Kbb Vehicle Review And Rating Methodology
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBBs editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better than the other cars its competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built?
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading as well as the essential acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
/10 2022 Toyota Corolla
For a car that has been around for 12 generations, the Toyota Corolla has evolved over the years. It’s not surprising that the latest version offers a comfortable ride, impressive gas mileage, and a long list of driver-assist features. Although both of its engines don’t deliver much power, they are sufficient to push the Corolla along city streets for your daily commute.
The infotainment system comes with features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Sirius XM, Amazon Alexa, and a JBL audio system. Toyota offers the 2022 Corolla with a competitive warranty package that includes 2 years of complimentary maintenance.
/10 2022 Nissan Sentra
The stylish 2022 Nissan Sentra is a good compact car that impresses with a J.D.Power predicted reliability score of 85 on a scale of 1-100. Inside the spacious and well-built cabin, it boasts comfortable zero-gravity front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control.
It offers standard driving aids like pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitor, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward/reverse automatic emergency braking. Apart from standard infotainment features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-speaker Bose stereo system, satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot are also offered.
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What Is A Compact Car
A compact car is a term used for a smaller-sized automobile. The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies a passenger vehicle with an interior and cargo area of 100-109 cubic feet as a compact car. A compact car is larger than a subcompact vehicle, which has an interior area of 85-99 cubic feet and smaller than a mid-size car, which has an interior of 110-119 cubic feet.
Examples of compact cars include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cobalt. The term compact car is also popularly applied to any smaller sized car, whether or not it is officially classified as such. Therefore vehicles such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris are often referred to as compact cars, when they are officially designated by the EPA as subcompacts.
Adding to the appeal of the compact car segment is that it is no longer only synonymous with bare boned or stripped-down vehicles which offer very little comfort and features for drivers and passengers. Todays compact cars offer features once found primarily in larger and more expensive vehicles. Features such as anti-lock brakes , electronic stability control, keyless entry, power locks and windows, side-curtain air bags, GPS navigation devices, and premium sound systems are now standard features or options in most small cars.
What Is The Most Reliable Vehicle
This year was a win for Asian automakers, with Japanese or Korean companies making up seven of the top 10 most reliable brands.
Once again, Lexus is a top-scoring brand in Consumer Reports reliability survey. All Lexus models scored above average for reliability.
Our data can help people choose a satisfying car that can go the distance and avoid headaches at the repair shop, which is more important than ever with high prices, low inventory and more vehicle choices,” Fisher said in a Tuesday release.
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Best Electric Small Car
When electric cars first came onto the scene they were typically small cars because that was seen as the most efficient and logical form. But these days electric cars come in all shapes and sizes.
In terms of the best small electric car in terms of price versus range, its hard to go past the Hyundai Kona Electric compact SUV. It offers up to 484km of driving between visits to the charger and starts at $54,500 for the entry-level model.
In comparison, the Nissan Leaf small hatch is slightly cheaper, at $50,990, but only has a range of 270km. Or you can get the Leaf e+ which has a larger battery for a longer range of 385km, but the price is also bigger at $61,490.
Emerging Chinese brand BYD is threatening to shake-up the electric car market with more affordable models. It will begin with the new Atto3 small SUV priced from $44,381, which makes it the cheapest EV available in Australia in 2022.
The New Abarth 500e Is A 152bhp Fully Electric Hot Hatchback That Can Sprint From 0
On sale: June 2023 | Price from: £35,000
Air fryers are revolutionising the world of home cooking for two reasons: one, theyre just as powerful as conventional fan ovens, and, two, theyre energy efficient. In a similar vein, the new Abarth 500e electric car could have a big impact on the world of hot hatchbacks.
You see, the Abarth 500e is one of the first fully electric hot hatches to hit the market, so it has the potential to really shake things up. Being fully electric, it will have instantaneous power and, of course, no exhaust-pipe emissions.
Based on the All-Electric Fiat 500, the Abarth 500e is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that produces 152bhp and 173lb ft of torque. The 500e’s official 0-62mph time is 0-62mph in 7.0sec, which is marginally quicker than the petrol-powered Abarth 595 .
The 500e has the same 42kWh battery as more expensive versions of the Fiat 500, but has a shorter range because of its increased performance. Abarth is yet to confirm the official range, but we suspect it will be around 160 miles . Its charging speed is up to 85kW, so it should be able to charge from 0-80% in around 35 minutes if you use a suitably powerful charging point.
