What Car Should You Buy? How to Find the Right Vehicle for You.

Pros: Unlike the first SUVs—essentially pickups with a back seat and a long roof—today’s car-based models have the same underlying design as a sedan. That makes them lighter, quieter, and easier to drive. They still offer extra space for passengers and cargo, more headroom, and increased ground clearance that can help in snowy weather. And their higher seating position, which some drivers prefer, can make access easier than that of a sedan. Some truck-based SUVs are still available. Built on rugged pickup frames, they’re better suited for off-roading and towing campers or boats.

Cons: SUVs usually cost more than comparably equipped sedans, and many models look more rugged than they actually are. Even when they’re named after a national park, many popular car-based SUVs can’t go off-road, nor can they tow more than a few thousand pounds. Those that can tend to have rougher rides and get worse fuel economy. In general, SUVs’ higher ground clearance can reduce front visibility. Their bulky size and heavy weight make for longer braking distances and worse handling than smaller vehicles. While some SUVs have a third row of seats, that space is usually pretty cramped. If you often need to carry seven or eight adult passengers, you might want to consider a minivan instead.

They’re roomy and easy to get into and out of, but larger SUVs can have poor front visibility.

Pros: Sedans tend to cost less than SUVs in comparable size classes. They also typically have better handling and aerodynamics, which can make them more enjoyable to drive and more fuel-efficient than other vehicle types. In fact, many hybrid sedans get 40 mpg or higher. Looking for excitement? There’s a flavor of sports car to satisfy any taste, from nimble, two-seater coupes to luxurious sedans. Some are powered by big engines and have rumbling exhausts, while others are lightning-fast, thanks to their electric motors. There are even a few convertible options.

Cons: Because they’re sleeker and lower to the ground, sedans often have less headroom and cargo space than SUVs, and some drivers find them harder to get into and out of. Because many manufacturers no longer build sedans, you’ll have fewer choices. Sports cars can have poor fuel economy, and many are cramped and uncomfortable on longer trips. Tall hatchbacks may look like SUVs but lack AWD.

Features to look for: All-wheel drive is a good option for snowy climates. Rear seats that fold down make it easier to transport larger items. Some entry-level cars don’t come standard with blind spot warning, which can help prevent crashes.

Sedans have fallen in popularity, but they can be more efficient and less expensive than comparable SUVs. And a sleek, sporty car is exciting to drive.

Gas, hybrid, or EV? Hybrid sedans are generally your best bet. They offer fuel savings, of course, and they’re often more reliable, are more powerful, and deliver smoother acceleration than their nonhybrid counterparts. Many EV sedans excel in our road tests and owner satisfaction surveys, and most have ranges of 300 miles or more between charges. Electric sports cars have some of the quickest acceleration we’ve ever experienced. Gas-powered roadsters and muscle cars offer a more visceral driving experience and may even offer a manual transmission option.

Get the most for your money. If you want basic transportation, we recommend buying a used compact car rather than a new subcompact, which can be unrefined and lack key active safety features as standard equipment. The raised hatchback, a relatively new class of vehicle, resembles a small SUV and usually has more headroom and a higher seating position than a traditional sedan. It may be a good option if you don’t need all-wheel drive. Luxury sedans tend to depreciate quickly, so a used model could be a good deal. Remember that, like sports cars, they also tend to have high maintenance, repair, and insurance costs. Before buying either type, check CR’s reliability ratings, have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic to make sure it has been well-maintained, and get a quote from your insurer to see how much your premium might rise.

Pros: You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for utility. Higher-trim pickup trucks can be remarkably well-appointed inside, with perks like massaging seats and adjustable pedals. Four-wheel-drive trucks are ideal for tackling tough off-road terrain. Compact and midsized pickups blend utility with better handling, shorter stopping distances, and better fuel economy than full-sized models.

Cons: Our tests show that large trucks have long braking distances and unwieldy handling that can make it more difficult to avoid a crash. Their tall heights and squared-off hoods cause large front blind spots, and their size can make them difficult to park. (Some won’t even fit in small garages.) Almost all trucks get less than 20 mpg overall and receive below-average scores in our reliability surveys.

Features to look for: Trucks come in far more configurations than other types of vehicles. You’ll have to choose a cab type and a bed size. A crew-cab truck has four doors, seats five, and feels like an SUV inside. An extended-cab truck has a smaller rear seat and rear doors, and a standard-cab truck lacks a rear seat. A short bed won’t fit a sheet of plywood, but a long bed can be harder to maneuver. A truck’s maximum towing capacity depends on its configuration, so consult with a salesperson about your needs before choosing a towing package. Because there’s less weight on the rear wheels, an unladen rear-wheel-drive truck can have poor grip on slick roads, so opt for automatic four-wheel drive if you live somewhere cold. Proven safety features such as automatic emergency braking are less common on older pickups. Interior storage is a must, considering that a pickup bed is exposed to the elements and prying eyes.

Nothing can tow or haul like a pickup, but full-sized models have worse fuel economy and are more unwieldy than smaller vehicles.

Gas, hybrid, or EV? If you’re towing or hauling big loads, you’ll want a gas- or even a diesel-powered pickup. Our tests of electric pickups show that, despite having prodigious power, their ranges decrease rapidly when lugging the extra weight of a loaded bed or a trailer. If your typical load is lighter—such as mulch, furniture, or bikes—a compact hybrid pickup truck is a great choice for carlike fuel economy, among other benefits. Full-sized hybrid pickups tend to use the electric motor to maximize power rather than significantly increase mileage.

Get the most for your money. If you don’t need to tow more than 5,000 pounds, a small truck is an option. It’s easy to drive and park, and it can cost far less to fuel. Don’t buy more truck than you need. A well-equipped midsized model can cost the same as a bare-bones full-sized work truck, while a high-end full-sized pickup can cost more than some luxury sedans or SUVs. If you plan to buy a used model, have a mechanic inspect it for signs of heavy-duty use, such as off-roading or plowing.

A few so-called design improvements can be more irritating than helpful. Keep these points in mind when looking at a new model.

Big discounts aren’t as common as they once were, and some dealers add extras and fees to pad their profits. Here’s how to protect yourself.

New Car
When you’ve decided which model you want, use CR’s Build & Buy service to learn what other people near you paid for their cars, and what price is a good deal. Go to CR.org/buildandbuy or look up a car on CR.org and click the “View Pricing With Incentives” button. Build & Buy uses data from TrueCar to track real transaction prices from over 12,000 dealerships nationwide. It can also connect you with dealerships that offer up-front prices in writing. (Learn how to get a great deal on your next car.)

Used Car
“No haggle” dealership chains like CarMax and EchoPark have huge inventories of cars from different brands that you can compare with each other. They also have up-front take-it-or-leave-it pricing, can ship cars from other locations for an extra fee, and may let you return a car if you don’t like it. Carvana is similar, but it’s online only and ships cars to your home or a nearby delivery center. We’ve found that prices at all three can be higher than at a traditional used-car dealership, but you may decide the premium is worth it for convenience, transparency, and the ability to return a vehicle. (Search Consumer Reports’ Used Car Marketplace.)

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• Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
• Car Owner Satisfaction by Brand
• Which Brands Make the Best Used Cars?
• Which Car Brands Have the Highest Road-Test Scores?
• Safest Car Brands Ranked by CR’s Safety Verdict
• Who Owns Which Car Brands?
• Car Brands Ranked by Maintenance and Repair