Top car of 2025 and more vehicle picks with the best consumer scores
"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, off-roading and even 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.
One standout category with a wide range of consumer ratings was usability.
Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development for Consumer Reports, told "GMA" the team saw "a lot of issues with usability -- the controls, that everything's moving towards touchscreen for example, and a lot more reliance on software."
"That can be great when it works really well, but it's also an opportunity for things to go wrong," Knizek said.
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.
And in the small truck category, the Ford Maverick rose above the rest for its size and simple controls.
Hybrid vehicles were a major theme among some of the top performers this year.
"You get better fuel economy," Knizek said. "They're often quieter and just as engaging to drive... you're not sacrificing a lot to go with the hybrid models."
Top car of 2025 and more vehicle picks with the best consumer scores originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
3 Japanese Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
In general, Japanese cars enjoy a reputation as the most reliable on the market. But does that mean every Japanese car manufacturer produces cars that rarely spend time in the shop? Explore More: For You: If you want a dependable Japanese car, watch out for these three brands flashing red flags in 2025. Nissan has frequently found itself in the news over the last year — for all the wrong reasons. In May, CBS News reported that Nissan is laying off 15% of its global workforce, roughly 20,000 employees, after losing $4.5 billion last year. Just a few months earlier, Moody's downgraded Nissan's stock rating to 'junk' status. 'Nissan experienced a string of CVT transmission issues that continue to plague it to this day,' explained Alex Black of car research platform EpicVIN. 'Owners complain about jerking, slipping or requiring full replacements far earlier than they should.' Sure enough, Nissan ranked dead last among Japanese automakers in this year's reliability rankings from Consumer Reports. Trending Now: Asian car companies discovered they could sell their higher-end cars for more money by marketing them under separate luxury brands. Toyota has Lexus, Honda has Acura, Hyundai has Genesis, and Nissan has Infiniti. The latter suffers from all the same reliability issues as its parent company. After all, Infinitis are manufactured in the same factories, with the same parts and processes. They just get stamped with a different logo. Andrey Smirnov, owner of Silverstone Auto Spa, sees these problems with Nissans and Infinitis firsthand. 'Infinitis have more problems than their competitors, especially on the electrical side,' Smirnov said. 'Engineering simplicity and reliability go hand in hand, and Infiniti makes more complex cars than other Japanese brands.' In WhatCar's latest reliability survey, Nissan ranked fourth among the least reliable car companies in the world. That puts it among such dubiously dependable brands as MG, Alfa Romeo and Vauxhall. Mitsubishi has also seen its share of struggles over the last few years. The automaker keeps missing its profit forecasts and adjusting projections lower. Last year, that included a 76% drop, and a 26% drop reported in May of this year by Reuters. In fact, Motor1 reports the company stopped shipping cars to the U.S. altogether amid President Donald Trump's tariffs. 'Mitsubishi has problems with aged technology and low-cost components,' added Black. 'Many analysts argue they've failed to remain current — both in driving performance and long-term reliability.' Alan Gelfand of German Car Depot also sees trouble among Mitsubishis. 'We've seen plenty of reported CVT transmission issues, on top of build quality concerns,' he said. Mitsubishi has grown so irrelevant as a brand in the U.S. that Consumer Reports didn't even include it in its annual reliability report. In JD Power's 2025 dependability report, Mitsubishi ranked last among Japanese carmakers. Steer clear of them in 2025, and consider better-rated Asian automakers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Hyundai. More From GOBankingRates How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State? This article originally appeared on 3 Japanese Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hyundai's Upcoming Sonata Takes Aim At Toyota Camry With Bold Updates
Hyundai's Upcoming Sonata Takes Aim At Toyota Camry With Bold Updates originally appeared on Autoblog. It's been over six years since the eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata was first revealed, and although a recent facelift has kept it fresh, the Korean marque will need an all-new model soon if it is to stay in contention with the newer Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Now, thanks to a report by the Korean Car Blog, we have new information about what to expect from the next Sonata, and there will be much that's new. A new design philosophy, Hyundai's new infotainment operating system, and more efficient powertrains are all on the menu. Kia and Hyundai have consistently been on an apparent mission to push the design envelope, and not just on high-performance or more expensive models. Bold design is a significant part of Hyundai's successful transformation in the United States. The new Sonata is expected to share design cues with the latest Nexo, guided by the brand's Art of Steel design philosophy. This styling direction places an emphasis on strength, flexibility, and retro touches. NY Mammoth envisioned what this could look like, and the result is a Sonata with a strong