Consumer Reports car ratings

With its 2.0-liter, 210-hp turbo engine, the GTI is deliriously fun to drive. Using the Golf’s basic bones, the GTI adds 40 more snarling horsepower, 18-inch wheels, and a suspension that carves corners without pummeling you like competitors such as the Subaru WRX. The interior is very well finished, with above-class materials and comfortable, supportive seats. Starting at $24, 785, this “hot hatch” is something of a bargain. Like the Golf, we eagerly await the GTI’s reliability data from our annual survey.

Even though Ford’s new full-sized pickup finished third to Chevrolet and Ram in our Ratings, this truck’s redesign is a major evolution. The F-150 shed 700 pounds of body weight by using aluminum instead of steel, and the stunning new 2.7-liter, V6 turbo engine yields 17 mpg overall while still delivering 325 hp and 375 pound-feet of torque. This is an encouraging sign of where trucks can go.

The three-pointed star has given a serious challenge to the BMW 3 Series as the perennial champion of the compact luxury sedan segment. The Mercedes’ opulent interior styling and rich materials deliver a more luxurious feel than the BMW. Yet the C300 is just as engaging to drive as its Bavarian rival, with a gratifying balance of cushy ride and agile handling.

The Macan feels like a taller, broader Porsche 911; it has all of the practicality of a compact SUV but retains that sports-car performance. With acceleration, handling, and braking that puts most sports sedans to shame, the Macan is easily the most thrilling SUV we’ve tested—while still delivering a measure of utility, civility, and luxury. Pricing starts at $50, 000, but typically equipped, a Macan lands in the mid-$60, 000s.

Most family sedans are bland pieces of machinery. But the Legacy injects some personality into a great all-around sedan, with roominess, functionality, and a reasonable price. It effectively blends a comfortable ride, responsive handling, all-wheel drive, a roomy and quiet interior, great visibility, intuitive controls, and commendable fuel economy.

This “tweener”—it bridges small crossovers such as the Honda CR-V and midsized ones such as the Toyota Highlander—has a comfortable ride, a quiet cabin, an excellent infotainment system, and solid handling. Straddling segments that way allows the Sorento to blend city-friendly size with family-friendly accommodations, storage, and functionality—while still having room for seven. You can stop thinking of Kia as a “budget” brand.

This high-riding wagon version of the Legacy is our choice for a capable, winter-ready vehicle that can carry the kids and all of their gear. Its extra ground clearance helps when the snowplow misses its mark.