Consumer Reports 10 Best New Cars for 2021Consumer Reports 10 Best New Cars for 2021

Consumer Reports has compiled its list of the 10 best new cars in various categories for 2021.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

March 15, 2021

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The automotive testing staff at Consumer Reports has compiled the results of its annual testing of new cars and pronounced its list of the best cars to buy in each of ten different categories. They divide cars by price and body style to pick the best example of each using a report card that weighs features, road test evaluations, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.

“While this year’s Top Picks list shows that there are some great options for consumers who value sustainability but don’t want to sacrifice safety, performance, reliability, and affordability, we believe that they should have even more choices,” said Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ Senior Director of Automotive Testing. “Just as we have done with safety features, we hope Green Choice will spur manufacturers to bring more environmentally-friendly vehicles to the marketplace.”

To even be eligible for a spot on the list, candidate vehicles must come standard with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Consumer Reports notes that these two safety features are proven to prevent injuries and save lives by lessening collisions. Click through the slide show to see whether your next car is here.

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

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He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

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