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The lineup has two new faces. The rotation will unveil a hyped prospect. And the bullpen will roll out some new arms. But will the Phillies win in 2026?

Young investors are typically focused on growing their portfolios. They can invest in risky assets like stocks since they have time to ride out market volatility. However, your risk tolerance — and therefore your investment strategy — usually changes as you age. When you enter your 50s, retirement is within reach, and there are more consequences if a risky investment doesn’t pan out.
These investors can get a lot of value from Warren Buffett’s three rules that have guided him to market-beating returns. You can use these rules from the Berkshire Hathaway’s chairman to protect your retirement savings after 50.

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1. Don’t lose money
One of Buffett’s most famous rules is to never lose money. While this may sound like an obvious suggestion, the meaning behind it is to focus on capital preservation instead of chasing high returns.
Investors can get exposure to growth potential while also avoiding the risk of concentrating their wealth in just a few stocks by investing in low-fee index funds. These assets follow popular benchmarks like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, and they tend to deliver competitive returns.
You may see short-term unrealized capital losses, but remember that they only turn into actual losses if you sell your shares. While Buffett has logged some losses throughout his career, his wins outnumber his losses, which is why he has become one of the world’s most successful investors.
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2. Invest in what you know
Buffett recommends that investors avoid investing in aspects of the market and businesses that they don’t understand. While that may mean missing out on some stocks that take off, it also means you’re not likely to sink your money in stocks that are passing fads without strong fundamentals.
When you are in your 50s, you don’t need a moonshot investment. Instead, you need steady, long-term returns from proven investments like index funds, dividend stocks and businesses that you can understand.
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3. Keep costs low
Stock trading costs have gone down in recent years, with many brokerage firms nixing commission fees for stock trades. However, there are still other expenses to keep in mind, like expense ratios and taxes.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds have costs that are reflected in the expense ratio. You can find passively managed index funds with expense ratios below 0.10%. However, there are actively managed funds with expense ratios that are closer to 1% or higher. Those funds with higher expense ratios can eat away at your savings and minimize long-term gains.
Investors should also consider capital gains before selling their winners. If you wait until you’ve held a position for more than one year, realized gains are treated as long-term capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate than their short-term counterparts.
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Experts are Bullish on Gold — Here’s How to Get In
What the ‘Diversification Effect’ in Gold Actually Means
Gold Is Holding Steady as the Iran War Continues On — Here’s How Some Investors Are Getting Exposure

