10 Hottest New Cars for 2015
The iconic pony car gets a sleek new look as it enters its sixth generation and gets set to be exported globally for the first time ever.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The current ‘Stang is our favorite muscle car, and the new one looks like it will take this model to a much more capable and sophisticated level.”
The bestseller is being restyled with what Toyota calls “bold, aggressive hood lines and a striking new front grille.”
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “Toyota is trying to inject some excitement into the solid but staid Camry with perhaps the most thorough midcycle freshening in memory.”
Toyota
Ford made a bold bet in re-engineering this top-selling truck, opting for a lighter all-aluminum body instead of the usual steel in order to boost fuel economy.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The F-150’s new aluminum body seems to be a moon-shot effort to outdo its red-hot truck competition. Some people are concerned about potential repair problems down the road. Stay tuned.”
Ford
This is the first compact SUV from Lexus, which has ruled the luxury SUV category with its RX model.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “Lexus is coming late to the party. But it will offer something unique: a hybrid version. We think this popular segment is ripe for a hybrid model.”
Lexus
This mid-size SUV enters its second generation with much more than a simple facelift. Ford says it has been re-engineered from the ground up and will now include a long list of the latest available technology.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The outgoing Edge never lived up to its promise…. It’s reasonable to expect the new model can only get better.”
Ford
Jeep enters the small SUV market with this all-new addition that is being built in Italy by parent company Fiat.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The Renegade’s rugged, youthful looks and legitimate off-road ability may attract a lot of buyers, but its underpinnings have fallen flat in the Fiat 500L, which is based on the same platform.”
Jeep
The HR-V nameplate is reborn with this subcompact SUV based on the Fit hatchback.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “Enlarging the Honda Fit’s clever packaging into an even more practical SUV makes a lot of sense, and we like the idea of a more efficient hybrid SUV using Honda’s latest technology.”
Honda
The one-time Baby Benz has grown up and gotten a high-end techie look.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “We like the old C-Class a lot, and the new one looks better, although how user-friendly the infotainment system is remains to be seen. Mercedes says the rear seats have notably more space.”
Mercedes-Benz
The redesigned Legacy earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The Legacy has earned its keep as the only moderately priced, all-wheeled-drive midsized sedan, which has made it a popular choice in colder climes.”
Subaru
An IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner, like the Legacy it’s based on, the Outback stands out in the crossover market.
Consumer Reports’ Bottom Line: “The Outback is a practical and more fuel-efficient alternative to a midsized SUV and it has long been a hit with Consumer Reports’ readers.”
Subaru