Consumer Reports, a prominent product testing organization, has released its top vehicle rankings for 2024, with hybrid vehicles taking the lead. These “electrified” vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, accounted for six out of the top ten picks by the nonprofit consumer organization. The remaining four vehicles on the list were the all-electric Tesla Model Y crossover and three gas-powered vehicles without hybrid variants.
This marks the second consecutive year that Consumer Reports has included seven electrified or fully electric vehicles in its top picks. Automakers are responding to consumer demand and federal fuel economy regulations by releasing numerous models of these vehicles. Toyota Motor emerged as the automaker with the most top picks, with four vehicles on the list, followed by Subaru with two. Tesla, Ford Motor, Mazda, and BMW each had one vehicle included.
Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, highlighted the changing market landscape and the increasing availability of powertrain choices. He explained that many of the top picks turned out to be electrified choices because they fulfill what people desire in a car. Hybrid vehicles combine a traditional engine with EV technologies to provide better fuel economy. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, have a larger battery that allows for all-electric driving for a certain distance before the engine is needed.
Fisher emphasized that plug-in hybrids are a “dark horse” for the U.S. automotive industry, with many consumers just starting to understand their benefits. This year’s rankings feature three plug-in hybrid vehicles, the highest number ever included in the annual list. Fisher described plug-in hybrids as offering the best of both worlds, combining the advantages of electric vehicles and gas-powered cars.
Consumer Reports selects top models across various price points and classifications based on extensive testing of new vehicles. The organization tests approximately 50 new vehicles each year. The full list of top picks for 2024 includes the Mazda 3 as the small car, the Toyota Camry Hybrid as the midsize car, the Toyota Prius/Prius Prime plug-in hybrid as the hybrid/plug-in hybrid car, the Subaru Crosstrek as the subcompact SUV, the Subaru Forester as the compact SUV, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid as the midsize SUV, the BMW X5/X5 PHEV as the luxury SUV, the Ford Maverick/Maverick Hybrid as the small pickup, the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid as the plug-in hybrid SUV, and the Tesla Model Y as the electric vehicle.
The Tesla Model Y had a significant impact in the U.S. and worldwide last year, surpassing Tesla’s entry-level Model 3 sedan in the top 10 rankings. According to data from Kelley Blue Book, over 1.1 million battery-electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2023, with nearly 655,000 of those being Tesla EVs. The Tesla Model Y accounted for 394,497 of those sales, driven in part by discounts and tax credits.
While sales of battery-electric vehicles continue to grow, hybrid electrics remain a popular choice among car buyers in the U.S. This is partly due to the limited availability and reliability of charging infrastructure compared to countries with higher adoption rates of fully electric cars, such as Norway.
Consumer Reports’ top picks are taken into account when compiling its annual auto brand report cards. These report cards consider internal testing, reliability, safety, and overall customer satisfaction based on owner surveys. BMW claimed the top spot on the overall brand list, followed by Subaru, Porsche, Honda, and Lexus. At the bottom of the rankings were Rivian, GMC, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Jeep.
The 2024 top vehicle rankings by Consumer Reports highlight the increasing popularity of hybrid vehicles and the emergence of plug-in hybrids as a promising option for consumers. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, these rankings provide valuable insights for car buyers looking for reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly options.