Gold has had a brutal week. The metal that spent all of 2025 rewriting record books just posted its worst seven-day performance in more than four decades. It shed 11% to close at $4,497 an ounce on March 20. That is a drop of more than $500 from where it started the week and a loss of over 14% since the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran began in late February.The last time gold fell this sharply in a single week was 1983. Back then, Middle Eastern oil producers dumped their gold reserves after oil revenues collapsed. The parallel to today is uncomfortable. Once again, a Middle East crisis is driving the sell-off. But this time the mechanism is different, and understanding why matters for anyone trying to figure out where gold goes next.Why gold is falling when it should be risingThe paradox at the center of this sell-off is what makes it so disorienting. Gold is supposed to be the ultimate crisis hedge. Wars, inflation fears, and geopolitical chaos are precisely the conditions that have historically sent investors rushing into bullion. Instead, gold has dropped every single week since the conflict began.The explanation lies in oil. The Iran conflict has sent Brent crude above $112 a barrel. That surge is feeding directly into inflation expectations. Higher inflation gives the Federal Reserve less room to cut rates. Traders who had priced in multiple Fed cuts for 2026 have now swung to pricing in a 50% hike odds by October, according to Bloomberg. That is a seismic shift in a matter of weeks.More Gold:Gold, silver surge after record drop flashes technical signalSilver and gold tumble triggers major reset for mining stocksJ.P. Morgan revises gold price target for 2026Gold pays no interest. When real yields rise and the dollar strengthens, holding gold becomes progressively less attractive against Treasury bonds. The 10-year yield climbed to 4.2% this week. The Dollar Index hit 99.9. That is a double headwind that overwhelmed whatever safe-haven demand the conflict might have generated.”This sharp decline in gold reflects a confluence of factors: large-scale risk asset liquidations, a hawkish shift in Fed expectations, and a stronger dollar,” explained Pepperstone strategist Dilin Wu. She described the move as “a pricing logic adjustment rather than a reversal of the long-term trend.” That distinction matters a great deal for what comes next.Where gold is heading in the weeks aheadThe next key level to watch is $4,361. That represents the 50% retracement of gold’s entire 2025 rally from its September origin. Technical analysts at The Gold Forecast noted March 20 that gold is currently “suspended in open air” between the broken $4,654 support floor and that next meaningful level. A test of $4,361 looks likely if oil stays elevated and rate hike bets keep building.Below that, the 200-day moving average near $4,200 is the critical line. It separates a bull market correction from something more structurally damaging. A sustained break below $4,200 would open a path toward $3,500, the very base of gold’s 2025 bull run.The near-term catalyst is the Fed. Any signal that policymakers are willing to look through the oil-driven inflation spike would remove the primary headwind on gold. Conversely, hawkish commentary would likely extend selling toward that $4,200 level.Gold ETFs have shed more than 60 tonnes over the past three weeks, as I reported on March 20. That pace of institutional exit reflects genuine repositioning, not just tactical profit-taking.The medium-term picture: 1 to 3 monthsThe medium-term outlook hinges on two questions. How long does the Iran war last? And does the Fed blink?If the conflict moves toward a ceasefire and oil retreats, rate hike expectations would quickly reverse. That would restore gold’s primary tailwind of falling real yields and likely trigger a recovery toward $4,800 to $5,000. History supports this pattern. Gold fell 25% peak to trough in 2008 before launching to new highs. The 17% March 2020 Covid dump preceded a 50% rally.The more difficult scenario is a prolonged conflict that keeps oil above $100 and inflation running hot. Central bank buying, which ran above 1,000 tonnes in 2025, remains a structural floor under prices. Yet it may not be enough to offset institutional ETF outflows if the macro headwind persists for months.

Any signal that policymakers are willing to look through the oil-driven inflation spike would remove the primary headwind on gold.Lemanski/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Where analysts see gold by year-endThe major bank forecasts remain bullish. J.P. Morgan holds a year-end 2026 target of $6,300, citing central bank demand and ETF inflows. Wells Fargo has a $6,100 to $6,300 range. BNP Paribas raised its 2026 average forecast by 27% and flags a peak above $6,250 as probable.Ed Yardeni, one of Wall Street’s most closely followed strategists, had a $6,000 target. He said this week he is considering lowering it to $5,000 if gold continues falling, despite conditions that should be driving it higher.The two scenarios investors are watchingBull case: Iran ceasefire by mid-year, oil retreats toward $85, Fed holds steady, real yields fall, gold recovers toward $5,500 to $6,000 by December.Bear case: Conflict drags on, oil holds above $100, Fed hikes once or twice, dollar stays elevated, gold tests $4,000 and potentially lower.The structural foundations that drove gold’s 65% gain in 2025 have not disappeared. De-dollarization trends, U.S. fiscal deficits, and central bank accumulation remain intact. What has changed is the near-term macro environment. Right now, macro is in charge. When that logic inverts, the recovery could be as sharp as the sell-off that preceded it.Related: Gold and silver bugs face grim reality check

