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41 Articles

What Makes CR a Trusted Source

IF YOU'RE READING THIS, you've already made two smart decisions: You plan to buy a used car, and you've asked CR's experts to help you choose the right one. With our help you can find a used car with moderate mileage and in good condition at an attractive price. Buying used also means that you may be able to drive a car with more advanced safety features than you would find in a similarly priced new car. But it can be tough to find the one that will meet all your needs. That's where we come in. Only CR has bought and tested more than 600 vehicles over the past decade, putting each one through more than 50 evaluations. And only CR conducts reliability and owner satisfaction surveys of its members, with…

What Makes CR a Trusted Source

We are the country's preeminent independent, nonprofit consumer-product testing organization. Results of our tests and surveys appear at CR.org, in Consumer Reports magazine, across social media, and in books like this one. Inside you'll find a wealth of information about 2014 to 2023 used cars, SUVs, and trucks. We'll let you know which models are available and how they compare in performance, fuel economy, and safety. We also give you expert advice on determining how much you can afford, the best ways to shop, and how to get the most for your money–even if you hate the haggling game. Each year, CR conducts its exclusive member surveys for auto reliability and owner satisfaction, so you can trust us to tell you which cars to buy and which to avoid. Situated on 327 acres in…

How to Start Your Car-Buying Journey

THE KEY TOMAKING the right choice is finding the vehicle that fits your priorities the best, such as price, fuel economy, safety, comfort, and reliability. While finding the right car might seem fun at first, it can get overwhelming real fast. That's where we can help. Our recommendations are based on handson testing, the largest pool of reliability data available, and our experts’ accumulated knowledge. This chapter will guide you to the best models and steer you away from those that don't measure up. The Used-Car Sweet Spot With used-car prices softening in the past year, 3- and 4-year-old models remain the best values. That's because 1- and 2-year-old used cars still command a premium. With an older car, you'll pay less for collision insurance and taxes. Plus, it's already taken its…

How to Start Your Car-Buying Journey

MAKE SURE THE CAR FITS YOU

Most vehicles are supposedly designed for a wide range of body types, but many don't accommodate short or tall drivers very well. The shortest tester on our staff is 5 feet, 1 inch tall; the tallest is 6 feet, 2 inches. So we take their experiences into account. To find out which ones are better or worse, we took a look at the scores of recently tested models that are relevant to late-model used cars and equivalent designs. We focused on ratings for seat comfort, driving position, access, and all-around visibility. A few cars were rated very highly by both tall and short testers. Families with different-sized drivers might consider the BMW X5 or Volvo XC90. Several models, including the Jeep Wrangler, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Z, and…

MAKE SURE THE CAR FITS YOU

TOP USED CARS FOR TEENS

Buying a car for a new driver can be a balancing act between getting a model you can afford and finding one that's safe and reliable. Your best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model with the most safety equipment you can afford. Don't even consider a car that doesn't have side and head-protection curtain airbags, and if you can reach a little deeper into your pocket to get a car equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB), so much the better. The lifesaving assistance these systems can provide is worth every penny in an emergency situation, and they can be especially beneficial to an inexperienced driver. The list here includes models that are safe; performed well overall in our tests; have proved to be reliable, according to our Annual Auto…

TOP USED CARS FOR TEENS

HOW SAFE IS THAT CAR?

While terms such as antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) are widely known, the terminology used by automakers to describe the active safety and driver assistance features on vehicles varies widely. That's why CR worked with numerous partners to come up with clear, standardized naming conventions to describe what these systems do. The common naming outlined below is simple, specific, consistent, and designed to reduce driver and buyer confusion. The Department of Transportation has endorsed this effort to bring about standardized names for common active safety features. These names are what we use in CR's content, and the list is continually refined as new systems are developed. No matter what they're called, it's important to remember these systems are designed to assist–not replace–an engaged driver. DRIVING CONTROL ASSISTANCE Lane Centering Assistance…

Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

$5,000-$10,000 SMALL CAR Mazda3 2014 The Mazda3 combined real sportiness with the best gas mileage–33 mpg overall–of any conventional compact car of its time. Higher trims have a modern infotainment system with a large touchscreen, heated leatherette seats, and active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW) and blind spot warning (BSW). $10,000-$15,000 SMALL CARS Ford C-Max 2015-16 Honda Fit 2016-18 The Focus-based C-Max is practical and nicely finished, and the hybrid returned 37 mpg overall in our tests. The Fit has incredible interior space for a small car, and gets a good 33 mpg overall. MIDSIZED & LARGE CARS Honda Accord 2015-16 Mazda 6 2015-17 The Accord is a roomy and comfortable sedan that got 30 mpg overall in our tests with the four-cylinder engine; the V6 got 26. The 6 is one of the sportiest midsized sedans. Its quick…

Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

BEST OF THE BEST

Need new wheels but have a tight budget? Buying used is a way to get the biggest bang for your buck. It's simple math: After one year, a new car has depreciated by 27 percent of its sticker price, on average. After three years, it's worth just about half its original sticker price. But picking out a good used car from a sea of bad ones has never been easy. You want one that's reliable, reasonably priced, and equipped with modern safety features. Add in the desire to avoid a car that has been damaged in a crash and the process can feel overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. We've created this guide to help you find the hatchbacks, sedans, pickups, minivans, sports cars, and SUVs that are most likely to fulfill…

WORST USED CARS

AUDI A3 ‘18 A6 ‘19 Q3 ‘16, ‘22 E-tron ‘19 BUICK Encore ‘15, ‘17 Encore GX ‘20 CADILLAC XT4 ‘19 CHEVROLET Blazer ‘23 Bolt ‘19-22 Cruze ‘14 Malibu ‘14 Suburban ‘21, ‘23 Tahoe ‘16-17, ‘21 Traverse ‘18 CHRYSLER Pacifica Hybrid ‘18, ‘21-22; Town & Country ‘16 DODGE Grand Caravan ‘16, ‘18 FORD Escape ‘21 Escape Hybrid ‘20 Expedition ‘17-19 Explorer ‘16, ‘20 F-150 Hybrid ‘21-22; F-250 ‘19, ‘21 Mustang ‘20 GMC Acadia ‘18 Yukon ‘16-17, ‘21 Yukon XL ‘21, ‘23 HYUNDAI Ioniq ‘20 Ioniq 5 ‘22 Kona Electric ‘19 Santa Fe Sport ‘14 Sonata ‘17-18 Tucson ‘16-17 JEEP Cherokee ‘14 Gladiator ‘20 Grand Cherokee L ‘21 Wrangler ‘18, ‘20-21 Wrangler JK ‘18 KIA Niro ‘19 Soul ‘21 MAZDA CX-9 ‘23 MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class ‘18 MINI Cooper ‘18 NISSAN Frontier ‘23 Pathfinder ‘23 Rogue ‘22 RAM 2500 ‘17, ‘22 RIVIAN R1T ‘22 TESLA Model S ‘19-21 Model X ‘18, ‘22 VOLKSWAGEN Atlas ‘21 ID.4 ‘21, ‘23 Jetta ‘14, ‘21 Taos ‘22 Tiguan ‘18 VOLVO S60 ‘15 ‘20 V60 ‘15, ‘20 XC60…

Cars That Drivers Love the Most

MOST PEOPLE LOVE their cars at first, but what about after that new-car smell wears off? Once you've lived with a car for three years–let alone five or 10– what excited you in the showroom may be overshadowed by things you missed, like a cramped interior, a loud engine, or cheap-feeling materials. This is what we found out when we asked our members whether they would get the same car all over again, and how satisfied they were with the vehicle's driving experience, comfort, value, and styling. Consistent Performers We found that no matter their age, the vehicles inspiring the strongest loyalty are reliable, performed well in our tests, are fun to drive, are energy-efficient, and/or dress you in a high-tech, luxurious driving environment. In particular, vehicles that performed well in CR tests are…

Cars That Drivers Love the Most

Most & Least Satisfying Vehicles

On these pages are our owner satisfaction survey results for 3-, 5-, and 10-year-old vehicles by vehicle category. Each year Consumer Reports asks the following question in our Annual Auto Surveys: “Considering all factors (price, performance, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had to do it all over again?” Respondents have four choices, from definitely yes to definitely no. In a majority of cases, there's a link between how a vehicle performs in Consumer Reports’ testing and how it performs in our owner satisfaction survey. For example, the Jeep Compass had unimpressive performance in our tests. Owners responded similarly, ranking it at the bottom of the midsized/large cars satisfaction category. At the same time, owners of the Toyota Avalon and Camry sedans rank both the conventional and hybrid versions…

