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How Accurate Are Distance-to-Empty Calculators in Modern Cars?

Most of us have pushed our luck when it comes to stretching out a tank of gas to the point where the dreaded low-fuel light pops on, calculating in our heads how many miles to the next gas station vs. how many miles left on the car’s fuel range. But just how accurate are those distance-to-empty calculators in your vehicle? . “In-vehicle computers are generally very accurate,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, who oversees Consumer Reports...
Posted:Sun Feb 15 06:00:36 EST 2026

Worst Deals on New Cars Right Now

If you have your heart set on buying a new car this year, be prepared to pay significantly more for some models—or choose one that isn’t in high demand. We’re seeing prices increase, along with destination charges.. The new-car market is experiencing a complex period, with some models carrying automaker incentives and others selling for over the sticker price, especially hybrids, trucks, and special-edition sports cars. (See the g...
Posted:Fri Feb 13 12:44:37 EST 2026

Do Not Drive These Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Vehicles With Dangerous Airbags

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep has issued a rare "Do Not Drive" warning to owners of over 225,000 cars, trucks, and SUVs. These vehicles, from the 2003 through 2016 model years, should not be driven until owners get a free airbag recall repair completed.. The automakers says that dealerships will tow these vehicles in for service, free of charge, or send a certified technician to your home for a free mobile ...
Posted:Fri Feb 13 12:24:15 EST 2026

Hyundai's and Kia’s Charging Unit Issues Cause Problems for EV Owners

Readers have asked us why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and other electric vehicles from Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia don’t score higher in Consumer Reports’ evaluations despite their many merits. As with many vehicles, the answer comes down to reliability issues, and in the case of Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia EVs, those issues can often be traced back to a specific complaint: the integrated charging control unit, or ICCU.  MORE ON EVS What to Kn...
Posted:Thu Feb 12 10:50:34 EST 2026

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

If it’s been several years since you last bought a car, it might be shocking to see how much the landscape has shifted. To start, the cost of buying a new vehicle skyrocketed during the early years of the pandemic and continues to climb, topping $50,000 for the first time ever in September 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book data. The end of the federal EV tax credit and new tariffs added further uncertainty about how high prices may ...
Posted:Thu Feb 12 06:00:10 EST 2026

Car Accessories That Improve Safety, Comfort, and Organization

Whether your car is new or several years old, there are probably a few things about it that annoy you. Perhaps it’s a blind spot that makes changing lanes a challenge or a low driver’s seat you have to strain to get out of. While there are plenty of gadgets that look like they’ll solve those problems, many may not work as promised—and some may even pose hazards. . Fortunately, there are safe fixes for most of those issues. To st...
Posted:Thu Feb 12 06:00:01 EST 2026

Cheapest New Cars to Insure

Have you ever negotiated a great price on a new car only to get hit with a surprise increase in your insurance bill? Factors Influencing Insurance Rates. How We Found the Cheapest Cars to Insure. Cheapest Consumer Reports Recommended Cars to Insure. Most Expensive New Cars to Insure More On Car Insurance CR's Car Insurance Ratings & Buying Guide. .Cheapest Used Cars to Insure. .How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates. .The Best Car Insura...
Posted:Wed Feb 11 16:04:46 EST 2026

Car Features to Help You Stay Safe on the Road

Today’s cars are leaps and bounds ahead of those from just 15 years ago when it comes to safety, for several important reasons. Better braking and handling enable drivers to stop more quickly or to steer around obstacles to avoid crashes. Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS—which are more common on newer vehicles—also help lessen the severity of a crash, if one does occur. And thanks to the Insurance Institute for Highway ...
Posted:Wed Feb 11 11:39:11 EST 2026

Talking Cars 493: Driving the Toyota bZ

Main theme: The panelists discuss their experiences with the 2026 Toyota bZ, which replaces the Toyota bZ4X and shares a design with the Subaru Solterra. The BZ gets a longer range and quicker charging than its predecessor, but can it compete with the latest round of EVs?. Audience question: Why did some reliability scores change? And why aren’t there any reliable three-row EV SUVs? (See how EVs compare with other powertrains for reli...
Posted:Wed Feb 11 06:00:01 EST 2026

Preview: All-New 2027 Toyota Highlander Goes Electric

The all-new Toyota Highlander departs from its previous four generations by transforming into an electric vehicle. Long a staple among midsized family haulers, the familiar Highlander gradually lost sales to the impressive (and larger) Grand Highlander. . Toyota tells CR that its shoppers were increasingly choosing the immensely popular RAV4 or the roomier Grand Highlander, skipping over the laudable Highlander. Yes, the marketplace is...
Posted:Tue Feb 10 21:30:01 EST 2026

14 Most Reliable New 2026 Sedans and Hatchbacks You Can Buy, Tested and Recommended

Modern sedans and hatchbacks deliver a superior balance of passenger volume, cargo utility, and fuel efficiency at a significantly lower price than comparable SUVs. With all-wheel drive (AWD) available across both the compact and midsized segments, these refined vehicles offer a compelling, foul-weather-capable alternative to the traditional crossover.. But some sedans aren’t very reliable at all. Other cars may not be unreliable, but...
Posted:Tue Feb 10 18:31:22 EST 2026

Preview: We’ve Seen the 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid Before

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before. Toyota bZ4X vs. Subaru Solterra, Chrysler Town & Country vs. Volkswagen Routan, Mitsubishi Starion vs. Plymouth Conquest, Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Fiat 124 Spider, Fiat 124 sedan vs. Lada 2101. Automotive history is littered with lightly reworked, rebadged versions of other cars under different nameplates, a tradition that the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid and the new Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hyb...
Posted:Tue Feb 10 13:02:58 EST 2026

7 Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Car's Heater

Few things feel as cold as a car’s interior on a winter morning. Thawing that chill takes more than just warming up the engine. It requires understanding how to properly set the climate control system. Beyond that, heated seats and a heated steering wheel can surely help.. For pro tips on warming up your car’s cabin, we turned to Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, who previously worked on climate (aka ...
Posted:Fri Feb 06 14:07:09 EST 2026

Preview: 2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric Doesn’t Need to Plug In to Charge

The 2026 Cayenne Electric is exactly what it sounds like: an EV version of Porsche’s luxury midsized SUV. It packs innovative charging technology and, for the top Cayenne Turbo Electric trim, some impressive performance bragging rights. The Cayenne Turbo Electric—and not one of its two-seat sports cars—is now the most powerful production Porsche has ever made. . The Cayenne Electric debuts Porsche’s Wireless Charging system, wh...
Posted:Thu Feb 05 15:53:46 EST 2026

What Makes a Safe Car?

Every year, about 40,000 people are killed and more than 2 million are injured on U.S. roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But there’s some good news: New cars are better than ever at keeping their occupants—and even people outside the car—safe. “The safest cars don’t just protect passengers in a crash. They may avoid a crash in the first place,” says Emily Thomas, PhD, associate director ...
Posted:Thu Feb 05 13:40:52 EST 2026