Shopping for a new car? Consumer Reports' Top Picks highlight the best cars, SUVs, and trucks you can buy right now—standouts for performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety. In this episode, we break down this year's winners across key segments, from sedans and small SUVs to three-row SUVs, featuring brands like Toyota, Honda, Ford, Tesla, BMW, Lexus, and Subaru.

SHOW NOTES

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00:00 - Introduction

00:15 - 2026 Top Picks

23:57 - Safety Verdict

29:27 - Question: What's the best way to buy a car located too far away to inspect in person?

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Best Cars of 2026 — CR Top Picks

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2025-a1930591024/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Safety Verdict

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/safety-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

The Safest Cars You Can Buy Right Now

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/the-safest-cars-you-can-buy-right-now-a6584555585/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Which Brands Make the Best Cars?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-car-brands-make-the-best-vehicles-a6159221985/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

How Car Brands Stack Up On Lifetime Repair Cost

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-maintenance/the-cost-of-car-ownership-a1854979198/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Consumerreports.org/Talkingcars

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/talking-cars-podcast-archive-a1439738009/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

The Weekly Cars Newsletter: Shop Smarter. Drive Smarter.

https://www.consumerreports.org/email-newsletters/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

Lock in savings with a better way to buy a car.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-prices-build-buy-service/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT

.css-aamugw{display:none;float:left;margin-right:0.5rem;}@media only screen and (max-height: 149px){.css-aamugw{display:block;}}2026 Top Picks •iHeart

.css-x5l0ng{color:#27292D;display:inline-block;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-x5l0ng svg{color:#27292D;display:block;fill:#27292D;}.css-x5l0ng:focus{outline:.5rem auto -webkit-focus-ring-color;outline:.5rem auto Highlight;}Talking Cars (MP3) - Special

2026 Top Picks

2026 Top Picks •
iHeart

Talking Cars (MP3) - Special