Most & Least Satisfying Vehicles

2 How to Get Better Mileage

Saving Gas = Saving Cash This chapter will guide you to the most fuel-e cient cars and answer questions about fuel choices. It's easy to see how much you can save by driving a more fuel-e cient vehicle. Throughout this chapter, you'll find advice on various fuel-economy concerns, such as how your driving habits affect your gas mileage, why you might not be getting the miles per gallon you expect, and the pros and cons of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs. Whichever type of vehicle you buy, the fuel-economy ratings will help you choose the most efficient vehicle to meet your needs. But bear in mind that your mileage will vary based on how you drive and how the car has been maintained. Where you live makes a difference, too. If your daily commute…

2 How to Get Better Mileage

BIG SAVINGS WITH HIGHER MPGs

This chart can help you determine your annual fuel savings by choosing a more fuel-efficient vehicle over one that gets worse gas mileage. To compare two vehicles CR has tested, first look up their overall mpg in the charts starting on page 36. Then find the overall mpg figure for one vehicle on one axis of this chart, and the mpg for the other vehicle on the other axis. The box where the two intersect shows how much money you'd save per year, assuming you drive 12,000 miles per year and gasoline costs $3.60 per gallon. Higher fuel prices would mean greater savings. A vehicle that uses regular fuel will save you even more money when compared with one that runs on premium.…

BIG SAVINGS WITH HIGHER MPGs

SECRETS TO GETTING MORE MILEAGE

How you drive can significantly affect your fuel economy. That's the key finding of CR's fueleconomy tests. On the highway, keeping your speed down, driving steadily, and not carrying items on the roof are key to cutting fuel bills. In city and stop-and-go conditions, driving smoothly and with the engine warmed up make the greatest difference. We used four-cylinder sedans and SUVs, and a V6-powered SUV, to test the effects of driving aggressively, carrying a car-top storage box and/or bicycles on racks, driving at faster and slower speeds on the highway, and driving with a cold engine, underinflated tires, and a dirty air cleaner. Of course, the biggest factor is vehicle choice. Even when we simultaneously committed a number of fuel-economy faux pas, the sedans got better fuel economy than the…

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOME CHARGER FOR YOUR EV

As electric vehicle sales increase, Consumer Reports decided to test several popular wall chargers that EV buyers might consider when they are purchasing a car. We also asked a focus group of EV owners about what they need and like in a home charger, known in the industry as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). We evaluated hardwired (permanently installed) and plug-in types, ranging in price from $300 to $700. The seven we evaluated performed similarly, but we learned about which features matter and which ones you might want to skip–or at least not buy as an extra. We list three staff favorites at right. CHARGING CONVENIENCE Owners of pure electric cars may find it helpful to have a wall charger installed to get charging done in a few hours instead of overnight or over…

THE WALL CHARGERS WE EVALUATED

We installed each of these EVSEs to temporary walls at the Consumer Reports Auto Center and used them to charge our growing fleet of electric and plug-in hybrid test cars. These units cost between $300 and $700 at the time of purchase, before any tax credits. Since then, they have been replaced with newer models or the prices have changed. CORD LENGTH: 25 Feet RESUME CHARGING: Yes WHERE TO BUY: Amazon This midpriced, versatile choice is a smart charger, with a dedicated app and WiFi connectivity, and can be scheduled to charge at off-peak times. It can charge up to 40 amps, thereby reducing charge times. The long 25-foot cord is a plus. CORD LENGTH: 23 Feet RESUME CHARGING: Yes WHERE TO BUY: Amazon, ChargePoint, Home Depot We liked the Home Flex's compact, sleek design and attention to…

THE WALL CHARGERS WE EVALUATED

2014-2023 CR Fuel-Economy and Road-Test Dat

These charts show the overall fuel-economy, acceleration, and braking test results for more than 600 vehicles. Trans. is the transmission type (AT=automatic, MT=manual, CVT=continuously variable, seq=sequential, D=direct drive) and number of speeds as tested. HP is the horsepower of the engine tested. Engine is the configuration (H= hybrid, T=turbo, SC=supercharged, TD=turbodiesel, L=liters). CR's overall mpg is the miles per gallon from CR's tests. For electric cars (identified with *), the mpg equivalent is listed. Plug-in hybrid (identified with **) mileage is a combination of electric and gas. 0-60 mph acceleration is determined by starting from a standstill with the engine idling. Braking is the distance in feet that a vehicle took to stop from 60 mph on dry pavement without any of the wheels locking up.…

