Consumer Reports Says These Are the Best Cars of 2016

Every year, Consumer Reports and its team of automotive experts test and scrutinize virtually every car sold in the United States. Of those cars, a select few stand above the rest and join the vaunted group of vehicles known as Consumer Reports’ Top Picks.

To become a Top Pick, a car must excel at the publication’s track tests, offer average or better reliability,perform effectively in government or industry crash tests, and return high owner satisfaction scores in Consumer Reports’ surveys.

This year’s Top Picks cover a wide variety of models ranging from small roadsters to full-size pickup trucks. In total, 10 cars were chosen with 7 from Japanese brands, two from American brands and one from Korea.

So here they are, Consumer Reports’ Top Picks of 2016.

Best Midsize car: Toyota Camry

Price as tested: $24,089 to $32,603

Why it’s on the list: The Toyota Camry has long been one of America’s most popular and trust family sedans. And the latest generation is not different. “The solid Camry delivers year after year of outstanding reliability, which when combined with impressive crash-tests results,make it a near-perfect sedan,” Consumer Reports wrote.

Best Subcompact Car: Honda Fit

Price as tested: $19,025

Why it’s on the list: Although the publication criticized the Fit for its excessive road noise and harsh ride, Consumer Reports found the the subcompact’s great fuel economy, nimble handling and great interior space to be truly impressive.

Best Compact Car: Subaru Impreza

Price as tested: $21,345- $22,345

Why it’s on the list: The Subaru Impreza is back on Consumer Reports’ Top Picks list once again. So what did the publication like about the sedan? Well what didn’t they like about the Impreza. Consumer Reports praised the Subaru for its ride, handling, interior space, intuitive controls, safety tech, great crash test results, its all-wheel-drive system, and the cargo-hauling ability of its hatchback variant.

Best Luxury SUV: Lexus RX

Price as tested: $51,630 - $57,565

Why it’s on the list: The Lexus RX has reigned supreme over the luxury midsize SUV segment for two decades. And that dominance doesn’t seem to be coming to an end. Consumer Reports praised the Lexus for its “quiet and comfortable cabin, effortless power delivery, a smooth ride, and a tastefully done interior fit and finish.”

Best Sports Car Sub-$40K: Mazda MX-5 Miata

Price as tested: $29,905

Why it’s on the list: The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the best selling roadster of all-time. While all four generations of the Miata have fantastic, the current version is particularly well-received by Consumer Reports. “The MX-5 Miata combines lithe,precise handling with a crisp manual stick and a zoomy engine—that gets an enviable 34 mpg—to create the perfect car for the enthusiast driver and weekend racer,” the publication wrote.

Best Small SUV: Subaru Forester

Price as tested: $27,145

Why it’s on the list: The Subaru Forester is back once again on CR’s Top Picks list. The small crossover SUV is praised for its stellar all-wheel-drive system, roomy interior, comfortable ride, and great driving dynamics.

Best Midsize SUV: Kia Sorrento

Price as tested: $37,915

Why it’s on the list: The Kia Sorrento is a rising star in the midsize SUV market. Although it’s often over shadowed by its more established competitors, the Korean crossover impressed the publication with its ability to packing midsize space and features in a smaller package. “The Sorento is a great SUV hiding in plain sight. It offers class-above elegance at mainstream prices,” Consumer Reports wrote.

Best Minivan: Toyota Sienna

Price as tested: $35,810- $38,201

Why it’s on the list: The Toyota Sienna has been one of the leaders in the minivan segment since it debuted in 1998. The publication was impressed by the Toyota’s multifunctional interior, “magic carpet” ride, energetic powertrain and room for eight. “The Sienna is super-reliable transport with all of the modern features an active, connected family would want,” Consumer Reports wrote.

Best Pickup Truck: Ford F-150

Price as tested:$45,750 - $46,755

Why it’s on the list: Consumer Reports praised the Ford F-150 for its lighter-weight aluminum construction and the resulting uptick in fuel economy and improved off-the-line performance. Further more, the publication were impressed by the Ford’s roomy and quiet cabin as well as the new Ford Sync3 infotainment system. In addition, Consumer Reports say that the F-150 has the best predicted reliability of any domestic truck.

Best Large Car: Chevrolet Impala

Price as tested:$39,110

Why it’s on the list: The Chevrolet Impala is another hold over from last year’s Top Picks list. And the impressive Chevy is here for good reason. “The Impala is dynamic and comfortable, combining a cushy ride with responsive handling, beating some elite luxury sedans at their own game,” Consumer Reports wrote.

See Also:

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• Ford is continuing to press the case that it’s a mobility company

• This is what it’s like to drive a Ford Escape through a snowstorm to the Detroit Auto Show

SEE ALSO: The Range Rover TD6 reminds America of what it’s been missing out on