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.There are certain areas in our home where you simply don’t want to skimp on quality products, and bedding is one of them. Nothing gets in the way of a good night’s rest, which means when we hit the hay, we’re not jumping into a bed with scratchy sheets or under a comforter that leaves us shivering. That said, just because we love plush pillows and a super supportive mattress doesn’t mean we want to spend a fortune to create the sleep experience we want, which is why when our favorite retailers have sales on home products and furniture, we’re the first ones to start filling up our cart. And now, thanks to Wayfair’s Spring Cyber Week sale, you can score some quality bedding that’ll make it easy to score a great night’s sleep, night after night, for only a fraction of what you’d usually pay. Right now, Wayfair is selling the Bedsure Duvet Cover Set for 84% off. The set, which usually retails for $140, is available for just $30 during Wayfair’s Spring Cyber Week sales event. Bedsure Duvet Cover Set, $23 (was $140) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at WayfairWhy do shoppers love it?Although duvets can be a pain to set up, when inserted correctly, they can absolutely transform your sleeping area. Made of premium polyester microfiber material, this duvet cover, which comes prewashed, is exceptionally soft, ensuring you’re nice and cozy as you sleep underneath it. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, so you won’t feel weighed down by it once it has a duvet insert inside, and you can stay comfortably warm without overheating throughout the night. It has a soft texture that’s smooth to the touch, and doesn’t make any loud, crinkling sounds that some similar products on the market do. In fact, it’s OEKO-TEK certified, which means it passes the highest standards for testing, and it’s safe and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types. The cover has eight interior ties which keep the insert secure inside, keeping the insert evenly distributed throughout instead of getting balled up in one corner or area of the cover. It also has a zipper closure for easy insertion and removal. In addition to the duvet cover, the set also comes with two matching pillow shams, which add an element of cohesiveness to the bedding. But what’s even more amazing is the huge variety of colors. With over 33 colors to choose from, you can find the perfect neutral option to match a beige or brown interior, or you can opt for the vibrant yellow or orange options to a fun pop of color to your bedroom. And, in cases of spills or messes, you’ll be pleased to learn that the set can easily be removed and thrown into the washing machine for a quick clean. Related: Wayfair is selling a $140 down alternative comforter, which doubles as a duvet insert, for $49The set also comes in a variety of sizes. You can get it for as small as a twin sized bed up to a California king. Details to knowMaterial: Polyester microfiber material.Sizes: The duet set is available in twin, full, queen, oversized queen, king, oversized king, and california king sizes. Details: The duvet set has eight interior ties to keep it secure once inserted, and a zipper closure for easy insertion and removal.Colors: 33.Care: Machine washable.Shoppers like the softness of the fabric, and appreciate the gentleness of the material, saying it “feels good” against the skin. They are impressed with the vibrancy of some of the more brightly colored options, but also say the neutrals look stunning in person as well. It’s smooth and keeps them warm throughout the night.  “The quality is not cheap,” one shopper said. Shop more deals Wayfair Basics 1800 Series Microfiber Sheet Set, $30 (was $138) at WayfairEddie Bauer Printed Sherpa Throw Blankets, $21 (was $59) at WayfairBecky Cameron Down Alternative Comforter and Duvet Insert, $134 (was $207) at WayfairAlthough duvets can be a pain, with the right insert and cover, they look quite beautiful in the bedroom. Try the Bedsure Duvet Cover Set for yourself to see the effect first hand. 

Looking for help with today’s New York Times Wordle? Here are some expert hints, clues and commentary to help you solve today’s Wordle and sharpen your guessing game.

