Majority of Consumer Reports' top 10 vehicle picks have electrified variants

The majority of Consumer Reports' top model choices for 2024 are electrified. Six of the entries on the organization's top 10 list have a conventional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid variant.

PHEVs gained prominence on the Consumer Reports list this year, aligning with their presence in the market.

Plug-in hybrids are "the most misunderstood powertrain," said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. "But it's really a good choice for a lot of people if they understand what they're getting into."A conventional hybrid has an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that work together to run the vehicle. Plug-in hybrids also have an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, but their chargeable batteries are utilized first. The gasoline-powered engine kicks in once the batteries are depleted.

PHEV sales expanded 60 percent in 2023, a higher rate of growth than electric vehicles or conventional hybrids, according to Consumer Reports' analysis. Automakers are taking note as the pace of battery-electric vehicle sales slows. General Motors last month said it would bring PHEVs back into its portfolio after previously promising a full EV future.

The top 10 models scored the highest in Consumer Reports' ratings of road tests, predicted reliability, safety and customer satisfaction. The ranking, divided by segment, includes the Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Prius/Prius Prime, Subaru Forester, Mazda3, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Maverick/Maverick Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, BMW X5/X5 PHEV and Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Three of the top picks have made the ranking for two straight years — the Forester, Camry Hybrid and Maverick/Maverick Hybrid. The Model Y is on the list for the first time, due in large part to the reliability of the Supercharger public EV charging network, Fisher said.

Consumer Reports' test of more than a dozen plug-ins found most are faster, quieter and more satisfying to drive than gasoline-only versions of the same vehicles. Still, evaluating the cost benefits takes time, Fisher said. Consumer Reports launched a new buying guide with cost calculators to help consumers compare buying options. Its Electrified Vehicles Hub now includes ratings and data for PHEVs.

Consumer Reports calculated the cost spread for full battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid options for California, Massachusetts, Florida and Washington consumers who drive 40 miles per day, plug in their PHEVs or EVs nightly and take four 500-mile road trips annually. Results differ by state because of varied energy costs.

But in each state, fueling a plug-in BMW 3 Series was more cost-effective than fueling the gasoline-powered version. In three states, a plug-in Hyundai Tucson was more cost-effective than a hybrid. For the Kia Niro, fueling costs for the EV were slightly less than the cost to fuel a plug-in hybrid in Florida and Washington. Fueling a plug-in Niro was $9 cheaper in California and $101 cheaper in Massachusetts compared with charging the electric version.

Typically, consumers get the best deal on energy costs with an EV. A PHEV is second best, with a hybrid third, Fisher said. But individual use cases are complicated.

In states with higher electricity rates, consumers might be better off with a hybrid. And PHEV drivers' use of their electric range varies, he said. A driver with a short daily commute in a warm climate may drive on electricity 90 percent of the time. Someone else may never plug it in, completely relying on gasoline instead.

Compared with a PHEV, "an EV or a hybrid is simple: I'm running on gasoline or I'm running on electricity," Fisher said.

BMW ranks No. 1 on Consumer Reports' brand report card for the second consecutive year. BMW models had an average price of $68,191 in January, according to Kelley Blue Book. Consumers are paying for that positive experience with a luxury brand.

Subaru, the second-ranked brand, "is almost more of a feat," Fisher said. "They have a smaller product line, but they make some really good gas vehicles, which are very efficient."

Porsche, Honda, Lexus, Mini, Kia, Mazda, Toyota and Hyundai round out the top 10. Based on its testing and surveys, Consumer Reports recommends any tested model from seven brands — BMW, Porsche, Honda, Mini, Kia, Mazda and Acura.