Consumer Reports Reveals Their Top Pick Cars of 2025, Including Two Ford Pickup Trucks

Car shoppers are turning to a recent Consumer Reports' Annual Top Picks study, which recognizes outstanding vehicle models that meet the highest standards for performance, safety, and reliability.

And just in time, too.

We recently reported this week the new car models of 2025 that you should avoid due to a recent review from the Car Help Corner YouTube channel, which highlighted those new car models that are unlikely to reach 60,000 miles, earning them the moniker "disposable cars" because of their planned obsolescence fatal design flaws.

Related article: This Vehicle Received An Abysmal Score Of Only Five Points Out Of 100 For Reliability

After analyzing reliability data on over 300,000 vehicles and buying our own models to put through the more than 50 evaluations on our test tracked, here are Consumer Reports top picks for 2025.

Better Than Last Year's Review

This review is exceptional because it now includes newer, greener model types proving exceedingly popular with car shoppers―including two Ford pickups, one hybrid and one not.

We have selected models from popular categories, spanning compact cars to midsized luxury SUVs. This year's group includes four hybrids, three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and one electric vehicle.

That said, here is a summarized list of the models that are sure to have something for everyone looking for a new model this year that has been reviewed post its release.

CONSUMER REPORTS 10 TOP PICKS: BEST CARS OF 2025

1. Small Car Category

2025 Nissan Sentra

Price Range: $21,590 - $24,590

CR MPG: Overall 32 / City 22 / Hwy 44 mpg

#5 of 24 Small sedans/hatchbacks

2. Midsized Car Category

Toyota Camry 2025

Price Range: $28,700 - $36,425

CR MPG: Overall 48 / City 40 / Hwy 54 mpg

#2 of 10 Midsized cars

3. Subcompact SUV Category

Subaru Crosstrek 2025

Price Range: $25,810 - $32,610

CR MPG: Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 41 mpg

#1 of 14 Subcompact SUVs

4. Compact SUV Category

Subaru Forester 2025

Price Range: $29,995 - $41,695

CR MPG: Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 39 mpg

#1 of 32 Compact SUVs

5. Fuel-Efficient SUV Category

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $44,265 - $48,135

CR MPG: Overall 34 / City 29 / Hwy 39 mpg

#3 of 32 Compact SUVs

6. Midsized SUV Category

Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $39,520 - $53,675

CR MPG: Overall 35 / City 27 / Hwy 41 mpg

#2 of 22 Midsized SUVs 3-row

7. Luxury Compact SUV Category

• Lexus NX Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $41,955 - $57,805

CR MPG: Overall 38 / City 37 / Hwy 39 mpg

#1 of 27 Luxury compact SUVs

• Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $61,140 - $62,230

CR MPG: Overall 35 / City 29 / Hwy 39 mpg

#2 of 27 Luxury compact SUVs

8. Luxury Midsized SUV Category

• BMW X5 2025

Price Range: $66,300 - $127,200

CR MPG: Overall 23 / City 15 / Hwy 33 mpg

#1 of 17 Luxury midsized SUVs

• BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $73,800

CR MPG: Overall 21 / City 14 / Hwy 28 mpg

#3 of 17 Luxury midsized SUVs

9. Electric Vehicle Category

Tesla Model Y 2025

Price Range: $44,990 - $51,490

CR MPGE: Overall 121 / City 127 / Hwy 114 mpge

#1 of 18 Electric SUVs

10. Small Pickup Category

• Ford Maverick 2025

Price Range: $26,995 - $40,750

CR MPG: Overall 23 / City 16 / Hwy 32 mpg

#1 of 3 Small pickup trucks

• Ford Maverick Hybrid 2025

Price Range: $26,995 - $40,750

CR MPG: Overall 37 / City 33 / Hwy 39 mpg

#2 of 3 Small pickup trucks

Here is a short video courtesy of Consumer Reports that provides more details about each of the recommended Top Pick models to help you decide which one is right for you.

Consumer Reports 10 Top Picks: Best Cars of 2025

For more about new car shopping and what you should keep an eye out for, be sure to note this warning: These Cars Depreciate So Fast They Actually Lose Half Their Value In Only 3 Years ―New Report Reveals Many Popular Models and Shows How Tesla Compares and the models that significantly depreciate the least.

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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