Low inventory and high prices make this a tough time to buy a car. If you’ve been waiting to make that big purchase, here’s a look at Consumer Reports’ annual must-see list of the top new cars of the year.
To find the top vehicles of 2023, the experts at Consumer Reports drove hundreds of thousands of miles on more than 200 vehicles and sorted through mounds of exclusive data from more than 50 tests including safety, and real-world owner experiences relating to reliability and owner satisfaction.
“Simply put – these are vehicles that stand out in their respective categories. Our top picks have to come standard with key safety features, including automatic emergency braking that operates at highway speed and includes pedestrian detection,” Jennifer Stockburger with Consumer Reports said.
For under 25,000 dollars, CR said you can’t go wrong with the Toyota Corolla Cross Small SUV or Corolla Hybrid Sedan. These are great all-around cars that will continue to save you money down the line with great fuel economy and few repairs – and the 2023 Nissan Leaf proves that not all electric cars come with jolting prices.
“The Leaf was really the first mainstream EV when it launched over a decade ago, and it continues to prove that EVs can be reliable and inexpensive,” Stockburger said.
And of course, SUVs are as popular as ever – this year, the Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and three-row Kia Telluride all make CR’s list.
Looking to stand out from the pack? CR said the brand-new Ford Maverick Hybrid is a fun alternative to small SUVs – it’s a pickup truck that gets 37 miles per gallon.
With five seats and a four-and-a-half-foot truck bed, it’s a great choice for active folks – and for the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find something as versatile, efficient, and fun to drive. If you’re ready to splurge, the Lexus NX-350-H and the Tesla Model 3 are CR’s top picks for over 45,000 dollars.