A Closer Look at Consumer Reports 10 Top Vehicle Picks for 2025
Finding a reliable and high-performing vehicle requires careful evaluation, and Consumer Reports reaches its annual selections through extensive testing. The organization evaluates approximately 50 new vehicles each year, purchasing them anonymously from dealerships before putting them through more than 50 individual tests. Each vehicle also completes a mandatory 2,000-mile break-in period before testing begins.
Member survey results covering overall reliability and satisfaction also contribute to determining which models earn a place among the annual selections. The resulting list includes vehicles suited to different driving needs, from practical commuter cars and adventurous crossovers to efficient hybrids and versatile trucks. Here is a closer look at the first five models and the remaining selections included in the 2025 roster.
1. Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is an impressive small car value, showing that consumers need not pay more than about $25,000 for a very capable new car. It has a lower price and more active safety features standard than some larger, more expensive cars, a generous mix of features, comfort and fuel efficiency, and a good overall performance in Consumer Reports road tests. The Sentra, like most other cars, offers more than enough room for driver and passenger. Its ride and handling, along with its fuel economy, earned high marks. Its controls also stand out: Infotainment and climate controls are simple to use and easily understood.
Key Sentra Highlights:
- Strong value for small-car buyers
- Generous standard safety equipment
- Comfortable ride and handling
- Good overall fuel economy
- Simple, intuitive cabin controls
The Sentra’s versatileness really shows when all of the features come together. It’s not really best in any one area, but it brings a level of affordability, comfort, efficiency, and usability that will make it a go-to for those who are looking for a practical daily driver. In addition to the extra room in the cabin for the passengers, the control scheme is nice and simple, keeping things easy in everyday driving. Its on-road performance during our Consumer Reports testing again makes the case that it’s a practical commuter. Its nimbleness and comfort make it an excellent choice for a daily driver, as does its mileage and safety package.
2. Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek combines everyday city practicality with the ability to handle rougher roads, thanks to standard all-wheel drive and ample ground clearance. Its taller profile, large door openings, and accessible seating height also make getting in and out easy. Inside, the Crosstrek focuses on comfort with supportive front and rear seats for longer trips. It remains easy to use with physical and touchscreen controls, though testers preferred the more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine over the base 152-hp engine.
Crosstrek Features That Stand Out:
- Standard all-wheel-drive capability
- Useful ground clearance
- Easy cabin entry
- Supportive front and rear seats
- Available 182-hp engine
What makes the Crosstrek so compelling is that it can do two different things without being too complex. An urban commuter can take advantage of the Crosstrek’s comfort and driver-focused controls, while someone who is going off the beaten path can enjoy standard all-wheel drive and the higher ride height that comes with it. The extra torque available in the higher trims gives it an even bigger advantage to the potential buyer who demands a more spirited ride. Together, the comfortable cabin arrangement, the easy to access seats, and intuitive controls make the Crosstrek a versatile package.
3. Subaru Forester
The Forester has long been a good-value compact SUV, and the redesigned 2025 model continues that tradition. It retains the practicality and comfort that helped it earn Top Pick honors every year since 2012, while adding updates throughout the cabin. It offers a spacious interior, excellent outward visibility, and standard all-wheel drive for added capability. It also delivers above-average fuel economy, while Consumer Reports testing found a quieter drive, smooth ride, and more cargo space than the previous model.
Forester’s Main Strengths:
- Spacious compact SUV interior
- Excellent outward visibility
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Improved cabin quietness
- Expanded cargo capacity
The Forester’s revamped cabin offers new convenience in daily driving. The interior is more accessible so passengers can get in and out without hassle, and there’s more room for gear inside. Even the cargo volume has been enhanced for more practical storage space, whether you need a place for luggage, groceries, or a storage bin full of equipment, with the 2025 Forester still retaining excellent fuel economy and the added safety and capability of all-wheel drive. The new Forester also sounds better with the upgraded cabin, and the ride is even more forgiving of bumps in the road.
4. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry returns to the Top Picks list for the seventh time in ten years as an all-new 2025 model. The redesigned sedan combines confident ride and handling with responsive acceleration and a smooth, comfortable drive. It remains practical and user-friendly while adding soft-touch cabin materials and Toyota’s latest infotainment system. For 2025, the Camry is offered only as a hybrid, delivering 17 more horsepower than the previous hybrid while improving efficiency. Testing achieved an impressive 48 mpg overall while maintaining its engaging driving experience.
Camry Highlights From Testing:
- Exclusive hybrid powertrain
- 17-hp increase over predecessor
- 48 mpg overall testing
- Smooth and responsive ride
- Updated infotainment system
A The new Camry’s philosophy combines practicality with driving pleasure while still providing the comfort you’ve come to expect from the traditional sedan. The ride is still smooth enough to be a practical daily driver, but the handling is better for a more agile feel when taking turns or slaloming from roads into single paths. B The hybrid-only approach also helps to make the 2025 model more unique to other Camrys. The extra power and efficiency mean that a wide selection of gas and hybrid-powered Camrys will remain available for anyone interested in the practical ride.
5. Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick combines the convenience of a small truck with useful pickup capability. Its compact size works well for commuting, while the truck bed suits hardware shopping, weekend projects, and road trips. The cabin is easy to access and operate, with reasonable passenger space that makes it a practical alternative to larger, more expensive trucks. The standard 250-hp turbocharged four-cylinder delivers spirited performance with 23 mpg overall, while the 191-hp hybrid achieves 37 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. Its manageable size and smooth ride also make the Maverick easier to live with than many larger trucks.
Maverick Advantages:
- Compact and easy to maneuver
- Useful pickup-truck capability
- 250-hp turbocharged engine
- Available efficient hybrid
- Refined ride for truck
The Maverick is versatile, combining useful truck capability with easy daily driving. Its truck bed provides practical utility without the oversized footprint of many full-size pickups. The four-door cabin is comfortable enough for passengers while keeping controls within easy reach. Hybrid versions add value with better fuel efficiency, achieving 37 mpg with front-wheel drive compared with 23 mpg from the standard engine. Whether used for commuting, errands, or weekend activities, the Maverick offers all-purpose utility with comfortable and manageable handling.
6. Toyota RAV4 PHEV
Formerly the RAV4 Prime, the Toyota RAV4 PHEV is a sporty, efficient variation of the RAV4. As a plug-in hybrid model, it provided a peppier powertrain than the new RAV4 and best of all, it could be driven exclusively on battery power if you want to save fuel. This version used a 302-horsepower engine and made the run from 0-60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, though it combined a 42-mile range on electric power. It takes an estimated 2.5 hours to recharge a 240-volt home installation or roughly 12 hours through a common household 120-volt outlet.
RAV4 PHEV Key Details:
- 302-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain
- 6.3-second 0-to-60 mph
- Up to 42 electric miles
- 2.5-hour 240-volt charging
- 12-hour standard outlet charging
Testers also were impressed with the ride of the RAV4 PHEV. This plug-in hybrid was considered to be the highest-quality drive among all the versions of the RAV4. Its blending of electrifying acceleration, electric driving range and the ability to put a charge to the tank also give the RAV4 plug-in a high standing within the RAV4 line. Drivers who have the opportunity to recharge on a regular basis at home can enjoy an electric range of 42 miles, so they can spend more time driving without fueling up for the short trips and have a hybrid fuel-efficient pickup for the longer hauls.
7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid A spacious three-row SUV that offers fuel economy on par with much smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles is precisely what Consumer Reports called the hybrid Highlander upon review. It’s an SUV that can hold seven passengers and still get 35 mpg overall during testing in addition to having the range to take the family on a road trip of almost 600 miles before stopping to refuel. It’s a capable SUV with a smooth ride that’s comfortable for all passengers in the back with handling that’s easily controlled by the driver and a number of safety features that assist with everyday driving activities.
