Consumer Reports’ top picks

Consumer Reports recently released its 2014 Top Picks report of the best vehicles in 10 different categories. Consumer reports conducts more than 50 tests on every vehicles and evaluates each one based on braking, handling, comfort, fuel economy, and more factors.

This year, a Chysler model returns to the Top Picks list after a 16-year hiatus. Japanese brands, which have normally taken over 70 percent of the spots since 1997 slipped this year to five spots, the lowest in 18-year history of Consumer Reports’ Top Picks.

See which vehicles got top praise from Consumer Reports.

Best pickup truck

Winner:
Ram 1500

Price: $42,810

This is the first time in 16 years that a Chrysler vehicle has earned a spot on Consumer Reports’ Top Picks list. One of the reasons that Consumer Reports liked Ram 1500 is the pickup’s coil-spring suspension, an unusual feature for a full-size pickup but one that helps provide a much more comfortable ride.

Best minivan

Winner:
Honda Odyssey

Price: $36,830

The Honda Odyssey earned its place on Consumer Reports’ Top Picks list for offering a pleasant family experience and strong fuel economy. With comfortable second- and third-row seats, Odyssey can carry up to eight people and is also fun to drive.

Best midsized SUV

Winner:
Hyundai Santa Fe

Price: $36,290

The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe earned its spot for offering a comfortable interior, generous cargo space, and plenty of features for the price tag. The Santa Fe also offers a 290 horsepower V6 engine that can deliver 20 miles per gallon overall.

Best small SUV

Winner:
Subaru Forester

Price: $26,814

In the small SUV category, the Subaru Forester surpassed last year’s winner, the Honda CR-V, thanks to the vehicle’s 2014 redesign. Consumer Reports loved the Forester’s efficient design, large windows and doors. And the Forester’s fuel economy – 26 miles per gallon overall and an impressive 35 miles per gallon highway – didn’t hurt, either.

Best sports sedan

Winner:
BMW 328i

Price: $43,195

The BMW 328i reclaimed the top honor of best sports sedan for the second year in a row. Boasting a fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon overall, Consumer Reports called the BMW 328i a more fuel-efficient sports sedan than past models. It also earned high marks for being fun to drive and for its superior handling.

Best luxury car

Winner:
Audi A6

Price: $56,295

Like the BMW 328i, the Audi A6 also reclaimed the top spot for best luxury car two years in a row. Consumer Reports says the the A6’s supercharged V6 engine makes it a delight to drive. The cabin offers numerous high-tech features and the A6 gets a fuel economy of 22 miles per gallon overall.

Best green car

Winner:
Toyota Prius

Price: $26,750

With an overall fuel economy of 44 miles per gallon, it should come as no surprise that the Toyota Prius returned as a Consumer Reports top pick for the 11th consecutive year. The Prius’s fuel economy is the best of any nonplug-in vehicle reviewed by the magazine.

Best compact car

Winner:
Subaru Impreza

Price: Sedan: $21,345 / Hatchback: 22,345

This is the fourth year in a row that the Subaru Impreza has been named a Consumer Reports Top Pick. The magazine says both sedan and hatchback models are “well-rounded packages’’ that offer excellent handling, and affordable price, and impressive fuel economy for an AWD car.

Best midsized sedan

Winner:
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)

Price: $23,270

An impressive fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon overall and 40 miles per gallon on the highway helped the Honda Accord earn its spot on the list. However, the magazine acknowledged the Accord offers a ride that is less smooth than competitors.

Best overall

Winner:
Tesla Model S

Price: $89,650

Consumer Reports called the Tesla Model S electric sedan a “technological tour de force’’ which include technological highlights such as a 225-mile driving range and a five-hour charge. The magazine loved the electric luxury car’s handling, cabin space that offers room for third row seat, and acceleration. However, the magazine also admitted the Tesla Model S has a high price sticker.