Consumer Reports picked four car models for its 2008 Top Picks list. The top pickup is the Chevrolet Silverado, top luxury sedan is the Lexus LS 460L, top midsized SUV is the Hyundai Santa Fe, and top small sedan is the Hyundai Elantra SE.

Hyundai is the first South Korean carmaker to make the list, and the Chevrolet Silverado is the first U.S. model to be on the list since 2005. Consumer Reports typically tries to pick a mix of Japanese, European, and domestic vehicle models, however the last two years has only had Japanese automakers.

The Toyota Prius was the winner of the “green” vehicle category for the fifth year in a row. The Prius received an impressive 44-mpg in fuel-efficiency tests. This is the best rating any five-passenger car received in the CR testing.

Consumer Reports’ Top Picks demonstrate the car models that prove to be the most well rounded in their categories. The vehicles must excel in road tests, reliability, and safety requirements.

Consumers are trying to protect themselves on the road by choosing vehicles that are safe and reliable and signing up for emergency roadside assistance. Consumer Reports’ Top Picks List is a good way for motorists to be educated about good, reliable vehicles.