The IRS processed roughly 266 million tax returns during fiscal year 2024, and not every one of those returns passed through the system cleanly.More than half a million were pulled aside for a closer look, resulting in billions of dollars in recommended additional taxes owed to Uncle Sam. If you filed a return recently, you are probably wondering right now whether yours could land on the wrong side of that selection process.Your odds are low on paper, but certain red flags on your return could change those odds faster than you realize right now. The real question you should be asking yourself is not whether audits happen, but whether your return has the kind of profile that attracts one.Here is what the latest IRS data reveal about who gets audited, what triggers that scrutiny, and exactly how you should prepare yourself.How the IRS decides which returns get flaggedThe IRS does not select most returns at random, and the agency has become far more sophisticated about identifying which ones deserve scrutiny. Every return you file gets scored by the Discriminant Function System (DIF), a computerized scoring model that compares your return against statistical norms for your income bracket.Returns that deviate significantly from what the IRS expects for someone in your income range, occupation, and location get higher DIF scores automatically. The algorithm also cross-references your reported income against third-party documents including W-2s, 1099s, and K-1s filed by employers and financial institutions.A Government Accountability Office report confirmed that the IRS is increasingly using machine learning models to identify returns with the highest likelihood of containing errors. But a human IRS employee still reviews your return and makes the final decision about whether to move forward with a full examination.Audit rates vary significantly depending on your income levelOut of the 266 million returns the IRS processed, only 505,514 were audited in fiscal year 2024, according to the IRS Data Book. That works out to roughly 0.19% of all returns filed, or fewer than two out of every one thousand returns submitted to the agency.But that average hides enormous variation once you break the numbers down by income, and some taxpayers face dramatically higher audit rates. Taxpayers reporting total positive income of $10 million or more faced an 11% audit rate for tax year 2019, the most recent year fully measured.Related: IRS issues harsh warning about AI and taxesAudit rates by income bracket (IRS fiscal year 2024):Under $25,000: Approximately three to four audits per 1,000 returns filed, driven largely by Earned Income Tax Credit claims$25,000 to $49,999: Approximately two audits per 1,000 returns filed, one of the lowest audit rates across all income brackets$50,000 to $499,999: Approximately one audit per 1,000 returns filed, the lowest overall examination rate for individual taxpayers nationwide$500,000 to $999,999: Approximately six audits per 1,000 returns, a noticeable jump from the rates faced by middle-income filers$1 million to $5 million: Approximately 11 audits per 1,000 returns, reflecting the IRS enforcement priority on high-income earners directly$5 million to $10 million: A 3.1% audit rate, or 31 audits per 1,000 returns filed, according to the latest IRS data$10 million and above: An 11% examination rate, the highest audit coverage among all individual income categories tracked by the agencyThe IRS has committed to not raising audit rates above historical levels for taxpayers earning under $400,000 annually under current enforcement guidelines. However, Congressional budget proposals and IRS workforce reductions may further shift how the agency allocates its limited enforcement resources going forward.5 red flags that could draw the IRS directly to your returnThe IRS does not publish an official list of audit triggers, but tax professionals and IRS data consistently point to the same recurring patterns. You should understand each of these red flags because even one of them on your return can significantly increase your chances of being selected.Red flag #1: Unreported income or mismatched third-party documentsEvery W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-B filed by employers, brokers, and payment platforms gets matched against the income you report on your return. If the IRS system detects a discrepancy between what third parties reported and what you claimed, your return gets flagged automatically for review.Red flag #2: Deductions that are disproportionately large relative to incomeClaiming $30,000 in charitable deductions on $75,000 of income will almost certainly attract IRS attention because that ratio falls far outside statistical norms. The DIF scoring system compares your deductions against averages for taxpayers with similar incomes, and significant deviations raise your score immediately.Red flag #3; Repeated Schedule C losses from self-employment activityIf your business consistently generates losses that offset your W-2 income year after year, the IRS may question whether you operate a real business. The agency could reclassify your activity as a hobby, which eliminates your ability to deduct those losses against your other earned income entirely.Red flag #4: Excessive home office deductions without proper documentationDavid Perez, an IRS enrolled agent and CEO of Tax Maverick, told U.S. News that many taxpayers overestimate this deduction and claim far too much. Your home office must be used exclusively and regularly for business purposes, and the IRS has specific square footage and usage rules you must follow.Red flag #5: Unreported cryptocurrency and digital asset transactionsStarting with 2025 transactions, crypto brokers must report proceeds to the IRS on the new Form 1099-DA, dramatically increasing the agency’s visibility. If you sold, traded, or received digital assets as income and failed to report those transactions accurately, the IRS matching system will catch it.

