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 ----------------------------------- 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? ---------------------------------- 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