Model year 2013 cars will carry new redesigned fuel economy and environment labels and Fueleconomy.gov has added the stickers to its mobile site so you can access the label data from your phone and personalize your car search based on your needs.

Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, has submitted public comments supporting increased fuel economy standards for cars starting in 2017.

Many people assume that a low purchase price makes a car a good value. But a cheaper car can actually end up costing more in the long run. Or down the road you could end up regretting its disappointing performance or reliability. And that's no bargain.

Minivans offer the best combination of cargo and people space with usually good fuel economy and abundant convenience features to appease all members of the family. Some shoppers are minivan averse, not wanting to embrace the “soccer mom” and “carpooler” image, and therefore buy SUVs or other vehicles. They are simply missing out. If transporting family and friends is your top priority but you also need interior versatility to carry cargo, there is no better all-purpose vehicle than a minivan.

With high gas prices continuing through the summer and a struggling economy, small cars are heating up the automotive market. Consumer Reports Auto Test Center Senior Director David Champion recently discussed the hottest fuel-efficient compact cars with CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo.

In one of the last steps toward selling gasoline with higher concentrations of ethanol, the EPA finalized a label that will identify gas pumps dispensing E15 ethanol, a fuel containing 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline. (Read: "Move over E85, here comes E15.")

It's an old car dealer tactic: If you can't find a retail customer for a car, try to find another dealer to sell it to. According to an investigation by the National Legal Policy Center (NLPC), now that's happening with Chevrolet Volts. NLPC blogger Mark Modica says he found several Chevrolet dealerships, and at least one Kia dealership, selling Volts with very few miles as used cars.

New- and used-car buyers are going online to research pricing, reliability information, user reviews, view photos, and more. Two-thirds (67 percent) of consumers plan to use the Internet to help with their next car purchase, including 83 percent of those shoppers under age 35 years and 77 percent of car buyers earning at least $50,000, according to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Consumers are clear on the two things they least like about buying a new car: the cost (30 percent) and the dealership experience (22 percent). In a recent survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, adult car owners said by a large margin that these are the two greatest turnoffs.

Lower fuel costs are the primary reason for choosing a more fuel-efficient car, although a majority of consumers are also concerned about environmental factors and dependence on foreign oil. Plus, they crave the lower purchase price that often accompanies small, thrifty models. These are among the findings of a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

New car window stickers will soon provide shoppers with more fuel economy data, empowering smarter decisions. The labels still list city, highway, and combined fuel economy and annual fuel costs, as well as air-quality ratings. But now the labels also include comparative information.

The tough economy and high gas prices are driving consumers to prioritize fuel economy with their next car purchase. And to save at the pump, they are willing to compromise on purchase price, amenities, and size—but not safety. These are among the findings of a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

While many motorists will be hitting the road on vacation, this Memorial Day weekend, it’s also a great time to buy a new car. There are a number of discounts available, and dealers may be more willing to negotiate since it’s also the end of the month and they want to meet their quotas. In honor of this American holiday and unofficial start of summer, we are listing good deals on recommended vehicles from the U.S.-based automakers.

Driving a different car every day is a privilege of working in the Consumer Reports Cars Editorial department, and it's one I appreciate. But contrary to popular belief, it's not Audi R8s and Porsche 911s every day. (I wish!) In reality, it's living with mainstream cars from each manufacturer spanning the spectrum from entry-level to luxury and using them as we would our own cars. And that means figuring out and using the feature set of each vehicle.

In our recent examination of whether it makes sense for consumers to downsize to a smaller vehicle to combat high gas prices, we looked at real-world numbers to illustrate the decisions consumers are faced with and reveal their impact. Unfortunately, gasoline prices have continued to climb. So, we decided to revisit the analysis and explore the impact of today's prices and potential further increases.