The Most-Loved Car Models That Keep Owners Satisfied
Our exclusive survey-based ratings point to the cars, SUVs, and trucks that satisfy owners the most
When it comes to a new car, Consumer Reports members have told us that a low price or a luxury badge doesn’t automatically translate into happiness. Some models that you might expect to put a smile on an owner’s face actually end up making them frown—or worse.
The models that top the owner satisfaction ratings deliver on the manufacturer’s promises of luxury, fuel and energy efficiency (gas or electric), or pulse-quickening performance are often the ones that most satisfy owners. The regular, workaday vehicles are fine because they get the job done, but they don’t do anything to excite people.
Below we highlight the best in each subcategory, ranging from subcompact cars to luxury SUVs and full-sized pickup trucks.
Consumer Reports members shared the experiences they’ve had with more than 350,000 vehicles in our most recent auto surveys. Primarily, they were asked whether they would buy the same car again. That decision is the basis of CR’s owner satisfaction score.