Here’s How Much Consumer Reports’ Top Cars for 2024 Actually Cost

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Feb 28, 2024 | New Cars, News

Discovering a vehicle that ticks all the boxes for performance, comfort, and style can transform your daily commute into a journey you look forward to. This year, Consumer Reports has done the heavy lifting for us, meticulously testing and evaluating most of the 260 new car models on the market in 2024. Here at CarEdge, we’re big fans of CR. For each of the Consumer Reports Top Picks for 2024, we’ve used CarEdge Data to reveal the true selling price and current market supply, showing you market dynamics in real time. We hope you find this bit of a twist useful in your Car Search.

Fresh off the digital presses, these are the 10 best cars, trucks, and SUVs for 2024, as ranked by Consumer Reports. 

The Best Subcompact SUV

Subaru Crosstrek

MSRP: $25,195 – $32,195

Average Selling Price: $31,620

Current Market Supply: 83 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 87/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The 2024 Crosstrek features significant updates including enhanced engines, a modernized infotainment system, and an advanced EyeSight safety suite, alongside the best fuel economy for a non-hybrid AWD SUV at 29 mpg. While the base 2.0-liter engine may feel underpowered, the optional 2.5-liter variant offers improved speed, noise control, and overall driving satisfaction. Here’s Consumer Reports’ complete review.

See Crosstrek listings with the power of local market data

The Best Hybrid Car

Toyota Prius

MSRP: $27,950 – $36,365

Average Selling Price: $35,137

Current Market Supply: 31 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 80/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: Not recently rated

While the 2024 Toyota Prius offers a more engaging driving experience and a cooler look, it sacrifices some comfort and visibility compared to its predecessor. The Prius Prime variant adds versatility with 39 electric-only miles and a gas-only efficiency of 43 mpg, enhancing the appeal of this distinctive and striking vehicle. It’s not the Prius of yesterday! Here’s Consumer Reports’ complete review.

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The Best Compact SUV

Subaru Forester

MSRP: $27,095 – $37,395

Average Selling Price: $35,287

Current Market Supply: 109 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 88/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

In its final year before a redesign, the 2024 Forester remains a Consumer Reports Top Pick for the 11th time, thanks to its practical boxy design that enhances interior space and visibility. It’s easy access, spacious and comfortable interior, along with ample cargo space, stand out in the small SUV category. Combining one of the best ride qualities in its class with responsive and secure handling, the Forester continues to be a highly recommended, well-rounded vehicle. Check out the complete review from Consumer Reports.

See Forester listings with the power of local market data

The Best Small Car

Mazda 3

MSRP: $24,170 – $36,650

Average Selling Price: $30,002

Current Market Supply: 124 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 78/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The Mazda3, available as both sedan and hatchback, redefines the small, affordable car segment with its enjoyable driving dynamics, nimble handling, and capable powertrains. Mazda offers two engine options: a base engine with 191 hp and an optional 227-hp turbocharged upgrade. Its premium feel on higher trims positions it above its mainstream competitors, providing all-wheel drive and standard Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW) for 2024. Here’s CR’s complete review.

See Mazda 3 listings with the power of local market data

The Best Midsized Car

Toyota Camry Hybrid

MSRP: $26,420 – $36,845

Average Selling Price: $32,315

Current Market Supply: 41 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 93/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The Camry Hybrid excels in delivering fuel efficiency and comfort at a budget-friendly price point. It achieves an outstanding 47 mpg overall in fuel economy tests, with a remarkable 53 mpg on the highway, complemented by a 610-mile range per tank, making it ideal for both daily commutes and long road trips. Next year, the Camry becomes a Hybrid in all trim levels. See CR’s complete review. 

See Toyota Camry Hybrid listings with the power of local market data

The Best Small Pickup Truck

Ford Maverick

MSRP: $23,815 – $34,855

Average Selling Price: $32,794

Current Market Supply: 35 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 78/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 4-Star Rating

The Maverick sets itself apart in the truck segment with its easy maneuverability, notable fuel economy, and affordability. Its crew cab offers a spacious and practical interior with ample legroom and headroom, complemented by user-friendly controls and well-placed storage options. The 191-hp hybrid version shines for its exceptional fuel efficiency and enhanced refinement, making the Maverick a high-value, functional choice for those wanting a truck without the difficulty parking a full-size model, not to mention affording gas. CR members can see the complete review.

