With the average cost of a new vehicle now at about $65,000, if you’re buying one, you want to make sure it is built to last. You also want it to be safe and reliable as well as good value.
A new survey by Consumer Reports on the top 10 vehicles for 2026 included feedback from about 380,000 vehicle owners.
“The cars team looks at data from our testing and from member surveys to determine what are the 10 vehicles that stand out most in their class,” said Jeff Bartlett with Consumer Reports.
“These are the vehicles that are easy recommendations to make and a great starting point for any car shopping.”
Some old favourites continue to make the last and this year, including nine hybrids.
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are as popular as ever.
According to Consumer Reports, Subaru’s Crosstrek is a top pick if you’re looking for a subcompact SUV.
For a more compact SUV, the independent, non-profit consumer organization picked the Subaru Forester as its top choice.
The Toyota Grand Highlander was also a top pick for midsize SUV.
If you’re looking for something more upscale, top luxury SUVS include the Lexus NX and BMW x5.
“We also have a couple great sedans on the list with the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry. Both of these performed well in our tests, get terrific fuel economy and are very reliable,” Bartlett said.
For drivers who want a truck that’s easy to live with, the Ford Maverick is the top choice for best small pickups.
The Ford F-150 made the list too as the first full-sized pickup in years to score high enough to be a top pick.
The Tesla Model Y is also in the top spot for electric vehicles, and for the first time, all 10 of Consumer Reports’ 2026 top choices are available as hybrid or electric vehicle versions.
They also all come standard with key safety features including automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Any of these top picks would be a good place to start if you’re looking for a new vehicle as they are considered outstanding in their respective categories.
It is important to know that hybrid vehicles may cost you several thousand dollars more than gas vehicles, however, they offer better fuel economy, quicker acceleration and quieter interiors.
These top picks also have a better resale value for when you choose to sell your vehicle or trade it in.
Consumer Reports 2026 Top 10 vehicles
- Small car: Honda Civic
- Midsize car: Toyota Camry
- Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek
- Compact SUV: Subaru Forester
- Midsize SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander
- Luxury compact SUV: Lexus NX
- Small pickup: Ford Maverick
- Luxury midsize SUV: BMW X5
- Electric vehicle: Tesla Y
- Full-size pickup: Ford F-150
