From Compacts to SUVs, These Cars Are Actually Worth Your Money in 2019
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts joined forces with Car and Driver to prep this fully loaded guide to the year's best cars, all tested by our engineers.
Meet Our Experts
Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Head Engineer
Eddie Alterman, Chief Brand Officer, Car and Driver
Selina Tedesco, Product Testing Analyst
Drew Dorian, Buyer’s Guide Assistant Editor
Laurie Jennings, GH Institute Director & Lead Consumer Tester
Nicole Saporita, Senior Editor & Consumer Tester
Lexie Sachs, Associate Director, Textiles, Paper & Plastic Lab, & Consumer Tester
How We Tested
After driving the year’s new vehicles on over 5,000 miles of city roads, highways, and test tracks, we narrowed it down to the top 50 makes and models. Using industry standards and our proprietary protocols, we rated cars on:
Safety
Value
Handling
Design
Technology
Then our engineers, analysts, and consumer testers evaluated all the little things people really care about, like how easy it is to fold down the seats, how much cargo space there is in the trunk, how well car seats fit in the second and third rows, and whether they’re a struggle to install. We also looked closely at the interior: the amount of head and legroom, storage space for front- and rear-seat passengers, overall comfort, and how easy the infotainment system is to use without ever reading the manual. Plus, we gave points for innovative and useful features like hands-free liftgate, well-placed lighting, and anything else that improves the driving experience.
BEST COMPACT
Volkswagon Golf
WHY WE LOVE IT Not only is the Golf surprisingly sporty, stylish, and spacious, it also offers a quick, nimble driving experience.
STANDOUT FEATURES Unlike other compact sedans (which can feel cramped), its back seats are roomy enough for adults to sit comfortably and the hatchback design means you can fit much larger items in the trunk than you might expect. Useful safety features like automated emergency braking and forward-collision warning come standard.
GOOD TO KNOW If you opt for the base model, it still needs a physical key to start the ignition. You’ll also miss out on some extras like a sunroof, heated seats, and navigation, but they are available as upgrades.
LAB LOWDOWN Based on our testing, we recommend this sturdy, reliable option for anyone - from a young family in the suburbs to a recent grad in the city!
2019 Volkswagen Golf, $21,845 (base price), $26,395 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY COMPACT
Audi S3
WHY WE LOVE IT The peppy S3 drives like a sports car - packing a ton of power and style into a pint-sized package.
STANDOUT FEATURES It has a roomy trunk for its size, plus a panoramic sunroof that makes the interior feel bigger than it is. An optional driver’s side display allows you to customize settings right behind the wheel like where your speedometer, gas, and mileage is located, and add features like real-time tracking on Google Earth.
GOOD TO KNOW Even for a compact, the back seats felt slightly cramped for three adults. But as a bonus, they do come with individual climate control.
LAB LOWDOWN If you want a smaller ride that’s good on fuel, fun to drive, and will turn heads, this can’t be beat.
2019 Audi S3, $44,500 (base price), $52,600 (tested price)
BEST SEDAN
Honda Accord
WHY WE LOVE IT This three-time GH Car Award winner makes driving fun, all with a roomy interior, large trunk, and above-average standard safety features.
STANDOUT FEATURES Our pros were wowed by how easily and accurately it handled around turns, feeling more like a sports car than a sedan. Every model comes with automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
GOOD TO KNOW We love how spacious the interior feels - kids, adults and even multiple car seats can all fit in the backseat comfortably - but it has less storage around the seats for drinks and things.
LAB LOWDOWN There's a reason our experts keep going back to the Accord no matter what else hits the market - you can't buy a better, more reliable car at this price.
2019 Honda Accord, $23,720 (base price), $34,690 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY SEDAN
Genesis G70
WHY WE LOVE IT Brand new for 2019, the G70 feels like a true luxury vehicle thanks to premium interior finishes, straightforward controls, and supreme comfort.
STANDOUT FEATURES This ride drives well and has undeniable curb appeal - one of our testers said she could see people on the street checking it out as she drove by. It also has many helpful driver assistance features that come standard like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and more.
GOOD TO KNOW If you have kids who still uses car seats, this might not be right for you. Our testers said it felt like a tight squeeze getting her two little ones in and out of the car. “My husband kept saying, ‘This would be the perfect car if it was just the two of us!’”