Cryptocurrency transactions are now easier for the IRS to track, making accurate reporting more important than ever before for taxpayers.fizkes/Shutterstock

What happens when you receive an IRS audit letter?If the IRS selects your return for examination, you will find out through a physical letter delivered by the United States Postal Service to your address. You will never receive a phone call, email, or text message from the IRS about an audit, and anyone who contacts you that way is likely a scammer.You can verify any letter you receive by checking the IRS notice lookup page using the CP or LTR number printed on the upper right corner of the document you received.Most audits are handled entirely through the mailIn fiscal year 2024, 77.9% of all IRS audits were correspondence audits conducted entirely by mail, according to the IRS Data Book (Publication 55-B). These mail-based audits typically ask you to provide additional documentation supporting specific items on your return, such as deductions or income amounts.More Personal Finance:Why selling a home to your child for a dollar can backfireElon Musk says ‘universal high income’ is comingFTC, 21 states sue Uber over ‘shady’ subscription billingThe remaining 22.1% of audits were conducted in person, either at an IRS office, your tax professional’s office, or at your home or business. You have the right to request an in-person audit if the complexity of your situation makes a mail-based review impractical for your circumstances.How to prepare yourself if the IRS selects your returnThe IRS will tell you exactly what documents it needs to conduct your audit, so you will not be left guessing about what to gather together. Your audit letter will include a specific list of records the agency wants to review, and you should start assembling those documents immediately.Related: The IRS Says Tax Refunds are Up 10%Records you should have ready:Receipts for any deductions you claimed, with notes explaining what each expense was for and how it relates to your returnW-2s, 1099s, and K-1s from employers, brokers, and partnerships that document all income sources you reported on your filed returnBank statements and canceled checks that show the dates, amounts, and recipients of payments you deducted from your taxable incomeMileage logs, travel records, and business expense documentation organized by trip, date, and clearly stated business purpose for each itemLegal documents, loan agreements, and property records that support any claims related to interest deductions or real estate transactions reportedThe IRS recommends organizing your documents by year and transaction type and including a summary page listing everything you are submitting. Do not send original documents by mail under any circumstances, and always request delivery confirmation to prove the IRS received your package.Consider hiring a tax professional for representationYou have the legal right to represent yourself during an IRS audit, but a qualified tax professional can often navigate the process more efficiently. Enrolled agents, certified public accountants, and tax attorneys are all authorized to represent you before the IRS during an audit examination proceeding.Three realistic outcomes after the IRS completes your auditAfter the IRS finishes reviewing your documents, the agency will send you a letter with a report explaining the findings and any proposed changes. Your audit will end in one of three ways, and each outcome requires a different response from you depending on whether you agree with the results.No change to your return: The IRS found that everything you reported was accurate and properly supported by documentation, and your case is closed with no adjustments.You agree with the proposed changes: The IRS identified adjustments to your return, and you understand and accept them, so you follow the payment or refund instructions included.You disagree with the proposed changes: You can request a conference with an IRS manager or file a formal appeal through the IRS Alternative Dispute Resolution program within 30 days.Ignoring an audit letter does not make the process go away, and the IRS will simply complete the audit using whatever information it already has. That almost always results in changes that are less favorable to you, because the agency will not give you the benefit of the doubt without documentation.Steps you can take now to reduce your tax audit riskYou cannot eliminate audit risk entirely, but you can take specific practical steps that significantly reduce the likelihood that your return will be selected. The best defense against an IRS audit starts long before you file, and it begins with accurate record-keeping throughout the entire calendar year.Report every source of income accurately, including freelance payments, side hustles, investment gains, and any income from digital asset transactions reported.Keep all receipts, invoices, and bank statements that support your deductions, and organize them by category so they are ready if needed.Avoid using suspiciously round numbers for deductions, because claiming exactly $10,000 or $15,000 in expenses raises red flags in the DIF scoring system.File your return electronically with direct deposit, which reduces processing errors and provides faster confirmation that the IRS received your filing.Reconcile all third-party income documents against your return before filing, and make sure every W-2, 1099, and K-1 matches what you reported.Consult a qualified tax professional if your return involves self-employment income, rental properties, foreign accounts, or large itemized deduction claims seriously.The IRS generally has three years from your filing date to initiate an audit, but that window extends to six years if substantial underreporting is found. You should keep all records used to prepare your return for at least three years, and hold onto investment-related documents for up to seven full years.Related: How to boost your tax refund​

