Consumer Reports announced its 2026 Top 10 Vehicles list on February 3, highlighting Ford and Tesla as the only U.S.-based brands to secure spots. The rankings draw from road tests, reliability data, and owner surveys, emphasizing fuel economy and usability. Subaru and Toyota each claimed two entries, reflecting strengths in multi-energy strategies.
The Consumer Reports' 2026 Top 10 Vehicles list, released on February 3, showcases standout models across categories based on rigorous road tests, reliability rankings, and owner surveys. Ford and Tesla emerged as the sole U.S.-based brands represented, with Ford's Maverick small pickup and F-150 full-size pickup making the cut, alongside Tesla's Model Y electric vehicle.
Subaru and Toyota led with two vehicles each: Subaru's Crosstrek subcompact SUV and Forester compact SUV, and Toyota's Camry midsize car and Grand Highlander midsize SUV. Other honorees include the Honda Civic small car, Lexus NX luxury compact SUV, and BMW X5 luxury midsize SUV.
"Reliability and fuel economy come to the top time and again," said Alex Knizek, CR's director of auto test development. The list prioritizes vehicles with broad powertrain options, including gasoline, hybrid, and electric, though the Tesla Model Y stands alone as electric-only. Usability also plays a key role, focusing on intuitive controls that keep drivers' eyes on the road.
For the F-150, the first full-size pickup on the list since 2019, Knizek noted, "The F-series is a huge seller. When we saw the F-series quality was on the list, it was a no-brainer to include it." Every winner features standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection at neighborhood and highway speeds.
In a separate development, Consumer Reports introduced its Safety Verdict ratings for brands, led by Mazda, followed by Genesis, Acura, and Lincoln—the only U.S. brand in the top 10 at fourth place. The ratings assess safety features across models, incorporating crash test performance and braking distances.
This third-party validation helps consumers navigate choices, as Stephanie Brinley of S&P Global Mobility pointed out: "It gives consumers a third-party touchpoint if they’re considering vehicles." The honors apply to all trim levels of the winners, except the recently launched Subaru Crosstrek hybrid.