LAB LOWDOWN It handles well and is a relatively good value for a sporty, luxe sedan that looks much more expensive than it actually is.
2019 Genesis G70, $34,900 (base price), $50,995 (tested price)
BEST STATION WAGON
Subaru Outback
WHY WE LOVE IT With top-performing crash-tests results, Subaru puts safety and reliability first. Plus, all-wheel drive comes standard.
STANDOUT FEATURES We were impressed by how many useful features (that other cars offer as upgrades) come standard, including automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, along with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
GOOD TO KNOW The interior is spacious and there’s tons of cargo space, and the design is very straightforward and simple. There’s no mistaking this for a luxury vehicle - and the same goes for the driving feel.
LAB LOWDOWN You can’t go wrong with this SUV alternative if you’re looking for an unpretentious, rugged vehicle for family road-trips near and far.
2019 Subaru Outback, $26,345 (base price), $39,605 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY STATION WAGON
Mercedes-Benz E450 Wagon
WHY WE LOVE IT It’s the perfect mix of high-end and high-tech features in a practical, classic ride. “The cars that make up the E-class lineup are some of the best luxury cars on sale today,” says our testing expert.
STANDOUT FEATURES From the high-end interior to the powerful six-cylinder engine to the standard driver assistance tech, we were impressed across the board. We also like that you can easily navigate the infotainment system with both a touchpad and a knob (like a laptop!). You can add-on things like massage seating, supersized digital screens, and even a semi-autonomous driving mode.
GOOD TO KNOW Its cargo space is great, but the available storage for passengers is more limited than you might expect. And while it’s not the wagon of your childhood, it has a nod to the old-school with stowable rear-facing seats that are only for kids.
LAB LOWDOWN If there’s any car that can make station wagons cool again, the E450 is it.
2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 Wagon, $64,200 (base price), $89,175 (tested price)
BEST SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER
Nissan Kicks
WHY WE LOVE IT This super-affordable model checks all the boxes you want in a first car: great fuel economy, a smooth, comfortable ride and standard safety features, along with some extras you wouldn’t normally expect.
STANDOUT FEATURES We were pleasantly surprised by how much cargo space there is when you fold the seats back - even more than in some larger vehicles! You also get a touchscreen infotainment system, plus automated emergency braking, and forward collision warnings.
GOOD TO KNOW This isn’t a car with all the bells and whistles. It doesn’t offer a ton of advanced driver assistance features or many of the little things you’ve likely come to expect in a new car (think power seat adjustment or all-wheel drive).
LAB LOWDOWN When it comes to the Kicks, it’s all about value. You won’t find a more solid car at this great of a price.
2019 Nissan Kicks, $18,540 (base price), $23,330 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER
BMW X1
WHY WE LOVE IT A winner for the second year in a row, the ultra-responsive car doesn't sacrifice performance for style.
STANDOUT FEATURES Last year, our experts wished it had more advanced driver assistance features and now many come standard, like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlamps. You can even add a self-parking feature for just $200.
GOOD TO KNOW You’ll control the infotainment system with a knob in the center console, which may take some getting used to.
LAB LOWDOWN You can’t go wrong with the X1 if you want a nimble, athletic ride that’s still great for the whole family.
2019 BMW X1, $34,950 (base price), $44,945 (tested price)
BEST CROSSOVER SUV
Mazda CX-5
WHY WE LOVE IT A GH Car Award winner for two years in a row, this sporty crossover looks and drives like a luxury vehicle at a much nicer price.
STANDOUT FEATURES Simply put, this car is fun to drive - it handles smoothly over bumps, has responsive brakes and is just as great for driving around town as it is on the highway. Its interior is well-designed with standard luxe details like a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
GOOD TO KNOW The infotainment system is a little clunky, so you’ll prefer enabling Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (both come standard) when using it.
LAB LOWDOWN With the CX-5 you’ll feel like you got more than you paid for. Its modern and sophisticated design makes it feel like a timeless, high-end pick.
2019 Mazda CX-5, $24,350 (base price), $39,155 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY CROSSOVER SUV
Audi Q5
WHY WE LOVE IT It’s everything we’ve come to expect and love about Audi: stylish design, quick, nimble driving, well-appointed interior, and all the latest tech.
