Every year Consumer Reports whittles down the best-of-the-best cars for our Top Pick list. Episode 25 of “Talking Cars With Consumer Reports” goes through those 10 picks one by one, highlighting our selection process.
Our auto test director, Jake Fisher, and the senior engineers Tom Mutchler and Gabe Shenhar discuss the choices. Each car scores well in our tests, proved to be reliable, and does well in crash tests. Some of the selections, such as the standout Subaru Forester, are no-brainers. Other cars eke their way to the roster among very competitive fields. We also discuss why some very high-scoring cars, such as the Chevrolet Impala and Mercedes-Benz E250, don’t make it onto our list. Finally, Tom asks the others if there was a car that they wished appeared on the list but didn’t make the cut. The answer is a bit surprising.
Get details about the Top Picks, best automakers, and much more on our Autos Spotlight page.
We then answer some viewer questions about picking family cars. One viewer asks about a Toyota Sienna vs. a Hyundai Genesis in snowy Minnesota, while another car shopper seeks advice on a roomy three-row SUV. We then briefly discuss our (delayed) test plans for the new Volvo V60 station wagon. The podcast wraps up with the introduction of our Maserati Ghibli test car.
As with the other reports, this episode is also available free through the iTunes store. Subscribe to the video or audio. You'll also find the video on YouTube and the audio via SoundCloud.
Also view:
Talking Cars Episode 24: Jeep Cherokee & Mazda3
Talking Cars Episode 23: Mercedes and cars we love
Talking Cars Episode 22: 2014 Detroit auto show
Talking Cars Episode 21: Best and worst of 2013
Talking Cars Episode 20: Fancy cars
Talking Cars Episode 19: Tire talk
Talking Cars Episode 18: Sports cars
Talking Cars Episode 17: Infiniti Q50 vs Lexus IS 250
Talking Cars Episode 16: Car reliability
Talking Cars Episode 15: Toyota Corolla
Talking Cars Episode 14: GM is on a roll
—Tom Mutchler
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2006-2014 Consumers Union of U.S.