See Ford Maverick listings with the power of local market data

The Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Toyota RAV4 Prime

MSRP: 43,690 – $47,560

Average Selling Price: $46,890

Current Market Supply: 34 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 89/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid variant of the best-selling SUV in America, is so popular that it’s hard to find one that’s not already taken. It offers 42 miles of electric-only range, allowing for significant gas savings, especially in urban driving. The RAV4 Prime maintains a commendable 34 mpg overall fuel efficiency once the battery is depleted. If you’re not ready to go full-EV, this plug-in hybrid is a great alternative. 

But keep in mind that you could buy a fast-charging EV like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, or Tesla Model 3 for the same price. Check out CR’s complete review of the RAV4 Prime.

See RAV4 Prime listings with the power of local market data

The Best Midsized SUV

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

MSRP: $39,120 – $53,125

Average Selling Price: $48,586

Current Market Supply: 34 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 85/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The Highlander stands out as a comfortable midsize SUV with an impressive suite of active safety features, and a strong predicted reliability. Its 243-hp hybrid powertrain leads in fuel efficiency for three-row SUVs, achieving 35 mpg overall and 41 mpg on the highway in tests, complemented by a 590-mile range on a full tank. The hybrid model’s modest $1,500 premium over the gas-only version promises swift returns through fuel savings. CR members can check out this complete review.

See Highlander listings with the power of local market data

The Best Luxury SUV

BMW X5

MSRP: $65,200 – $122,300

Average Selling Price: $80,107

Current Market Supply: 60 days of supply (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 92/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: Not rated recently

The X5 offers a luxury experience, and that’s what you should expect at this price. It features a balanced suspension that ensures a supple ride and composed handling, suitable for curvy roads, while the turbo-six engine provides quick acceleration. The standout is the plug-in hybrid version, which combines a turbo inline-six with an electric motor and a battery that enables 39 miles of all-electric range. Gone are the days of PHEVs getting just 20 miles of electric range! Here’s CR’s complete review.

See BMW X5 listings with the power of local market data

The Best Electric Vehicle

Tesla Model Y

MSRP: $42,990 – $52,490

Average Selling Price: N/A

Current Market Supply: N/A (learn more)

Consumer Reports Overall Score: 72/100

NHTSA Safety Rating: 5-Star Rating

The Model Y has been the best-selling electric vehicle in America and Europe for quite some time. With its SUV-like body, the Model Y offers more passenger and cargo space than its sedan counterpart, the Model 3. With long range and a widespread, easy to use Supercharger network, the Model Y is the perfect choice for first time EV buyers. Additionally, its capability for over-the-air updates means that the Model Y’s features can be continuously enhanced, making an already impressive vehicle even better with time. See CR’s complete review of the Model Y.

See used Tesla Model Y listings with the power of local market data, or configure your new Model Y at Tesla.com

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Are Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge Headed For the Graveyard? A Troubling Look at Sales Trends

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Feb 23, 2024 | New Cars, News

In America, sales of the three core Stellantis brands have tumbled 39% in the past 5 years. Meanwhile, overall new car sales in America are 11% below 2018 levels. Following FCA’s transition to Stellantis in early 2021, the three brands have become a liability for the multinational automotive conglomerate. If you’re not convinced that Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge are in dire trouble, you might be swayed by this look at their U.S. sales in recent years. Plus, we’ll take a look at where things stand today for these three American icons. 

New Name, Bigger Problems

In January 2021, the merger between FCA and Peugeot S.A. (PSA) marked the birth of Stellantis, yet its American brands have struggled in the U.S. market since. By Q4 2023, Stellantis’s U.S. market share had dipped to 8.80%, a significant decline from 9.63% the previous year and the lowest in five years, contrasting sharply with a recent peak of 12.66% in 2019.

Sales have steadily declined for three former FCA brands sold in America: Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler. Ram has fared better as a standalone truck brand, seeing annual sales decline ‘just’ 10% since 2018.

For Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler, the outlook is grim if the recent past is anything to judge. As you can see below, none of the three have come out of the pandemic slump.

And here are the numbers for Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler, showing U.S. sales from 2014 to 2023.

Market Share Declines

Last year, Jeep’s market share slightly fell to 3.92%, down from a recent high of 5.17% in 2019. Ram’s share dropped to 3.44%, down from 4.60% in 2021. Dodge saw a more notable decrease to 1.09% by the end of 2023, a far cry from its former stature as a major player. In the mid-1980s, one in seven new vehicles in America was a Dodge.

Chrysler’s market share plummeted to just 0.27% from 0.69% a year earlier. After consecutive model cancellations and serious stagnation in sales, Chrysler’s U.S. market share has held below 1% since 2021.

