All articles tagged with #consumer reports
Consumer Reports’ latest rankings place the 2026 Honda CR-V behind several rivals in the compact-SUV segment, with the Subaru Forester (gas and Hybrid), Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, and Mazda CX-5 scoring higher overall; the Forester Hybrid tops the rankings, Mazda CX-5 posts the best predicted reliability, and the CR-V’s Hybrid lags in owner satisfaction and reliability compared with its rivals.
Consumer Reports’ 2026 Top Picks span 10 models across segments, and for the first time every Top Pick is a hybrid or electric vehicle. The lineup features Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, Lexus NX Hybrid/PHEV, BMW X5 (gas and plug-in), Ford Maverick Hybrid, Ford F-150, and Tesla Model Y, with high Overall Scores based on road-test performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.
Consumer Reports has released its top 10 vehicles for 2026, and for the first time every model on the list is electrified—hybrids or battery-electric. The lineup spans from compact cars to full-size pickups and includes Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, Lexus NX Hybrid, Ford Maverick Hybrid, BMW X5 Hybrid, Tesla Model Y (the sole all-electric on the list), and Ford F-150 (hybrid option). The rankings emphasize efficiency, reliability and safety, with many models priced under $50,000.
Consumer Reports' 2026 tire guide spans all-season, EV, ultra-high-performance, and winter tires, with Michelin Defender2 leading the all-season category, Hankook Ion Evo AS topping EV tires, Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 and Pilot Sport 4 S winning their respective UHP categories, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 as the top winter tire, and Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 as the top performance winter tire; prices, tread life, and owner satisfaction vary across picks.
Consumer Reports’ tire-brand satisfaction survey ranks Sumitomo at or near the bottom across all four tire types (all-season, all-terrain, winter/snow, and summer), citing weaker handling, wet-grip, and quicker wear. Dunlop and GT Radial also underperform, while brands like Michelin, Vredestein, Bridgestone, Nokian lead in several segments.
Consumer Reports and JD Power rank Walmart Auto Center as the lowest among national tire retailers for customer satisfaction, citing slow installation times, difficult scheduling, trouble securing specific tire models, and weak sales assistance. Other chains like Pep Boys, Mavis, and Tires Plus underperform as well, while top retailers such as Les Schwab, Midas, and Jiffy Lube score higher for installation and service. The piece advises researching perks (e.g., free rotation/balancing), understanding warranties, reading reviews, and comparing pricing and policies when choosing where to buy and install tires.
Two reliability surveys — Consumer Reports and JD Power — cite eight non‑Camry models as more dependable than the Camry in 2026, including the Corolla, Crown, Kicks, Murano, Crosstrek, Corolla Cross, Avalon, and Impreza. Corolla tops CR’s Camry comparison (76 vs 74), while JD Power highlights strong three‑year dependability for several of these models (e.g., Avalon scoring highly) with notes on price and trims for compact sedans and SUVs. The list excludes pickups, luxury, and sports cars.
Consumer Reports highlights the most reliable German SUVs for 2025, with the BMW X3, Audi Q7, BMW X5 xDrive50e Plug-In Hybrid, BMW X7, and BMW X5 leading in reliability scores, thanks to their advanced engineering, engine dependability, and high-quality features.
Consumer Reports highlights five top electric vehicles under $50,000, including the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia Niro Electric, Nissan Ariya, and Audi Q4 E-Tron, emphasizing their range, features, and reliability for budget-conscious buyers.
Consumer Reports, using data from Insurify, lists Subaru, Buick, Volvo, GMC, and Mini as the top five cheapest car brands to insure in the US, with Subaru being the most affordable. Insurance costs vary based on multiple factors, including vehicle safety features and personal circumstances, so shopping around is recommended.
The article reviews the 12 best wireless speakers for audiophiles based on Consumer Reports, highlighting features like sound quality, ease of use, versatility, and smart connectivity options, with top picks including Edifier S1000MKII, Denon Home 250, and Sonos Five.
Consumer Reports' analysis shows that the Subaru Forester is the cheapest recommended car to insure, with an average annual premium of $2,184, while the Tesla Model 3 is the most expensive at $4,835, highlighting significant differences in insurance costs among popular vehicles.
Consumer Reports has named OxiClean Max Force Stain Remover Spray as the best laundry stain remover, praised for its effectiveness on tough stains like oil, grass, and food, and supported by high consumer ratings. It contains five stain-fighting ingredients and is easy to use, but should be used cautiously on delicate fabrics and color-prone garments.
Consumer Reports has identified OxiClean Max Force Stain Remover Spray as the best laundry stain remover, praised for its effectiveness on tough stains like oil, grass, and food, and supported by high consumer ratings. It is easy to use but should be avoided on delicate fabrics like wool and silk, and caution is advised for colored garments due to potential color change. Overall, it's a highly recommended product for tackling stubborn laundry stains.
A study by Consumer Reports found that some protein powders contain dangerously high levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, especially in plant-based products, raising health concerns and highlighting the need for better manufacturing practices.