Influential U.S. magazine Consumer Reports declared electrified vehicles, including hybrids and fully electric cars, as increasingly desirable compared to their gasoline counterparts, as it added seven such vehicles to its top-ten picks for 2024, in a statement on Tuesday.
Toyota’s electrified lineup dominated the list with four models, including the Prius and a hybrid variant of its popular Camry sedan. Tesla’s Model Y, Ford’s Maverick Hybrid pickup truck, and BMW’s X5 PHEV also secured spots on the coveted list.
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The magazine noted a significant rise in the popularity of electrified vehicles, accounting for 16.3% of all light-duty vehicle sales in the United States last year. It highlighted plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as particularly gaining traction, with a 60% sales increase last year, bridging the gap between regular hybrids and EVs.
Jake Fisher, CR’s senior director of automotive testing, emphasized the cost-saving potential of PHEVs over the long run, stating, “For many drivers, PHEVs will save you money over the long run when compared with a gas, hybrid, or electric vehicle.”
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In its 2024 brand report card, Consumer Reports ranked 34 brands based on their overall scores, with European automaker BMW retaining its top position. The overall score considers CR’s road-test scores, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction data, and safety for all tested models.
Among U.S. domestic auto brands, General Motors secured the highest position, with Buick at 13th, followed by Ford and Tesla at 17th and 18th, respectively. Notably, Rivian and GMC were the only two U.S.-based brands to land among the bottom five in the report.