So, does the 500e sound like a hot hatchback? Well, as an electric car its capable of near-silent running, but Abarth has developed a sound generator that reproduces a similar sound to the 595’s petrol engine when you accelerate, helping to give it a familiar feel.
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What Are The Least Reliable Vehicles
While this year’s rankings highlight hybrid vehicles as some of the most reliable options on the road, the same does not hold true for plug-ins.
Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime EVs have lower reliability scores than their hybrid counterparts, according to Consumer Reports, and the plug-in Chrysler Pacifica hybrid was found to be one of the least reliable vehicles based on the survey.
Only full-size pickups fared worse for reliability when compared with EVs. Consumer Reports notes that with so many new EV models on the market, its not surprising that the results are “subpar.”
Models from Tesla Motors, which leads the market in EV sales, continue to have issues with body hardware, steering and suspension, paint and trim and climate system. The Model 3 has average reliability, while other Telsa models including the S, Y and X are below average.
GM recall:GM recalls nearly 340,000 big SUVs over daytime running lights issue
Fewer than half of the EV models Consumer Reports has sufficient data on had average or better predicted reliability, with owners reporting charging problems, battery problems and electric drive motor issues.
Mercedes-Benz was named Consumer Reports least reliable brand for the first time after owners reported electronics issues such as screens that went blank.
Pickup trucks continue to rank toward the bottom for reliability, with only seven of the 17 models in this years survey having average or better reliability scores.
/10 2022 Mazda 3 Sedan
With its athletic handling, energetic engines, and a top-quality/nicely finished interior, the 2022 Mazda 3 sedan ranks high in the compact car class. Power is provided by a choice of three power trains which include a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that provides 250 hp.
An optional all-wheel-drive system working only with a six-speed automatic transmission is available on all but the base model. In addition to the standard driving aids available, it also offers options like a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and a surround-view parking camera system.
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/10 2022 Tesla Model 3
The 2022 Tesla Model 3, the brand’s entry-level luxury sedan, is an electric vehicle that offers an affordable blend of performance, efficiency, and driving range. With a starting MSRP of $41,940, the base RWD trim delivers 267 miles of driving range, a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, and a top speed of 140 mph.
For the maximum driving range of 334 miles, you need the $49,440 Long Range model and the top-of-the-range Performance model for the quickest acceleration. Also on offer is a large infotainment touchscreen and the latest driver-assist features.
Toyota Corolla Pros Cons And Specs
Pros: A not-boring Corolla, upgrade engine is powerful, stylish. Cons: Value decreases on upper trims, average interior materials, poor base engine.
SpecificationsBase-Price Range: $21,020-$29,305Available Engines: 1.8L I-4 2.0L I-4 1.8L hybrid I-4 Fuel Economy : 28-53/36-52/31-52 mpgTruck space: 13 cu ft
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Mazda 3 Grand Touring
Last but not least, lets talk about the fashionable and flirty Mazda 3. This compact cutie is an excellent road trip car because of its great handling, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The middle console area is set up so that the stereo systems controller can be easily adjusted while driving. And worth noting: Once youre use to using it, you wont have to take your eyes off the road when changing the station, adjusting the volume, navigating from screen to screen and more. It becomes second nature.
Additionally, I love that it comes equipped with SMS text message auto delivery and voice reply, and a killer Bose 9 speaker surround sound system. No road trip is complete without a great sound system and this one does not disappoint.
2017 Mazda 3. Photo: Dawn Gibson-Thigpen
What makes a car great for road tripping? In my opinion, reliability, practicality, capability, leisure, comfort, exterior, awesome sound system, fuel efficient and latest technology.
All of the vehicles I listed above have several if not all of the features listed above, that is why they made the cut for my list. What are some of your favorite cars for road tripping and why? We would love to know!
Driving The 2023 Toyota Corolla
Were pleased that the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is now the standard powerplant in the Toyota Corolla. The old 1.8-liter engine, which was discontinued this year, was hard to recommend since the 2.0-liter unit is both more powerful and more fuel-efficient.
This 169-horsepower engine has more than enough muscle for the daily drive, but its still not as exciting as the sporty variants of the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Hyundai Elantra.
