Top 10 new vehicle picks from Consumer Reports feature hybrids.

• Consumer Reports released their 2024 top vehicle rankings on Tuesday, with hybrid vehicles leading the way.
• Four Toyota Motor vehicles were among the top picks, while Subaru had two. Tesla, Ford Motor, Mazda, and BMW each had one vehicle on the list.
• According to Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, plug-in hybrid vehicles are a "dark horse" for the U.S. automotive industry.

Consumer Reports released their 2024 top vehicle rankings on Tuesday, with hybrid vehicles leading the way.

Six of the top 10 picks by the nonprofit consumer organization were "electrified" vehicles, including plug-in hybrid models. The non-hybrid models on the list included the all-electric Model Y crossover and three gas-powered vehicles without hybrid variants.

For the second year in a row, seven electric or hybrid vehicles have been included in Consumer Reports' top picks, as automakers continue to release new models to meet consumer demand and comply with stricter federal fuel economy regulations.

Four vehicles from the same automaker had the most top picks, while Subaru had two. Tesla, Mazda, and BMW each had one vehicle on the list.

In the top 10 rankings, all four vehicles were either hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, stated on CNBC that the markets are undergoing changes, with a greater variety of powertrain options available today compared to the past. He added that many of the top vehicles and picks are now electrified choices, as they meet people's preferences for car features.

Both traditional hybrids and plug-in hybrids incorporate a traditional engine with EV technologies. A traditional hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius, features electrified components, including a small battery, to enhance fuel efficiency and assist the engine. Plug-in hybrids typically include a larger battery to enable all-electric driving for a specified distance before requiring an engine or electric motors to power the vehicle.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles, which are a mix of regular hybrids and electric vehicles, are a "dark horse" for the U.S. automotive industry that many consumers are just starting to comprehend, according to Fisher.

The annual Consumer Reports rankings include three plug-in hybrid vehicles, a record high.

Plug-in hybrids have been the most surprising and informative topic this year, according to Fisher. Although not widely understood, they offer the benefits of both electric and gas vehicles depending on individual circumstances.

Each year, Consumer Reports evaluates approximately 50 new vehicles and chooses top models across various price points and classifications based on their testing results.

Here’s the full list:

• Small car: Mazda 3
• Midsize car: Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Hybrid/Plug-in hybrid car: Toyota Prius/Prius Prime plug-in hybrid
• Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek
• Compact SUV: Subaru Forester
• Midsize SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Luxury SUV: BMW X5/X5 PHEV
• Small pickup: Ford Maverick/Maverick Hybrid
• Plug-in hybrid SUV: Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid
• Electric vehicle: Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y surpassed the Tesla Model 3 sedan in the top 10 rankings in the U.S. and beyond last year.

In 2020, the U.S. sold 1.1 million battery-electric vehicles, with 655,000 being Tesla EVs, including 394,497 Model Ys, due in part to domestic discounts and tax credits.

Although battery-electric vehicle sales are increasing, hybrid electrics continue to be popular among U.S. car buyers due to the limited charging infrastructure in the country compared to nations with widespread adoption of fully electric cars, such as Norway.

Consumer Reports' annual auto brand report cards are based on both internal testing and owner surveys for reliability, safety, and overall customer satisfaction, and feature the top picks.

The top five brands, in order, were BMW, Subaru, Porsche, Lexus, and GMC. At the bottom of the rankings were Jaguar, Land Rover, and Jeep.