This year’s group includes four hybrids, three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and one electric vehicle.Subaru and Toyota dominate our list with practical and appealing models. Several of last year’s Top Picks earned spots on our list again, but we also welcome newcomers like the Nissan Sentra.The Nissan Sentra is an exceptional value. It comes with more standard active safety features than some higher-priced rivals and earned a strong road-test score for its comfortable ride, nimble handling, great fuel economy, and relatively roomy cabin. The controls are intuitive—infotainment and climate interfaces are models of simplicity. Buying a new car can be exciting—and overwhelming. Besides price uncertainty from inflation and tariffs, there are more than 260 models available today, each with a range of features and specifications to consider. But CR’s annual Top Picks can help you make a smart choice.Each vehicle on our list achieved exceptional results in road-test performance and safety. We also factored in predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Plus, all Top Picks come standard with low-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as highway-speed AEB—vital features to get on your next car.We have selected models from popular categories, spanning compact cars to midsized luxury SUVs. This year’s group includes four hybrids, three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and one electric vehicle.Subaru and Toyota dominate our list with practical and appealing models. Several of last year’s Top Picks earned spots on our list again, but we also welcome newcomers like the Nissan Sentra.The Nissan Sentra is an exceptional value. It comes with more standard active safety features than some higher-priced rivals and earned a strong road-test score for its comfortable ride, nimble handling, great fuel economy, and relatively roomy cabin. The controls are intuitive—infotainment and climate interfaces are models of simplicity. Nissan also now includes three free oil changes during the first two years of ownership. Altogether, the Sentra is proof that you can still find a good all-around new car for under $25,000. If you want premium touches like leather upholstery, numerous upgrades are available.Toyota redesigned the Camry for 2025. Improvements throughout made this popular, efficient sedan an obvious choice to return to our Top Picks list. It remains comfortable, practical, and user-friendly, and has the brand’s latest infotainment system and tasteful, soft-touch interior surfaces. The Camry is now offered solely as a hybrid, and based on its performance in our tests, that’s a good thing. It’s even more fun to drive, striking a fine balance between sharp handling and a smooth ride. The hybrid powertrain benefits from a 17-hp increase over the last generation, while gaining 1 mpg in our tests, for 48 mpg overall. As an added benefit, all-wheel drive is available on all trims.The Subaru Crosstrek is designed for both urban touring and wilderness adventure. It offers an excellent ride, good fuel economy, standard all-wheel drive, and a high ground clearance that makes it able to handle rougher roads. It’s easy to get into and out of. Both the front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive, and the physical and touchscreen controls are mostly user-friendly.Long a practical choice among compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester was redesigned for 2025 and is now better than ever. The makeover added refinements throughout the cabin, without straying from the winning formula that has made the Forester a regular among CR’s Top Picks. It is still roomier than it appears, with easy access, great visibility, a compliant ride, outstanding fuel economy, and standard all-wheel drive. Plus, it has a quieter cabin and more cargo space than the previous model—both welcome improvements.

The Camry is now offered solely as a hybrid, and based on its performance in our tests, that’s a good thing. It’s even more fun to drive, striking a fine balance between sharp handling and a smooth ride. The hybrid powertrain benefits from a 17-hp increase over the last generation, while gaining 1 mpg in our tests, for 48 mpg overall. As an added benefit, all-wheel drive is available on all trims.The Subaru Crosstrek is designed for both urban touring and wilderness adventure. It offers an excellent ride, good fuel economy, standard all-wheel drive, and a high ground clearance that makes it able to handle rougher roads. It’s easy to get into and out of. Both the front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive, and the physical and touchscreen controls are mostly user-friendly.Long a practical choice among compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester was redesigned for 2025 and is now better than ever. The makeover added refinements throughout the cabin, without straying from the winning formula that has made the Forester a regular among CR’s Top Picks. It is still roomier than it appears, with easy access, great visibility, a compliant ride, outstanding fuel economy, and standard all-wheel drive. Plus, it has a quieter cabin and more cargo space than the previous model—both welcome improvements.Buying a new car can be exciting—and overwhelming. Besides price uncertainty from inflation and tariffs, there are more than 260 models available today, each with a range of features and specifications to consider. But CR’s annual Top Picks can help you make a smart choice.Each vehicle on our list achieved exceptional results in road-test performance and safety. We also factored in predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. Plus, all Top Picks come standard with low-speed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, as well as highway-speed AEB—vital features to get on your next car.We have selected models from popular categories, spanning compact cars to midsized luxury SUVs. This year’s group includes four hybrids, three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and one electric vehicle.Subaru and Toyota dominate our list with practical and appealing models. Several of last year’s Top Picks earned spots on our list again, but we also welcome newcomers like the Nissan Sentra.The Nissan Sentra is an exceptional value. It comes with more standard active safety features than some higher-priced rivals and earned a strong road-test score for its comfortable ride, nimble handling, great fuel economy, and relatively roomy cabin. The controls are intuitive—infotainment and climate interfaces are models of simplicity. Nissan also now includes three free oil changes during the first two years of ownership. Altogether, the Sentra is proof that you can still find a good all-around new car for under $25,000. If you want premium touches like leather upholstery, numerous upgrades are available.Toyota redesigned the Camry for 2025. Improvements throughout made this popular, efficient sedan an obvious choice to return to our Top Picks list. It remains comfortable, practical, and user-friendly, and has the brand’s latest infotainment system and tasteful, soft-touch interior surfaces. The Camry is now offered solely as a hybrid, and based on its performance in our tests, that’s a good thing. It’s even more fun to drive, striking a fine balance between sharp handling and a smooth ride. The hybrid powertrain benefits from a 17-hp increase over the last generation, while gaining 1 mpg in our tests, for 48 mpg overall. As an added benefit, all-wheel drive is available on all trims.The Subaru Crosstrek is designed for both urban touring and wilderness adventure. It offers an excellent ride, good fuel economy, standard all-wheel drive, and a high ground clearance that makes it able to handle rougher roads. It’s easy to get into and out of. Both the front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive, and the physical and touchscreen controls are mostly user-friendly.Long a practical choice among compact SUVs, the Subaru Forester was redesigned for 2025 and is now better than ever. The makeover added refinements throughout the cabin, without straying from the winning formula that has made the Forester a regular among CR’s Top Picks. It is still roomier than it appears, with easy access, great visibility, a compliant ride, outstanding fuel economy, and standard all-wheel drive. Plus, it has a quieter cabin and more cargo space than the previous model—both welcome improvements.