While buying a brand new car and driving it home right off the lot — perhaps with a quick joyriding detour along the way — no doubt sounds amazing to many, it’s a privilege only a select few can afford.
The rest of us can still dream, however, and for the true auto enthusiasts out there, financing (or leasing) is always an option.
Whether you’re actually in the market for a 2025 model or just window shopping, the best new cars of the year have been named by Consumer Reports and a host of other authorities in the automotive space, including Kelly Blue Book and Edmonds.
And while all of these institutions are among the most trusted in automotive reporting and reviewing, Consumer Reports stands out for its methodology. The product-testing firm, which got its start more than 85 years ago in 1939, maintains a private automotive testing course in Connecticut with six miles of road.
CR purchases vehicles — for full price and anonymously — and then its specialists drive and test them, evaluating each model for everything from handling to comfort to safety to fuel economy.
Related: How does Consumer Reports make money? The product-testing nonprofit explained
Additionally, CR surveys its millions of members annually about their own vehicles. Members report any problems they’ve encountered along with repair costs, and Consumer Reports aggregates this information to create reliability scores for each car model and model year. True to its mission of objectivity, however, Consumer Reports does not factor past model-year reliability scores into its best new car selections.
Here’s what the auto experts at CR, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds have to say about which models stand out from the crowd in the new car market this year.
The best cars of 2025: Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book & Edmunds
Below are the top picks for 2025 — from Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds — across a number of popular vehicle categories.
(For some vehicle categories, one or more of the outlets did not include a top pick and thus are marked N/A.)
Consumer Reports named the Nissan Sentra one of the best new cars of 2025, marking the first time this model has graced the list.
Best small/compact car of 2025
Small or compact cars are those with between 100 and 109 cubic feet of interior volume, including both passenger areas and cargo space (i.e., the trunk). In Europe, this vehicle class may be referred to as part of the C-segment classification or a small family car.
Consumer Reports’ pick: Nissan Sentra
Starting price: $21,590 Overall MPG: 32
Consumer Reports named the Nissan Sentra its top pick in the small car category for 2025. This model hasn’t graced CR’s best-new-car list before, but the firm chose the Sentra this year because its safety features, handling, and user-friendly controls rivaled those of much more expensive models.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Honda Civic
Starting price: $24,250Overall MPG: 33
Edmunds’ pick: Honda Civic Hybrid
Starting price: $28,950Overall MPG: 49
CR lauded this year’s Camry, which is now produced only as a hybrid, for its comfort, practicality, and reliability.
Best mid-size car of 2025
Mid-size cars (which are larger than compact cars but smaller than full-size cars) have between 110 and 119 cubic feet of interior space, including cargo space. In Europe, this vehicle class may be referred to as part of the D-segment classification.
Consumer Reports’ pick: Toyota Camry
Starting price: $28,700Overall MPG: 48
The Toyota Camry, which has frequently appeared on CR’s best-new-car list in past years, earned top marks in the midsized car category this year in part due to its 2025 redesign. The Camry is now sold only as a hybrid, and it’s been praised for being comfortable and practical and for its easy-to-use entertainment and information systems.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Honda Accord
Starting price: $28,295Overall MPG: 32
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
Related: Consumer Reports’ best American cars, trucks, & SUVs of 2025
The 2025 Crosstrek was applauded by CR for its standard AWD, high clearance for back roads, and available larger engine options.
Best subcompact SUV of 2025
Subcompact SUVs (sometimes called subcompact crossovers) are small sport utility vehicles usually built on the platform of a subcompact or compact car. This is an extremely popular auto segment worldwide, particularly in India, Brazil, and Europe.
Consumer Reports’ pick: Subaru Crosstrek
Starting price: $25,810Overall MPG: 29
CR praises the Crosstrek for its standard all-wheel drive, high clearance for back roads, and comfortable interior. The base model has a smaller engine and less horsepower, but all of the other models come with a slightly larger engine and more HP, which the nonprofit recommends.
Kelley Blue Book’s Pick: Hyundai Kona
Starting price: $24,550Overall MPG: 26
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
The Subaru Forester is no stranger to CR’s best-new-car list. The org chose the 2025 model for its redesign, which preserves the heart of the classic AWD model while adding subtle improvements.
Best compact SUV of 2025
The compact SUV category doesn’t have an exact definition, but small capable vehicles like the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester have long defined the segment.
Consumer Reports’ pick: Subaru Forester
Starting price: $29,995Overall MPG: 29
The Subaru Forester has appeared on Consumer Reports’ best-new-car lists before, and many different model years have received the “CR-recommended” distinction. The 2025 model comes with a redesign that, according to CR, adds improvements but preserves the features that have made the model a fan-favorite for decades, including all-wheel drive, good visibility, and good fuel economy.
Kelley Blue Book’s Pick: Honda CR-V
Starting price: $30,100Overall MPG: 26
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
CR chose the 2025 Highlander Hybrid in part because it maintains excellent gas mileage while offering three-row seating capacity.
