Owner Satisfaction: The Most-Loved Car Models

When it comes to buying a new car, Consumer Reports members have told us that a low price or a luxury badge doesn’t automatically translate into happiness. Some models that you might expect to put a smile on an owner’s face actually make them frown—or worse.

The models that top the owner satisfaction ratings deliver on the manufacturer’s promises of luxury, fuel and energy efficiency (gas or electric), or pulse-quickening performance and are often the ones that satisfy owners the most. The regular workday vehicles are fine because they get the job done, but they don’t do anything to excite people. 

Below we highlight the best in each subcategory, ranging from subcompact cars to luxury SUVs and full-sized pickup trucks.

Consumer Reports members shared the experiences they’ve had with more than 300,000 vehicles in our most recent auto surveys. Primarily, they were asked whether they would buy the same car again. That decision is the basis of CR’s owner satisfaction score.