honda fresh car

Top Cars in Consumer Reports Road Tests

Top Cars in Consumer Reports’ Road Tests

The best cars shine in our road tests, as well as with reliability, possessor satisfaction, and safety, earning an extraordinaire Overall Score. The journey to that score starts with a car being purchased for testing.

Road-test scores are based on more than fifty individual Consumer Reports tests and evaluations, and they are introduced on a 100-point scale.

Our list highlights the top-scoring vehicles in our road tests, and it also highlights those at the bottom of the pack.

You can create your own custom-made lists based on the factors you find most interesting by using our interactive Car Selector device (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).

Tesla Model S P85D

Road-Test Score: 100

Receiving a midyear freshening, this sporty four-door luxury car seats five (or seven with the optional rear-facing hop seats) and just happens to be electrical. With its optional 90-kWh battery–the largest available–it has a claimed range of two hundred ninety four miles. The 85-kWh P85D that we tested had a 220-mile range and can be fully charged in about five hours on a dedicated Tesla connector. Spectacle is exceptional, with thrilling acceleration, pinpoint treating, and a rigid yet convenient rail. A massive iPad-like center screen controls many functions but can be distracting. Drawbacks include taut access, restricted visibility, and range limitations, especially in cold weather. All-wheel drive and active safety features are also available.

BMW 750i xDrive

Road-Test Score: 99

Among ultra-luxury sedans, the BMW seven Series has always played 2nd fiddle to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But the current seven aced our tests, with an impressively stable rail, silky-smooth powertrain, good treating, and a sumptuous cabin. The base 740i is powered by a Three.0-liter turbo six-cylinder. Our typically tooled 750i, with the polished and punchy 445-hp, Four.4-liter turbo V8 and all-wheel drive, rang in at $110,645. Albeit the controls have a steep learning curve, they prove logical once mastered. The luxurious interior is super-quiet, with impeccable attention to detail and supremely convenient seats. Interior quality is superb, with the wood, leather, suede, and aluminum trim delivering a modern ambiance without looking glitzy.

BMW M235i

Road-Test Score: 98

This puny coupe is exhilarating to drive, with razor-sharp treating and a sporty feel that is missing in other latest BMWs. For 2017, the 228i is renamed the 230i and comes with a 248-hp, Two.0-liter four-cylinder; the uplevel M235i we tested, now named M240i, has a terrific 320-hp, Trio.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that responds instantly to every prod of the throttle. A 365-hp M2 version with even sportier treating is available. The six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions are slick and super-responsive. The excellent front seats are very supportive, but the rears are very cramped. Interior appointments are first-rate, and the iDrive control system is logical once mastered. All-wheel drive and a convertible are available.

Audi Q7 Premium Plus

Road-Test Score: 96

Audi’s luxury three-row SUV is an outstanding vehicle, and among the best we’ve ever tested. It employs a supercharged Three.0-liter V6 that is mated to a very slick eight-speed automatic. This results in effortless acceleration and fuel economy of twenty mpg overall in our tests. The Q7 is very quiet, instilling a sense of tranquility. The rail has an underlying firmness unless you splurge on the Prestige trim and the optional air suspension, which makes it as plush as a luxury car. Treating is responsive and confidence-inspiring. The beautifully finished interior exudes luxury, with excellent seats and a vivid, high-tech digital instrument cluster. The controls prove logical with familiarity. Available advanced safety systems include automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

Mercedes-Benz S550 (AWD)

Road-Test Score: 96

The S-Class is brimming with features and qualities that make it stand out among luxury cars. A powerful Four.7-liter turbo V8 provides effortless acceleration and delivered eighteen mpg overall in our tests. The S550 brings a entire host of advanced technology, including the capability to go after the road and stop by itself in an emergency. The rail is very plush and steady–the best we’ve ever tested–and the cabin is ultrahushed. Along with the seats and steering wheel, the door and center armrests are heated as well. Even however the S-Class is large and posh, treating agility is commendable. Many controls are overly complicated, however. A coupe version is available, as is a plug-in hybrid.

Cadillac CT6 Luxury (Trio.6L, AWD)

Road-Test Score: 95

Cadillac’s fresh flagship fits above the CTS and is priced to contest with the luxury-midsized crowd. This large sedan possesses some athletic chops and feels upbeat to drive. The rock-hard rail is stable, managed, and compliant, and the interior is very quiet. The base engine is a turbo-four, but most buyers will opt for the midlevel nonturbo V6; the top trim carries a 404-hp twin-turbocharged V6. The eight-speed automatic is slick and responsive. All-wheel drive comes standard with the V6s. The interior is plush and roomy, but cabin storage is scant. Front-seat convenience is superb, but the rear seat is a bit brief on hip support. Despite improvements, the updated Cue infotainment system is still unintuitive. A plug-in hybrid version with an estimated thirty miles of EV range has joined the ranks.

