Short answer: 2027 models don't arrive on one date, but most arrival dates automakers have announced land in September or fall 2026. Federal rules let the 2027 model year begin as early as January 2, 2026, so the Kia Telluride went on sale in early 2026, while some 2027s won't reach dealers until early 2027.
This guide explains what a model year legally is, lists the 2027 arrival dates automakers have actually announced, and shows what the changeover means if you plan to lease. Every date below comes from the automaker's own newsroom and is current as of October 2, 2026. Where an automaker hasn't announced a date, we say so.
Why is a 2027 car on sale in 2026?
Because a model year is not a calendar year. Federal emissions rules define it as "the manufacturer's annual production period … which includes January 1 of such calendar year" (40 CFR 85.2302). In plain English, a 2027 model year has to include January 1, 2027, but it can start well before that date.
The same rules set the outer limits. A model year "may not include a January 1 of any other calendar year," so "the maximum duration of a model year is one calendar year plus 364 days" (40 CFR 85.2303). That is why one automaker can launch a 2027 model in the first quarter of 2026 while another waits until 2027.
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When does the 2027 model year start and end?
Under 40 CFR 85.2304, the production period begins when the first vehicle in the engine family is produced, or "on January 2 of the calendar year preceding the year for which the model year is designated, whichever date is later." It ends when the last vehicle is built, or "on December 31 of the calendar year for which the model year is named, whichever date is sooner."
Applied to 2027, that means:
- Earliest start: January 2, 2026.
- Latest end: December 31, 2027.
- The first car counts: the start date is the "Job 1 date," when a manufacturer completes "the first saleable unit of the designated model."
A car built after that window can't simply keep the old label. The rules say vehicles "produced after December 31 of the calendar year for which the model year is named are not covered by the certificate of conformity for that model year" (40 CFR 85.2305). The same section says the long window "is primarily intended to allow flexibility in the introduction of new models."
Federal vehicle-ID rules point the same way. NHTSA defines model year as "the year used to designate a discrete vehicle model, irrespective of the calendar year in which the vehicle was actually produced, provided that the production period does not exceed 24 months" (49 CFR 565.12). This is a plain-English summary of the regulations, not legal advice.
How can I tell a car's model year from its VIN?
Look at the 10th character of the 17-character VIN. Federal rules say that character "shall represent the vehicle model year" (49 CFR 565.15). In the rule's year-code table, V means 2027 and T means 2026. If a window sticker and a VIN disagree, ask the dealership which is correct before you sign anything.
When do 2027 models arrive at dealers?
Here is what automakers have announced, model by model, as of October 2, 2026. Quotes are the automaker's own words. "Expected" dates are the automaker's estimates and can move.
| 2027 model | What the automaker has said | Source (date published) |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Telluride | On sale. "The 2027 Telluride is now on-sale." The hybrid "has started to arrive in showrooms." | Kia America media, 2027 Telluride overview (Mar. 10, 2026) |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Spring 2026. "Expected to arrive at dealerships in Spring 2026." | Toyota Newsroom (Apr. 7, 2026) |
| Toyota bZ | September 2026. "Expected to start arriving at Toyota dealerships this September." | Toyota Newsroom (Aug. 4, 2026) |
| BMW iX3 | September 2026. Enters the US market "in September of this year." | BMW Group PressClub USA (May 7, 2026) |
| Honda Passport | Arriving now. "Begins arriving at Honda dealerships today." | Honda News (Sept. 29, 2026) |
| Toyota Corolla | Fall 2026. "Expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships this fall." A 60th Anniversary Special Edition "will arrive in early 2027." | Toyota Newsroom (Aug. 18, 2026) |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Fall 2026. "Available at retailers nationwide later this fall." | Subaru U.S. Media Center (July 9, 2026) |
| Subaru Forester | Fall 2026. "Will arrive at retailers nationwide later this fall." | Subaru U.S. Media Center (Sept. 17, 2026) |
| BMW X5 | October 2026 for the X5 40 xDrive. Other versions "will follow in the first quarter of 2027." | BMW Group PressClub USA (June 30, 2026) |
| Honda Civic Type R | Arriving this month. "Will start to arrive at Honda dealerships this month." | Honda News (Oct. 1, 2026) |
| BMW 3 Series | Q1 2027. "The US launch … will commence in the first quarter of 2027." | BMW Group PressClub USA (Sept. 29, 2026) |
| Honda CR-V | Arrival date not yet announced. 2027 pricing is published; the release gives no arrival date. | Honda News (Aug. 25, 2026) |
| Kia Sportage | Arrival date not yet announced. 2027 pricing is published; the release gives no arrival date. | Kia America media (Aug. 26, 2026) |
| Toyota Tundra | Not yet announced. Details, specifications and pricing "are scheduled to be announced fall 2026." | Toyota Newsroom (July 21, 2026) |
| Toyota RAV4 and Camry, Honda Civic (sedan and hatchback) and Accord | Not yet announced. We found no 2027 on-sale date in Toyota's or Honda's newsroom. | Checked Oct. 2, 2026 |
If you lease one of these brands, see our Toyota, Honda, Kia and BMW lease pages. We will update this table as automakers announce more dates.