2014-2023 CR Fuel-Economy and Road-Test Dat

3 How to Avoid A Lemon

Ask the Right Questions When you've found a vehicle or two you're interested in–whether being sold by a dealership or privately–begin sizing up its condition and history over the phone. You can make some copies of the checklist on page 57 to help you keep notes about the conversation. Begin by asking the owner or car dealer these basic questions. The answers can help you decide if it's worth a trip to take a closer look, particularly if you're buying from a private party. How many miles does it have? If the mileage is more than 20,000 per year or less than 5,000, ask why. A highmileage car used on a long highway commute may have less wear than if it did a lot of short trips or stop-and-go driving. Still, take any…

3 How to Avoid A Lemon

DON'T GET STUCK WITH A PROBLEM CAR

It's a used-car buyer's nightmare: getting a rebuilt wreck despite doing your research. That's because a rebuilt wreck is difficult to spot. Even buying a model known for good reliability is no guarantee that it won't have problems. According to a Carfax report in January 2023, as many as 40 percent of the vehicles on the road have some sort of crash damage. CR has found that vehicle history reports can't catch everything. Different state laws on salvage titles allow for big loopholes. Even when a car's title is labeled as salvaged, buyers might miss it. Make sure the seller's name is on the title, and be especially wary of any car with a “lost” title. But even cars with clean titles and vehicle history reports may have been wrecked. One of the best…

WHAT GOES WRONG AS CARS AGE

Even the best cars develop problems as they rack up miles. Parts wear, break down, and ultimately need replacement, following the natural order for any car. But components wear at different rates. Breaking out the data from our Annual Auto Surveys, as highlighted in the charts below, reveals trends among the 20 potential trouble areas. We grouped the related issues and plotted the percentage of problem rates over time, from 1-year-old vehicles all the way up to 10-year-old ones. Most categories cover multiple subsystems. For example, the climate system, one of the most frequently cited problem in older models (6- to 10-year-old cars), includes the A/C compressor, automatic climate controls, blower (fan) motor, condenser, electrical failure, heater system, and refrigerant leaks. Turn to the Vehicle Reviews, starting on page 96, to see what…

WHAT GOES WRONG AS CARS AGE

SHOULD YOU BUY A CERTIFIED USED CAR?

Dealers tout them and buyers look for the label, but is there an advantage to a “certified pre-owned” (CPO) vehicle? Or are they just an expensive limited warranty? A “certified” used car is one that has been vetted and deemed to be in better operating condition than its peers. In reality, that's not always the case. Certified cars tend to cost thousands of dollars more than a typical used car. Much of that upcharge is due to an included warranty or service contract. CR has historically advised against paying extra for an extended warranty. Actuarial data shows you might be better served saving your cash to use for repairs on a noncertified car. But that doesn't take into account the time and hassle of going to a repair shop and being without your…

7 WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN BUYING

1 HAVE IT INSPECTED Just because a report is clean doesn't mean the vehicle is free of problems. Some dealers that have provided “clean” reports have used them in court as a defense against charges that they knew a vehicle was a former wreck when they sold it. We also know cases of dealers altering reports that showed problems. So before buying a used car, have an independent mechanic check it for any damage. 2 TAKE A TEST DRIVE Make note of unusual squeaks or rattles. If a car pulls to one side or tracks poorly, that might hint at previous damage. Check the back of body panels and doorjambs for paint overspray, a sign that the car may have had bodywork. The smell of mildew or mold could indicate water damage. 3 CHECK…

7 WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN BUYING

GET YOUR CAR FIXED (ALMOST) FOR FREE

Nothing is more frustrating to a car owner than a vehicle whose paint starts peeling or whose roof is leaking just a few years after leaving the dealer's lot. Having to make expensive, post-warranty repairs sends a signal to consumers that says: You're getting ripped off. But you can often save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair bills by taking advantage of special unadvertised automaker programs that provide free or discounted service work. Though manufacturers often call these programs “service actions” or “customer satisfaction campaigns,” many people refer to them as secret or hidden warranties because they're rarely announced to the public. Here are two examples: Owners of Audis from 2010 to 2023 who are having problems with a musty smell from the heating and ventilation system can have a…

