Every year, Consumer Reports and its team of automotive experts
test and scrutinize virtually every car sold in the US.
Of those cars, a select
few stand above the rest and join the vaunted group of vehicles known as Consumer
Reports' Top Picks.
To become a Top Pick, a
car must excel at the publication's track tests, offer average or better
reliability, perform effectively in government or industry crash tests, and
return high owner-satisfaction scores in Consumer Reports' surveys.
This year's Top Picks
cover a wide variety of models, ranging from small roadsters to full-size
pickup trucks.
In total, 10 cars were
chosen, with seven from Japanese brands, two from American brands, and one from
a Korean brand.
So here they are: Consumer Reports' Top Picks
of 2016.
Best Midsize car: Toyota Camry
Price as tested:
$24,089 - $32,603
Why it's on the list: The
Toyota Camry has long been one of America's most popular and trusted family
sedans. And the latest generation is no different.
"The solid Camry delivers year after year of
outstanding reliability, which when combined with impressive crash-tests
results, make it a near-perfect sedan," Consumer Reports wrote.
Best Subcompact Car: Honda Fit
Price as tested:
$19,025
Why it's on the list: Although
the publication criticized the Fit for its excessive road noise and harsh ride,
Consumer Reports found the subcompact's great fuel economy, nimble handling,
and great interior space to be truly impressive.
Best Compact Car: Subaru Impreza
Price as tested:
$21,345 - $22,345
Why it's on the list: The
Subaru Impreza is back on Consumer Reports' Top Picks list once again. So what
did the publication like about the sedan?
Well, what didn't they like about the
Impreza: Consumer Reports praised the Subaru for its ride, handling,
interior space, intuitive controls, safety tech, great crash-test results, its
all-wheel-drive system, and the cargo-hauling ability of its hatchback
variant.
Best Luxury SUV: Lexus RX
Price as tested:
$51,630 - $57,565
Why it's on the list: The
Lexus RX has reigned supreme over the luxury-midsize-SUV segment for two
decades. And that dominance doesn't seem to be coming to an end.
Consumer Reports praised the Lexus for its "quiet and
comfortable cabin, effortless power delivery, a smooth ride, and a
tastefully done interior fit and finish."
Best Sports Car Sub-$40K: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Price as tested:
$29,905
Why it's on the list: The
Mazda MX-5 Miata is the best-selling roadster of all-time. While all four
generations of the Miata have been fantastic, the current version is
particularly well received by Consumer Reports.
"The MX-5 Miata combines lithe, precise
handling with a crisp manual stick and a zoomy engine—that gets an enviable 34 mpg—to
create the perfect car for the enthusiast driver and weekend racer," the
publication wrote.
Best Small SUV: Subaru Forester
Price as tested:
$27,145
Why it's on the list: The Subaru Forester is back once again on
CR's Top Picks list. The small crossover SUV is praised for its stellar
all-wheel-drive system, roomy interior, comfortable ride, and great driving
dynamics.
Best Midsize SUV: Kia Sorrento
Price as tested:
$37,915
Why it's on the list: The
Kia Sorrento is a rising star in the midsize-SUV market. Although it's often
overshadowed by its more established competitors, the Korean crossover
impressed the publication with its ability to put midsize space and
features in a smaller package.
"The Sorento is a great SUV hiding in plain sight.
It offers class-above elegance at mainstream prices," Consumer Reports
wrote.
Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Price as tested:
$35,810 - $38,201
Why it's on the list: The
Toyota Sienna has been one of the leaders in the minivan segment since it debuted
in 1998. The publication was impressed by the Toyota's multifunctional
interior, "magic carpet" ride, energetic powertrain, and room for
eight.
"The Sienna is super-reliable transport with all of
the modern features an active, connected family would want," Consumer
Reports wrote.
Best Pickup Truck: Ford F-150
Price as tested:
$45,750 - $46,755
Why it's on the list: Consumer
Reports praised the Ford F-150 for its lighter-weight aluminum construction and
the resulting uptick in fuel economy and improved off-the-line performance.
Furthermore, the publication was impressed by the
Ford's roomy and quiet cabin as well as the new Ford Sync3 infotainment system.
In addition, Consumer Reports says that the F-150 has the best predicted
reliability of any domestic truck.
Best Large Car: Chevrolet Impala
Price as tested:
$39,110
Why it's on the list: The
Chevrolet Impala is another holdover from last year's Top Picks list. And the
impressive Chevy is here for good reason.
"The Impala is dynamic and comfortable, combining a
cushy ride with responsive handling, beating some elite luxury sedans at their
own game," Consumer Reports wrote.
No comments:
Post a Comment