Consumer Reports' 2017 Best Cars of the Year

Using a criteria that includes its own road-test score, reliability data, customer satisfaction input from surveys, and safety data, Consumer Reports has compiled a list of the best cars and trucks for sale in America in 2017.

"A car that bests the competition by these measures is truly extraordinary," says CR. That makes these 10 vehicles standout performers in their respective classes. If you'd like to read more about why each of these vehicles won its award, click here.

Without further ado, here are CR's top picks for 2017.

This car was designed by Mazda, originally sold as a Scion, and is now known as the Toyota Yaris iA in America. Despite that roundabout way of ending up on dealer lots, Consumer Reports says it's the best subcompact car of the year.

The Yaris iA has better than average reliability and average owner satisfaction scores, and that's good enough to be called "a desirable no-excuses budget sedan."

Consumer Reports describes the Chevy Cruze as a Malibu or Impala that was put "in a shrink ray, reducing scale but preserving the commendable driving manners and generous available features."

Surprisingly, the Cruze is good enough to beat out segment stalwarts like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla to take top honors in the compact car category. It's above-average reliability score certainly helps.

Hybrid vehicles have become so ubiquitous that they have their own category from Consumer Reports. And the sales-leading Toyota Prius unsurprisingly took home the crown.

We've come to expect exemplary fuel mileage from the Prius, and that's truer than ever before in 2017, with a combined EPA rating of 52 miles per gallon. But the Prius also earns above-average reliability scores to go along with its above-average owner satisfaction score. If you don't care about speed, the Prius may be a perfect daily driver.

The Mazda Miata is a quintessential sports car. It's two-seat interior, lightweight design, classic good looks, and peppy engine make it incredibly fun to drive. So it's no surprise to see it earn top honors from Consumer Reports.

"Fantastically fun and frugal," says CR. We couldn't agree more.

Sport utility vehicles and crossovers come in all shapes and sizes, and while the Subaru Forester isn't really considered particularly small, it's still the top-ranked vehicle in the small SUV category from Consumer Reports.

Both reliability and owner satisfaction scores are good, and CR likes its rational design and practicality.

Not only is the Audi Q7 ranked as the best luxury SUV from Consumer Reports, its 96-point Road-Test Score is the highest of any SUV tested by the magazine. Factor in above-average reliability and customer satisfaction scores, and it's easy to see why the Q7 won the best luxury SUV award.

With an as-tested price of nearly $70,000, CR says "it’s pricey, but it’s also rich in rewards."

The Honda Ridgeline straddles the line between car and truck. It's based on the Pilot crossover, but in place of that model's covered cargo area, the Ridgeline gets a good-size pickup truck bed with a built-in watertight trunk.

The Ridgeline isn't for heavy-duty hauling duties, but it's great for the types of everyday loads most truck owners attempt day to day. With rationality like that, Consumer Reports says "most noncommercial drivers with weekend warrior aspirations will appreciate" its capabilities.