Porsche nine hundred eleven Carrera S

Road-Test Score: 95

The 911’s iconic form hides a accurately modern sports car, delivering spectacle and relative refinement. All of the engines have been updated, with the base model getting a 370-hp six and the Carrera S a 420-hp six, both matched with a seven-speed manual. The nine hundred eleven is quick, with sublime treating that makes you feel directly connected to the machine. The harass note is terrific, and driving the automated manual is almost as thrilling as the stick shift. The nine hundred eleven isn’t particularly taxing on long trips, thanks to its relatively supple rail and subdued noise levels, but the low-slung cabin makes access a challenge. The interior is beautifully crafted, but the numerous buttons and switches can be daunting at very first.

Porsche seven hundred eighteen Boxster

Road-Test Score: 95

Porsche’s roadster offers turbocharged Two.0- and Two.5-liter four-cylinder engines, substituting the previous Sixes. Most 718s come with a seven-speed automated manual, which impersonates a by hand shifted gearbox fairly well. A manual is also available. Chopping off two cylinders brought more readily available power and a guttural thrum, but at the expense of Porsche’s high-revving zing. Treating is superlative with awesome grip and balance, which make the car super-responsive and joy to drive. The rail is very stiff but not too penalizing. The cabin has a premium ambience, but the button overcharge takes getting used to. Opening or closing the well-insulated power top takes ten seconds, even on the stir up to forty three mph. The front trunk is a bonus.

BMW 530i xDrive

Road-Test Score: 94

BMW focused on on reducing weight, adding technology, and reducing cabin noise in the redesigned two thousand seventeen Five Series. The result is remarkably satisfying car, but one that is no longer the sporty choice of this class. Instead, it’s very plush, super quiet, finely crafted inwards, frugal with fuel, and more user friendly. The all-wheel-drive 530i we tested rails conveniently and treats responsively. Its turbo four-cylinder had ample power and, paired with a slick eight-speed automatic, delivered an exceptional twenty six mpg overall. The 540i uses a punchy 335-hp, Trio.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that effortlessly produces power. AWD is available, and standard on the V8-powered M550i. The 530e plug-in hybrid costs just $200 more than the 530i and can go a brief distance on electrical power alone. Optional active safety systems include forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT

Road-Test Score: 92

The sharp-edged Corvette has abundant power from its 455-hp, 6.2-liter V8 and an interior worthy of the price. A seven-speed manual is standard, with an eight-speed automatic optional. Drivers with a thirst for more power can opt for the 650-hp Z06. The car’s all-aluminum construction optimizes weight savings and strength. Whether in coupe or convertible form, acceleration is blisteringly quick and treating is pinpoint. With the adjustable driving modes the car can be a fairly refined cruiser or track-ready race car. The seats supply support and convenience. But you can’t disregard the low-slung cabin, which requires almost acrobatic abilities to access; the vague manual shifter; and the omnipresent tire noise.

Audi A8 L

Road-Test Score: 91

Audi’s top-level sedan supplies sleek and effortless acceleration yet attains commendable fuel economy even with all-wheel drive. The car treats crisply and holds the road tenaciously, making it one of the sportiest luxury sedans we’ve tested. The rail is rock hard and stable but not as cushy as in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Interior ambience, quality of materials, and craftsmanship are top-notch, and the cabin is quiet. The front seats are exceptionally comfy and supportive, with a diversity of rubdown settings. The rear seat is worthy of a limo, but the trunk is a bit petite. The infotainment system takes some getting used to but proves logical. The base supercharged V6 has ample power, but the Four.0-liter V8 turbo is a powerhouse worthy of such a flagship.

Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ

Road-Test Score: 91

Our top scoring large sedan, the Impala is roomy, comfy, quiet, and pleasant to drive. It even rails like a luxury sedan, feeling cushy and managed. Engine choices include a punchy Three.6-liter V6 and an adequate Two.5-liter four-cylinder, both paired with a six-speed automatic. In our tests, the V6 returned twenty two mpg overall and had good acceleration. Braking is capable, and treating is secure and responsive. The full-featured cabin stays very quiet and features a sumptuous backseat. Controls are intuitive and effortless to use, but rear visibility is restricted. Advanced electronic safety features are readily available. Latest updates include the addition of Apple CarPlay capability and wireless cell-phone charging.