What month do new car models come out?
There isn't one fixed month, but September through fall is the most common window. Of the 11 models in the table above with a dated arrival, eight land in September 2026 or later this fall: the bZ, iX3 and Passport in September, the X5 40 xDrive and Civic Type R in October, and the Corolla, Crosstrek and Forester later this fall. The outliers run from the first quarter of 2026 (the Telluride) to the first quarter of 2027 (the BMW 3 Series). Kia said in January 2026 that the Telluride hybrid's start of sales was "expected in late Q1, 2026" (Kia America, Jan. 8, 2026). Honda's 2027 Passport only began arriving on September 29, 2026.
Some automakers are already a year ahead. Toyota calls its next Highlander an "all-new 2028" model and says "sales of the all-new Highlander are expected to begin in early 2027" (Toyota Newsroom, Sept. 25, 2026). So 2028 models will start appearing while some 2027s are still arriving.
Do all versions of a 2027 model arrive at once?
Automakers often stagger versions of the same model. BMW's 2027 X5 "rollout begins in October with the market launch of the X5 40 xDrive," while other X5 versions "will follow in the first quarter of 2027." Toyota's 2027 Corolla is due this fall, but its 60th Anniversary Special Edition "will arrive in early 2027." If you want a specific trim or powertrain, check the date for that version, not just the nameplate.
Should I wait for the 2027 model or lease the 2026?
It depends on the car and on your timing, not on the calendar. When you lease, your payment is built partly on the residual value. Federal leasing rules define that as "the value of the leased property at the end of the lease term, as estimated or assigned at consummation by the lessor, used in calculating the base periodic payment" (12 CFR 1013.2). The lessor sets it for the specific vehicle and lease term, so a 2026 and a 2027 of the same car can be priced differently on a lease. Our guides to residual value and the money factor explain both numbers.
Ask these questions before deciding:
- Is the 2027 a redesign or a carryover? A carryover changes little. Subaru, for example, says the 2027 Forester's starting MSRP is "the same as the outgoing model year." A redesign can change the car, the price and the lease terms.
- When does your current lease end? If your lease matures before the 2027 reaches dealers, waiting can mean extra months in your current car or a gap to fill.
- Has the automaker announced a date? If the table says "not yet announced," you can't plan around it yet.
- Is your exact trim arriving at the same time? Staggered launches mean the version you want may come later than the first 2027s.
- What do quotes on both model years look like? Compare the same term, mileage and amount due at signing, and look at the residual value and money factor, not just the monthly figure.
Final lease terms are set by the licensed dealership and the lessor, subject to credit approval. For month-by-month timing on deals rather than releases, see our guide to end-of-month timing, our best time to buy a car page, and current NJ lease deals.
How can I check when a specific 2027 model arrives?
- Read the automaker's newsroom. Press releases usually say "expected to arrive" with a season or month. Note the date of the release.
- Check fueleconomy.gov. The EPA's fueleconomy.gov database already lists 2027 vehicles from many brands. A listing shows a model has EPA fuel-economy data, but not that it is at your dealer.
- Check the VIN. A V in the 10th position means a 2027 model year.
- Ask for an actual vehicle, not a forecast. Availability varies by region and by dealer.
Sources
All accessed October 2, 2026.
- eCFR, 40 CFR Part 85, Subpart X (§§ 85.2302–85.2305), up to date as of September 30, 2026
- eCFR, 49 CFR Part 565 (§§ 565.12, 565.15)
- eCFR / CFPB, Regulation M, 12 CFR 1013.2 (definitions)
- Toyota Newsroom: 2027 Land Cruiser, 2027 bZ, 2027 Corolla, 2027 Tundra, 2028 Highlander (linked in the table and text)
- Honda News: 2027 Passport, 2027 CR-V pricing
- Kia America media: 2027 Telluride, 2027 Sportage pricing
- Subaru U.S. Media Center: 2027 Crosstrek, 2027 Forester
- BMW Group PressClub USA: 2027 iX3, 2027 X5, new 3 Series
- fueleconomy.gov (U.S. EPA / DOE), 2027 model-year listings
Ready when your 2027 is
Vantage Auto Group is a licensed New Jersey auto broker. We work with 350+ dealer partners to source the most competitive pricing available. All paperwork and final terms are handled directly by the licensed dealership, subject to credit approval. Request a quote on the 2026 or 2027 model you're weighing.