Looking for help with today’s New York Times Pips? We’ll walk you through today’s puzzle and help you match dominoes to tiles.

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to make impulse purchases. You can have items delivered to your home in a day with just a few clicks on your phone or laptop. And while impulse spending can burn a hole in your wallet at any point, it can be especially detrimental to make big purchases without proper planning when you’re retired and no longer earning a paycheck.
Enter the 24-hour rule, a savings strategy that involves waiting 24 hours to buy non-essential items. Here’s what you need to know.

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What the ‘Diversification Effect’ in Gold Actually Means
Gold Is Holding Steady as the Iran War Continues On — Here’s How Some Investors Are Getting Exposure

The 24-hour rule explained
Most people aren’t strangers to the temptation of an impulse buy. Whether you suddenly realize your cooking would be easier with a higher-quality kitchen appliance, or you see a new pair of shoes at the mall that would suit you perfectly, it’s easy to pull out a credit card without thinking twice.
The 24-hour rule requires you to reflect on each purchase before committing to it. You can do this by delaying the purchase for a day which can help you determine whether you actually need to buy the item or you’re being impulsive. In many cases, the impulse to make the purchase passes.
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Impact of the 24-hour rule
You may not think twice about a quick $30 purchase — but making that purchase twice a month adds up to $720 in a year.
If you extend that math over an even longer period, your spending can be significant. But if you implement the 24-hour rule and only end up making a few of those purchases, the savings could be significant, too.
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Adjusting the 24-hour rule for you
Like with many personal finance rules, it’s important to adjust this rule so that it makes the most sense for you.
Maybe you need to wait 72 hours to make a purchase, or you implement rules around how long you wait for certain expenses, like 24 hours for items under $50, 48 hours for those over $75 and 72 hours for those over $100. For some people, online shopping is much more tempting than picking up non-essentials in the store, and they may want to implement this rule only for when they’re shopping from home.
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You can also add barriers to help you not hit “buy” right away and instead wait the 24 hours, such as not keeping your credit card information saved on your devices.
In retirement, you want to enjoy the hard-earned money you’ve saved throughout your working years. But implementing this simple rule can be the difference between running out of money and making it last.

Must Read

Experts are Bullish on Gold — Here’s How to Get In
What the ‘Diversification Effect’ in Gold Actually Means
Gold Is Holding Steady as the Iran War Continues On — Here’s How Some Investors Are Getting Exposure

U.S. stock-index futures fell on Sunday, as new threats of escalation from both President Donald Trump and Iran threatened to intensify the conflict roiling the Persian Gulf region.