GET YOUR CAR FIXED (ALMOST) FOR FREE

4 Getting the Best Deal

Watch Your Total Cost With interest rates as high as they are, it's critical that you comparison shop for your next used car loan. Getting preapproved will allow you to jump on a good deal without any lingering red tape to delay the process. Ultimately, you want to balance a loan's total cost with a monthly payment you can afford. But if you simply concentrate on the payment, you'll increase the chances of ending up with a bad deal. When comparing loans, focus on the annual percentage rate (APR) figure. A lower one can produce significant long-term savings. For example, a three-year $15,000 loan with a 5 percent APR would save you $1,240 overall, compared with a loan at 10 percent. Over a longer-term loan, this hidden cost would multiply. Another key consideration…

4 Getting the Best Deal

CHECK THE NUMBERS

One way that dealerships make additional money on used cars is through an autofinancing practice called “interest-rate bumping.” Here's how it works: After reviewing your credit history and score, the finance company or bank used by the dealership determines you're eligible for a loan rate of, say, 6 percent per year. But the dealership can bump up the rate and keep the additional money for itself, and it doesn't have to tell you that a lower rate is possible. This practice, also called a markup, is allowed by finance companies, and it provides an incentive to the dealer for this additional profit. On an $18,000 fiveyear loan, an increase of 3 percentage points would take an additional $1,560 out of your pocket and give it to the dealer. This is one way…

WHERE TO SHOP FOR A CAR LOAN

The auto-finance business is enormous, with hundreds of institutions making hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of car loans every year. The largest lenders are big national banks like Ally Bank, Capital One, and Chase. Other big players are the “captive” finance companies belonging to automakers, such as Ford Credit and Toyota Financial Services. Some of the best deals come from those captives, especially when the automaker itself is subsidizing the loans. Other lenders include credit unions, local banks, and finance companies. Consumer finance companies aren't banks–they don't take deposits–and many of them specialize in making high-interestrate subprime loans. Big names there include Credit Acceptance Corp., Westlake Financial, and Santander, an international bank that also has a large consumerfinance division in the U.S. Discrimination in auto lending is nothing new. An academic…

WHERE TO SHOP FOR A CAR LOAN

CR's All-Purpose Repair Guide

THIS CHAPTER DISCUSSES when you should go to an independent repair shop instead of a dealership for maintenance or repairs, the overall advantages and disadvantages of each, and some of the ways you can avoid paying more money than necessary. It also includes CR's latest ratings for tires–which buyers of used cars often have to replace after a purchase–as well as expert advice on how to choose the right tires for your vehicle. Where to Get Your Car Fixed Maintenance and repairs are two different things. Routine maintenance items are listed in your owner's manual as part of the service schedule and are intended to keep your vehicle in top operating condition. Repairs are services to fix an unexpected problem, such as a fuel pump failure. Where you take your vehicle depends on…

CR's All-Purpose Repair Guide

CAR MYTHS DEBUNKED

Myth Tires should be inflated to the pressure embossed on the sidewall of the tire. Truth The tire-pressure figure on the sidewall is the maximum pressure, not the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. Always use the latter, which will provide the best balance of ride, handling, safety, and fuel economy for your vehicle. The figure is usually printed in the owner's manual, as well as on a sticker on a doorjamb or the fuel-filler door. Check the tire pressure when your car has been at rest and out of direct sunlight for more than 3 hours. Myth Engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles. Truth Although oil companies and quicklube shops like to promote this idea, it's usually not necessary. Go by the recommended oil-change schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Most vehicles driven under normal conditions…

IT PAYS TO SHOP AROUND

You might expect that the price for, say, a 30,000-mile service procedure on a specific model would cost about the same from one dealership to the next. But you'd be wrong. In 2019 we got prices from dealers in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles on scheduled maintenance for specific cars: a 30,000-mile service on a 2017 Camry from Toyota dealers, a 60,000-mile service on a 2016 Explorer from Ford dealers, and a 120,000-mile service on a 2008 Civic from Honda dealers. In most areas, prices differed by about $150 or more, even among similar dealers in the same area. In one area, the difference was more than $300. Many dealers included items not listed in the owner's manual. For example, some wanted to charge us for engine and transmission flushes, which several…

