownership matters more than launch‑day hype.

Remember, there are several factors at play, and not every new car is immediately available in volume, and listed prices do not always survive dealer markups or waiting periods. The EVs in particular bring extra questions around key factors like access to the charging network, summer heat performance, service support, and resale value. This month’s launches highlight an important shift in the market; as a buyer, you will need to look beyond specs and understand what ownership in the UAE actually feels like. Here are some of the top cars for the month, and check out the latest January monthly offers right here on Zigwheels.

The Electric Push Continues

There are clear market indications that suggest the UAE has seen a lot of buzz around EVs. This includes new launches, price drops, and announcements of new models for the market. The first thing is that Tesla has decided to drop prices for its popular Model 3 again. The base RWD variant now starts at AED 144,990, while the Long Range RWD is at AED 164,990, and the Performance variant, on the other hand, tops out at AED 214,990. The range is around 534 km for the base model. But talk to actual owners, and they’ll tell you about the charging queue at Emirates Mall during weekends. The glass roof transforms the cabin into an oven by noon; while these issues may not seem significant, it is important to experience them firsthand before bringing the dream car home and spending a considerable amount of money.

If you are an EV buyer, and this is your first one, you need to factor in several elements, like charging, at home charging station and outside. This is super critical, as charging infra in the UAE is now taking off, but it is far from the desired level. Parking at a covered place is vital, and if you live in an apartment without dedicated parking, you have to work out a situation where you get your EV charged overnight at home.

The table below indicates newly available or actively promoted January 2026 offers in the UAE only on Zighwheels. 

Model	Starting Price (AED)	Type	Key Highlights
Tesla Model 3	144,990	Electric	Recent price cuts, 534 km range
Chevrolet Captiva EV	110,654	Electric	Affordable entry, 415 km range
KIA EV3	155,000	Electric	10-yr battery warranty, 600 km range
Cadillac Escalade IQL	596,000	Electric	750 hp powertrain, luxury presence
Haval H6	101,700	Petrol	Practical 5-seater, competitive price
VW Passat	109,000	Petrol	Solid German build, value sedan
OMODA E5	129,000	Electric	Compact electric SUV, modern design
ZEEKR 001	225,900	Electric	High-performance sedan, premium tech
Jeep Recon	285,000	Electric	387 hp off-road capability
Ford Everest V6 Tremor	249,000	Diesel	355 hp V6, serious off-road prowess
Alfa Romeo Stelvio SS	529,900	Petrol	Italian styling, sporty performance
Mercedes-Benz GLS	554,900	Petrol/Hybrid	Proven luxury, strong resale value

Chevrolet Tries the Budget EV Route

One interesting launch of the month is the American brand, Chevrolet, which is bringing the Captiva EV, which promises affordability at AED 110,654 for the LT variant. The Premier trim is priced at AED 119,565. Chevrolet claims a 415 km range and a 60-kWh battery. This month, the Premier trim will arrive in the UAE, and you should anticipate its arrival at a nearby showroom. 

KIA's Serious EV3 Play

Another option for your EV choice is the KIA EV3, priced between AED 155,000 and AED 190,000. Both pack 201 hp from an 81.4‑kWh battery. KIA claims around a 600 km range, which should translate to 500 km in real‑world UAE driving. What makes the EV3 interesting is not just the specs.

KIA has proven dealer support here, and parts availability is decent. The service centres are actually quite proactive in solving issues that you may face without delays or excuses; that means your ownership experience is likely to be well taken care of. These mundane details matter more than a panoramic display when something goes wrong at 80,000 km. The EV3 won’t win design awards. It’s boxy and divides opinion, but you may like it, as beyond the look, it’s a well‑built car. And that 10‑year, 100,000‑mile battery warranty? That’s the best in the business.

The Luxury Electric Beast

You should keep watching another electric premium SUV: the Cadillac Escalade IQL, which goes full electric with a massive 750 hp. Prices run from AED 596,000 to AED, indicating that it is not for everyone, but someone looking for a serious SUV which is also electric. You’re paying for presence, power, and the Cadillac badge, as the big American SUVs have traditionally depreciated hard in the UAE.

The Affordable Petrol Alternative

Haval’s H6 Deluxe arrives at an attractive price of AED 101,700; it is a 2.0‑litre petrol with 175 hp of power, perfect for your city drive. There is nothing fancy, just a capable SUV which is also quite practical with a spacious cabin, a five‑seater SUV from a Chinese brand trying to impress family buyers and professionals with great offerings among the crowded Chinese SUV market.

Key Expected Models 

• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super Sport: AED 529,900. Attractive exterior, appealing design, fast and typical. Italian. 
• Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class: AED 554,900 to AED 877,900, a rather safe choice for established luxury and well-known for its resale value. 
• Volkswagen Passat: AED 109,000. The Passat is a solid German sedan in a market that has largely forgotten about sedans.
• Volkswagen Jetta: AED 91,000. If you don't require an SUV, this is a good deal, proven and quite well-equipped, and German-built, of course. 
• Dodge Charger: Prices range from AED 110,000 to AED 400,000 if you are looking for a full-size muscle car sedan, highly regarded for its rear- or all-wheel drive, and bold American performance, design and styling

What This Means for Buyers

Looking at the number of cars that are coming to the market in January as well, several of them are on offer, indicating how rapidly the shift toward EV is visible. There are some real issues, like infrastructure and resale value, but they are just structural issues likely to get addressed as time progresses. Like with any new technology, it takes time for the market to get fully aligned. However, the UAE is making quite a bit of progress.

The Chevrolet and Haval offerings look cheap on paper, but cheap upfront often means expensive later through depreciation or service headaches.

KIA’s EV3 strikes the best balance between price, proven service network, and warranty coverage. Tesla keeps cutting prices, which helps buyers now but hurts resale for earlier owners. The luxury EVs like the Escalade IQL are for people who lease or don’t worry about depreciation.

For most buyers, the real question isn’t which car has the best specs. The real question for most buyers is whether they can service the car easily, charge it conveniently, and sell it reasonably well after using it.

Conclusion

January’s launches show the market heading toward electric and affordable SUVs. Clearly there are many choices for the buyers in the UAE right now looking to buy a brand new car of their dreams. You get to choose from established brands, the Chinese ones, and both EVs and conventional powertrains. Zigwheels provides all the tools you need to explore and research the car you want, as well as its rivals, allowing you to compare them in every aspect before heading to the showroom for a final look and negotiation.