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  • Cars
  • Owner Satisfaction: The Most-Loved Car Models

The Most-Loved Car Models That Keep Owners Satisfied

Our exclusive survey-based ratings highlight the cars, SUVs, and trucks that satisfy owners the most

2023 Ford Bronco, rear, top down
Ford Bronco
sources: manufacturer

When it comes to buying 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 make 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 and are often the ones that satisfy owners the most. The regular workday 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 300,000 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.

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MORE ON Car OWNER SATISFACTION & RELIABILITY

Our survey results show that with every vehicle type, there’s a significant spread between the models that met expectations and those that were disappointing. Before buying, learn from what others experienced by using the detailed ratings available on our car model pages, where you’ll also find reliability, road-test, and pricing information.

If you’re a CR member, the list below of the most satisfying models in 18 categories is already available to you. If you haven’t signed up, click below and become a member to access this list and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each car we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and appliances.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


Jon Linkov

Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.