Once a year, Edmunds’ car experts gather to decide on the best new vehicles on sale. The annual Edmunds Top Rated Awards are given to the cars, trucks and SUVs that beat out the rest of the competition according to Edmunds’ rigorous vehicle testing program. To win, each vehicle must have been tested at the Edmunds test track and thoroughly evaluated in real-world use as well.
There are six main categories: best car, SUV and truck, and electric versions in the same categories. This year, there are some new champions, while others are repeat winners. The starting prices listed below include destination charges.
Edmunds Top Rated Car: Honda Civic Hybrid
This photo provided by Edmunds shows the 2025 Honda Civic. The hybrid version of the Civic is the Edmunds Top Rated Car for 2025 thanks to its upscale feel and excellent fuel economy. (Courtesy of Edmunds via AP)The 2025 Honda Civic isn’t just this year’s best car; it might be the best Honda Civic ever. A big reason why is the newly available hybrid powertrain. The EPA estimates that it helps the hybrid versions of the Civic get up to 49 mpg in combined city/highway driving, a stellar result that Edmunds confirmed in its real-world testing. Pleasingly, this doesn’t come at the expense of power; indeed, the hybrid’s acceleration is on par with that of the sporty Civic Si. All Civics also provide ample passenger space and many easy-to-use technology features.
Starting price for a Civic sedan with the hybrid powertrain: $30,100