10 Best Cars for 2012 | Top Autos Price.
A redesigned, significantly improved Camry Hybrid has helped Toyota
capture five of the 10 spots on this year’s Top Picks list. Toyota’s
ability to maintain its competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a
big factor in its strong presence on this year’s list. But another
factor is today’s weaker
minivan
field. The current Sienna scored lower in our tests than its
predecessor, but the front-wheel-drive version is the only minivan that
didn’t ha
ve below-average reliability in our latest survey. So it’s the only minivan we recommend.
Our Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories,
chosen from the more than 260 vehicles we’ve recently tested. For car
shoppers, they are a great place to start.
Road test
Each must rank at or near the top of its category in overall test score.
Reliability
Each must have earned an average or better predicted-reliability
Rating, based on the problems Consumer Reports subscribers reported on
1.3 million vehicles in our latest Annual Auto Survey.
Safety
Top Picks must perform well if included in crash- or rollover tests conducted by the government or the insurance industry.
Each model’s report card shows its overall road-test and
predicted-reliability Ratings, as well as its overall fuel economy in
our tests. If multiple Ratings are displayed, they apply to different
versions of a model. Prices reflect the sticker prices when we bought
our test cars. You can find more details on all of the Top Picks in our
vehicle ratings.
Family sedan: Toyota Camry Hybrid
With its 2012 redesign, the Camry Hybrid jumped to the top of the
family-sedan category. One eye-opener for a car of this size is its
impressive 38 mpg overall fuel economy, the best in class and even
better than some smaller hybrids that lack the Camry’s performance.
Other high points include a comfortable ride; a roomy, quiet cabin;
fairly quick acceleration; and for 2012, a nicer interior and somewhat
crisper handling (although the Camry is still no sports sedan).
Price: $29,052
Sporty car: Ford Mustang
The heart of this iconic sports car has always been its strong
acceleration and rumbling V-8 power. And the 5.0-liter V-8 in our
GT coupe
and convertible test cars doesn’t disappoint, providing scorching
acceleration, a great exhaust sound, and good fuel economy for this
class. Even the
3.7-liter V-6
is punchy and refined, and it’s more fuel efficient than the V8. But
now there’s more to the Mustang than power. Agile handling, a decent
ride, comfortable front seats, and very good fit and finish make the
current version an inviting package. The rear seat is tight but usable
in a pinch.
Affordable family sedan: Hyundai Sonata
With last year’s family-sedan pick, the
Nissan Altima,
due for a redesign soon, we chose the four-cylinder Sonata as a more
affordable alternative to the Camry Hybrid. For less than $22,000, the
Sonata provides a roomy, well-equipped cabin, supple ride, nimble
handling, and thrifty 27 mpg overall. And despite its swoopy, coupe-like
styling, the Sonata still provides decent rear-seat room and rear
visibility, unlike many other cars today.
Price: $21,800
Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
With its inviting blend of performance, fuel economy, and versatility,
the RAV4 continues to set the pace among small SUVs. It also provides a
roomy interior, comfortable ride, and responsive handling, as well as
excellent reliability. With a four-cylinder engine, the RAV4 delivers
some of the best gas mileage in its class. The
spirited V-6 version
accelerates as quickly as many sports sedans and gets only 1 mpg less
than the four-cylinder model. Its optional third-row seat is small but
useful.
A runner-up is the
Subaru Forester.
Price: $25,405 to $30,328
Family hauler: Toyota Sienna (V-6)
This versatile minivan fits the bill nicely for families looking for a
comfortable, roomy interior, plenty of features, and the ability to
carry up to eight people. Among its high points are lively performance,
decent fuel economy, and a comfortable ride, although the handling is
rather lackluster. The Sienna is the only minivan available with
all-wheel drive. But that version has had below-average reliability,
according to our latest survey, so we recommend only the
front-wheel-drive version.
Price: $35,810
Sports sedan: Infiniti G
With its inviting blend of luxury and driving fun, the
G37
stands out from the crowd. Its agile handling, blistering
acceleration, and comfortable, well-crafted interior make it one of our
highest-scoring sedans and have earned the G a spot on this list for
the sixth straight year. This sports sedan feels at home whether
tackling a twisty back road or cruising on the highway. A snug cabin
and small trunk are the only notable weaknesses. The less expensive
G25
model isn’t as quick, but it shares much of the G37’s inviting package
and provides 3 more mpg. Both are available with rear- or all-wheel
drive.
Price: $34,225 to $37,225
Green car: Toyota Prius
In this dawning age of automotive electrification, the Prius still sets
the standard for its blend of fuel efficiency, practicality, and
affordability. The 44 overall mpg we measured in the hatchback is still
the highest of any five-passenger, non-plug-in vehicle we’ve tested,
and the 41 mpg of the new
Prius V
wagon easily tops its class. Moreover, its roomy interior, comfortable
ride, and hatchback versatility make it easy to live with. Crash-test
results are excellent. New electric cars have gotten the energy
equivalent of higher mpg figures, but they’re less practical and
affordable.
Price: $26,750 to $28,217
Small car: Subaru Impreza
Redesigned for 2012, the all-wheel-drive Impreza is a well-rounded
sedan with nimble handling and a compliant, absorbent ride that rivals
some luxury sedans. Fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is impressive for an
AWD car. The roomy interior includes a relatively spacious rear seat,
simple controls, and refreshingly good visibility. The only real
shortcoming is so-so noise isolation. Based on the previous Impreza, we
expect above-average reliability. Last year’s pick, the
Hyundai Elantra, remains an excellent alternative that costs several thousand dollars less and provides slightly better gas mileage but no AWD.
Price: $21,345
Pickup truck: Chevrolet Avalanche
The Avalanche provides the best combination of utility and versatility
of any pickup we’ve tested. Its unified bed and cab help give it a
steady, comfortable ride, and the cabin is quiet. The innovative
partition in the rear of the cab can be folded down, so longer cargo
can extend into the back of the cab. A three-piece bed cover provides a
weather-tight and lockable cargo area. We recommend getting the
optional backup camera to compensate for the large rear blind zone.
Price: $47,435
Family SUV: Toyota Highlander
The Highlander returns to our list after last year’s pick, the V-6
Kia Sorento,
dropped to below average in predicted reliability. This refined,
comfortable, and quiet SUV has consistently ranked near the top of its
class in our road-test scores and has had above-average reliability. Its
interior is nicely finished and versatile, with a roomy second-row
seat but a tight third row. The V-6 version delivers a decent 18 mpg
overall, and the hybrid model tops all SUVs at 27.
Price: $38,578 to $47,255
source