The 10 cars with the most satisfied owners, according to Consumer Reports

Sunday, 29 September 2024

The 10 cars with the most satisfied owners, according to Consumer Reports

by BD Banks

Every automaker promises performance, reliability, comfort, style, and a myriad of other sought-after attributes when marketing their vehicles. Once drivers get their hands on the wheels of these vehicles though, it becomes clear that not every model lives up to its selling points.

Some cars, however, do deliver an experience that leaves their drivers satisfied. One way this sense of satisfaction is measured is by asking auto owners whether or not they would buy their car again, given the chance to opt for a different model or stick with their current vehicle, knowing what they do now about its performance, reliability, and comfort.

One data-collection outfit that’s excellent at obtaining this sort of info is Consumer Reports.

What is Consumer Reports?

Consumer Reports is a nearly century-old nonprofit organization focused on consumer advocacy. It operates by testing common consumer products, including vehicles, at its labs, facilities, and closed driving courses in New York.

It also administers surveys to its members, which number around 6 million as of 2024. These surveys ask consumers about the products they own and use, including cars, and since the surveys are administered over time, CR is able to gather valuable data about how vehicles and other products tend to perform over the course of years.

Through these surveys, CR members report on their cars’ performance, any issues their cars have had, any repairs that have been necessary, and how much these repairs cost.

How does CR measure car owner satisfaction?

Members are also asked to choose, if given the opportunity to go back in time, whether they would purchase their car again. Answers to this question — across CR’s millions of members and over time — provide valuable insights into which car models are the most satisfying to own.

What are the 10 most satisfying cars and SUVs?

The 10 of the cars with the highest satisfaction ratings all scored over 80%, meaning at least 8 out of 10 owners who responded to Consumer Reports’ survey would purchase their current vehicle again if given the chance.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

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10. Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a battery-powered electric sedan that has only been sold in the United States since 2023. 81% of surveyed Ioniq 6 owners said they would purchase the model again.

Honda Pilot

Charles, CC BY 2&period;0 via Flickr

9. Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot, a three-row crossover SUV that has been in production for over two decades, has gone through countless changes since its inception. Its longevity must be a testament to its owners’ satisfaction — 82% of those surveyed said they would buy the vehicle again.

Kia Telluride

deathpallie325, CC-BY-SA-4&period;0 via Wikimedia Commons

8. Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride, which was launched in 2019 and then revitalized in 2023 with a new instrument panel and auto-close power liftgate, has an 82% owner satisfaction rate, according to CR’s data.

Ford Maverick Hybrid

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7. Ford Maverick Hybrid

The Ford Maverick Hybrid, which was launched in 2021 (and whose name is apparently not a revival of the company’s previous model of the same name, which existed in the 70s), shares a body platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport models. 83% of CR’s respondents said they would buy the hybrid pickup again.

Rivian R1S

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6. Rivian R1S

The Rivian R1S, an all-electric, three-row SUV, debuted in 2022. Despite unexpected delivery delays and a 20% price hike in the model’s first year on the market, 84% of CR’s survey respondents say they would buy it again.

5. BMW X5

The BMW X5, whose modern iteration has been around since 2019, received a satisfaction score of 85% from CR’s survey respondents. First launched in 1999, the luxury midsize crossover was the automaker’s first foray into the SUV category, and it remains popular with modern drivers.

4. Lexus NX Hybrid

87% of Lexus NX Hybrid owners said they would buy the luxury compact crossover SUV again if given the opportunity. The modern generation of the NX, which stands for “nimble crossover,” according to the Toyota-owned automaker, was released in 2021 and shares its mechanical components with the fifth-generation Toyota Rav4.

2. Mazda MX-5 Miata

The Mazda Miata, a fan-favorite Japanese sports car among American auto enthusiasts, tied for second in owner satisfaction, with 88% of owners reporting they would buy one again.
The Miata (called the Roadster in Japan) has been around since 1989 and is the best-selling two-seater convertible sports car of all time.

2. Rivian R1T

Also tied for second in owner satisfaction, according to CR’s survey results, is a model that has only existed since late 2021. The Rivian R1T (the first all-electric pickup to be made available to consumers) also got an 88% owner satisfaction rating, which is somewhat surprising, as it was also ranked as the 5th-least-dependable car overall by Consumer Reports.

This and the other Rivian model on this list are the only two in the top 10 that don’t also have the nonprofit’s “CR Recommended” check mark.

Chevrolet Corvette

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

1. Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevy Corvette is no doubt one of the most iconic American sports cars of all time, and according to Consumer Reports, it’s also the number-one most satisfying car, with 93% of surveyed owners stating they would buy it again if given the chance.

This streamlined two-seater has changed considerably since it debuted in 1953, but the modern version is known for its powerful V8 engine, bright color options, and timeless style.