STANDOUT FEATURES It handles exceptionally well, has peppy acceleration, and comes standard with an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot and heated front seats. An optional driver’s side display allows you to customize settings right behind the wheel like where your speedometer, gas, and mileage is located, and add features like real-time tracking on Google Earth.
GOOD TO KNOW Compared to others in the compact crossover category, it has a bit less cargo space, but it can tow an impressive 4,400 pounds.
LAB LOWDOWN For anyone who wants an energetic luxury vehicle, without any of the flash and unnecessary extras of some other premium cars, this is it. The Q5 is a smart buy for both value and longevity.
2019 Audi Q5, $42,940 (base price), $57,100 (tested price)
BEST MIDSIZE SUV
Chevrolet Traverse
WHY WE LOVE IT A great large family pick, it packs everything you love about a hardworking SUV into a practical ride that can fit your crew and their gear.
STANDOUT FEATURES The Traverse is roomy even for its class - store six carry-on suitcases behind the third row or fold the second and third rows to fit a staggering 38!! Teen Driver system also comes standard and enables parents to set limits for new drivers and monitor things like distance driven, speed, stability control, and get collision alerts.
GOOD TO KNOW Its rear visibility can be limited due to the frame design, but this is common for many vehicles in this category.
LAB LOWDOWN It’s the perfect ride if you need a ton of cargo space for the whole family, but don’t want to feel like you’re driving a supersize SUV or minivan.
2019 Chevrolet Traverse, $29,930 (base price), $42,835 (tested price)
BEST MIDSIZE SUV
Buick Enclave
WHY WE LOVE IT A true family car, the Enclave is a solid, elegant SUV with a cavernous interior and since 2018 design improvements have made it much easier to drive.
STANDOUT FEATURES We liked how smooth of a ride this offered, even on bumpy roads. It also comes with many useful standard features like hands-free liftgate, along with heated seats and side mirrors.
GOOD TO KNOW It’s only available with seating for seven, unlike others in the class which can often fit eight passengers (thanks to bench seating in the second row).
LAB LOWDOWN It’s one of the roomiest three-row vehicles available in this category and boasts a good amount of space for cargo and small items.
2019 Buick Enclave, $40,000 (base price), $55,735 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY MIDSIZE SUV
Volvo XC90
WHY WE LOVE IT A reliable family ride, not only does it look great on the road and in your driveway, it earned an overall 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
STANDOUT FEATURES This car has all the little extras that will make you wonder how you lived without them. You’ll get a sunroof shade that automatically closes in hot weather and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area, plus useful assistance features like lane-keep assist and automated emergency braking. Upgrade for foldable trays (like on an airplane) a built-in booster seat in the second-row, and a Head’s Up display that projects info like your speed onto the front windshield for easy-viewing.
GOOD TO KNOW For all the cool features and general peace of mind that comes with a Volvo, it also comes with a hefty price tag.
LAB LOWDOWN Anyone with an appreciation for high-end design and good engineering can’t go wrong with the luxe XC90.
2019 Volvo XC90, $47,700 (base price), $70,940 (tested price)
BEST LARGE SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe
WHY WE LOVE IT A true powerhouse, the Tahoe easily handles everything from towing your boat to the lake to bringing nearly the whole soccer team to practice.
STANDOUT FEATURES This has a teched-out interior with up to seven USB ports (so no one has to fight over who gets to charge their devices), a wireless charging station and an available Wi-Fi hotspot upgrade. It also comes with Chevy’s innovative Teen Driver system which helps parents monitor and set limits for new drivers.
GOOD TO KNOW It has a third-row for extra seats, but expect to sacrifice most of your cargo space any time you use it.
LAB LOWDOWN It’s the best of both worlds, a utility-centric vehicle that also makes for a comfortable family ride.
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe, $48,000 (base price), $79,065 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY LARGE SUV
Lincoln Navigator
WHY WE LOVE IT This is the best Lincoln in a while. The super-sized SUV prioritizes style and design just as much as space and function.
STANDOUT FEATURES It’s all about comfort when it comes to the interior: there’s an impressive amount of legroom in the second and third rows, a whopping 13 cupholders and tons of storage both for passengers and in the cargo area. And if you want the ultimate upgrade for long roadtrips you can even get 30-way massaging front seats. It also has surprisingly quick acceleration for how large it is.
