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Mazda, Subaru top Consumer Reports' list of best cars

If it's time to buy a new car, Consumer Reports has you covered.

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If it's time to buy a new car, Consumer Reports has you covered.

The magazine's annual auto issue tested and ranked 50 new cars to help drivers avoid the hassle of finding a solid investment on their own. For the issue, testers evaluated everything from performance to fuel economy to what it takes to install a child safety seat.

The top picks of 2018 include the Chevy Impala as No. 1 large car, and the Subaru Forester took home the honors of top small SUV. The Ford F-150 earned the prize for the top full-sized pickup.

But with the average price of a new car topping $35,000, a reliable used car can save you money.

"Your best bet is to look for a car around three to five years old that fits your budget," said Consumer Reports' auto expert Jake Fisher. "That's because the typical lease is three years long, so you could pick up a great vehicle coming off lease at a pretty steep discount, as low as $20,000 or less."

Consumer Reports based its recommendations on test performance, value and better-than-average reliability. Other vehicles that were rated well include:

  • Small SUV: Mazda CX-5 (model years 2013-15) or Toyota RAV4 (model years 2008-13)
  • Sports cars: 2014 Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S
  • Sedans: Toyota Camry (model years 2008-15). Consumer Reports consistently rated it well, and the cars can be found for less than $20,000

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