These are the 10 cars Consumer Reports readers research the most
Credit: Toyota
Buying a new car requires some serious research, and many people shopping for a vehicle turn to Consumer Reports.
That's why the publication compiled a list of its 10 most popular new cars. These vehicles — most of which are mid-sized or compact SUVs — are the ones readers research the most.
Continue reading to see which made the list, and why — or why not — Consumer Reports likes them.
Credit: Mazda
The Mazda CX-5 starts just under $30,000 with standard all-wheel drive and plenty of interior room. Consumer Reports likes its latest redesign and standard safety features.
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The Toyota $TM RAV4 now comes exclusively as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, starting at $31,900. The plug-in version packs 320 horsepower and offers up to 50 miles of electric-only driving. Consumer Reports noted improvements across performance, safety, and infotainment.
Credit: Subaru
Starting at $29,995, the Subaru Forester earns a CR Recommendation and ranks second among compact SUVs. It gets 29 mpg overall (20 city / 39 highway). Consumer Reports praised its spacious cabin and smooth ride, but said the base trim lacks some safety features.
Credit: Subaru
The redesigned Outback starts at $34,995. Standard models offer 180 horsepower, while top trims jump to 260 with a turbocharged engine. Consumer Reports highlighted its updated controls and a new emergency stop safety feature.
Credit: Subaru
The Forester Hybrid starts at $34,730, earns CR's top compact SUV ranking. It delivers 34 mpg overall (26 city / 42 highway), a meaningful bump over the standard Forester. Consumer Reports found the hybrid version isn’t as loud and has a smoother ride than standard one.
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Credit: Honda
The CR-V starts at $30,920 and earns a CR Recommendation. Fuel economy comes in at 26 mpg overall (19 city / 33 highway). Consumer Reports said the SUV is well-laid-out, though noted the base trim skips some safety tech.
Credit: Subaru
Starting at $26,995, the Crosstrek is one of the more affordable options on the list and earns a CR Recommendation. It achieves 29 mpg overall (20 city / 39 highway) with an engine upgrade for 2026 and good all-wheel-drive performance.
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The Passport starts at $44,950 and leads CR's midsized SUV rankings. It gets 21 mpg overall (14 city / 30 highway) with standard AWD. Consumer Reports appreciated its simple controls and said it has a better ride than previous versions.
Credit: Toyota
The Camry starts at $29,300 and tops CR's midsized car rankings. It achieves an impressive 48 mpg overall (40 city / 54 highway) as a standard hybrid. Consumer Reports found its handling confident, though rear-seat space trails some competitors.
Credit: Toyota
The Highlander starts at $45,870 and earns a CR Recommendation. It returns 22 mpg overall (14 city / 33 highway). Consumer Reports liked its plush seats and second-row space, but said the third row is cramped and the screen system isn’t the most intuitive.
