2017 | Auto Buying Guide

This was a pivotal year for the rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , which became standard in many new infotainment systems to bridge the gap between smartphones and vehicles.

Major publications like Consumer Reports and U.S. News & World Report identified several consistent winners for 2017: Top Pick(s) Key Feature Toyota Yaris iA Agile handling and standard emergency braking. Compact Car Chevrolet Cruze auto buying guide 2017

Reliability surveys from 2017 consistently ranked Asian brands at the top, with and Lexus taking the lead. This was a pivotal year for the rollout

Technologies like automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning began appearing as standard features on more affordable models, notably in Toyota's enhanced safety packages. Compact Car Chevrolet Cruze Reliability surveys from 2017

High fuel efficiency (up to 47 mpg highway) and smooth ride. Kia Optima Excellent value and standard feature list. Hybrid Toyota Prius Exceptional 52 mpg overall efficiency. Small SUV Subaru Forester Superior visibility and standard AWD reliability. Midsize SUV Toyota Highlander Family-focused tech and standard advanced safety. Brand Reliability Rankings

Fiat Chrysler (Dodge, Chrysler, Ram) often ranked near the bottom due to lower reliability scores despite some models performing well in road tests. Buying Tips for 2017 Models For those looking at 2017 models as used vehicles today:

Confirm which specific safety features were included, as some models (like the Toyota Highlander ) had them standard while others offered them only in higher trims.