Highlander Hybrid Highlights:
- Three-row passenger capacity
- Standard all-wheel drive
- 35 mpg overall testing
- Comfortable rear seating
- Strong active safety features
Perhaps the Highlander Hybrid’s greatest strength is the fact that it can carry more people without the gasoline needed by a bigger three-row SUV. Extended family and other drivers looking for passenger capacity will appreciate the wider interior, the efficient rating, and the use of a hybrid powertrain. In addition, the vehicle’s driving dynamics have many functional attributes. The smooth ride provided by the soft suspension, the excellent steering precision, the sharp handling, along with the hybrid drive system, all-wheel drive, and active safety features round out the Highlander Hybrid’s qualities.
8. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric offering similar to the Model 3 in range, acceleration, and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Its hatchback design provides more interior and cargo space than the Model 3 while maintaining the quick performance associated with Tesla’s electric cars. The Model Y delivers rapid acceleration with instant response at different speeds, while quick steering and a firm, responsive suspension give the electric crossover handling that feels more like a sports car than a tall SUV.
Model Y Standout Features:
- All-electric crossover design
- Strong driving range
- Access to Supercharger network
- Generous cargo space
- Immediate acceleration response
Functionally, the interior is pared down, with no traditional instrument cluster in the model Y. Many controls are handled by the central display, which provides an uncluttered and contemporary cabin, with Consumer Reports criticizing the use of the display for items like range calculations as a bit distracting. The Model Y retains practicality and an engaging ride, with the high wagon shape offering a useful cargo area, with the electric powertrain turning out strong acceleration. Access to charging stations along with range, cargo room and responsive handling makes the Model Y the ideal crossover for daily driving and performance EV.
9. Lexus NX350h/450h+
Lexus adds a touch of luxury to the compact SUV segment while keeping a manageable footprint. Consumer Reports praised the NX for its luxury features and quality, including comfortable seats, upscale trims, and a simple infotainment system, though climate controls are limited to the touchscreen. Testing found the hybrid models particularly appealing, offering a firm ride, quick steering, and agile handling. The NX350h averaged 38 mpg, while the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid offers up to 37 miles of electric-only driving range.
Lexus NX Hybrid Highlights:
- Premium compact SUV interior
- Plush and supportive seating
- Quick steering response
- 38 mpg NX350h testing
- 37-mile NX450h+ electric range
The NX350h is a classic hybrid, fuel-efficient without the need to be plugged in. It stands out among its luxury compact SUV competitors with an 8.1-second 0-60 mph time and a 38 mpg combined score. The NX450h+ takes everything a step further by giving the ability to drive on electric for up to 37 miles before the NX450h+ switches to gas. Once the battery is drained, it still gets 35 mpg. The two new hybrid models combine efficiency with smooth, refined riding, capable handling and a luxurious interior in the manner of luxury compact SUVs.
10. BMW X5/X5 PHEV
What Is the BMW X5? The BMW X5 is a luxury midsize sport-utility vehicle, with a comfortable, well-appointed interior, and a powerful performance. Its cabin is noisy outside and the seats are supportive and comfortable for an all-day drive. The standard X5 accelerates quickly, 6 seconds to get to 60 mph from rest, and gets 23 miles per gallon overall. The plug-in hybrid version accelerates the same, and can travel on battery power for up to 39 miles on a single charge, giving short-distance drivers a mode of transportation that works almost entirely on power. When the battery has run out, the plug-in hybrid gets 21 mpg overall.
X5 Features Worth Noting:
- Quiet luxury-focused cabin
- Supportive long-distance seating
- Six-second 0-to-60 mph
- Up to 39 electric miles
- Composed athletic handling
Both powertrains are supported by a well-tuned suspension that offers a smooth ride and athletic, confident handling characteristics. This ensures that the X5 is equally at home on long stretches of highway or in everyday driving; the X5 and X5 PHEV cater to two different concepts of luxury midsize utility. The traditional X5 offers strong acceleration and reasonable fuel economy, while the X5 PHEV offers additional electric propulsion. Both versions still feature the silent interior, comfortable and supportive seats, refined suspension, and dynamic handling that make the X5 an engaging driver.
