The 15 Best Cars of 2017
We combed through all the “Best of 2017” guides out there to compile an ultimate list of the best of the best. Every car here made appearances on at least three other lists.
Fiat Automobiles
MSRP: $28,595
It may be a minivan, but the redesign of its exterior is turning heads among auto critics. Practical parents will like its 100-plus safety features and its ability to both parallel and perpendicular park on its own.
Awards: 2017 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy, Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, PCMag Editor’s Choice, U.S. News Best Minivans for 2017, The Car Guide 2017 Best Buy, Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist, North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) finalist
MSRP: $34,900
While little has changed in its design from last year, Audi has made small improvements to the large cabin, including a new, user-friendly interface on the dash that includes support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Awards: 2017 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy, Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy, IIHS Top Safety Pick, U.S. News Best Cars, Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist, Car Connection 2017 Best Car to Buy nominee, Edmunds Top Rated, Car Guide
Audi
MSRP: $40,990
Jaguar’s first crossover SUV has been a hit with reviewers for its styling and power. One fun feature: You can leave your keys in the car after you’ve parked and unlock the doors later with a smart bracelet.
Awards: Edmunds Top Rated, U.S. News Best Cars, Car Connection Best Car to Buy Nominee, NACTOY
Jaguar
MSRP: $36,620
The first real competitor to Tesla, the Chevy Bolt is an affordable electric vehicle that with an EPA-tested 238 miles per charge, a longer range than anything else on the market. It is Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2017.
Awards: Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buys, Car and Driver 10 Best Cars, Motor Trend Car of the Year, NACTOY, AutoGuide.com Reader Choice Award, Car Guide 2017 Best New Car of the Year
Chevrolet
MSRP: $32,065
This redesigned sedan has classic old-school appeal with details like 20-inch wheels, dual exhaust pipes and plenty of legroom for backseat riders.
Awards: Consumer Guide Automotive Best Cars, U.S. News Best Cars, Car Connection 2017 Best Car to Buy Nominee, Motor Trend Car of the Year contender, Car Connection 2017 Best Car to Buy nominee
Buick
MSRP: $24,995
An affordable, two-seat convertible, the Fiat 124 Spider is built on the same chassis as the Mazda Miata but has its own unique-looking seats, steering wheel and dashboard.
Awards: Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy, Edmunds Top Rated, U.S. News Best Cars, Motor Trend Car of the Year contender, Car Guide 2017 Best Buy
Fiat
MSRP: $49,000
Audi’s entry in the increasingly competitive luxury SUV market has a cabin with modern design, plush leather seats with massage functions and four-zone climate control.
Awards: Edmunds Top Rated, IIHS Top Safety Pick, U.S. News Best Cars, Car Guide 2017 Best New SUV of the Year
Audi
MSRP: $26,540
Redesigned in 2014 with aluminum, which is lighter and less expensive than steel, the latest version of this perennial top seller is considered one of the safest vehicles in its category.
Awards: KBB Best Buys, U.S. News Best Cars, IIHS Top Safety Picks
Ford
MSRP: $22,345
This ubiquitous sedan lives up to its reputation as a family favorite thanks to its reliability and ease of driving as well as safety features like lane assist and adaptive cruise control.
Awards: KBB Best Buy, Car and Driver 10 Best, Motor Trend Car of the Year Contender
Honda
MSRP: $17,150
One of the best-selling sedans in America, the Elantra costs around half as much as the typical new car but comes with features once found only in luxury cars, such as a touchscreen dash, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Data, heated leather seats and remote start.
Awards: IIHS Top Safety Picks, Motor Trend Car of the Year contender, Car Guide 2017 Best Buy
Hyundai
MSRP: $31,990
Quiet and comfortable to drive, the Kia Cadenza has a roomier backseat than previous models and surprisingly luxe features like a panoramic sunroof, stitched leather seats and a camera that offers a 360-degree view of the car.
Awards: U.S. News Best Cars, Car Connection Best Car to Buy nominee, Motor Trend Car of the Year contender
Kia
MSRP: $17,845
This newly redesigned compact car, also available in a hatchback, offers a smooth ride and easy handling as well as innovative add-ons like traffic-sign recognition and seats designed with acoustics in mind.
Awards: Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy, U.S. News Best Cars, Car and Driver 10 Best Cars, Car Guide 2017 Best Buy
Mazda
MSRP: $68,100
Built by Hyundai, the G90 is the carmaker’s first car under the Genesis nameplate. Critics applauded the value relative to other premium sedans, though they said the Genesis has room to improve on styling boldness and technological features.
Awards: Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy, Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist, NACTOY
Hyundai Motor Company
MSRP: $46,950
An all-new sedan from the Swedish manufacturer known for safety, the S90 offers the safety features you expect from Volvo as well as the smooth, quiet ride you expect from a luxury vehicle.
Awards: Car Connection Best Car to Buy nominee, NACTOY, Motor Trend Car of the Year finalist
Volvo
MSRP: $31,520
This three-row crossover SUV is Mazda’s largest vehicle, and it’s built with families in mind. It has all the smart-car features that consumers want, including emergency braking and blind-spot alerts, heated leather seats and a Bose sound system.
Awards: Car Connection Best Car to Buy nominee, NACTOY, AutoGuide.com Reader’s Choice Utility Vehicle of the Year
Mazda