Consumer Reports Names Its 10 Best Vehicles of 2017
Consumer Reports assembles a list of the vehicles it considers to be the ideal models from each automotive class across the industry
The automotive industry is constantly changing and evolving. As it does, vehicles from different classes and different brands change and evolve with it. Those vehicles that adopt aspects currently popular with consumers tend to come out on top.
To highlight which cars, trucks, and SUVs are popular with today’s consumers, Consumer Reports has assembled its annual list of the top 10 best vehicles in the industry. Originating from a variety of brands across the industry, these vehicles showcase the best that each automotive class in the industry has to offer.
Now See the Lowest-Rated: Consumer Reports Names Its 10 Lowest-Rated Vehicles of 2017
[wptab name=”Toyota Yaris iA”]
Best Subcompact Car: Toyota Yaris iA
After Scion officially kicked the bucket, models like the iA were in search of a home. Toyota gladly adopted the compact car, which it rebranded as the Toyota Yaris iA. If the Yaris iA seems to drive like a sporty vehicle, that is because Mazda helped design it. That same sporty performance is exactly what impressed Consumer Reports.
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[wptab name=”Chevrolet Cruze”]
Best Compact Car: Chevrolet Cruze
The brand new Chevy Cruze takes design and drivetrain inspiration from its larger cousins, the Malibu and the Impala. As both of these vehicles are highly praised, that decision has paid off for the newest generation of Cruze vehicles. Consumer Reports was especially impressed with the introduction of a hatchback model for the Chevrolet Cruze this year, making the vehicle’s lineup a little more diverse.
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[wptab name=”Kia Optima”]
Best Midsized Sedan: Kia Optima
While other sedans like the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry may be more popular, Consumer Reports praised the Kia Optima for going its own way, rather than following the herd. Although the Optima may stand out from its peers, it still has the handling and interior features that families are looking for in a sedan. It simply delivers those benefits with an added layer of style.
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[wptab name=”Chevrolet Impala”]
Best Large Sedan: Chevrolet Impala
Make no mistake, the Chevrolet Impala is a large vehicle, offering plenty of room inside its cabin. However, Consumer Reports found that the Impala had responsive handling and a spirited performance. It would seem that Chevrolet has once again found a way to capture the essence of the Impala’s nimble namesake.
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[wptab name=”Toyota Prius”]
Best Compact Hybrid: Toyota Prius
Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that the Toyota Prius revolutionized the automotive market for hybrid vehicles. Consumer Reports would appear to lean toward the “love it” side of the spectrum, as the organization named the Prius its top compact hybrid. With an incredible 52 mpg fuel economy, the Prius is way ahead of the pack when it comes to efficiency.
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[wptab name=”Mazda MX-5 Miata”]
Best Sports Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Time and time again, no vehicle seems to have a more universal satisfaction rating from drivers than the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Consumer Reports was certainly satisfied with the sports car. Calling it “the embodiment of driving pleasure,” Consumer Reports stated that the Miata was the culmination of Mazda’s mission to make cars more fun to drive.
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[wptab name=”Subaru Forester”]
Best Small SUV: Subaru Forester
Safety is what Subaru has become most known for above all else, and safety is something that most SUV drivers value. Therefore, Subaru ensured that its small SUV would be as safe as possible. With a suite of safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, the Subaru Forester received high marks from Consumer Reports thanks to its emphasis on safety.
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[wptab name=”Toyota Highlander”]
Best Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander
Toyota’s third entry on the list, the Toyota Highlander manages to balance a number of different aspects in order to deliver a well-rounded driving experience. Consumer Reports found the cabin of the Highlander to be comfortable and roomy. Meanwhile, the Highlander is also capable of producing an impressive amount of power with its standard V6 engine.
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[wptab name=”Audi Q7″]
Best Luxury SUV: Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is not only the highest-rated luxury SUV on the list from Consumer Reports, but also the highest-rated SUV overall for the group. Despite being such a large vehicle, the team at Consumer Reports found it to be extremely agile. However, the most-desired feature of the Q7 might be its advanced infotainment system, which seamlessly integrates smartphone technology.
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[wptab name=”Honda Ridgeline”]
Best Compact Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Whereas other pickups on the market might focus solely on power, the Honda Ridgeline also places a good amount of focus on technology. With smart features sprinkled throughout, its one of the more advanced trucks on the road. Consumer Reports also noted that while it performs like a truck, the Ridgeline often drives as smoothly as a sedan.
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Source: Consumer Reports
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.