Consumer Reports – The Best Cars on Sale
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When you’re looking for a new car, the choices can be overwhelming. Whether you want a sporty convertible, a family SUV or something in between, there’s a vehicle that will meet your needs. But which one? Consumer Reports has made the decision-making process easier by identifying our top picks across 12 categories. Each one offers exceptional quality, great value and low ownership costs.
We’ve sorted the best cars by class and include both new and used models. Each has the safety features required by law, plus must-have tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a blind spot monitor. We also consider a vehicle’s owner-friendly qualities, including maintenance cost and manufacturer warranty coverage. We’ve even ranked cars on their fuel efficiency, so you can find the most environmentally friendly options.
The Best Small Cars
A compact car can be a fun-to-drive sports car, a practical commuter or even a luxurious tourer depending on the model you choose. These cars offer good interior room for four, ease of parking in tight spaces and often relatively low running and maintenance costs. They’re also usually available with the level of advanced active safety equipment you normally expect to be reserved for bigger, more expensive models.
The 2024 Honda Accord is the top-rated midsize sedan and an excellent choice for buyers who want a reliable, well-rounded vehicle that’s as easy on the pocketbook as it is enjoyable to drive. A complete redesign last year put the Accord at the head of its class, with sleeker looks, a sophisticated interior and the latest in-car tech. Its rear seat room is a little tight for people over 6 feet tall, but it’s still an excellent family hauler with the highest EPA-rated fuel economy in its class.
As the SUV-ification of the auto industry continues unabated, the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 stand out as an antidote to prevailing trends. These small, light, naturally aspirated, manual shifted sports cars are exhilarating to drive. They may not be the fastest in our performance testing, but their lithe handling and faithful steering inspire drivers to push harder.
Consumer Reports’ latest 10Best awards showcase the very best cars currently on sale. The winner in each category is selected by our team of expert editors, based on the results of rigorous, real-world tests and ratings from the most reliable sources. The list includes a mix of new and used models, from family-friendly SUVs to high-performance sports cars.
CR’s experts test more than 500 vehicles each year to help you make smart decisions about which car or truck is right for you. We also provide exclusive surveys that ask thousands of members about their experiences and expectations. And we work with our automaker partners to share our findings with you.
Interested in learning more about how we determine our Best Buys? Read our Car Buying Guide. It’s full of helpful tips and advice. Plus, you can get our buying and maintenance advice in person by visiting a Consumer Reports shop near you.