The redesigned Subaru Forester is the only small SUV out of 13 tested to earn a top score of Good in the new small overlap crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both the Forester and the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which received an Acceptable score, earn the Institute's Top Safety Pick+ award.

Quality, safety, and value are the top factors for new-car buyers and are certainly not lost on moms looking to buy the right family car. Hitting all these attributes in a vehicle that is also kid friendly can be a challenge, but our experts have found 25 of the best, least-expensive mom-friendly cars that are appealing to moms with children of varying ages.

The Encore boldly goes where no Buick has gone before. This diminutive crossover is the first domestic-brand entry in a newly-emerging subclass of sub-compact-derived SUVs from upscale marques.

While car brand reputation can be a strong influence on purchase decisions, such perceptions can be misleading. The reality is, every brand offers models that perform across a spectrum, with some are clearly better than others.

It's important, of course, to get a good deal when you buy a car. But it's just as critical to look down the road at how much a vehicle will cost you to own.

General Motors is empowering programmers to develop applications for use in its cars with a new software development kit (SDK) announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Consumer Reports recently unveiled its latest predicted reliability results, from the 2012 Annual Auto Survey, which found Japanese brands claimed the top seven spots in our rankings. However, it's not all bad for the domestic brands and within some vehicle segments there are standouts.

This week's recall of 7.43 million Toyotas for a faulty power window switch that could catch fire has been billed as one of the largest in history. But how big is it really?

The Buick Verano tries to tap into a burgeoning niche—buyers who are concerned about fuel economy and their budgets, but still want an upscale car. But other models in GM's lineup, and some inherent shortcomings, don't help the Verano's case.

New data from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows which new safety technologies work and which don't. HLDI examined the difference in accident rates between cars with and without three distinct driver-aid technologies:

About 3,633 of General Motor's 2012 Buick Regal sedans are being recalled for parking lights that fail to activate when drivers turn on the vehicle's headlight switch. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this flaw violates U.S. safety standards and may cause an increased risk of vehicle collisions due to reduced visibility of the Buick car.

Each year, the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue featuring the latest ratings, rankings and expert insights garners significant attention. The focus invariable turns to Top Picks and the automaker report cards. Both special reports given a quick snapshot of how makes and models compare, informing car buyers, as well as auto industry trivia enthusiasts. While everyone loves a winner, what about those brands that just never made the Top Pick cut?

Our Annual Autos Issue presents a dizzying array of facts and figures, all aimed at helping car shoppers choose the right model for their needs and budget. While we rate the automakers and present numerous best and worst lists, we haven’t offered a simple guide to the best and worst models by brand. Until now.

Most shoppers focus on the purchase price and resultant monthly payments, if financing, when buying a new car. While it may be the most visible cost, the purchase price is really just the beginning. There are many real costs that are not so clear upfront and can vary widely between models and car segments.

Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota have a commanding lead in car brand awareness, as determined from interviewing car owners for the 2012 Car Brand Perception Survey.