Kia Cadenza

Road-Test Score: 91

Kia’s Cadenza is a competent large sedan that flies under the radar. It is considerably fatter than the Optima, rivaling with the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon. The car is roomy and quiet, with easy-to-use controls. The rail is pleasant enough, however not particularly plush. Treating is secure but not all that agile, feeling like the large car that it is. The 290-hp, Three.3-liter V6 is slick and powerful, and the eight-speed automatic shifts slickly. We got twenty four mpg overall. Higher-end Limited versions include extra soft-touch surfaces and more-luxurious leather seats. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning are available, but only in upper trim versions that cross the $40,000 mark.

Audi A6 (Three.0T)

Road-Test Score: 90

Audi’s A6 has a convenient rail and agile treating, strong spectacle, fine seats, and excellent fit and finish. It’s one of our highest ranked sedans and is a ideal long-distance cruiser with a whisper quiet, roomy cabin. The Two.0-liter turbo four-cylinder works well but has a raspy, less-than-luxurious engine sound. The Three.0-liter supercharged V6 we tested is sleek and punchy, and returned a commendable twenty two mpg overall. The front seats are convenient and supportive, and the rear seat is roomy for three adults. An added plus is the large trunk. Albeit the infotainment system’s center controller and screen take some getting used to, the system ultimately proves logical.

Infiniti Q70 (V6)

Road-Test Score: 90

Albeit long in the tooth, the Q70 is still competitive, with a upbeat 330-hp V6 and a sleek seven-speed automatic that returned twenty one mpg overall in our tests. A V8 and a V6 hybrid are also available. Treating is fairly agile, with communicative steering. The rail is rock-hard and absorbs bumps well but trails the competition in terms of plushness. The Q70 is also behind the competition in terms of cabin quietness, partly because of the noticeable engine noise under high revs. Very good interior quality, a roomy rear seat, and easy-to-use controls are positives, albeit cabin ambience is austere. Blind-spot intervention is optional. An extended-length L version with a roomier rear seat is also available. The Q70 might lack some pizazz, but it generally instructions significantly lower prices than its competitors.

Top Cars in Consumer Reports Road Tests

Top Cars in Consumer Reports’ Road Tests

The best cars shine in our road tests, as well as with reliability, holder satisfaction, and safety, earning an amazing Overall Score. The journey to that score starts with a car being purchased for testing.

Road-test scores are based on more than fifty individual Consumer Reports tests and evaluations, and they are introduced on a 100-point scale.

Our list highlights the top-scoring vehicles in our road tests, and it also highlights those at the bottom of the pack.

You can create your own custom-made lists based on the factors you find most interesting by using our interactive Car Selector instrument (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).

Tesla Model S P85D

Road-Test Score: 100

Receiving a midyear freshening, this sporty four-door luxury car seats five (or seven with the optional rear-facing hop seats) and just happens to be electrical. With its optional 90-kWh battery–the largest available–it has a claimed range of two hundred ninety four miles. The 85-kWh P85D that we tested had a 220-mile range and can be fully charged in about five hours on a dedicated Tesla connector. Spectacle is exceptional, with thrilling acceleration, pinpoint treating, and a hard yet comfy rail. A enormous iPad-like center screen controls many functions but can be distracting. Drawbacks include taut access, restricted visibility, and range limitations, especially in cold weather. All-wheel drive and active safety features are also available.

BMW 750i xDrive

Road-Test Score: 99

Among ultra-luxury sedans, the BMW seven Series has always played 2nd fiddle to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But the current seven aced our tests, with an impressively stable rail, silky-smooth powertrain, good treating, and a sumptuous cabin. The base 740i is powered by a Trio.0-liter turbo six-cylinder. Our typically tooled 750i, with the polished and punchy 445-hp, Four.4-liter turbo V8 and all-wheel drive, rang in at $110,645. Albeit the controls have a steep learning curve, they prove logical once mastered. The luxurious interior is super-quiet, with impeccable attention to detail and supremely comfy seats. Interior quality is superb, with the wood, leather, suede, and aluminum trim delivering a modern ambiance without looking glitzy.

