The Majority of Consumer Reports' Top 10 Cars of 2021 Come From 1 Country
Colleen Novak
· 3 min read
When shopping for a new car, the choices are endless. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Overall price, reliability, seating capacity, fuel economy, cost of
car insurance
, and safety features are some of the things that might impact your decision. Consumer Reports
(CR) recently released their Top Picks list for the 10 best cars of 2021. There’s a common denominator among the top cars; most of them come from auto manufacturers based in Japan. 
How did Consumer Reports pick the top cars of 2021?
Consumer Reports said that their Top Picks "meet our very highest standard for performance, safety, reliability, and more." Based on performance tests and survey results, CR selected top cars from over 250 models. Jake Fisher, head of auto testing, said that "We care more about how your next car or SUV performs when it comes to safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency than how quickly it can circle a racetrack."
One of the most affordable picks is the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was one of the highest ranked cars under $25,000. The sedan offers impressive fuel economy and is available in a hybrid model.
In the $25,000 to $35,000 category, the Subaru Forester is another notable pick. The Forester has been in the Top Picks for eight straight years. It offers a spacious interior and includes many active safety features.
The most pricey Top Picks are the Lexus RX and Tesla Model 3. The Lexus RX offers great reliability and comfortable seats, while the Tesla provides precise steering, and a futuristic design. These cars continue to set the standard for luxury vehicles.
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Most of the top cars are from Japanese automakers
MORE: Toyota vs. Honda: Which Brand Costs More to Insure?
Eight out of 10 cars on the Top Picks list are from Japanese car manufacturers. Toyota, Lexus, Subaru, Honda, and Mazda are all companies based in Japan. Toyota, one of the largest automakers, secured three spots on the Top 10 list with the Camry, Corolla, and Prius models.
The Lexus RX, Honda Ridgeline, and Mazda CX-30 were also released by a Japanese automaker. The Subaru Forester and Outback are products of the original Subaru plant located in Gunma, Japan.
J.D. Power
reported that both models are currently manufactured in a newly expanded plant in Lafayette, Indiana.There are only two car models on the CR list that didn’t come from a Japanese company. This includes the Kia Telluride and the Tesla Model 3. Tesla is the only company on this list based in the United States.
Why are cars from Japanese automakers so popular?
Forbes
reported that "Asian brand vehicles experienced an average of 115 problems per 100 vehicles, the fewest of any groups. That compared to 126 problems for domestic brands and 131 for European brands." Japanese brands like Toyota are well-respected, and known for safety and reliability. No matter what car you decide to go with,
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can help you save costs on car insurance
. The free AI-based app gives you an easy way to compare rates from top insurance companies that are customized for you. Let Jerry take care of all the hard work for you, so you can save money on any car.
