The Best Cars of 2025, Tested & Ranked by Consumer Reports

But before we get into the list, let’s talk about what it takes to make the cut—because this isn’t just a popularity contest. Consumer Reports doesn’t hand out awards to the trendiest new models or those with the flashiest marketing campaigns. Each car on this list has been put through the wringer in four key areas:

• Road-test performance: CR’s expert drivers evaluate how each vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and rides under real-world conditions. Comfort, noise levels, and even ease of use for controls all come into play
• Predicted reliability: They analyze historical data from over 300,000 vehicles to predict how trouble-free (or problematic) each car will be in the long run. A car that drives great today but ends up in the repair shop constantly won't make the cut
• Owner satisfaction: CR surveys thousands of actual car owners to determine if they'd buy the same car again. If a car scores high here, real people love driving it—not just reviewers
• Safety features: Every top pick comes standard with low-speed and highway-speed automatic emergency braking (AEB) pedestrian detection—a crucial factor as more automakers make these features optional

Now, let’s get into the cars that actually earned the top spots in 2025.

Best budget-friendly pick: Nissan Sentra

If you thought the days of a sub-$25K car with solid features were long gone, the Nissan Sentra begs to differ. It packs more standard safety tech than some cars, twice its price, and delivers an intuitive, no-fuss driving experience. It’s proof that affordability doesn’t have to mean compromise.

Best family SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Need three rows and fuel efficiency? The Highlander Hybrid is the unicorn of midsized SUVs. With 35 mpg overall and a road trip-friendly 600-mile range, it balances practicality, comfort, and Toyota’s signature reliability.

Best compact SUV: Subaru Forester

Redesigned for 2025, the Forester stays true to its roots—easy to drive, roomy despite its compact classification, and now with better fuel economy at 29 mpg overall. It’s a repeat winner for a reason.

Best for outdoor adventures: Subaru Crosstrek

Want to hit the trails without the bulk of a full-sized SUV? The Crosstrek is built for city streets and backroads, with standard AWD and impressive ground clearance. A more powerful 2.5L engine is now standard on most trims, giving it a much-needed boost.

Best hybrid SUV: Toyota RAV4 PHEV

Toyota’s plug-in hybrid RAV4 is the perfect balance of power and efficiency. Its robust 302-hp engine delivers an unexpectedly sporty drive, while the 42-mile electric range makes gas stops rare.

Best hybrid sedan: Toyota Camry

Toyota’s best-selling sedan is now hybrid only, and that’s not bad. More power, better handling, and AWD availability make this Camry feel less like a commuter car and more like something you’d enjoy driving.

Best luxury SUVs: Lexus NX Hybrid & BMW X5

Lexus and BMW offer two stellar options for those who want more refinement. The Lexus NX Hybrid is smooth, efficient (up to 38 mpg), and packed with premium touches. Meanwhile, the BMW X5 PHEV combines performance and efficiency with up to 39 miles of electric driving before the gas engine kicks in.

Best EV: Tesla Model Y

Still the benchmark for electric SUVs, the Model Y combines blistering acceleration, strong range, and a minimalist interior. The hatchback design gives it more cargo space than its Model 3 sibling, making it the practical pick.

Best small pickup: Ford Maverick Hybrid

Pickups aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, but the Maverick Hybrid breaks the mold with an impressive 37 mpg overall. It’s compact, versatile, and proof that you don’t need a massive truck to get things done.

Fuel efficiency is king in 2025, with hybrids and PHEVs dominating the list. Toyota and Subaru remain top contenders, Nissan makes an impact with the Sentra, and Tesla holds strong in the EV space. And this is just a glimpse—CR’s list includes even more top-rated picks for every type of driver.

Thinking of upgrading your ride this year? These are the cars worth a test drive.