KEEPING AN EYE ON MAINTENANCE COSTS

Getting 200,000 miles of use–or more–from a vehicle is an impressive feat, but it's not impossible. Owners should be aware, though, that as a vehicle approaches that milestone, many of its components will start to wear out. As your car ages, you'll start to see some warning signs. Pay attention to them and you can avoid the double whammy of being stranded and slapped with an expensive, unexpected repair–or you can do the math and decide that it's time for a new car. In addition, not all of these are dire problems that require visiting a mechanic. Nothing will do more to make your car last longer than keeping on top of basic upkeep, CR's experts say. While the best source for maintenance intervals is your car's owner's manual, these are the…

KEEPING AN EYE ON MAINTENANCE COSTS

All About Car Batteries

AT CONSUMER REPORTS we test dozens of car batteries every year in our lab to help you make smart decisions when it's time to replace your battery. These evaluations are tough by design, including thousands of charges and discharges, and chilling the batteries to subfreezing temperatures. There are many factors that have an impact on how long a car battery will last, with weather being one of the most significant. (Hot temperatures are harder on them than cold temps are.) That's where our extreme testing can separate the batteries with promise from those that come up short. Many of the highest-scoring are pricey absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries. They're known for having a long service life and being able to tolerate deep discharges, when the battery has been significantly drained to 10.5 volts…

All About Car Batteries

GET THE RIGHT FIT

Batteries come in a variety of sizes, so it's important to choose the right one for your vehicle. The proper battery will fit securely and provide sufficient power, and its cables will reach the terminals. This list shows the common battery sizes and brands that typically use them. Check your owner's manual to verify the size for your specific vehicle. Size 24/24F (top terminal): Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles. Size 34/78 (dual terminal): Large Chrysler vehicles and many 1996 to 2000 GM vehicles. Size 35 (top terminal): Recent Honda and most Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota vehicles. Size 47 (H5) (top terminal): Buick, Chevrolet, Fiat, and Volkswagen models. Size 48 (H6) (top terminal): Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Volkswagen, and Volvo models. Size 49 (H8) (top terminal): Audi, BMW, Hyundai, and…

CR's Guide to New Tires

WHEN IT COMES to tires, we found that you generally get what you pay for. No matter the type, tires that combine the best grip with the longest tread life may cost a little more but are worth the extra money in the long run. For example, our testing has found that while most car and SUV tires can last 70,000 miles, some tires for sporty and luxury cars need replacing after 30,000 miles. Unless you don't plan to keep a car for long, a $92 tire that will last more than twice as long as a $54 tire is a better value, assuming other factors are equal. Although tires come with warranty coverage, it may not be as useful as it sounds. Tire warranties are prorated, meaning only the balance of…

CR's Guide to New Tires

SHOPPING SMART: THE BEST TIRES FOR YOUR BUDGET

It's hard to overstate how important tires are to safe driving. After all, they are the only part of the car that touches the road. That's why CR puts so much effort into testing: to help you find the right tires for your car, truck, or SUV. CR'S UNIQUE TESTING As the tire market evolves, so do CR's testing methods. We replaced our basic cornering test with a more dynamic evaluation of acceleration, braking, and handling on a 2-plus-acre course over wet asphalt. This all-inone test better reflects real-world challenges that drivers face. This past year we purchased more than 450 tires for our test program, covering 57 models in the all-season truck, all-terrain truck, winter truck, and all-season SUV tire categories. We tested them at our track in Connecticut for wet and dry…

How to Read the Writing on the (Side) Wall

All tires have sidewall markings that tell you things like what size they are and how much weight they can carry. But that's just some of the information that's on the tire sidewall. Here's what all of the markings mean. > Size. On the example tire, 225 is the cross-section width in millimeters, 40 is the ratio of sidewall height to its width (40 percent), R indicates radial-ply construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter measured in inches. > Load index. This references the weight each tire can carry safely. A 92 load index translates to 1,389 pounds per tire, typical for this type. When replacing your tires, be sure to match or increase the original load index rating. > Speed rating. A letter denotes the tire's maximum sustainable speed. For S-speed-rated tires,…

