When you’re in the market for a new car, the last thing anyone wants is a surprise breakdown or buyer’s remorse. That’s exactly why Consumer Reports (CR) puts together its annual list of the best cars, trucks, and SUVs, focusing on what really matters: dependability and value, helping you navigate the confusing world of car buying with confidence. Their latest lineup features a mix of trusted favorites and exciting newcomers, reflecting both manufacturer improvements and changing driver needs.
Consumer Reports’ top picks are the result of an incredibly thorough testing process designed to give you the real scoop. Each year, they buy about 50 new vehicles anonymously and put them through over 50 tests after a 2,000-mile break-in period, and their members also share their experiences through reliability and satisfaction surveys. They carefully consider factors like how well the car drives, how reliable it’s predicted to be, if owners are happy with it, and its safety, often referencing ratings from agencies like the NHTSA and IIHS. Interestingly, they don’t include recalls in their final scores, though they are certainly important to be aware of.
This year’s top picks from Consumer Reports highlight several compelling trends in the automotive landscape. The list includes a significant number of hybrids, a nod to the market’s continuing shift towards electrification, and one all-electric vehicle. Affordability remains a strong theme, with four models starting under $30,000, challenging the notion that a reliable vehicle must come with a hefty price tag. As Alex Knizek, associate director of automotive test development for Consumer Reports, wisely observes, “You don’t have to spend that much to get a car that’s going to be safe and reliable and enjoyable to own.” Furthermore, crucial safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning systems are increasingly standard, underscoring CR’s advocacy for these life-saving technologies. These vehicles are not just highly rated; they are meticulously vetted to ensure they meet the real-world demands and expectations of today’s drivers, from daily commutes to long-haul adventures.
1. **Nissan Sentra (Small Car)**Starting with the essential small car segment, the Nissan Sentra emerges as a top pick for 2025, offering a compelling blend of practicality and affordability. As one of the newer entries to CR’s comprehensive top picks list this year, it immediately stands out for its accessible starting price, which, according to the latest reports, can be as low as $21,590 depending on the trim level. This makes it an incredibly attractive option for budget-conscious buyers who refuse to compromise on core automotive qualities.
Consumer Reports reviewers have lauded the Nissan Sentra for a variety of attributes that contribute to a superior ownership experience. Despite its classification as a small car, it boasts a relatively spacious interior, providing unexpected comfort for both drivers and passengers. This thoughtful design helps to alleviate the common perception that smaller vehicles inherently lack interior room, making it a viable option for diverse needs.
Furthermore, the Sentra delivers a smooth ride, a notable achievement for a vehicle in its price range. This translates to more comfortable daily commutes and longer journeys alike, enhancing overall driver and passenger satisfaction. Its standard suite of safety features, including emergency braking, and user-friendly controls that are “straightforward and easy to master,” underscore CR’s emphasis on safety and usability, ensuring a confident and secure driving experience for all.
For those who need a subcompact SUV that can handle almost anything, the Subaru Crosstrek is a standout choice that consistently earns top marks. This model, which was also a favorite in 2024, received a refresh for 2024, bringing new safety tech and a better infotainment system, all while maintaining its attractive price point between $25,810 and $32,610, making it a compelling option in its class.
One of the Crosstrek’s most impressive features is its fantastic fuel efficiency; in 2024 tests, it achieved an outstanding 29 mpg, making it the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid SUV with all-wheel drive available. This excellent mileage, combined with its generous ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, means the Crosstrek is perfectly suited for everything from city commuting to adventurous off-road trips, skillfully blending everyday practicality with a ready-for-anything spirit.
Reviewers also highlighted the Subaru Crosstrek’s user-friendly controls and comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers, contributing to a pleasant experience during any trip. While the base trim features a 152-hp engine, other trims offer a more robust 182-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing options for buyers who prioritize more “peppier” performance. As Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, noted in the 2024 context, “These are very fuel-efficient, very comfortable… They’re very nice vehicles overall at a reasonable price point — you have a four-wheel drive SUV that’s easy to drive, as well as comfortable and quiet.”
3. **Subaru Forester (Compact SUV)**Continuing Subaru’s strong showing in the SUV categories, the Forester secures its place as a practical and enduring favorite, earning a spot on CR’s Top Picks list for an impressive 12 consecutive years. This compact SUV, with a starting MSRP ranging from $29,995 to $40,295, stands out for its unwavering reliability and thoughtful design, further enhanced by a 2025 redesign that brings a quieter cabin and increased cargo space compared to its predecessor.