BMW M235i

Road-Test Score: 98

This petite coupe is exhilarating to drive, with razor-sharp treating and a sporty feel that is missing in other latest BMWs. For 2017, the 228i is renamed the 230i and comes with a 248-hp, Two.0-liter four-cylinder; the uplevel M235i we tested, now named M240i, has a terrific 320-hp, Trio.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that responds instantly to every prod of the throttle. A 365-hp M2 version with even sportier treating is available. The six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions are slick and super-responsive. The excellent front seats are very supportive, but the rears are very cramped. Interior appointments are first-rate, and the iDrive control system is logical once mastered. All-wheel drive and a convertible are available.

Audi Q7 Premium Plus

Road-Test Score: 96

Audi’s luxury three-row SUV is an amazing vehicle, and among the best we’ve ever tested. It employs a supercharged Trio.0-liter V6 that is mated to a very sleek eight-speed automatic. This results in effortless acceleration and fuel economy of twenty mpg overall in our tests. The Q7 is very quiet, instilling a sense of tranquility. The rail has an underlying firmness unless you splurge on the Prestige trim and the optional air suspension, which makes it as plush as a luxury car. Treating is responsive and confidence-inspiring. The beautifully finished interior exudes luxury, with excellent seats and a vivid, high-tech digital instrument cluster. The controls prove logical with familiarity. Available advanced safety systems include automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

Mercedes-Benz S550 (AWD)

Road-Test Score: 96

The S-Class is brimming with features and qualities that make it stand out among luxury cars. A powerful Four.7-liter turbo V8 provides effortless acceleration and delivered eighteen mpg overall in our tests. The S550 brings a entire host of advanced technology, including the capability to go after the road and stop by itself in an emergency. The rail is very plush and steady–the best we’ve ever tested–and the cabin is ultrahushed. Along with the seats and steering wheel, the door and center armrests are heated as well. Even however the S-Class is large and posh, treating agility is commendable. Many controls are overly complicated, however. A coupe version is available, as is a plug-in hybrid.

Cadillac CT6 Luxury (Three.6L, AWD)

Road-Test Score: 95

Cadillac’s fresh flagship fits above the CTS and is priced to contest with the luxury-midsized crowd. This large sedan possesses some athletic chops and feels upbeat to drive. The rock hard rail is sustained, managed, and compliant, and the interior is very quiet. The base engine is a turbo-four, but most buyers will opt for the midlevel nonturbo V6; the top trim carries a 404-hp twin-turbocharged V6. The eight-speed automatic is slick and responsive. All-wheel drive comes standard with the V6s. The interior is plush and roomy, but cabin storage is scant. Front-seat convenience is superb, but the rear seat is a bit brief on hip support. Despite improvements, the updated Cue infotainment system is still unintuitive. A plug-in hybrid version with an estimated thirty miles of EV range has joined the ranks.

Porsche nine hundred eleven Carrera S

Road-Test Score: 95

The 911’s iconic form hides a meticulously modern sports car, delivering spectacle and relative refinement. All of the engines have been updated, with the base model getting a 370-hp six and the Carrera S a 420-hp six, both matched with a seven-speed manual. The nine hundred eleven is quick, with sublime treating that makes you feel directly connected to the machine. The harass note is terrific, and driving the automated manual is almost as thrilling as the stick shift. The nine hundred eleven isn’t particularly taxing on long trips, thanks to its relatively supple rail and subdued noise levels, but the low-slung cabin makes access a challenge. The interior is beautifully crafted, but the numerous buttons and switches can be daunting at very first.

Porsche seven hundred eighteen Boxster

Road-Test Score: 95

Porsche’s roadster offers turbocharged Two.0- and Two.5-liter four-cylinder engines, substituting the previous Sixes. Most 718s come with a seven-speed automated manual, which impersonates a by hand shifted gearbox fairly well. A manual is also available. Chopping off two cylinders brought more readily available power and a guttural thrum, but at the expense of Porsche’s high-revving zing. Treating is superlative with astounding grip and balance, which make the car super-responsive and joy to drive. The rail is very rock-hard but not too penalizing. The cabin has a premium ambience, but the button overcharge takes getting used to. Opening or closing the well-insulated power top takes ten seconds, even on the budge up to forty three mph. The front trunk is a bonus.

