Car shopping means sorting through endless choices, reviews, and specs. But not all best-sellers earn their popularity – something Consumer Reports discovered in their latest testing of 2024 models. “Consumers tell us they prioritize factors such as reliability and safety when shopping for a car, but when it comes time to buy, very often a car’s styling or its image tips the decision,” Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, said.
Before you head to the dealership, here’s what Consumer Reports says to skip – and what to consider instead. 2 / 14 Avoid: Ford Escape Avoid: Ford Escape Consumer Reports says the regular version of this popular compact SUV is unreliable. It has a laggy technology with limited seat movement and often makes a tinny sound.
It scored a 59/100 on CR’s scale. Check out what to get instead on the next slide. 3 / 14 Consider: Honda CR-V Consider: Honda CR-V Check out the Honda ( HMC ) CR-V if you’re looking for a compact SUV.
It has secure handling, roomy seats, a lot of cargo room, and easy-to-use infotainment and controls. 4 / 14 Avoid: Jeep Grand Cherokee Avoid: Jeep Grand Cherokee The Jeep ( STLA ) Grand Cherokee is a popular option for a midsize 3-row SUV, but Consumer Reports gave it a low score of 51/100. It says the car has lacking fuel efficiency, slow acceleration, and a noisy engine.
Check out what to get instead on the next slide. 5 / 14 Consider: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Consider: Toyota Highlander Hyb.