Best mid-size SUV of 2025
Mid-size SUVs are larger than compact SUVs but also don’t have a clear definition. Like compact SUVs, they are sort of a “you know it when you see it” category. Popular models in this category include the Toyota Highlander, Jeep Cherokee, and Honda Pilot.
Consumer Reports’ pick: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Starting price: $39,520Overall MPG: 35
CR praised the hybrid Highlander for maintaining excellent fuel economy while offering three-row capacity, making it a perfect family road trip car. With all-wheel drive, advanced safety features, and precise handling, it can perform well on both highways and dirt roads.
Kelley Blue Book’s Pick: Kia Telluride
Starting price: $36,390Overall MPG: 21
Edmunds’ pick: Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Starting price: $44,210Overall MPG: 35
Lexus’ hybrid luxury SUV offers a high-end, comfortable interior while maintaining the reliability for which its parent company, Toyota, has long been known.
Damian B Oh, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best luxury compact SUV of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: Lexus NX350h or NX350h+
Starting price: $41,955 (hybrid) / $61,140 (plug-in hybrid)Overall MPG: 38 (hybrid) / 35 (plug-in hybrid)
CR praised both versions of Lexus’ hybrid luxury mid-size SUV (traditional hybrid and plug-in) for their high-end interiors and user-friendly entertainment systems. The traditional hybrid model costs significantly less than its plug-in counterpart, but the plug-in version can drive nearly 40 miles on battery power alone.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: BMW X1
Starting price: $41,350Overall MPG: 28
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
More auto content:
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The 2025 X5 is available with a hybrid or gas-only powertrain. Both versions offer comfort and luxury, and the gas version is known for its rapid acceleration.
Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images
Best luxury mid-size SUV of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: BMW X5 or X5 PHEV
Starting price: $66,300 (gas) / $73,800 (plug-in hybrid) Overall MPG: 23 (gas) / 21 (plug-in hybrid)
Both versions of the X5 were praised by CR for their comfortable luxury interiors, quality suspension, and quiet ride. The gas model accelerates quickly, while the more expensive plug-in hybrid can travel 39 miles on battery alone, making it an excellent gas saver for dialer drivers who mostly commute locally.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Genesis GV80
Starting price: $58,200Overall MPG: 18
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
Tesla’s 2025 Model Y was praised by CR for its long electric range, and its owners benefit from one of the most robust charging networks available in the United States.
Best electric car of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: Tesla Model Y
Starting price: $44,990Overall MPGe: 121Range: 311 mi
While many consumers have begun to spurn Teslas in favor of other EVs due to CEO Elon Musk’s pivot to politics, CR lauded Tesla’s Model Y for its long electric range, access to Tesla’s broad charging network, rapid acceleration, and hatchback style.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Hyundai IONIQ 6
Starting price: $37,850Overall MPGe: 103Range: 270 mi
Edmunds’ pick: Tesla Model 3
Starting price: $42,490Overall MPGe: 130Range: 346 mi
Related: The 10 most reliable cars according to Consumer Reports
The Ford Maverick Hybrid offers a unique mix of fuel economy and traditional pickup capability.
JEFF KOWALSKY/Getty Images
Best small pickup truck of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: Ford Maverick or Maverick Hybrid
Starting price: $26,995 (gas) / $26,995 (hybrid) Overall MPG: 23 (gas) / 37 (hybrid)
While CR recommended the hybrid model over the base model, the org noted that both versions are capable in terms of commuting and weekending due to the model’s compact size and pickup capabilities. The Maverick offers passengers good comfort and cargo capacity relative to its compact size, and the 2025 hybrid version can be purchased in all-wheel drive.
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: N/A
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
The Tacoma has long been a fan favorite among high-clearance pickup enthusiasts, and the 2025 model offers a near-endless array of upgrades perfect for offroading.
Best mid-size pickup truck of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: N/A
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Toyota Tacoma
Starting price: $31,590Overall MPG: 20
KBB praises the 2025 Tacoma for its hauling and off-roading capabilities. The 2025 Tacoma is also available as a hybrid, but the hybrid model has yet to be tested by Consumer Reports as of this article’s last update.
Edmunds’ pick: Ford Ranger
Starting price: $33,080Overall MPG: 21
According to KBB, the powerhouse 2025 F 150 is by far the top choice in terms of towing and payload capacity.
Charles, CC-BY-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best full-size pickup truck of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: N/A
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Ford F150
Starting price: $37,450Overall MPG: 19
KBB’s review of the 2025 F150 insinuates that for towing and payload capacity, there’s nothing better on the market. The model also comes with a suite of innovative tech designed to simplify towing and other tasks.
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
The hybrid 2025 Sienna is a comfortable and reliable vehicle known for holding its value well as a used car.
Kevauto, CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Best minivan of 2025
Consumer Reports’ pick: N/A
Kelley Blue Book’s pick: Toyota Sienna
Starting price: $39,185Overall MPG: 36
The 2025 Sienna, which is exclusively available as a hybrid, was praised by KBB as the best family-oriented minivan on the market, its reliability, and its tendency to hold value well for resale. The 2025 model has a redesigned entertainment system and can be upgraded to include a fridge and vacuum.
Edmunds’ pick: N/A
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