When a driver comes in to New Jersey State Auto Auction, they'll be able to browse a massive selection of cars for sale. It can be quite difficult to sort through all these vehicles, so a buyer likely has to narrow it down by segment – but even then it can be tough to choose.

It'd be a lot easier if there was simply a clear-cut "best" car for each category. While there's no official designation for the "best" models, Consumer Reports' highly-anticipated automotive issue does list their best picks for each vehicle type. The consumer guide bases its ratings on safety, reliability and a comprehensive road test with more than 50 individual data points. This doesn't necessarily mean that the cars are head-and-shoulders above their competition – after all, personal preference comes into play as well. However, these vehicles are a good starting point for overwhelmed drivers.

Toyota made a strong showing on the list as usual, with three of its models named as the best in their class. The Toyota RAV4 picked up the win for small SUV, while the Prius was named the best green car and the Sienna minivan was picked as the best "family hauler." It's worth noting that there was a bit of controversy in the minivan category, as the Honda Odyssey actually scored a bit higher – but because it was released so recently, the guide didn't have reliability data to work with.

Small cars are all the rage right now with high fuel prices, and Consumer Reports devoted two categories to compact vehicles. The Honda Fit won for best budget car, with the guide praising its "amazing" interior space for such a small car. Meanwhile, the redesigned Hyundai Elantra was named the best compact sedan, as the news source liked the 39 highway miles per gallon and well-rounded nature of the car's features.

Okay, so those are the practical choices – but what about the fun to drive vehicles? The news source didn't disappoint in this category either. The Infiniti G37 has dominated the magazine's "sporty sedan" category for the past five years, and with good reason – the car features unrivaled performance combined with a luxurious interior. In terms of a coupe, the winner was the Ford Mustang, with the news source praising both its V6 and V8 offerings.

These chosen vehicles aren't the only cars on the market, but they're a good starting place for drivers looking to purchase a vehicle.