Highest-Scoring American Cars, SUVs, and Trucks

There are many ways to view the Consumer Reports Ratings to find the highest-rated vehicle in a given category or price range. But we get many questions from our readers and journalists regarding the best current American-branded vehicles.

To reaction that popular query, we have compiled a list of American-brand cars, SUVs, and trucks selected based on the Overall Score, which factors road test, reliability, holder satisfaction, and safety. And all are recommended by Consumer Reports. We omitted categories where no American-branded model achieved a recommendation because of road-test score, reliability, and/or safety.

Subcompact Car: Chevrolet Sonic LT (1.8L)

The Chevrolet Sonic hatchback and sedan wield a relatively comfy rail and a quiet cabin for a subcompact. Fuel economy of twenty eight mpg overall is nothing to boast about. Treating is secure but a bit darty. The sedan has a large trunk; the hatch offers more utility. Creature comforts such as keyless entry and push-button embark, and optional heated seats and steering wheel bring some maturity to the subcompact. A standard 7-inch touch screen is backed by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. A rear camera is standard, and on the safety front, optional forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning are welcome additions.

Compact Car: Chevrolet Cruze LT

The redesigned two thousand sixteen Cruze possesses big car qualities such as a comfy rail and a quiet interior. The standard engine is an unobtrusive 1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbo mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A slick start-stop feature reduces fuel use during idling; we got thirty mpg overall in our tests. A fresh 1.6-liter turbodiesel and a hatchback version will be available later. A fresh infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mirrors some of your smart-phone icons on the screen. The rear seat is relatively roomy for the class but the front seats are brief on lower back support. A multiplicity of advanced active safety features are available, unluckily only on the top-trim premier version.

Midsized Car: Ford Fusion SE (1.5T)

The Fusion is a delight to drive, with a supple rail and treating rivaling that of a European sports sedan. All trim levels and powertrains feel solid and upscale, with a well-finished and quiet cabin, and convenient seats. But the rear seat is somewhat snug. Both the 1.5- and Two.0-liter turbo four-cylinders are powerful enough, but neither has competitive fuel economy. A fresh high-end version, the V6 Sport, is tooled with all-wheel drive and a 325-hp, Two.7-liter four-cylinder. It is quick, comfy, and quiet but costs more than $40,000. The Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid both receive more efficient electrical motors for 2017. A fresh rotary shift dial and Ford’s new-and-improved Sync three infotainment system highlight the updates to the interior.

Large Car: Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ

Our two thousand sixteen Top Pick for large sedans, 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. Updates for two thousand sixteen include Apple CarPlay capability and wireless cell-phone charging.

Luxury Compact Car: Buick Regal Premium I (turbo)

This well-honed and satisfying sports sedan has a European feel, thanks to its Opel roots. It is the antithesis of the whitewall-tired Buick of old. With its agile treating, quick steering, and a taut, constant rail, the Regal is one of Buick’s best offerings. The 259-hp, Two.0-liter turbo four-cylinder produces strong spectacle and twenty four mpg overall. High-quality materials are used via the cabin. The front seats are stiff and supportive, tho’ the rear seat is fairly snug. The large trunk is a bonus. Infotainment system controls are mostly elementary, and all-wheel drive is available on all trim lines. Overall, this is a very capable yet understated car. The GS is a sportier version with a tauter suspension. A redesign is in the offing.

More on Car Reliability

Luxury Midsized Car: Cadillac CT6

Cadillac’s fresh flagship fits above the CTS and below the BMW seven Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But it’s price to contest against the luxury midsized crowd. This large sedan possesses some athletic chops and has a stable, managed rail and a very quiet interior. Most buyers will opt for the midlevel nonturbo V6; the top trim carries a 404-hp twin-turbocharged V6. The eight-speed automatic is sleek and responsive. All-wheel drive comes standard with the V6s. The interior is posh and roomy, but cabin storage is a bit scant. Despite improvements, the updated Cue infotainment touch screen is still unintuitive.

Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

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 produce support and convenience. But you can’t overlook the low-slung cabin, which requires near-acrobatic abilities to access, the vague manual shifter, and the omnipresent tire noise.

Compact SUV: Ford Escape Titanium (Two.0T)

For two thousand seventeen the Ford Escape gets some major updates, including fresh 1.5- and Two.0-liter turbocharged engines with begin/stop capability, and advanced safety features such as forward-collision warning. The fleet-footed Escape has amazing treating prowess, which makes it one of the most entertaining to drive models in the small-SUV class. It also has a taut, managed rail and a quiet interior, but the rear seat is a bit low and the cushion is brief. The amazing Sync three system is standard, substituting the old MyFord Touch infotainment system. One fresh feature is SYNC Connect, a smartphone app that permits owners to use their cell phone to lock and unlock their Escape, remotely commence the engine, and track the vehicle location via GPS.

Midsized SUV: Ford Edge SEL (Two.0L)

Fresh and vastly improved, the second-generation Edge carries itself like a pricier European SUV. Based on the commendable Fusion sedan, the Edge likewise produces a sustained, comfy rail and certain treating that makes it joy to drive. The quiet cabin wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury car. Roomy interior provides comfy quarters, front and rear, while also delivering generous cargo space. The standard Two.0-liter turbo four-cylinder gets twenty one mpg and is more pleasant than the Three.5-liter V6. A twin-turbo Two.7-liter V6 is suggested on the Sport trim. All use a sleek six-speed automatic. Front- and all-wheel drive is available. Safety options include blind-spot monitoring, forward and rearview cameras, and cross-traffic alert.

Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse LT

Albeit it dates back to 2008, the large Traverse is still a competitive three-row SUV. We liked its hard, comfy, and quiet rail and its relatively agile, secure treating. But like its corporate cousins, the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, it’s beginning to demonstrate its age. The Trio.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic powertrain is slick and powerful enough, but it works hard in this large SUV, and its sixteen mpg overall is uncompetitive. A big plus is the capability to fit adults in the roomy third row. Fit and finish has been improved, and forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems are available. A redesign is around the corner based on the same platform as the fresh GMC Acadia.

Luxury SUV: Buick Enclave CXL

Even after almost a decade on the market, the large Enclave remains a competitive three-row SUV. We liked its rock hard, comfy rail and secure treating. The cabin is quiet, the interior is nicely finished, and the seats are convenient. But the Enclave is beginning to showcase its age through some of the outdated controls and limited feature content. The Trio.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission are slick and unobtrusive, but the engine feels taxed and at times the powertrain has to work hard to budge this large SUV. We got a paltry fifteen mpg overall in our tests. Adults can fit in the roomy third row, a plus. Forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems are available.

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