Le Car's Most Recommended
Don’t be afraid of getting a “bad car.”
Finding the “right car” is a personal choice. The right choice is always subjective — which is what the power of choice is all about. It all depends what you need, how you see yourself, and how you want to feel behind the wheel. We’ve been recommending rides to our users for three years and we’re starting to see some patterns in what put out in the world.
All new cars today have ample capability and safety. But how do you find a really good car? How do you find a car that makes sense for you, and even makes you happy? There are thousands of makes, models, and feature variations of new cars. This pool expands when you had pre-owned cars to the mix, and now with a slew of electric cars coming down the pipe. Having too many choices may feel overwhelming.
In 2019, we launched the Le Car quiz and began matching people with their ideal vehicles in what we call Caroscopes. We make recommendations based on experience test driving and researching thousands of cars. We apply what we know about cars to what you tell us about your driving wants and needs.
The Le Car Top Ten captures the style, vibe and practical qualities Le Car people seek in their vehicle choices. These are ten SUVs, sedans, and convertibles that best suit the lives of Le Car readers.
Top 2-row SUV: BMW X3
You might think of BMW as a sports car driven brand, but the X3 demonstrates that BMW has poured a good amount of its efforts into its SUVs. It blends practicality with fun-to-drive; and gives credence to BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine motto. For the chic, a great vehicle for a family of four, and will do anything you ask of it. Follow along here.
Top 3-Row SUV: Audi Q7
Audi has a cool kid image and the most exquisite interiors on the market. The Q7 is nice in-between SUV: great if you don’t depend on the third row all the time, but want to throw an extra kid or grandparent back there in a pinch. If we had to recommend only one vehicle for any kind of use, this is the one. Perfect for a quick run to Ikea or shuttling kids around town. When you want a flexible, luxury crossover for a few years, go for the Q7. Discover all the information.
Top Electric SUV: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
We’re seeing a lot of dynamism in this category as new entries abound. The Mercedes EQS SUV is an early leader as a do-everything, all electric SUV built for families and comfort.
Top Crossover: Mazda CX-5
The CX-5, a five-person crossover vehicle made by Mazda, has all around charm for drivers and passengers alike. Mazda is focused on creating vehicles for people who really care about driving, and they’ve layered on a high-end interior and crisp exterior styling that makes the ride enjoyable. And, at around $35K, the price point is the best bang-for-your-buck in automotive today for performance and posterity. Period. for yourself.
Top Electric Luxury Crossover: Volvo XC40 and C40 Electric Vehicle
Our favorite crossover with unique Scandinavian styling for people who want a luxury ride that offers the best in safety. Alongside Mercedes-Benz, Volvo is also a technology leader, and the C40 has a range of features that make this car easy and enjoyable to drive. Blending luxury, safety, and interior comfort, the XC40 is perfect if you want some more room to spread out, and feel really, really good while doing so.
Top Luxury Crossover: Porsche Macan
The Macan does the impossible – it’s a crossover that feels like a race car. Porsche engineered the Macan to feel amazing when you shift the transition, brake, or take a tight turn. But be prepared to pay for it. Porsche is the best in the business at customizing their vehicles to the customer’s desire, feeling almost bespoke. They’ll create exactly what you want, but your budget will grow quickly in the process. Explore more here.
Top Hatchback: VW Golf
The VW Golf is the Swiss army knife of vehicles: it does everything well. The Golf, with its compact proportions, fits in everywhere, as a great city go-getter that still has driving verve under its hood. It ticks off a long list of needs on the wish list as a perfect blend of German engineering, a premium well-organized interior, and performance gusto. More info here.
Top Convertible: Mercedes-Benz C Class Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz is a sure bet: consistent excellence across all their models and industry-leading technology to improve the driving experience. The C Class Cabriolet, as far as convertibles go, is well-engineered, drives smoothly, and has great noise isolation when the top is up. It’s also supremely comfortable, making it the perfect car to see and be seen in when you’re cruising around on a summery day.
Top Sports Sedan: Honda Civic
We recommend the Civic to anyone on a mindful budget who wants a car that will last forever. Choose from coupe, hatchback, or sedan, and an attractive base price that starts below $20K through to the Type R at around $40K, which is the most extreme front-wheel drive performance car out there now. The Civic offers legendary Honda reliability and extreme efficiency. It can cover all your bases and will be there for well beyond the next decade.
Top Electric Car: Tesla Model 3
If the electric lifestyle is something that you can adjust to (read: you have access to charging); this is the best all-around EV out there. It just feels fast. A well-designed car with an austere interior that might take some getting used to, the Model 3 has an incredible amount of range and Tesla’s robust charging infrastructure. If you’re going to go EV, Tesla has worked out its kinks in style and has the most supportive charging network. Discover the benefits of EV ownership.