shoulder line and rectangular-shaped headlights. A pixel-themed lighting signature is expected to add another flourish to the new sedan. The arrival of Hyundai's Pleos OS is expected with the launch of the Sonata, although we can't say what the cabin will look like (the new Nexo's interior is pictured below). The interface, which will include a 16:9 widescreen display, will be inspired by smartphones. Via the Pleos Playground, users will be able to download apps directly to the sedan. Gleo, Hyundai's own AI system, will integrate with support for Level 2.5 autonomous driving. If it all sounds overwhelmingly sci-fi, one interesting rumor is the use of detachable physical buttons. As long as it's not as clunky as removing the radio face, as was the case in the 1980s and 1990s, this could be a clever alternative to an overabundance of touch-based controls in modern cars. Overall, though, it sounds like a more tech-forward interior than the Toyota Camry's. Yes, the Camry has taken a big step up, but it's still user-friendly in a typically Toyota way. The latest Camry marked a huge departure from previous models, since all versions of the Japanese sedan have hybrid power. The Sonata isn't expected to go the same route, which means we can still expect a base 2.5-liter gas engine. A more powerful N Line and an available hybrid should also carry over to the new Sonata. Front-wheel drive should be standard, with an all-wheel-drive system being optional. For the latter, Hyundai's H-Trac AWD system could be implemented. One area of improvement we would like to see is a more refined ride/handling balance, as the Hyundai currently falls short of its Japanese competitors in this area. And, with the Camry's latest advancements in hybridization, we hope to see a smoother transition between gas and electric power in the new Sonata hybrid. The new Sonata should help Hyundai retain its edge over Kia in USA sales. Hyundai's Upcoming Sonata Takes Aim At Toyota Camry With Bold Updates first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Mazda Drops Killer 2025 CX-90 Lease Offer for June
The Mazda CX-90 is the Japanese automaker's full-size crossover SUV option, expanding on the CX-9 it replaced. In the US, the CX-90 can be had as either a mild hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, with standard AWD and anywhere from 280 to 340 hp and 332 to 369 lb-ft of torque. The cabin boasts a modern yet easy-to-understand aesthetic that takes on a more luxurious feel the further you ascend up the trim chain. If you've been looking for a good reason to get into a Mazda CX-90, June's lease deals might just be it. The lease offers for the 2025 model year CX-90 apply to various trims, depending on where you live. Los Angeles residents can get the higher 3.3 Turbo Preferred trim for $442/month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. Denver residents can get the same trim for a slightly higher price of $472/month for 36 months, with $3,999 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. Miami residents get dropped down to the base 3.3 Turbo Select trim for $384/month for 36 months, with $3,999 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. New York residents get the same base trim but with a different deal of $359/month for 36 months, with $4,829 due at signing and a 10,000 miles/year limit. All of the above monthly payments also include a one-time $650 acquisition fee, regardless of your location. Potential lessees who want to save money on the upfront costs can pay $0 at signing, with some adjustments to the monthly payment. We have estimated the monthly payments by spreading the amount at signing over the lease's term. Los Angeles residents would pay about $111 more per month for a total monthly payment of ~$553. Denver residents would pay the same extra amount per month for a total monthly payment of ~$583. Over in Miami, that same extra monthly cost would add up to around $495. New York has the largest change, with an additional ~$134 per month, bringing the monthly cost to approximately $493. *This $0 down figure is an estimation. Official $0 down lease offers from Mazda may differ based on their specific calculations, credit approval, and potential money factor adjustments. Always obtain a quote directly from Mazda. Given that the lease offers for the locations above only apply to the base 3.3 Turbo Select and the higher 3.3 Turbo Preferred trim, we'll focus on those two. All trims come with an 8-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and an AWD powertrain. The Turbo Select starts at $38,045 with a 3.3L Turbo Inline 6 engine enhanced by a 48-volt hybrid system that makes 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The cabin gets leatherette-trimmed seats and spacious 3-row seating for up to 8 passengers. The Turbo Preferred starts at $41,145 and adds a few more niceties like leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and more. Cargo space in the Mazda CX-90 depends on the seating configuration. Models with a 2-person 3rd-row bench seat offer up to 15.9 cu ft of cargo space with seats upright or up to 75.2 cu ft when all seats are folded. Those with the larger 3-person 3-row bench seat offer 14.9 cu ft with seats upright and 74.2 cu ft. with them folded. We went into more detail on the CX-90's various pros and cons here. Lease offers can vary based on location and specific vehicle configuration (trim level, options, etc.) and are subject to credit approval. Advertised payments typically exclude taxes, title, registration, and other potential fees. To take advantage of this offer or to get a precise quote based on your needs (including an official $0 down option), visit the official Mazda website here. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
