Independent. Research-backed. new and used cars with 10 year history.

Every car earns a GPA.

We grade vehicles on what matters most: reliability, safety, efficiency, comfort, value, and ownership cost.

Class of 2026

The Dean’s List

Top of the class in every subject. These are the highest-graded 2026 vehicles of 265, across overall standing and each graded discipline. Efficiency & Range is graded within powertrain class, so it awards one plaque each to gas, hybrid, plug-in and electric.

Full honor roll →

ValedictorianHighest overall GPA

2026 · Full-Size Luxury SedanBMW i7Cum Laude

Overall GPA3.52A-Overall GPA 3.52 out of 4.0, grade A-

View full report card →

Safety

Safety GPA4.00A+Safety GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Lincoln Nautilus2026 · Mid-Size Luxury SUV

Reliability

Reliability GPA3.92A+Reliability GPA 3.92 out of 4.0, grade A+

Lexus LC2026 · Luxury GT

EfficiencyGas

Efficiency GPA3.17BEfficiency GPA 3.17 out of 4.0, grade B

Subaru Crosstrek2026 · Subcompact SUV

EfficiencyHybrid

Efficiency GPA4.00A+Efficiency GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Kia Niro2026 · Subcompact SUV

EfficiencyPHEV

Efficiency GPA3.19BEfficiency GPA 3.19 out of 4.0, grade B

Ram 1500 Ramcharger2026 · Full-Size Truck

EfficiencyEV

Efficiency GPA3.75AEfficiency GPA 3.75 out of 4.0, grade A

Ram 1500 REV2026 · Full-Size Truck

Cost of Ownership

Ownership GPA4.00A+Ownership GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Hyundai Venue2026 · Subcompact SUV

Technology

Tech GPA4.00A+Tech GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Cadillac Celestiq2026 · Full-Size Luxury Sedan

Driving Experience

Driving GPA4.00A+Driving GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Porsche 9112026 · Sports Car

Winter Driving

Winter GPA4.00A+Winter GPA 4.00 out of 4.0, grade A+

Audi A82026 · Full-Size Luxury Sedan The full honor rollEvery subject ranked across the whole catalog, plus the outright spec leaders in towing, MPG, horsepower and price.

The power of our data

Backed by the industry’s most comprehensive data.

Every grade, score and trend comes from real vehicles measured against 102 criteria, and rescored every model year.

Explore all data

102: criteria5 featured here
295: graded modelsclass of 2026
1,050: scored model-years2017–2026
121: with a multi-year trendon horsepower
38: brands graded

View all 102 criteria

1.1.1HorsepowerSpec · hp

Maximum horsepower of the volume (best-selling) trim's standard powertrain.

295 models · 121 with a multi-year trendCompare all

Include EVs265 models

ModelYearMeasured (hp)

265 models measured · median 278 hp

Scores are normalized within each body type, so a truck’s horsepower is graded against trucks. Measurements are not: the ranking above is the raw reading across the whole class of 2026.

The grading, explained

All guides →

How the grading worksHow the GPA scale worksWhy a 0–100 score does not simply divide by 25, where the 1.0 and 4.0 anchors sit, how the letters are cut, and what the graded fleet's distribution actually looks like.Subject deep divesThe Reliability grade, explainedEight judged criteria across track record, build quality and support. What each one weighs, how the fleet is distributed, which body types and powertrains lead, and why it carries a fifth of the overall GPA.Why grades fall where they doWhy the median car fails Ownership CostMore than half the graded fleet earns an F in Ownership Cost, and the reason is the framework rather than the cars. What the absolute bands do to a luxury-heavy catalog, why it has not been papered over, and how to read the grade in the meantime.Head to headTen years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, gradedEvery model year of the Silverado 1500 on the site scored the same way. Where the grade moved, which criteria moved it, and what the 2019 redesign and the 2022 refresh each actually changed.

Filter by body type

Sort by

Every car earns a GPA.

1.1.1HorsepowerSpec · hp

Compare vehicles

Multi-year trends

All 102 criteria

How we grade

The grading, explained