These figures highlight the challenges Stellantis faces in reinvigorating its American brands amidst a fiercely competitive market.

How are the individual brands performing in the U.S. new car market? Let’s dive in for a closer look.

Jeep Sales Are Down 44% 

2018 was the last stellar year for Jeep. It’s been downhill ever since. Jeep sales are down 44% from 2018’s peak, when 972,227 Jeeps were sold in America. In 2023, the iconic brand sold just 642,924 vehicles, the lowest sales figure in 11 years.

Over the past two years, Jeep has launched multiple new models, from the luxurious Grand Wagoneer to plug-in hybrid 4xe variants. However, Stellantis’ plan of action doesn’t seem to be working.

Overall U.S. new vehicle sales totaled 15.5 million, an increase of 11.6% from 2022. At the same time, Jeep sales dropped 6.1% year-over-year. 

On top of this, Jeep’s inventory is staggeringly high, no matter how you look at it. Typically, a healthy new car inventory is measured by an industry metric called market day supply (MDS). In essence, MDS represents how long it would take to sell all existing inventory at current daily selling rates, assuming no new inventory was added. A ‘healthy’ inventory is generally between 45 and 65 days of supply, depending on seasonality and differences between OEMs.

As of late February 2024, there’s a 195-day supply of new Jeeps on sale in America. Nationwide, 188,611 new Jeep vehicles are sitting on dealer lots. That’s not good.

Here’s a look at five-year sales trends for Jeep’s models.

It’s great to see the popularity of the Grand Cherokee continuing, but most other Jeep models are faring worse.

Jeep has been plagued by very poor reliability ratings, high maintenance costs, and above-average depreciation. These factors and others are surely contributing to buyer preferences, which these days, are more often than not leading away from the Jeep brand.

Believe it or not, Dodge is in an even worse slump. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Dodge Sales Are Down 67%, Inventory Soars

Dodge sales are down 67% from 2013’s peak of 595,743 sales in America. In 2023, Dodge sold just 199,458 vehicles, a slight improvement from 2022. However, 2022’s 190,795 vehicles sold was the lowest annual Dodge sales figure since 1996, according to historical sales data from GoodCarBadCar. 

Things aren’t looking any better for 2024. In fact, considering decisions made by Stellantis themselves, 2024 is shaping up to be the final nail in the coffin for this once-popular brand. 

In 2023, Dodge discontinued production of two popular models. The Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, two of the last American muscle cars still in production, were officially removed from production schedules last December. Meanwhile, fewer than 10,000 copies of the much-hyped Dodge Hornet were sold. What does Dodge’s future look like without these two sporty models, which combined made up 60% of Dodge’s sales in 2023? Electrification is on the horizon if the latest clues are to be trusted. Will Dodge’s fanbase convert to electric performance? The brand’s future depends on it. 

Here’s a look at five-year sales trends for Dodge’s best-selling models, the Charger, Durango, and Challenger.

As the official FCA press release points out, Dodge’s U.S. sales actually increased 5% year over year. The Durango seems to be carrying the brand right now. However, zoom out just a bit, and we see that sales have been cut in half over the past decade. 2024 will be a pivotal year for Dodge’s future.    

So far, the brand isn’t off to a good start. As of late February, there was a 329-day supply of new Dodge vehicles in the U.S. That’s now the highest inventory of ANY car brand today. More than 80,000 new Dodge’s sit on the market waiting for buyers.

Chrysler Sales Are Down 58%

Chrysler sales are down 67% from 2015’s peak of 317,923 sales in America. In 2023, Chrysler sold just 133,729 vehicles, a slight improvement from 2020’s low of about 110,000. 

Chrysler recently discontinued the 300 sedan, but it was never a major seller to begin with. What new models does Chrysler still sell? As of 2024, the Chrysler Pacifica van is the only remaining Chrysler model. It is popular, however, having completed 120,554 sales in 2023.

In Conclusion: Stellantis Has a Mess On Their Hands

The dramatic decline in sales for Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler underlines significant challenges for Stellantis, with each brand facing its own set of issues. Jeep’s inability to boost sales despite new model launches, Dodge’s precarious future post-muscle car, and Chrysler’s dwindling presence to a single model, all signal deep-rooted problems beyond just market trends. These issues highlight a disconnect between the brands’ strategies and the evolving demands of the market, necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of their roles within Stellantis and the broader industry.

Stellantis is at a crossroads, needing to realign these iconic American brands with consumer wants and needs at a price buyers are willing to pay. The conglomerate’s ability to navigate this transformation will determine whether Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler can regain relevance and growth or fade into automotive history.