The Most Satisfying New Cars & Suvs, According To Consumer Reports

According to TheStreet’s Retirement Daily, the average American spends a whopping $3.3 million on big-ticket purchases over the course of their lifetime. Housing is their greatest financial expense, representing 44% of lifetime spending, while cars come next, at 14%.

The study, which was created by One Main Financial, revealed that the average American spends $1.5 million on housing in their lifetimes, and nearly half a million dollars, or $470,000 on their automobiles.

Other big-ticket items include the cost of having children ($467,220), health insurance ($290,016), saving for retirement ($195,754), and home renovations ($190,429), with lesser but still-substantial expenses going towards vacations ($118,000), furniture purchases ($61,630), education ($42,960) and weddings ($34,000). 

One Main Financial/Nasdaq/Canva

Under the strain of such a hefty financial burden, not to mention the fact that our dollars simply don’t stretch as far as they used to, owing to inflation, it’s no wonder that car buyers are holding onto their vehicles for longer than ever.

S&P Global reports that the average age of a passenger vehicle on the road is now a record 12.5 years. People holding onto their vehicles through periods of economic uncertainties, like the Covid-19 pandemic, when supply snarls limited automobile production, and Trump’s tariffs, which have added a 25% levy on imported automobiles and auto parts since March 2025.

Since vehicle purchases are becoming more of a once-in-a-generation purchase than an impulse decision or even a fad (remember the military spin-off vehicles or the roadster coupes of the 1990s?), if you’re in the market for a new car, truck or SUV, it’s important to devote time and energy toward researching the perfect vehicle for your family that will last for a decade to come—or even longer.

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How does Consumer Reports help car buyers?

Luckily, Consumer Reports is in consumers’ corner. For 89 years, it has provided unbiased reviews of tens of thousands of products in order to inform buyers on product quality and safety.

Cars are its specialty; each year it purchases dozens of new vehicles and puts them through a barrage of tests at its 327-acre test facility in Colchester, Connecticut. These tests measure how well a car performs in terms of braking, emergency handling, fuel economy, and safety systems, to name a few.

Related: The 10 most reliable car brands in 2025 according to Consumer Reports

It also figures out which vehicles are the most reliable by surveying its six million members on 17 specific trouble areas, so that they can report on any issues they experienced in the past 12 months. 

CR then takes these results and combines them with its road test scores to determine the weighted average of a vehicle’s overall reliability.

How does Consumer Reports determine its “most satisfying” cars & SUVs?

CR goes the extra mile—literally—for consumers by not only crunching the numbers on quantitative data from millions of vehicles; it also processes and reports on more qualitative criteria, like owner satisfaction.

When it surveys its members, it asks them to rate their experience with their vehicle’s performance, efficiency, roominess, and level of luxury and comfort.

Related: The 10 best compact crossover SUVs according to Consumer Reports

It also asks them one priceless question: If you had to do it again, would you definitely buy or lease the same model?

From their answers, CR uses this information to determine its list of “most satisfying” cars and SUVs.

But as with all things subjective, it’s important to note that an owner's love for a vehicle might not equate with test ranking results.

Steven Elek, head of auto data analytics at CR, explains: “A vehicle could have below-average reliability or not be a standout in our testing and still make owners happy.” 

That’s why you’ll find vehicles that earned a spot on the “most satisfying” list, like the 2025 Rivian R1T, that actually didn’t receive the "CR Recommended" rating. Although CR gives the vehicle a score of just 55, it reports that its owners are such die-hard fans, 88% said they’d "definitely" buy it again.

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More from Consumer Reports:

• The 5 best 'Green Choice' SUVs according to Consumer Reports
• The best gas grills under $250, ranked by Consumer Reports data
• The best cars for tall drivers according to Consumer Reports

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As with any big life purchase, it’s important to do your homework when shopping for your next vehicle to decide what's best for you personally, especially if there are certain performance metrics that are must-haves for your family. (And not to worry, CR keeps exhaustive lists on its website that users can sort and customize.)

Here are Consumer Reports' most satisfying cars and SUVs:

Consumer Reports' “most satisfying” cars & SUVs

Chevrolet Corvette 2025
Price: $68,300–$194,300
MPG: Overall 19 / Highway 29

2025 Chevy Corvette owners rank highest in satisfaction, according Consumer Reports

Chevrolet

Rivian R1T 2025
Price: $69,900–$99,900
MPG: Overall 70 / Highway 66

Despite failing to earn the "CR Recommended" designation, the 2025 Rivian R1T is beloved by its owners.

Rivian

Chevrolet Equinox EV 2025
Price: $26,025–$29,625
MPG: N/A

2025 Chevy Equinox owners rate their EV highly, according to Consumer Reports.

Chevrolet

Lincoln Nautilus 2025
Price: $53,940–$77,130
MPG: Overall 30/Highway 37

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus has very satisfied owners, despite not being a "CR Recommended" vehicle.

Lincoln

Lexus NX PHEV 2025
Price: $61,140–$62,230
MPG: Overall 35/Highway 39

Owners love the 2025 Lexus NX plug-in hybrid SUV.

Lexus

Rivian R1S 2025
Price: $75,900–$105,900
MPGE: Overall 69/Highway 65

The electric 2025 R1S also ranked high in owner satisfaction, although it did not receive Consumer Reports' "CR Recommended" designation.

Rivian

Lexus ES Hybrid 2025
Price Range: $41,020
MPG: Overall 42 /Highway 52

Owners of the 2025 Lexus ES Hybrid would buy the luxury sedan again.

BMW X5 2025
Price: $66,300–$127,200
MPG: Overall 23 /Highway 33

The 2025 BMW X5 also scored high in terms of owner satisfaction.

BMW

Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid 2025
Price: $44,265–$48,135
MPG: Overall 34 /Highway 39

Another SUV that made Consumer Reports' list of "Most Satisfying" vehicles is the 2025 Toyota RAV4 PHEV.

Toyota

BMW i4 2025
Price: $52,800–$70,700
MPGE: Overall 96 /Highway 98

The 2025 BMW i4 is highly ranked by Consumer Reports—and highly rated by owners.

BMW

Related: The 10 most popular new cars & SUVs of 2025 (so far), according to Consumer Reports