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Media Room
COLCHESTER, CT — Given the persistently high average price of a new car, it’s crucial for shoppers to choose a model that’s worth their hard-earned money, keeps them safe, and meets their needs and expectations for years to come. To guide car shoppers to a smart decision, Consumer Reports, the nonprofit research, testing, and advocacy organization, today revealed its 2026 Annual 10 Top Picks in cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Each Top Pick has among the highest Overall Scores in its respective category, which combines performance in Consumer Reports’ exhaustive road tests, reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from the organization’s exclusive member surveys, and performance in government and insurance industry crash tests. Additionally, each winner comes standard with automatic emergency braking that works both at low speeds with pedestrian detection and at highway speeds.
“A car is one of the most important purchases Americans make, but not one of the easiest. We have to juggle so many priorities, like safety, reliability, and fuel-efficiency – not to mention whether it’s affordable,” said Phil Radford, president and CEO of Consumer Reports. “Our Top Picks makes buying a car simpler for everyone, giving you confidence that you can get a high-quality vehicle that checks all your priorities, fits your budget, and meets your needs.”
For the first time, every model on this year’s Consumer Reports best new cars list is either a hybrid, available as one, or is an electric vehicle. While car shoppers can’t go wrong with the traditional gas-only versions, their hybrid counterparts often offer quicker acceleration, quieter cabins, and improved fuel economy, which could translate into lower long-term ownership costs.
Three new models earned spots on this year’s list: the Honda Civic, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Ford F-150, which is the first Top Pick in the full-sized pickup truck category since 2019. The remaining winners are carryovers from last year’s list.
“All 10 Top Picks have important things in common: they performed exceptionally well in our comprehensive road tests, they get high marks for safety, reliability, and owner satisfaction, and our team of experts would enthusiastically recommend them to their own friends and family,” says Alex Knizek, associate director of auto test development at Consumer Reports. “Whether you’re looking for the best small SUV, the best full-sized pickup, or something in between, there’s a great choice for you on this list.”
Consumer Reports 10 Top Picks, The Best New Cars of 2026
Consumer Reports Reveals New Safety Verdict
Vehicle safety is about more than just protecting passengers in a crash. The safest cars can prevent a collision from happening in the first place to protect both passengers and pedestrians. To help car shoppers more easily find the new cars that offer the broadest safety protections, Consumer Reports today announced its new Safety Verdict rating system (CR.org/carsafety), which incorporates CR’s evaluations for handling and ease of use, crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and whether proven safety technologies are available as standard equipment. This comprehensive view of car safety is condensed into a single score: BASIC, BETTER, or BEST.
“People shouldn’t have to pay extra for a safer car. That’s why for a vehicle to be eligible for the highest Safety Verdict score, all trims must be standard equipped with highway-speed AEB, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning, three technologies proven to prevent crashes and injuries, “ says Emily Thomas, PhD, associate director for car safety at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center, with nearly two decades of automotive and car-related biomechanical experience.
The Three Consumer Reports Safety Verdict Scores:
Mazda, Genesis, Acura Make Safest New Cars
Mazda makes the safest new cars on the road, based on a brand-level analysis of Consumer Reports’ Safety Verdict. The Japanese automaker has the highest percentage of its tested fleet earning the highest Safety Verdict score, followed by Genesis, Acura, Hyundai, and Lincoln. No other brand has more than half its vehicles rated “Best.” Land Rover is dead last due to its less-than-average performance for braking and emergency handling.
How Consumer Reports Tests Cars
Consumer Reports tests about 50 new vehicles every year. Each one is purchased anonymously at dealerships. The organization does not test free loaned vehicles from manufacturers to maintain its independence and test cars with the trim and options consumers are more likely to buy, rather than the special versions carmakers want to showcase. After a 2,000-mile break-in and initial assessment period for each car, CR conducts more than 50 tests using state-of-the-art measurement tools at its 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut and on surrounding roads. CR’s team of auto experts also churns through reams of reliability and satisfaction survey data collected from our members to supplement the analysis, evaluations, and ratings from the track.
For more information, visit CR.org/cars.
James McQueen
+1 (914) 378-2839
james.mcqueen@consumer.org
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Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
© 2026 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