Most trims of the Corolla are tuned for comfort over performance. The ride is compliant, the seats are comfortable, and its hard to find fault in how it drives. It gets a little sportier in the Apex Edition models thanks to the lowered sport-tuned suspension and a sport-tuned exhaust.
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Highlights Of The 2023 Xc40
There are multiple factors that make the new 2023 XC40 such a good choice for a luxury SUV. For one, it has a stylish exterior design with a youthful look. Inside the XC40, the cabin is spacious and features contemporary Swedish design elements, which gives it a luxurious look and feel.
The XC40 also offers good value with its many standard features. This includes an infotainment system with a 9.0-inch touchscreen, automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable drivers seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and an eight-speaker audio system. Also, the XC40 offers safety-enhancing driving assistance technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a semi-autonomous driving mode.
On the performance front, the XC40 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it generates 187 horsepower for the B4 trims and 247 horsepower for the B5 trims. Also, the XC40 B4 has a front-wheel drive system, while the B5 has a traction-enhancing all-wheel drive system.
Another good thing about XC40 is its towing capabilities, which is a rarity for subcompact luxury SUVs. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
If youre looking for a budget-friendly Volvo, then check out the 2023 Volvo XC40, which is the cheapest new Volvo car. Also, with its many positive attributes, the XC40 is one of the best choices for a small luxury SUV.
Volkswagen Jetta Pros Cons And Specs
Pros: Sporty GLI model, big inside, solid infotainment system. Cons: Transmission smoothness, no standard active safety, standard model dynamically so-so.
SpecificationsBase-Price Range: $19,990-$31,740Available Engines: 1.4L turbo I-4 2.0L turbo I-4 Fuel Economy : 24-30/33-41/28-34 mpgTruck space: 14 cu ft
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Volvo Xc40 Is The Cheapest New Volvo Car
With a starting price of $36,350 MSRP, the 2023 Volvo XC40 subcompact luxury SUV is the most affordable new Volvo car. The next cheapest new Volvo is the S60 luxury sedan , followed by the XC60 luxury SUV .
Here are the 10 cheapest new Volvo cars for 2023, along with their starting prices:
/10 2022 Volkswagen Golf R
Back for the 2022 model year after a 2-year hiatus, the Golf R is a special car that offers a ton of practicality in a fun-to-drive package. Don’t be fooled by the low-key looksunderneath the hood lies a 2-liter turbocharged I-4 that churns out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission, it sends the 4WD Golf R from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It also impresses with an attractive interior, ample cargo space, generous tech features, and 2 years of complimentary maintenance.
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All The Best Mini Compact Cars
The original Mini Cooper is the brandâs most popular compact car, with its cheeky design, customizability, and peppy personality. However, even the biggest compact car lovers might find the interior too tightânot to mention pricey for what it is.
Best Performance Small Car
If theres one segment of the small car market thats still going strong despite all the chaos around it, its hot hatches. Brands including Ford and Hyundai have given up on mainstream affordable small cars in many instances. And in this case you better get in quick because Ford has discontinued the Fiesta ST, with enough stock to last until the end of 2022.
The Fiesta ST is perhaps the best example of packing as many driving thrills into the smallest car possible. While its now a five-door hatch instead of a three-door like its predecessor, the recently updated 2023 Fiesta ST is still a pint-sized pocket rocket.
Powered by a 147kW 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and paired with a enthusiast-focused six-speed manual gearbox, this is a car designed for the driver.
Like so many cars in this segment the prices of the Fiesta ST have risen steeply in recent years though, now starting at $34,490.
But there are plenty of other cars that prove you dont need a big car to have a huge smile on your face when you go for a weekend drive.
The Hyundai i20 N is a great little car, as are its bigger siblings the i30 N hatch, i30 Sedan N and Kona N. Over at Volkswagen Group there are plenty of choices too, from the VW Polo GTI, Golf GTI and Golf R to the Skoda Octavia RS and the newly-landed Cupra Leon, Formentor and Ateca.
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Volvo Xc40 Is One Of The Best Small Luxury Suvs
Not only is the 2023 XC40 the cheapest new Volvo car, but its also one of the best small luxury SUVs. Automotive critics frequently rate the XC40 at or near the top of the subcompact luxury SUV segment.
For example, Car and Driver rates the XC40 as the best subcompact crossover SUV ahead of other models such as the BMW X1, BMW X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class. U.S. News rates the XC40 highly as well, with it tied for the top spot with the X1.
