Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you may make in your life. Not only that, but the upkeep of the car and the additional costs associated with it are major considerations. Cars from luxury brands often have higher insurance rates and their parts are also more expensive. When purchasing a new car, it is important that you not only purchase one which you can afford, but is one which is backed up by expert knowledge to be reliable and is unlikely to incur additional upkeep costs.
New data by Consumer Reports ranks car brands for consumers
Consumer Reports has just released new data to help advise consumers on which car brands get you the most for your money. Consumer Reports buys 45 to 50 cars annually and puts them through a rigorous, multi-week testing process that includes over 50 evaluations, all conducted by automotive experts. The outcome is a comprehensive composite score that captures all the findings, along with a detailed road test report available to members.
“The road-test score is an amalgam of a given model’s driving experience, factoring in power delivery, handling agility, braking performance, ride comfort, noise isolation, seat comfort, controls’ ease of use, and fuel economy if it’s not an EV,” says Gabe Shenhar, associate director of CR’s auto test program. “For EVs, the score also reflects range, charging time, and ease of plugging and unplugging. Brands that produce well-rounded vehicles that are capable in multiple areas are ranked highly.”
Consumer Reports ranks brands based on the average road-test score, which includes tested models from across their product ranges. Top brands generally perform well across a variety of tests, demonstrating consistent quality throughout their lineup. Mid-tier brands tend to show more variation in performance across different vehicle types or have more average results.
Brands at the bottom of the rankings reveal notable weaknesses when compared to their competitors. The road-test score is combined with data from reliability and owner satisfaction surveys, as well as ratings for safety features and crashworthiness, to produce an Overall Score. This gives a clear snapshot of a vehicle’s performance and characteristics.
Which cars to avoid according to Consumer Reports
For Consumer Reports 2025 ranking, the following car brands and models should be avoided if you are looking to buy a new car:
- Ford Escape
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Volvo XC60
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Volkwagen Jetta
- Mercedes C-Class
Meanwhile, the following brands scored the lowest Road Score overall according to Consumer Reports’ testing data:
- Jaguar
- Dodge
- Land Rover
- Mitsubishi
- Jeep
Cars which are given the green light by Consumer Reports
On the flip side, Consumer Reports recommends the following vehicles to consider purchasing if you are in the market for a new car:
- Honda CR-V
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Lexus NX Hybrid
- Kia Carnival
- Mazda 3
- BMW 3 series
In addition, the following brands claimed the top five spots overall for their models:
- BMW
- Audi
- Porsche
- Subaru
- Chrysler
One thing is for certain: Go green
No matter your preference or brand loyalty, one suggestion you should seriously consider if you are looking to buy a new car, you should seriously consider hybrid and other sustainable engine options. These vehicles not only offer significant fuel efficiency benefits and reduce your overall fuel costs, but they also help lower your carbon footprint, making them an environmentally friendly choice.
With the growing emphasis on sustainability, hybrid and electric vehicles have become more advanced, offering improved performance, longer driving ranges, and shorter charging times. Additionally, with government incentives and the increasing availability of charging infrastructure, adopting a hybrid or electric vehicle could also result in financial savings in the long run which makes it a smart choice for both your wallet and the planet.
