The Best Cars in Every Class

The best cars combine an outstanding driving experience with great value. And a car’s price isn’t the only factor in that equation; other considerations such as fuel efficiency and maintenance costs can add up over time to make one model more expensive than another. To help you find the perfect ride, we’ve rounded up our top picks from every class, from small sedans to three-row SUVs. These vehicles offer a variety of features, from comfortable interiors and ample cargo room to the latest driver assistance tech. They also include a wide array of available options and upgrades, so there’s something to fit every budget.

We’ve ranked these vehicles by our expert evaluations, which are based on a vehicle’s performance, comfort, safety, utility and ownership costs. The rankings are derived from a wide range of tests and assessments, including road-test scores, reliability ratings, owner satisfaction surveys and safety results. These lists are designed to help you narrow your new-car search, identifying the cars that are the best values for your money.

This year, the Honda Civic family earns our 10Best award, with all models offering a great mix of fun and practicality. The sporty Type R and Si models deliver track-ready handling, while the standard Civic delivers a smooth drive with engaging steering. And, of course, there’s the resurgent Corvette, which has been the sports car king for years with its track-ready capabilities and eager engine.

For a more family-oriented ride, it’s hard to beat the Kia Telluride. It’s big enough to handle all your errand-running duties and offers an attractive interior, plenty of space and a satisfying ride. It’s also a top-rated family SUV thanks to its impressive safety equipment and capable all-wheel drive.

If you’re looking for a luxury car, it doesn’t get much better than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Its blend of car-like handling, SUV-like capability and a spacious and luxurious interior makes it the clear choice for many buyers in this class.

While many luxury brands struggle to provide a satisfying driving experience, the BMW M2 and its little sibling M240i keep the spirit of fun-focused BMWs alive. These models offer a high-performance drive and nimble, track-ready handling for a price that’s less than many mid-sized sedans cost.