The US market currently offers around 260 car models with diverse features and specifications, which can be overwhelming for prospective car buyers. To make the car-buying process easier, Consumer Reports (CR) has released a list of the 10 best cars for 2025 in the US market.
As per annual tradition, Japanese car models dominate the top 10, with American and German cars only securing 2 spots.
Small Car Segment: Nissan Sentra
CR rates the Nissan Sentra as a car that offers exceptional value. The 2025 version comes packed with more advanced safety features than even its higher-priced competitors. During test drives, CR praised the Nissan Sentra for its comfortable ride, responsive steering, fuel-efficient engine, and spacious interior. Additionally, the Nissan model boasts simple and user-friendly entertainment and air-conditioning control buttons.
Nissan Sentra
Overall, the Nissan Sentra proves that you can find a well-rounded new car for under $25,000. US customers can opt for leather interiors and other upgrades at an additional cost.
Midsize Car Segment: Toyota Camry
Toyota has completely redesigned the Camry for the 2025 model year. These comprehensive upgrades have propelled the fuel-efficient and popular sedan back to the top of CR’s best cars for 2025 list.
Toyota Camry
The new-generation Toyota Camry continues to offer a comfortable, practical, and user-friendly driving experience. It comes equipped with Toyota’s latest infotainment system and soft, elegant interior surfaces.
The Toyota Camry in the US now exclusively uses a hybrid engine, a choice that CR’s test drives validated as the right one. Additionally, the car offers a more enjoyable driving experience than its predecessor, balancing precision and smoothness.
Compared to the previous generation, the Toyota Camry has 17 more horsepower while achieving an average fuel consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 km. Notably, regardless of the trim level, customers can opt for all-wheel drive.
Subcompact SUV Segment: Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is designed for both city and suburban driving. It delivers an excellent driving experience, fuel efficiency, standard all-wheel drive, and a high ride height, making it easy to navigate rough roads or get in and out of the vehicle.
Subaru Crosstrek
Both the front and rear seats of the Subaru Crosstrek provide a comfortable and supportive ride. Meanwhile, the function buttons and touchscreen are user-friendly.
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek base model features a 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 152 horsepower. The other trims are equipped with a more powerful 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that generates 182 horsepower. Soon, Subaru will introduce a new hybrid version with a more potent engine and better fuel efficiency.
The EyeSight active safety technology package comes standard on the Crosstrek. Meanwhile, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems will be offered on higher trims.
Compact SUV Segment: Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester has long been a practical choice in the compact SUV segment. The 2025 version has been entirely refined and is better than ever. The interior has been tweaked while retaining the successful formula of the Forester. It offers a spacious interior with easy entry and exit, good visibility, a smooth ride, exceptional fuel efficiency, and standard all-wheel drive. Additionally, the Subaru Forester boasts a quieter cabin and a more spacious cargo area than its predecessor.
Subaru Forester
The Forester’s 4-cylinder engine delivers higher torque, resulting in better pulling power. At the same time, average fuel consumption has been reduced to 8.11 liters per 100 km. Later this year, a more fuel-efficient hybrid version of the Subaru Forester will be launched in the US market.
Fuel-Efficient SUV Segment: Toyota RAV4 PHEV
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, formerly known as Prime, is the best model in the popular Toyota RAV4 lineup. It offers a solution for those prioritizing performance with its powerful 302-horsepower engine and impressive acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, as well as fuel efficiency.
Toyota RAV4 PHEV
The Toyota RAV4 PHEV’s secret lies in its rechargeable battery, which allows for 68 km of gas-free driving. Charging the battery at home takes 2.5 hours with a 240-volt outlet and 12 hours with a 120-volt outlet.
Additionally, the Toyota RAV4 PHEV offers a better driving experience than its non-hybrid counterparts, along with a standard blind-spot monitoring system.
