Photo: Kevauto
Buying a new car is among one the most challenging purchases a consumer needs to make.
Every year, Consumer Reports, a research, testing, and advocacy organization, conducts a battery of tests on the vehicles it evaluates, including braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy.
Eight of the 10 top picks are new to the list this year – the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Maverick Hybrid, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, Lexus NX350h, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model 3. The two remaining vehicles were top picks last year. They’re the Subaru Forester and Kia Telluride.
Six of the 10 top picks also earned Consumer Reports’ Green Choice designation, meaning they’re in the top 20 percent of vehicles that emit the lowest amount of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants, based on Environmental Protection Agency data. Those vehicles are the: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Maverick Hybrid, Nissan Leaf, Lexus NX350h, and Tesla Model 3.
Consumer Reports’ top picks by price category
Here’s a comment on each vehicle on the testing organization’s best choices list. For more information, go to CR.org/spotlight.
Under $25,000
Toyota Corolla Hybrid: The compact sedan has outstanding fuel economy at 48 m.p.g. overall in Consumer Reports’ tests.
Toyota Corolla Cross: The size and traditional boxy shape make the Corolla Cross relatively roomy for the class.
$25,000 to $35,000
Subaru Forester: Key to its appeal is the basic design, which provides solid crash protection, a spacious cabin, a generous cargo area, and terrific outward visibility.
Toyota Camry Hybrid: It offers comfort, convenience, reliability, and value.
Ford Maverick Hybrid: It combines a low base price with a standard hybrid powertrain and front-wheel drive that delivered 37 m.p.g. overall in Consumer Reports’ tests.
Nissan Leaf: The Leaf shows that not all electric cars are out-of-reach expensive.
$35,000 to $45,000
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: The hybrid engine is more powerful, polished, and efficient than the standard engine.
Kia Telluride: The Telluride is freshened for 2023, with a larger infotainment screen and expanded driving assistance features.
$45,000 – $55,000
Lexus NX350h: The hybrid delivers an impressive 38 mpg overall.
Tesla Model 3: Tesla’s Supercharger network makes taking a trip in a Tesla a far better experience than in any other electric vehicle.
Consumer Reports is one of the best sources of information when you’re buying a vehicle. It buys all of its test cars anonymously from dealers and doesn’t accept free samples from automakers for any of its ratings or evaluations. Consumer Reports’ testers drive a total of 500,000 miles annually in the vehicles it evaluates.