GOOD TO KNOW Blind spots are a real issue for a vehicle of this size so you’ll have to get comfortable relying more heavily on tech features like blind-spot monitoring and safety alerts.
LAB LOWDOWN The Navigator is equal parts total utility vehicle and luxe family ride.
2019 Lincoln Navigator, $73,205 (base price), $85,565 (tested price)
BEST ELECTRIC CAR
Hyundai Kona Electric
WHY WE LOVE IT The new Kona EV proves mainstream electric cars have finally shed their toy-like image of the past. Plus, you'll never have to shell out at the gas station again - and you could get a hefty federal tax credit ($7,500!) for going electric.
STANDOUT FEATURES It has a much longer range than other models (the EPA estimates an impressive 258 miles on one charge) without a significant price difference. That means you don’t need to stress about finding a charging station on longer trips.
GOOD TO KNOW Instead of a shifter, you'll find buttons to switch from Drive to Reverse. It may take some getting used to, but we said the same thing with push-button starters. You can recharge it with a regular outlet, but it's best to have an at-home station installed.
LAB LOWDOWN With its super-long range and fast-charging capabilities, this sporty small crossover takes the fear out of going all-in on electric.
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, $36,450 (base price), $45,830 (tested price)
BEST HYBRID CAR
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
WHY WE LOVE IT It’s a well-designed, attractive hybrid that offers fuel-efficiency benefits combined with electric-only driving capabilities.
STANDOUT FEATURES We like that it has two-zone automatic climate control, with controls for the driver and front-seat passenger. There's even a button to turn the passenger-side climate control off if that seat is empty, which could save energy in hot summer months when hybrids traditionally forfeit efficiency because of increased load from the air conditioner.
GOOD TO KNOW It doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, which could be an issue depending on where you live. It’s also available as a traditional hybrid and all-electric EV, so there’s something for everyone. “It was great to see that you get the same amount of trunk storage in all three models which is impressive from a design perspective,” says our lead testing engineer.
LAB LOWDOWN If you’re not ready to go all-electric, the Niro plug-in is the perfect middle ground. You can charge it for daily use, then fill up on gas if you need to for longer drives.
2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, $28,500 (base price), $35,575 (tested price)
BEST LUXURY ELECTRIC
Tesla Model 3 Performance
WHY WE LOVE IT Mix a sleek, stylish exterior with exceptional comfort and loads of fun behind the wheel and and you’ve got the Tesla Model 3 Performance.
STANDOUT FEATURES We were wowed by the super-responsive and intuitive touchscreen infotainment system that’s a staggering 15-inches. You can add-on an autopilot package, which doesn’t mean it’s entirely self driving (yet!), but has some extra autonomous features like automatic lane changes.
GOOD TO KNOW Its interior layout was surprisingly minimal for such a futuristic car. We were also surprised it didn’t come with certain features in infotainment system, like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or Sirius XM. And unless you have a charging station installed in your home, you’ll want to research locations near you.
LAB LOWDOWN The Performance model is quick, fun-to-drive, and offers a similar wow-factor to the more expensive Model S sedan, says one of our experts.
2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance, $58,000 (base price), $78,200 (tested price)
BEST MINIVAN
Chrysler Pacifica
WHY WE LOVE IT It’s the ultimate family vehicle with all the useful features you want, at an unbeatable value.
STANDOUT FEATURES On all models the third row completely folds into the floor for more cargo space. But what’s truly impressive is that if you upgrade to a higher trim, the second row seats can also fully stow away in the floor. That means you can completely customize the interior layout depending on what you need on any given day. It also has tons of bins and cubbies everyone has a spot to store their toys and snacks, second-row passengers each get their own LCD screen. Plus, the infotainment system is super-easy to navigate.
GOOD TO KNOW Like many other minivans, it’s not available in all-wheel drive, so think about whether that’s important to you.
LAB LOWDOWN If you don’t want a large SUV, but need to fit the whole crew and their gear, you can’t go wrong with this minivan. It’s also available in a hybrid version (a 2018 GH Car Awards winner!).
2019 Chrysler Pacifica, $26,985 (base price), $49,625 (tested price)
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