ABC’s Good Morning America got under the hood of Consumer Reports’ top-rated car picks with an exclusive first-look at its findings on what makes the investment in a vehicle worth the price tag.
With the average price of a new car hitting near-record highs at more than $49,000, the nonprofit consumer organization, known for its independent product testing, put 50 popular cars through more than 50 tests, analyzing everything from emergency handling, ice-braking and off-roading to a cargo test to determine how much luggage each trunk can fit.
The Subaru Forester was named the top car overall and was atop the compact SUV category following a redesign for 2025 from the Japanese auto manufacturer. What made this the winning vehicle, according to Consumer Reports, was its reliability, great fuel economy, ample cargo space, roomy front seats and great visibility.
The top pick in the small car category this year was the Nissan Sentra for its reliability and easy controls.
For midsize cars, Consumer Reports found the Toyota Camry topped the list for its comfort and user-friendliness.
In the small truck category, the Ford Maverick rose above the rest for its size and simple controls.