Consumer Reports names its 2015 Top Picks

The Consumer Reports’ 2015 Top Picks list highlights our choices for the standout models in 10 popular car categories. These vehicles are the best of the best, and we consider all of them to be smart buys.

Our 2015 picks include models from six automakers and seven brands. Subaru has the strongest showing this year, with three models making the cut. This accomplishment is impressive, given the small product portfolio.

Three American-brand cars made the list, with models from Buick, Chevrolet, and Tesla.

This year, we did not include the pickup truck category because the 2015 Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Colorado are too new to have reliability and testing data, and the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 are not reliable enough. With such a thin field, we decided to pass until next year’s Ratings are in.

2015 Top Picks listed by category with prices as tested...

Best overall: Tesla Model S ($89,650)

For all of the impressive new vehicles released in 2014, none was able to eclipse the innovation, magnificence, and sheer technological arrogance of the Tesla. That’s why it’s our best overall pick for the second consecutive year. Through the course of their life cycles, cars become obsolete quickly as newer models appear with updated gizmos. But with Tesla’s over-the-air software updates, a Model S that came off­ the line in 2013 has many of the same new features as one built today. Despite the Tesla’s teething problems at launch, our subscriber reports showed average reliability. The Model S is a technological tour de force, a high-performance electric vehicle with usable real-world range, wrapped in a luxury package.

Compact car: Subaru Impreza ($21,345)

The Impreza’s interior packaging is outstanding, especially when you put friends (whom you want to remain your friends) in the backseat. Recent improvements have made it quieter inside. The ride is more comfortable than in some pricier cars. It drinks more fuel than its peers, but you’re getting all-wheel drive as a benefit. We don’t like the slackness and drone of most continuously variable transmissions, but with recent improvements Subaru has managed to mask those quirks. Subaru also has finally embraced the need for a contemporary infotainment system. The Impreza is among the pricier compact sedans, but it’s a strong value. A great starter car.

Midsized sedan: Subaru Legacy ($24,837)
Most sedans are excellent appliances—they do their job, but few people wake up excited to drive them. The Legacy exceeds those drab, rental-car expectations, providing a quiet, comfortable, and roomy package that also has the best ride among its peers. Its 26 mpg might seem lackluster, but that’s with the reassurance of all-wheel drive. Years ago, quirky folks bought Subarus to be practical and pragmatic. Now it’s simply a great car with mainstream appeal and impact. If you need a wagon for its cargo space, the Legacy’s Outback sibling is an excellent choice as well.

Large car: Chevrolet Impala ($39,110)

For decades, the Impala nameplate was synonymous with the image of a bad rental car. Make no mistake, this Impala humbles the Toyota Avalon and even the Lexus ES 350. Large and roomy, the Impala has comfortable seats and rides like a true luxury car. The suspension is supple yet responsive, without the body roll that plagues many big cars. For the older demographic this car hopes to attract, the controls are big, intuitive, and easily understood. The only drawback is limited visibility due to its high rear deck and deep parcel shelf. You can get one nicely equipped for $35,000, with aff­ordable optional forward-collision and lane-departure warning systems. A caveat: Only the V6 version meets our reliability standards.