The quality gap between mainstream and luxury vehicles has shrunk so much that one of the most closely followed auto industry reviewers no longer breaks them into separate categories.
Consumer Reports on Thursday revealed its 2020 Top Picks, its annual list of the best vehicles you can buy. And for the first time, the product-testing website named 10 winners across four price ranges, rather than splitting them into luxury and non-luxury models or dedicating awards to specific body styles.
That’s because mainstream vehicle interiors have become more sumptuous, ride handling has improved, advanced safety systems have become common and reliability has spiked.
“We’re seeing this big merge of luxury-branded vehicles with just normal vehicles. They’re overlapping incredibly,” said Jake Fisher, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports. “You can get a lot of luxury, quiet, comfort, all that, with the normal non-luxury-branded vehicles, and the luxury-branded vehicles are marching down-market, too with some of their offerings.”
Luxury vehicles, he said, are more of a status symbol than ever, as evidenced by mainstream brands like Subaru, Mazda and Kia making the Top 10 on the Consumer Reports Car Brand Report Card for 2020. They beat luxury brands like Land Rover, Acura and Cadillac.
“You don’t have to pay a lot of money” to get a great vehicle, Fisher said.
Of the 10 Top Picks, Toyota and its luxury brand, Lexus, snagged five wins, demonstrating the brand’s even mix of reliability, safety and general satisfaction. Subaru, which scored two Top Picks, was the only other automaker with more than one win.
The Tesla Model 3 also earned Consumer Reports’ Top Pick designation for the first time.
Of the 33 automotive brands tested, Porsche took the top spot, while Hyundai luxury brand Genesis came in second and Subaru third. Fiat landed at the bottom of the list, and Mitsubishi was second to last. A big change Consumer Reports made this year was that vehicles must offer automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard technology if they want to be considered for a Top Pick. In 2020, about 61% of models offer it as standard, compared with 38% in 2019, according to Consumer Reports.
Under $25,000
Toyota Corolla. Testers cited the compact car’s ride handling, efficiency and technology.
$25,000-$35,000
Subaru Forester: This small boxy SUV won praise for its “practical design, high owner satisfaction and impressive fuel economy.”
Subaru Legacy: Recently redesigned, this midsize sedan has “a strikingly smooth ride,” standard four-wheel-drive and a roomy interior.
Toyota Prius: This hybrid and its plug-in hybrid sibling, known as the Prius Prime, earned plaudits for exemplary fuel efficiency and excellent reliability.
$35,000-$45,000
Kia Telluride: This three-row SUV, which made its debut in 2019, earns another honor after already receiving the North American Utility of the Year and the MotorTrend SUV of the Year awards. It offers “a compelling blend of comfort, features, space and capability for the money.”
Toyota Avalon: This large sedan body style may be falling out of favor, but this vehicle achieved a “near-perfect score for ride comfort” and has the highest reliability of any sedan in the publication’s ratings.
$45,000-$55,000
Lexus RX: Considered to be the first midsize luxury crossover when it debuted in the late 1990s, this vehicle is still going strong. It offers “smooth power delivery, plentiful amenities and proven reliability.”
Tesla Model 3: This electric sedan is on this list for the first time due to its “thrilling driving experience” and “high-tech vibe,” though Consumer Reports expressed concern that the vehicle’s optional Autopilot system can lull drivers into a false sense of security.
Toyota Supra: Revived after about two decades off the market, this sports car was made in partnership with BMW. Its strong engine, solid fuel economy and exceptional handling stood out.
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