Consumer Reports April 2022

WHEN I THINK back to sliding around on the bench seat of my dad’s two-tone Chevy Impala, I think about how much has changed over the decades for drivers, passengers, and our planet. There’s been a dynamic acceleration in the pursuit of innovation that has had a huge impact on safety and sustainability. Today, there are so many new options and there’s so much groundbreaking technology in cars and trucks. What hasn’t changed is the need for trustworthy information that allows you to navigate your way through these choices. And with your help, we’ll always be here to make sure those options serve you. CR has announced a number of innovations to promote safety and sustainability. Our ratings now reward automakers that install driver monitoring systems in their cars: These encourage drivers…

EVERY YEAR our team of auto experts logs hundreds of thousands of miles on public roads and pushes the vehicles we test to their limits at the CR Auto Test Center. Our analysts also crunch piles of car reliability and satisfaction survey data collected from CR members. The combined ratings and reviews provide all the information consumers need to make smart auto purchases. THE CR TEAM A full-time staff of about 30 people—editors, engineers, photographers, statisticians, technicians, videographers, and a support crew—work to deliver exclusive insights to our members. 1 We conduct a series of brake tests from 60 to 0 mph—not only on dry pavement but also on a wet surface. 2 We assess each vehicle’s handling and cornering prowess on our 3,500-foot-long winding course. 3 We evaluate forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic…

500,000 miles are logged each year on cars we purchase for testing, giving us experience on the track and in the real world. 238 vehicles in our new-car ratings were considered in selecting our 10 Top Picks. Learn more about the Top Picks at CR.org/cars. WHEN YOU’RE seeking the perfect car for you and your family, there’s an overwhelming selection to choose from. To help you zero in on the best options, Consumer Reports presents its annual 10 Top Picks: the best cars, SUVs, and trucks our experts recommend without hesitation. To be in this group, a vehicle must have an Overall Score among the highest in its category, factoring in road tests, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. Top Picks also must come standard in all trims with forward collision warning (FCW) and…

EACH YEAR our brand rankings reflect the changes that inevitably come as automakers introduce new cars and fix problems in vehicles already on the market. For 2022, we saw a change at the very top, with Subaru moving ahead of Mazda to claim the title of best brand overall. Among the leaders, Audi saw the biggest leap up, climbing five places in the rankings. Acura made even greater gains, moving up 11 spots this year. Tesla dropped seven spots due to the difficult-to-use yoke steering wheel the automaker added to its Model S and X vehicles, affecting their road-test scores. Jeep, which had reliability issues with the Gladiator pickup truck, took the bottom position, which was held last year by Alfa Romeo. We compile the report card each year by averaging the…

NEW CAR PICKS UNDER $30,000 THE AVERAGE NEW CAR transaction topped $47,000 in 2021, but you don’t need to spend that much to get a great ride—if you know where to look. Here, our experts have rounded up the best new vehicles that cost less than $30,000. These models, listed alphabetically within each vehicle category, are all CR-recommended and come with key safety features that are standard or optional. COMPACT HYBRIDS & PLUG-INS HONDA INSIGHT HYUNDAI ELANTRA HYUNDAI IONIQ KIA NIRO ▲ TOYOTA COROLLA TOYOTA PRIUS TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME SMALL CARS HONDA CIVIC HYUNDAI ACCENT HYUNDAI ELANTRA HYUNDAI VENUE MAZDA3 NISSAN KICKS NISSAN SENTRA NISSAN VERSA SUBARU IMPREZA TOYOTA COROLLA ▲ VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MIDSIZED CARS HONDA ACCORD HYUNDAI SONATA ▲ KIA K5 NISSAN ALTIMA SUBARU LEGACY TOYOTA CAMRY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SMALL SUVs CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER FORD BRONCO SPORT ▲ HONDA CR-V HYUNDAI KONA HYUNDAI TUCSON KIA SPORTAGE MAZDA CX-30 MAZDA CX-5 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT SUBARU CROSSTREK SUBARU FORESTER TOYOTA RAV4 DESTINATION CHARGES (FROM LOWEST TO HIGHEST) UNLIKE SOME other fees that get tacked on to the…

ACURA INTEGRA $30,000-$40,000* SPRING 2022 The Integra name returns on a new model to replace the mediocre ILX in Acura’s lineup. The original Integra was the sportier alternative to the Honda Civic. It was produced from 1986 through 2001, then recast as the RSX. This latest iteration takes up the mantle for a new era, with more premium features. Like the original Integra, the 2023 model features a liftback configuration and a coupelike silhouette. It will be powered by a turbocharged engine, a first for an Integra. CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV $39,900-$105,000 SPRING 2023 This new Silverado joins the full-sized EV pickup market with a twist: It has a foldable midgate that expands the 6-footlong bed into the cabin to hold 9-foot-long items. Based on GM’s Ultium EV platform, shared with the GMC Hummer EV, the…