‘Consumer Reports’ Ranks Top 10 Vehicles for 2021
Consumer Reports Rates 10 Best Vehicles for 2021
High-tech safety features on standard models was key criteria
Toyota Toyota Camry The best new cars on the road today offer a multitude of high-tech safety features to help protect drivers and their passengers, according to Consumer Reports magazine. The publication evaluates and tests automobiles to choose its “Top Picks” annually. Each model in this year's Top 10 “comes standard with advanced safety features,” the magazine notes. Those safety features include forward collision warning with ; pedestrian detection typically incorporating an auto-braking feature; and blind-spot warning that lets a driver know if another vehicle would be difficult to spot in the mirrors or even with a quick turn of the head. "They have to be standard on all models. Not left off the base model, not left off the manual (transmission) model, not left off the sporty model,” which some buyers might choose because they think (usually incorrectly) that they can react better than built-in safety devices, says Jennifer Stockburger, an engineer and director of operations at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, a 327-acre facility at Colchester in rural Connecticut. Stockburger describes these protections as “saved my bacon” features. No large sedans make the Top 10
To warrant inclusion among the magazine's top options, a vehicle must have scored well in Consumer Reports safety tests, including accident avoidance. It must also have earned a passing grade if it's been crash-tested by the government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which provides a rating that goes up to five stars, or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a trade group. Popular focuses on how to use your new tech The vehicles are sorted according to what Consumer Reports deems popular categories, and the all-around best in each category gets the nod. “It's what people are buying,” notes Stockburger. Notable this year is that no large sedan made the list. “People aren't buying large sedans; ,” she says. For the curious, she says last year's top big sedan, the Toyota Avalon, still is best in that group. The Yonkers, New York–based nonprofit has been testing automobiles since its founding in 1936 and has been anointing its top picks since 1997. Here is Consumer Reports’ list of top 2021 models, with the listed price range and fuel economy reported by the magazine. of Subcompact SUV
Mazda CX-30 Consumer Reports’ take: The six-speed automatic transmission is an antidote to the “joyless continuously variable transmissions” common among rivals. The CX-30 features “much-better-than-average predicted reliability.” Mazda is the top-rated Consumer Reports brand this year, up three slots from a year ago. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars (highest rating); IIHS Top Safety Pick + (highest rating) MPG: 27 Price range: $22,050–$34,050 of Small SUV
Subaru Forester Consumer Reports’ take: The Forester has “the best outward visibility of any vehicle beyond a bicycle.” The magazine calls its fuel economy “impressive for an SUV that isn't a diesel or a hybrid.” Every Forester comes with a standard all-wheel-drive system. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick + MPG: 28 Price range: $24,795–$34,895 of SUV Wagon
Subaru Outback Consumer Reports’ take: “The Outback deftly balances carlike driving manners and efficiency with SUV-like functionality.” It has “ample ground clearance” and standard all-wheel drive. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick + MPG: 24 Price range: $26,795–$39,945 of Midsize SUV
Lexus RX Consumer Reports’ take: The RX serves up “a combination of comfort, performance, safety and reliability.” Those who occasionally need more space can opt for the “slightly longer L version with a small third-row seat.” Crash rating: NHTSA, 4 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick MPG: 22 (conventional engine), 29 (hybrid) Price range: $45,170–$57,210 of Midsize 3-row SUV
Kia Telluride Consumer Reports’ take: The Telluride dominates in the three-row SUV category. It is “highly competent in nearly every way” and provides “a lot of SUV for the money.” Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick MPG: 21 Price range: $32,190–$44,390 of Small car
Toyota Corolla Consumer Reports’ take: The Corolla “delivers terrific fuel economy, has more standard safety features than some cars at twice the price, and earns top marks for predicted reliability.” It also has a hybrid version. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick MPG: 33 (conventional) 48 (hybrid) Price range: $20,025–$28,310 of Midsize sedan
Toyota Camry Consumer Reports’ take: "The Camry fends off would-be challengers with its mix of efficiency, performance and reliability.” This “solid choice” is newly available with all-wheel drive, and the hybrid model has quick acceleration. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick + MPG: 32 (conventional), 47 (hybrid) Price range: $24,970-$35,545 of Hybrid
Toyota Prius Consumer Reports’ take: The Prius, available only as a hybrid, is a “balanced overall package” that delivers “rock-solid reliability … year after year.” Recent innovations include an all-wheel-drive option and the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid model with 25 miles of electric-only travel before the normal gasoline-electric hybrid system is engaged. Crash rating: NHTSA, 4 stars; IIHS “good” (the highest score) in most categories, “acceptable” in a few, but not enough to earn one of the Top Safety Pick accolades. MPG: 52 Price range: $24,525–$32,650 of Electric car
Tesla Model 3 Consumer Reports’ take: The four-door sedan delivers “punchy acceleration that comes on in a quiet surge … matched with sharp handling and precise steering.” A futuristic 15-inch touch screen is home to most controls, “but the screen is distracting to use.” Relatively quick recharging. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS Top Safety Pick + MPG: Not provided in a miles per gallon equivalent, but range is stated as 353 miles. Price range: $37,990–$54,990 of Compact pickup
Honda Ridgeline Consumer Reports’ take: “Highly innovative,” with the ability to tow a small trailer and also “excel in the daily commute, with room for the family.” The Ridgeline is the star of what the industry prefers to call “midsize” pickups, as opposed to “compact” pickups. Crash rating: NHTSA, 5 stars; IIHS, “good,” the highest score, in most categories, “marginal” in others, earning an “acceptable” general rating, but doesn't win a Top Safety Pick designation. MPG: 20 Price range: $36,490–$43,920 Use the for a hassle-free purchase experience James R. Healey is a contributing writer who covers auto stories. He was auto writer and weekly columnist at USA Today for 27 years. His work has also appeared in Car and Driver and on Trucks.com. More on Auto
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