Midsize SUV Segment: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the star of the midsize SUV segment in the US market. It combines a spacious 3-row interior with fuel efficiency comparable to a compact SUV. With standard all-wheel drive, the Highlander Hybrid achieved an impressive 6.72 liters per 100 km fuel consumption in CR’s tests, allowing drivers to travel up to 960 km on a full tank.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Inside, passengers will enjoy comfortable rear seats and a smooth ride. Meanwhile, the driver is treated to a responsive steering wheel and a host of advanced safety features.
As a smart and versatile SUV, it’s no surprise that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid has once again made it to CR’s top 10 list for 2025.
Compact Luxury SUV Segment: Lexus NX350h and NX450h
Lexus has integrated numerous desirable features into this compact SUV. The Lexus NX boasts a premium interior with comfortable seats and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Unfortunately, the climate control can only be adjusted via the touchscreen.
Lexus NX350h
The two hybrid versions of the Lexus NX, the NX350h and NX450h+, are the best options. Both deliver a refined yet assured driving experience, precise steering, and impressive wheel feedback.
The Lexus NX350h is a traditional hybrid with an impressive average fuel consumption of 6.19 liters per 100 km. On the other hand, the Lexus NX450h+ is a plug-in hybrid that can travel 60 km without using its gasoline engine. When the battery is depleted, it consumes an average of 6.72 liters of fuel per 100 km. Charging the battery using a 240-volt outlet takes 3 hours.
Midsize Luxury SUV Segment: BMW X5 and X5 PHEV
Everything about the BMW X5 and X5 PHEV exudes a sense of “premium.” This “jack-of-all-trades” SUV boasts an extremely quiet interior and numerous features, including seats suited for long-distance travel.
BMW X5
The BMW X5 is both powerful and fuel-efficient, accelerating from 0-60 mph in just 6 seconds. With an average fuel consumption of 10.23 liters per 100 km, the X5 is the most fuel-efficient midsize luxury SUV.
Meanwhile, the BMW X5 PHEV is a plug-in hybrid that can travel 62 km without using any gasoline. After the battery is depleted, it consumes an average of 11.2 liters of fuel per 100 km.
Regardless of the trim, the BMW X5 is equipped with a refined suspension system, providing a stable ride and confident handling, making it stand out from its luxury competitors.
Electric Car Segment: Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y shares many advantages with its sibling, the Model 3, such as a long range, impressive performance, and the extensive Tesla Supercharger network. However, the Model Y’s hatchback body style offers more interior space and cargo volume than the Model 3.
Tesla Model Y
Additionally, the Tesla Model Y delivers exceptional acceleration, responding instantly at any speed. Its precise steering and firm suspension make it feel eager when cornering. All these factors combine to give the Model Y a sportier driving experience than most SUVs.
Inside, the electric car features a sleek interior design, devoid of traditional mechanical buttons. However, accessing frequently used features like volume control and climate settings through the large central screen or the steering wheel scrollers can be distracting for the driver.
Overall, this environmentally friendly machine is both practical and entertaining. A new version with a more comfortable ride and quieter interior is also now available.
Small Pickup Truck Segment: Ford Maverick and Maverick Hybrid
The Ford Maverick is an intriguing and fuel-efficient small pickup truck, ready for daily commutes or weekend getaways with friends. Despite its compact size, it offers a surprisingly comfortable interior, easy entry and exit, user-friendly controls, and adequate passenger space.
Ford Maverick
Under the hood, the Ford Maverick is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and achieves an average fuel consumption of 10.23 liters per 100 km. Meanwhile, the hybrid version, with its impressive 191 horsepower and outstanding fuel efficiency of 6.36 liters per 100 km, is the preferred choice.
Additionally, the Ford Maverick offers a refined driving experience for a pickup truck, and its compact size makes it maneuverable in tight spaces. Overall, it is an attractive alternative to larger and more expensive pickup trucks.
The cars that made it to the top 10 excelled in performance and safety during CR’s test drives. CR also considered other factors, such as predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Furthermore, all these models come standard with automatic emergency braking at both low and high speeds and can detect pedestrians.
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