As competition grows with each passing year, it is increasingly difficult for a single car maker to dominate Consumer Reports’ annual Top Picks list. This year, Toyota is the first brand to earn half of the top 10 spots in nearly a decade.

Five Toyota models were placed as the best in their categories to secure the brand a starring role in this year’s list.

“Every year the competition grows tighter; in recent years as many as nine different brands have taken the top spots. Toyota’s ability to maintain a competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a big factor in its strong presence on this year’s list,” said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports’ automotive editor.

Consumer Reports’ Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories, chosen from over 275 cars the organisation has tested.

Top Pick models must meet CR’s criteria in three areas: road test, reliability, and safety. They must rank at or near the top of their category on overall road test scores; they must have earned an average or better predicted-reliability rating based on problems CR subscribers reported on 1.3 million cars in the latest survey; and they must perform well if included in crash or rollover tests .

The Toyota Prius was named CR’s Top Pick Green Car for the 11th time and the ninth consecutive year – both records claimed by no other model in the history of CR’ s Top Picks.

The Prius, including the recently tested Prius V wagon version, continues to set the standard for its blend of fuel efficiency, practicality, and affordability.

The 44 overall mpg that CR measured for the hatchback is still the highest of any five-passenger, non-plug-in vehicle CR has tested, and the 41 mpg for the new Prius V wagon easily tops its class.

For more information on Toyota and its products, visit the Toyota showroom in Mdina Road, Żebbuġ.