A key factor in the Forester’s consistent acclaim is its exceptional accessibility, particularly noted by experts like Alex Knizek. He states, “Without a doubt, the Subaru Forester in terms of both seat height, which is at most people’s hip level, and ride height, which is not too high, makes it particularly easy to get in and out of.” This emphasis on ease of entry and exit, combined with its characteristic boxy shape, contributes to “excellent visibility,” a crucial safety and convenience factor that modern swoopy designs often compromise.
The Forester’s enduring appeal is also rooted in its solid performance metrics, including excellent visibility, strong fuel economy, and standard all-wheel drive. These attributes, along with its roomy design, responsive, and secure handling, solidify its reputation as a dependable and enjoyable vehicle to own. Jake Fisher further reinforced this in 2024, stating, “When you look at the drive, the comfort, Subaru is doing really well,” cementing the Forester’s position as a top choice for a wide array of drivers.
4. **Toyota Camry (Midsized Car)**The Toyota Camry, a perennial favorite and a testament to consistent quality, has been completely redesigned for 2025 and makes a notable return as a top pick in the midsized car segment. With starting MSRPs ranging from $28,700 to $34,900, the latest iteration of the Camry now exclusively offers a hybrid powertrain, signaling Toyota’s deep commitment to electrification and enhanced fuel efficiency.
Consumer Reports describes the newly redesigned Camry as a vehicle that perfectly balances comfort, practicality, and ease of use, continuing the tradition that has made it a beloved car for generations. It offers a remarkably smooth ride, a signature of the Camry experience, along with surprisingly agile handling that makes every drive more enjoyable and engaging.
Building on its reputation for incredible reliability and comfort, the Camry Hybrid now delivers exceptional fuel economy, with the 2024 model achieving an estimated 52 miles per gallon. While earlier models had a sportier, lower profile that could be a bit tricky to get into, as noted by Alex Knizek, the new hybrid-exclusive design prioritizes a seamless blend of comfort, performance, and accessibility, solidifying its place as a top pick for reliable midsize transportation.
The Ford Maverick and its hybrid version have truly carved out a unique and highly acclaimed space in the small pickup truck market, rightfully earning a place on CR’s coveted Top Picks list. With starting prices from $26,995 to $40,350, this compact truck brilliantly combines the utility you expect from a pickup with the easy driving experience of a car, offering remarkable versatility for today’s drivers.
Consumer Reports praises the Maverick for its attractive price, thoughtfully designed interior, and impressive agility, which are key reasons for its success. It offers surprisingly good passenger space for a compact pickup, ensuring comfort for everyone without being overly large, and while the standard 250-hp turbocharged engine provides spirited performance, it’s the 191-hp hybrid version that truly shines.
The Maverick Hybrid is highlighted as the standout option, delivering an exceptional 37 mpg in Consumer Reports’ thorough testing, which is truly impressive for a pickup truck, a segment not typically known for fuel efficiency. As Alex Knizek aptly put it, ‘Pickups often have poor fuel economy, but this one is more reasonably sized. It drives kind of like a car, but then you have that bed on the back,’ and Jake Fisher further emphasized its versatility by calling it ‘such a Swiss army knife of a vehicle,’ perfectly capturing its unique blend of features that make it a standout choice, offering a ‘no-compromise solution’ for many drivers.
6. **Toyota RAV4 PHEV (Fuel-efficient SUV)**For those seeking robust performance alongside remarkable efficiency in a compact SUV, the Toyota RAV4 PHEV stands out as a top contender, consistently outperforming its non-PHEV RAV4 counterparts in Consumer Reports’ rigorous evaluations. This plug-in hybrid variant showcases Toyota’s mastery in blending electrified powertrains with everyday practicality, making it a compelling choice for a diverse array of drivers. Its designation as a “Fuel-efficient SUV” on CR’s list is a testament to its forward-thinking design.
In Consumer Reports’ independent testing, the RAV4 PHEV demonstrated impressive acceleration, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just over six seconds. This responsiveness, coupled with its advanced plug-in hybrid system, ensures ample power for merging onto highways or navigating city streets with confidence. As one of three plug-in hybrids to make this year’s top picks, it underscores the growing appeal and effectiveness of PHEV technology.
A major advantage of the RAV4 PHEV is its substantial electric-only driving range, which can cover up to 42 miles on a single charge, meaning many drivers can complete their daily commutes and errands using only electricity, significantly cutting down on fuel costs. Alex Knizek rightly pointed out that plug-in hybrids are an excellent choice for those not quite ready to go fully electric, offering both flexibility and peace of mind, and with starting prices between $44,265 and $48,135, it represents a smart investment for performance and long-term savings.
