Consumer_Reports_-_April_2020

CHOOSING A CAR isn’t a one-size-

fits-all proposition. A driver’s

stature can have an effect on

seat comfort, driving position,

ease of getting in and out,

and outward visibility. The CR

testers who evaluate these

factors range in height from

5 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet, 2 inches.

We’ve based the 10 best models

for short and tall drivers (in rank

order) on their evaluations of

those four factors. Some models

steal rear seat space to make

the front area bigger, so if you

regularly carry passengers in

the front or rear, bring them

along on the test drive.

BEST + WORST

A NEW CAR can depreciate by as much as

40 percent in its first three years yet

still have most of its useful life ahead of

it. That means buying used can be a real

bargain. The first owner took the hit to

the residual value and you get to enjoy the

savings —as long as maintenance and repair

costs are low. The used cars, wagons,

SUVs, and pickup trucks on this list are the

most likely to hold up over time. All of them

performed well in our tests when new and

have above-average reliability in the years

listed, based on survey data from the CR

members who own them.

THE AVERAGE PRICE paid for a new

car has climbed to about $37,000,

according to the National Automobile

Dealers Association. But a wide

array of CR-recommended models

cost far less. The cars and SUVs on

this list are all recommended, having

met our stringent performance,

reliability, and safety standards.

And don’t assume you’ll have to

settle for bare-bones trim levels to

save money. Many of these can be

purchased with desirable features

and still cost less than $30,000.

SMALL CARS

Honda Civic

Honda Fit

Honda Insight

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra GT

Kia Forte

Kia Soul

Mazda

Subaru Impreza

Toyota Corolla

(incl. hybrid)

To y o t a Cor olla

Hatchback

Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius Prime

To y o t a Yaris

Volkswagen Golf

MIDSIZED CARS

Ford Fusion

Honda Accord

Kia Optima

Mazda

Nissan Altima

Subaru Legacy

To y o t a C amr y

SPORTS CARS

Honda Civic Si

Hyundai Veloster

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Mini Cooper S

Subaru BRZ

To y o t a 86

SMALL SUVs

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Kona

Kia Sportage

Mazda CX-

Mazda CX-

Nissan Rogue

Nissan Rogue Sport

Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Forester

SMALL CARS

Acura TSX ’10-

BMW i3 ’14-15, ’

Honda Fit ’11-13, ’16-

Lexus CT200h

’11-13, ’

Mazda3 ’11-

Nissan Leaf

’11-13, ’15-

Scion xB ’12, ’

Toyota Corolla ’10-

To y o t a Ma tri x ’

Toyota Prius ’10-

Toyota Prius C ’12-

MIDSIZED CARS

Acura TL ’10, ’12-

Honda Accord ’10-

Hyundai Azera ’12-

Lexus ES ’10-

Lexus GS ’

Lexus IS ’10-12, ’

Lexus LS ’10-

Mazda6 ’10, ’15-

To y o t a Av alon ’10-

Toyota Camry ’10-

SPORTS CARS

Mazda MX-5 Miata ’12-

WAGONS

Toyota Prius V ’12-

Toyota Venza ’10-

Volvo XC70 ’12-13, ’

SMALL SUVs

Mazda CX-5 ’13-

Nissan Rogue Sport

’17-

To y o t a R AV4 ’10-

MIDSIZED

& LARGE SUVs

Lexus RX ’10-

Toyota 4Runner ’10-

To y o t a Highlander ’10-

PICKUP TRUCKS

Honda Ridgeline ’10-

To y o t a Tundr a ’10-

Best Used

Vehicles

Under

$20,

Best New

Vehicles

Under

$30,

Best for

Short and

Tall Drivers

16 CR.ORG APRIL 2020