How to Read the Writing on the (Side) Wall

FIND THE RIGHT TIRE FOR YOUR CAR

All-Season These are the tires that come standard on many cars, minivans, and SUVs. BEST FOR: Year-round traction, long tread life, and a comfortable ride. But they may lack the precise handling and grip of performance tires. SPEED RATING: Most are T (118 mph) or H (130 mph). TREADWEAR WARRANTY: Typically 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Performance All-Season They come standard on many newer cars. BEST FOR: Improved handling over all-season tires, but they can have shorter treadwear than many all-season tires. SPEED RATING: Typically V (149 mph). TREADWEAR WARRANT Y: Typically 55,000 to 75,000 miles. Ultra-HighPerformance All-Season & Summer Found on sports cars, sports sedans, and some lower-priced sporty models. BEST FOR: Wet and dry braking and handling. But they trade some winter performance and tread life for ultimate warmweather grip. SPEED RATING: Z (more than 149 mph), W (168 mph), or Y (186…

FIND THE RIGHT TIRE FOR YOUR CAR

6 Get Top Dollar for Your Car

What Is Your Car's Value? Whether the used-car market is hot or cold, it's key to know your car's value whether you are selling or trading it in. If you sell the vehicle yourself, you'll often get more than the wholesale price (the car's value if you trade it in). If you trade in your car, the dealer will offer something close to its wholesale value after taking all variables (options, mileage, condition, and so on) into consideration. The less money the dealer gives you for it, the more profit they can make when they resell it. While you should look for the best deal, the days of car dealers paying “any price for any used car,” like they did in 2020 and 2021, are over. Start by making your car presentable, then take…

6 Get Top Dollar for Your Car

BOOST YOUR CAR'S CURB APPEAL

Making your vehicle look as good as possible can pay big dividends by improving its value. Depending on its condition, you can spruce up the car yourself or take it to a professional detailer. Prices generally start around $100 for a full detail treatment but can rapidly increase depending on the region, type of vehicle, and amount of work needed. Detailing sometimes isn't much more than an extra-good job of polishing the body and cleaning the inside, plus removing every smudge and scrap of grime. But preparing a particularly rough car for sale may involve bodywork, paint touch-ups, and heavy-duty buffing. As with all do-it-yourself projects, the more elbow grease you invest, the less you'll need to pay someone else. Here are some tips on how to get the best results from…

The Numbers Behind Reliability Ratings

This chart shows the average rates of problems in each trouble spot by model year for the vehicles in CR's Annual Auto Surveys. For example, about 2 percent of EVs and Hybrids had EV Battery problems, on average. The 2014 Toyota Prius C on the facing page scores a (much worse than average) because 7.6 percent of them had a problem in this area. For 2017 models the average rate of Climate System problems among vehicles in our survey was about 3 percent. Because none of the 2017 Toyota Prius V owners reported a problem in this category, it scores (much better than average). Because high-mileage cars tend to encounter more problems than low-mileage cars, problem rates are standardized to minimize differences due to mileage. We note models that have been redesigned or newly introduced by…

The Numbers Behind Reliability Ratings

The Basis for CR's Reliability Ratings

How to Read the Charts To check on the reliability history of a particular year's model, start with the Overall Reliability. This score shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year, calculated from the total number of problems reported by members in all trouble spots. Because problems with the engine, major; engine cooling; transmission, major; drive system; EV motor; and EV battery can be serious and expensive to repair, our calculations give extra weight to problems in those areas. To see a model's strengths and weaknesses, look at the individual scores for each of the 20 trouble spots. The chart below shows the average problem rates for all models in the survey in each trouble spot by year. Scores for each profile reliability chart…

The Basis for CR's Reliability Ratings

CR'S VEHICLE REVIEWS

1. RECOMMENDED MODELS These models have consistently done well in our tests and have had consistently aboveaverage reliability. 2. OVERVIEW This assessment by CR's auto experts is based on testing and research through the years covered. 3. REDESIGN/ FRESHENING Here we note the model year or years that the vehicle was introduced or received significant design changes. In between major redesigns, a model typically remains the same from year to year, sometimes with minor changes in styling, trim, features, or the powertrain. 4. SAFETY EQUIPMENT We note the availability of side and head protection airbags, antilock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind spot warning (BSW). 5. DRIVE WHEELS This tells you whether a vehicle uses front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or allwheel drive. 4WD is available as a…

CR'S VEHICLE REVIEWS

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