BMW 530i xDrive

Road-Test Score: 94

BMW focused on on reducing weight, adding technology, and reducing cabin noise in the redesigned two thousand seventeen Five Series. The result is remarkably satisfying car, but one that is no longer the sporty choice of this class. Instead, it’s very plush, super quiet, finely crafted inwards, frugal with fuel, and more user friendly. The all-wheel-drive 530i we tested rails cozily and treats responsively. Its turbo four-cylinder had ample power and, paired with a slick eight-speed automatic, delivered an exceptional twenty six mpg overall. The 540i uses a punchy 335-hp, Three.0-liter turbo six-cylinder that effortlessly produces power. AWD is available, and standard on the V8-powered M550i. The 530e plug-in hybrid costs just $200 more than the 530i and can go a brief distance on electrified power alone. Optional active safety systems include forward-collision warning and lane-keep assist.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 3LT

Road-Test Score: 92

The sharp-edged Corvette has abundant power from its 455-hp, 6.2-liter V8 and an interior worthy of the price. A seven-speed manual is standard, with an eight-speed automatic optional. Drivers with a thirst for more power can opt for the 650-hp Z06. The car’s all-aluminum construction optimizes weight savings and strength. Whether in coupe or convertible form, acceleration is blisteringly quick and treating is pinpoint. With the adjustable driving modes the car can be a fairly refined cruiser or track-ready race car. The seats supply support and convenience. But you can’t overlook the low-slung cabin, which requires almost acrobatic abilities to access; the vague manual shifter; and the omnipresent tire noise.

Audi A8 L

Road-Test Score: 91

Audi’s top-level sedan produces slick and effortless acceleration yet attains commendable fuel economy even with all-wheel drive. The car treats crisply and holds the road tenaciously, making it one of the sportiest luxury sedans we’ve tested. The rail is rigid and sustained but not as cushy as in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Interior ambience, quality of materials, and craftsmanship are top-notch, and the cabin is quiet. The front seats are exceptionally convenient and supportive, with a multitude of rubdown settings. The rear seat is worthy of a limo, but the trunk is a bit petite. The infotainment system takes some getting used to but proves logical. The base supercharged V6 has ample power, but the Four.0-liter V8 turbo is a powerhouse worthy of such a flagship.

Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ

Road-Test Score: 91

Our top scoring large sedan, the Impala is roomy, convenient, quiet, and pleasurable to drive. It even rails like a luxury sedan, feeling cushy and managed. Engine choices include a punchy Trio.6-liter V6 and an adequate Two.5-liter four-cylinder, both paired with a six-speed automatic. In our tests, the V6 returned twenty two mpg overall and had good acceleration. Braking is capable, and treating is secure and responsive. The full-featured cabin stays very quiet and features a sumptuous backseat. Controls are intuitive and effortless to use, but rear visibility is restricted. Advanced electronic safety features are readily available. Latest updates include the addition of Apple CarPlay capability and wireless cell-phone charging.

Kia Cadenza

Road-Test Score: 91

Kia’s Cadenza is a competent large sedan that flies under the radar. It is considerably thicker than the Optima, rivaling with the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon. The car is roomy and quiet, with easy-to-use controls. The rail is pleasant enough, tho’ not particularly plush. Treating is secure but not all that agile, feeling like the large car that it is. The 290-hp, Trio.3-liter V6 is slick and powerful, and the eight-speed automatic shifts sleekly. We got twenty four mpg overall. Higher-end Limited versions include extra soft-touch surfaces and more-luxurious leather seats. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning are available, but only in upper trim versions that cross the $40,000 mark.

Audi A6 (Three.0T)

Road-Test Score: 90

Audi’s A6 has a convenient rail and agile treating, strong spectacle, excellent seats, and excellent fit and finish. It’s one of our highest ranked sedans and is a flawless long-distance cruiser with a whisper quiet, roomy cabin. The Two.0-liter turbo four-cylinder works well but has a raspy, less-than-luxurious engine sound. The Trio.0-liter supercharged V6 we tested is slick and punchy, and returned a commendable twenty two mpg overall. The front seats are convenient and supportive, and the rear seat is roomy for three adults. An added plus is the large trunk. Albeit the infotainment system’s center controller and screen take some getting used to, the system ultimately proves logical.

Infiniti Q70 (V6)

Road-Test Score: 90

Albeit long in the tooth, the Q70 is still competitive, with a upbeat 330-hp V6 and a slick seven-speed automatic that returned twenty one mpg overall in our tests. A V8 and a V6 hybrid are also available. Treating is fairly agile, with communicative steering. The rail is stiff and absorbs bumps well but trails the competition in terms of plushness. The Q70 is also behind the competition in terms of cabin quietness, partly because of the noticeable engine noise under high revs. Very good interior quality, a roomy rear seat, and easy-to-use controls are positives, albeit cabin ambience is austere. Blind-spot intervention is optional. An extended-length L version with a roomier rear seat is also available. The Q70 might lack some pizazz, but it generally instructions significantly lower prices than its competitors.

Related movie:

---