There are a lot of “best of” lists out there, and they glut our editorial email boxes with random awards from little-known organizations. But this list from Consumer Reports is worth paying attention to because it represents the best of the best in terms of performance, safety and reliability. While we take issue with the generic use of the word “car” in the title, we love that the editors at CR factor in road tests, predictive reliability and owner satisfaction with overall scores that are among the highest in its category.
Additionally, for 2022, all of the top picks must come standard with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
So, if you’re looking for a new “car” to buy in 2022, Here’s what the CR editors say are the top picks in each category.
Nissan calls the 2022 Rogue Sport “right sized” and perhaps that’s what Consumer Reports liked about this crossover. If you’re wondering, the Rogue Sport is smaller than the Rogue. The Rogue Sport falls into a chic trend where automakers are taking established vehicles and “crossing” them, as in making them smaller crossovers. The Rogue Sport is designed for urban dwellers and a more youthful driver. For 2022, the Rogue Sport is available in three trim levels – S, SV and SL – each offered in front-wheel and intelligent all-wheel-drive configurations.
The Forester is kind of a darling of Consumer Reports. In the listing, CR even called out that this was “its ninth consecutive Top Picks appearance.” Perhaps what CR liked this time around was the addition of the Wilderness trim. From our perspective, we loved  how the 2022 Forester Wilderness took us through a rutty trail and over some moguls that might’ve otherwise disabled less rugged vehicles.
Here’s where we have to agree with CR. The RAV4 Prime, as in plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) is a wonderful SUV that helps begin the transition from gasoline to electric. And it does so while still exceeding 300 horsepower. Plus there’s the 42 miles of pure-electric driving, which only adds to the impressive overall fuel economy of this PHEV (34 MPG). When media outlets like CR talk about 0-60 second times for a hybrid, you know it’s impressive.
A 68% year-over-year sales increase shows it’s not just CR who’s into the 2022 Telluride, it’s the consumers themselves. After launching in 2019, Kia has already done a bang up job of updating each model year with subtle, but significant changes to keep this three-row SUV fresh. This year, the Telluride gets some minor cosmetic changes, including showcasing the new Kia logo.
CR makes a solid selection here as the Mustang Mach-E (despite the controversy over the name) has been grabbing attention and even winning over some Mustang and Ford enthusiasts. Is it a Mustang? Who cares. What it is, however, is a fast, smooth, torquey SUV. And the GT version can rival the Tesla. So any and all kudos the Mach-E has won is not just for the controversy surrounding it, but for Ford getting it right with this all-electric Mustang.
What wins the Lexus RX the “best of” award is, as CR says, “its blend of comfort, performance, safety, and reliability.” Though the RX is certainly in need of a redesign, it has gotten consistent updates, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the exterior styling remains consistent with the look and feel of the rest of the brand even though it’s getting old in the Lexus lineup. Now, if the next RX continues along the lines of the recently redesigned NX, that will be something to get really excited about.
Like anything else in the media, “best of” lists are free flowing and often subjective. What we love about the Consumer Reports list is the top picks are heavily backed by data. Do we agree with all the Consumer Reports picks? No. And are there a few SUVs we’d add as a close second? Yes.
What vehicles on this list do you agree with and which ones do you disagree with? Leave us your comments below.
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FOMOCO You really screwed up this time ! MACH-E AINT no MUSTANG !!! IT ‘s A sin to call that ugly thing A Mustang ! IT may be a very good electric automobile but it does not deserve the name MUSTING . It does not look like a MUSTANG ! It does not sound like a MUSTANG ! It does not feel like a MUSTANG ! People don”t turn their head and look at that MACH E going down the road because it”s not really A MUSTANG ! It does not have those bad sounding duel exhaust coming out the back ! It does not have that 6 speed shifter coming out of the floor ! and it definitely does not have that bad-ass V8 under the hood ! It’s about the LOOK It’s about the sound It’s about what a MUSTANG is supposed to look like ! J A G From West BYGOD Virginia
Get over it
Agree and no we are not going to get over it. It should’ve been against the LAW TO CA THAT A MUSTANG