Top Car Brands With the Highest Road-Test Scores in 2026
Road-test scores reveal more than just speed they show how a car performs in real-world conditions like handling, braking, ride comfort, and reliability. Every year, experts test hundreds of models to find the brands that truly stand out. If you’re planning to buy a new car in 2026, knowing which automakers deliver the best overall performance can save you money and stress. Here are the car brands that earned the highest road-test scores this year.
BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series, man, this is why BMW owns road-test scores, sporty sedan that corners like a dream, turbo engine zips to 60 quick, plush inside with screens everywhere. Handles bumps smooth too, acceleration pops, why top? CR says it’s balanced perfection, not just fast but comfy daily. Starts around $45,000, uh like compared to old ones it’s sharper now, personal take if you love driving this over safe stuff any day, you know? Tiny joke, it’ll make your commute feel like a racetrack.
Porsche 911
Porsche 911, second in road tests holy crap, rear-engine wizardry, flat-six turbo screams, grips forever in turns, comfy for a supercar almost. Scores insane on handling and braking, features like adaptive everything, random thought it’s not practical but who needs seats for five? Around $120,000 base, beats Ferrari on actual drive feel per CR, honestly I’d dream of one but gas bill? Oof. Like, changes my mind, maybe dailyable.
Subaru WRX
Subaru WRX, third brand strong road scores, rally-bred AWD turbo fun, manual shifts crisp, corners flat no body roll. Acceleration solid, ride firm but fun, why good? Shares Subaru smarts, safe too. About $33,000 start, compares to Civic Type R cheaper, my opinion sleeper rocket for twisties, you know? Uh, MPG okay 25-ish, perfect if you hate boring.
Audi A4
Audi A4, Audi’s up there road-test wise, quattro grip magic, smooth turbo power, interior luxe quiet. Handles precise, tech intuitive, CR loves the balance acceleration to comfort. Starts $42,000 or so, better than BMW on ride maybe? Not gonna lie, was meh on repairs but scores say go, random side Germans winning. Like, date car vibes strong.
Lexus IS
Lexus IS, from high road scorers, rear-drive sport sedan hybrid option even, quiet plush handling sharp. Acceleration peppy, ride absorbs potholes, why top? Reliable fun mix CR digs. Around $41,000, uh beats Toyota on thrill, personal fave for long hauls comfy fast. You know, luxury without drama, so yeah.
Toyota GR Supra
Toyota GR Supra, Toyota’s road-test star, BMW-powered inline-six howls, grips insane mid-engine feel almost. Lightweight fun, precise steering, features minimal but pure. $56,000 base, compares to Porsche cheaper thrill, honestly underrated, was thinking slow but nah blasts. Tiny joke, Supra again, memes live.
Honda Accord
Honda Accord, Honda fourth overall road strong, hybrid smooth 50 MPG zip, handles well for family sedan, spacious safe. Tech slick, ride comfy accelerate fine. Under $28,000 wow, beats Camry sportier maybe? Like, daily king no brainer, my cousin’s got one grins ear to ear.
Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper, Mini sneaks high road scores, go-kart handle turbo pep, manual fun, cute inside packed features. Grips corners wild, acceleration cheeky. Starts $25,000-ish, uh tiny but mighty, compares big boys punchier per pound. Random observation, parking god, you’d love city zip.
Genesis G70
Genesis G70, luxury road-test sleeper, rear-drive driftable AWD option, V6 power smooth, interior beats Germans value. Handling balanced braking ace CR says. About $42,000, cheaper than BMW same fun, not gonna lie Hyundai cousin winning. Side thought, underrated steal.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3, Tesla cracking road tops, instant torque 0-60 blink, autopilot handles twisties now, range solid quiet ride. Scores high acceleration efficiency. $40,000 base, beats gas quickness easy, was skeptical build but improved. Like, future daily maybe electric win.
