On February 27, 2024, Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. company, announced the 2024 Auto Brand Rankings and the Top 10 Best Cars of 2024.
Four of the 10 best cars in Consumer Reports' list are HEVs, three are PHEVs, one is EVs, and only three are gasoline-powered vehicles, confirming that models with all-electric or partially electric powertrains can beat gasoline-only competitors.
There are three plug-in hybrid cars on the list, which is the most in the previous list.
Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports, said: "In terms of the surprising results this year and what we've learned, plug-in hybrids are really very popular with the market. ”
Fisher also pointed out that plug-in hybrid vehicles are a "dark horse" in the U.S. auto industry. "U.S. consumers don't know much about plug-in hybrids, but based on the facts, they can be said to have the best of both worlds. Fisher said.
The outstanding performance of plug-in hybrid vehicles on the list is also basically consistent with the current situation in the U.S. market.
According to data released by the Automotive News Data Center and GlobalData, in 2023, cumulative U.S. car sales will reach 15.6 million units, a year-on-year increase of 13%, a three-year high, and the highest since the pandemic.
Among them, the sales of electric vehicles reached 11060,000 units, breaking through the 1 million mark for the first time, accounting for 80% of the new energy vehicle market share and 7% of the entire automobile market sharePlug-in hybrid vehicle sales of 28030,000 units, with a penetration rate of 18%, with cumulative sales of 4.7 million units;The sales volume of traditional oil-blended vehicles was 11670,000 units, with a penetration rate of 74%。
According to the analysis of Consumer Reports, plug-in hybrid vehicle sales in the United States increased by 60% in 2023, which is higher than the growth rate of pure electric vehicles or gasoline-electric hybrids. As EV sales slowed, automakers began to take notice.
While U.S. BEV sales are still growing, hybrids are still a popular choice for many U.S. car buyers. On the one hand, the U.S. EV charging infrastructure is not yet widespread or reliableOn the other hand, the United States** is also tightening federal fuel economy regulations, and hybrid models offer better fuel economy.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra said during the recent fourth-quarter earnings conference**, "Our forward-looking plans include the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology to select vehicles in North America. Previously, the company had said that it would skip plug-in hybrid vehicles and gasoline hybrid vehicles and switch to fully electric vehicle development. "GM remains committed to eliminating tailpipe emissions from light-duty vehicles by 2035, but in the meantime, deploying plug-in hybrid technology in strategic areas will bring some of the environmental or environmental benefits of electric vehicles," she said. ”
Among the top 10 models, three are plug-in hybrids. Although the penetration rate of plug-in hybrid vehicles is not high at present, the growth rate is fast and the prospects are promising.
After testing more than a dozen plug-in hybrid vehicles, Consumer Reports found that most plug-in hybrid vehicles are faster, quieter, and more satisfying to handle than the gasoline-only versions of the same car.
Consumer Reports calculates the cost of refueling traditional gasoline-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles purchased by consumers in California, Massachusetts, Florida and Washington. In all four states, it is more cost-effective to refuel a plug-in hybrid vehicle than a gasoline vehicle. In 3 states, plug-in hybrid vehicles are more cost-effective than gasoline hybrid vehicles. In 2 states, it is cheaper to refuel a plug-in hybrid than to charge an electric vehicle.
The cost of refueling is calculated based on the following scenario: These consumers drive 40 miles (about 64 kilometers) a day, charge a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle every night, and make four 500-mile (about 800 kilometers) road trips a year. These scenarios are a combination of urban highway and highway driving at optimal temperatures, using as much of the latest mainstream energy as possible**.
As energy costs vary from state to state, the cost of refueling for BEVs, plug-in hybrids, and gasoline hybrids varies from state to state.
In all four states, the BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid is more cost-effective than the petrol version. In California, Florida and Washington, the modern Tucson plug-in hybrid version is more cost-effective than the oil hybrid version. In Florida and Washington, the cost of refueling the Kia Niro battery electric vehicle is slightly lower than that of a plug-in hybrid. Charging the plug-in NIRO is $9 cheaper in California than charging the electric version and $101 cheaper in Massachusetts.
Typically, Fisher said, consumers are the most favorable on the energy cost of electric vehicles; Plug-in hybrids are the second best, hybrids are the third best, but individual use is complex.
In states with higher electricity bills, consumers may be more willing to buy a gas-hybrid car. He said that the use of electric driving by plug-in hybrid car drivers varies. In warmer climates, drivers with shorter daily commutes may be electrically powered 90% of the time. Others may never go to recharge and rely entirely on gasoline.
Fisher said that compared to plug-in hybrids, "electric cars or gasoline hybrids are simpler because they only use electricity or only gasoline to power the vehicle." ”
Each year, Consumer Reports selects one of the best models in each of the top 10 car categories based on road test performance, reliability, owner satisfaction and safety. 
In the selection of the top 10 best cars in 2024, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Prius Prime, Subaru Forester, Mazda3, Toyota Camry, Ford M**Erick M**Erick, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, BMW X5 X5 Plug-in Hybrid, and Toyota R**4 Prime stood out.
From the brand point of view, Toyota has the most models on the list, with four models, and all of them are oil-hybrid vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles; Subaru is not far behind, with two models making the cut. Tesla, Ford, Mazda and BMW each had one car on the list.
Three of these models have made the list for two consecutive years, namely the Subaru Forester, the Toyota Camry and the Ford M**Erick M**Erick Oil Hybrid.
Fisher said the Model Y is making the list for the first time, thanks in large part to the reliability of Tesla's self-built Supercharger public charging network.
2024 Auto Brand RankingsThe final score of the 34 car brands participating in the Consumer Reports ranking is based on four factors: road test scores, reliability, owner satisfaction and safety.
For road test scores, Consumer Reports conducted more than 50 tests on each of the participating vehicles.
*Reliability ratings are based on issues reported by members in the 20 areas of potential problems in Consumer Reports' annual automotive survey.
Owner satisfaction** is based on Consumer Reports member surveys about whether they would buy the same car again if given the opportunity.
Safety includes evaluating any available crash test results, as well as additional points assigned to vehicles equipped with critical collision avoidance systems as standard.
The top two brands this year are the same as in 2023, with BMW leading the way with 82 points, followed by Subaru with 80 points, and the key for the two companies is their consistent combination of high road test results and very good reliability.
For the second year in a row, BMW has been ranked No. 1 in Consumer Reports' brand rankings. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average BMW model was $68,191 in January. Consumers pay for a positive experience with a luxury brand.
Subaru, the second-ranked brand, is "almost a feat," Fisher said, "and they have a narrower product line, but they make some really good gasoline cars that are very efficient." ”
Porsche was third with 80 points. Also in the top 10 of the brand ranking are Honda, Lexus, mini, Kia, Mazda, Toyota and Hyundai.
Based on tests and surveys, Consumer Reports recommended seven brands, including BMW, Porsche, Honda, MINI, Kia, Mazda, and Acura, indicating that all tested models of these brands can be purchased with confidence.
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