TUCSON, Ariz. - With lower gas prices, key safety features and the desire for versatility, consumers have spoken: SUV's are now more popular than cars, so it's not surprising that many of our CR top picks are SUV's.
"We're looking at our exclusive reliability data, we're looking at our tests on our test track, we're looking at safety information," says Consumer Reports Car Expert, Josh Fisher. "We're looking at all of the information that's important when you buy a car."
The Hyundai Kona was the top sub-compact SUV. CR testers found it a joy to drive and they were impressed that every trim comes standard with life-saving safety features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.
"There were actually two Subaru's on the list this year - two SUV's," says Fisher.
The popular Forester took the top compact SUV spot. With a roomy interior and fuel economy that tops the class. Need more room? The larger 3-row Ascent rolled right into CR's top spot for midsixed SUV.
"It really offers a lot of room and a lot of function," says Fisher." And this is a new entry for them, but in reality, it's actually based on some of their other models, it actually has the same underpinnings as the Subaru Forester, so we expect the reliability will be good as well."
Ready to splurge and treat yourself? The BMW X5 came in as CR's top luxury SUV. CR declared the redesigned 2019 model one of the best SUV's it has ever tested.
Also rounding out Consumer Reports list for this year are four cars from Toyota, including hybrid versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans, the Prius and the Yaris. Top full-sized pickup for 2019: The Ford F-150.