Every online shopper has faced the Amazon conundrum. After 10 minutes of scrolling, you find the perfect item that meets all of your needs and looks amazing. You even check the reviews to make sure that the community is satisfied with their purchase. But when you receive the item, it somehow just doesn’t look like it did online and doesn’t perform the way you expected. (Wired, by the way, offers helpful tips on spotting fake reviews.)As frustrating as that situation is for an off-brand video game controller or a $45 stainless steel cooking pan, one can imagine how frustrating it must be to spend tens of thousands on an electric vehicle when its driving range is more than 50 miles lower per charge than advertised.But every once in a while, our online shopping targets perform even better than we expected, and some vehicles exceed their EPA-estimated driving range. The federal government heavily regulates motor vehicle fuel efficiency standards. For electric vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency range is the official estimate of an EV’s driving distance on a single charge. The EPA estimates that a gallon of gasoline has the energy equivalent of 33.7 kilowatt-hours of electricity.In other words, a plug-in that uses 33.7 kilowatt-hours to drive 100 miles will use the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Or at least that is supposed to be the standard. According to a new Consumer Reports study, many EVs perform much worse on the highway than their advertised EPA ranges would suggest. But many vehicles also overperform EPA estimates, giving owners an extra 10 or 20 miles beyond the expected range. The EPA says its tests take charging losses into consideration, as a small amount of energy is lost through energy conversion and heat. But some of the real-world results in the Consumer Reports study can’t be explained away by spillage.The discrepancy isn’t unexpected, since the EPA conducts its tests in a laboratory using a standardized mix of highway and city driving, while Consumer Reports uses real-world highway range, explained Consumer Reports Director of Auto Test Development Alex Knizek.Still, he recognized that this presents an unfair conundrum for car buyers. “When comparing cars, buyers need to know what range they are getting for their money,” says Knizek. “If you run out of charge on the highway, you may need to be towed, which could be both inconvenient and costly.”What is Consumer Reports?Founded in 1936 by a group of workers fired from a product-testing firm called Consumers’ Research, Consumer Reports is a multifaceted nonprofit organization that aims to educate consumers about products and help them make informed purchasing decisions.It does this by purchasing and testing products directly, administering detailed surveys to its members about the products they own and use, and investigating the veracity of manufacturers’ claims.Consumer Reports at a glanceFounded: 1936 (as Consumers Union by former employees of Consumers’ Research, fired after they attempted to unionize)Headquartered: Yonkers, NYLeadership: Marta Tellado, president and CEOEmployees: Approx. 500 to 600Members: At least 6 millionMission statement: “Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit member organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace.”Consumer Reports’ slogan, “Smarter choices for a better world,” captures the organization’s purpose. CR aims to educate and inform the public by providing objective information about popular products, helping consumers make “smarter choices” when purchasing major items.More from Consumer ReportsConsumer Reports names 5 more vehicles with the lowest hidden feesConsumer Reports names 5 vehicles with the lowest hidden feesConsumer Reports warns of 5 vehicles with the most expensive hidden feesConsumer Reports calls the EPA’s miles-per-gallon-equivalent calculations “outdated” and its methods unrealistic. “That’s why we purchase our vehicles like a consumer would and drive them at highway speeds like a consumer would on a road trip,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. For this report, Consumer Reports put the EVs through a highway-speed range test, driving fully charged vehicles at a steady speed of 70 mph until they ran out of charge. Even if the vehicle’s display indicated zero miles of range, the testers didn’t stop driving until the car came to a stop. Consumer Reports EVs that underperform their EPA rangeHyundai Ioniq 5N

Hyundai

Model: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5N, AWD, 21-inch wheelsEPA Range: 221 milesConsumer Reports Highway Range: 236 miles (+15 miles difference)Mini Countryman SE

BMW Group

Model: 2025 Mini Countyman SE All4 AWD, 18-inch wheelsEPA Range: 212 milesConsumer Reports Highway Range: 237 (+25 miles)Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV

Mercedes-Benz

Model: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 350 4Matic, AWD, 20-inch wheelsEPA Range: 253 milesConsumer Reports Highway Range: 284 miles (+31 miles)BMW i5

BMW

Model: 2023 BMW i5, M60, AWD, 20-inch wheelsEPA Range: 250 milesConsumer Reports Highway Range: 295 miles (+45 miles)BMW i4

BMW

Model: 2023 BMW i4 M50, AWD, 19-inch wheelsEPA Range: 267 milesConsumer Reports Highway Range: 318 miles (+51 miles)Related: Consumer Reports warns of 5 vehicles with most expensive hidden fees