The “magic” in a Magic Eraser works like a charm to remove pesky scuff marks on your vehicle’s vinyl and leather.

Just be careful. Used correctly, a Magic Eraser is a quick and easy way to detail your interior. But on certain surfaces — like anything with a clear coat of paint or old, worn-out leather — its micro-abrasion can cause damage.

2. Spray out dust vents with compressed air

Vents can be a pain to clean. If using your fingernails doesn’t cut it, you can either buy a special vent brush or use a can of compressed air.

Normal compressed air should remove any dust gunking up the vents.

But for an even deeper clean, you can pick up aerosol sprays designed specifically for cleaning vents and killing odors.

If you have a few stains in your carpet, there’s no need to buy an entire jug of car carpet cleaner. Instead, make some yourself.

Mix together a solution with one part hydrogen peroxide, two parts water, and one drop of lemon essential oil per ounce of solution.

To prevent the peroxide from breaking down, you either need to mix your concoction inside the original peroxide bottle or find another dark-colored bottle.

Douse the stained area with your DIY carpet cleaner, wait a couple minutes, and scrub it out.

Not only does the mixture lift out tough stains, but you’ll also have plenty of essential oil left over to freshen up your home or body — much more useful than a jug of car carpet cleaner gathering dust in your garage.

4. Condition your dashboard with Vaseline

Vaseline has over 100 uses. One of those uses is conditioning your vehicle’s dashboard.

Instead of buying pricey car detailing wipes or sprays, simply smear a little Vaseline around your dry dashboard using a microfiber cloth. You don’t need much.

When you’re finished, fold the cloth and store it in your glove box.

The Vaseline won’t dry out, and if your dash starts losing its shine, you can wipe it down again using the same cloth.

All leather fades over time. But if you don’t take care of it, you can extend its lifetime.

Sure, you can treat leather with expensive leather cleaners. But if you want to save money (and a trip to the store), just use olive oil.

Dab a rag with olive oil, and massage the leather in a circular motion to work it into the material.

When you’re finished, wipe away any extra oil and let it dry — you don’t want it on your clothes.

6. Clean cup holders the easy way

Cup holders are magnets for crumbs and gunk. Fortunately, cleaning them is a cinch.

Grab a travel cup that fits snugly in your cup holder, cover it with a clean sock, spray the sock with Windex, and twist it around inside the cup holder.

This hack is especially useful if you have giant hands that don’t fit deep into the cup holder.

When cleaning your car, kill two birds with one stone by drizzling baking soda over your seats a few minutes before vacuuming.

Baking soda reacts with acidic and alkaline molecules (AKA stinky stuff) and neutralizes them.

So not only are you vacuuming up crumbs, but also the stench.

8. Wash the floor mats in your machine

Dirty floor mats can ruin the aesthetic of a nice car.

The problem is, unless you have a No Shoes policy in your car, they’re nearly impossible to keep clean.

That’s where your washing machine comes in. Instead of breaking your back trying to wash them by hand, just shake them out, squirt on stain remover, and throw them in the washing machine with normal detergent.

Every car owner should have a microfiber mitten and a stock of microfiber cloth.

Microfiber mittens soak up tons of water, allowing you to quickly hand wash your car.

Sure, automatic car washes are convenient, but they’re also notorious for leaving scratches. And when you consider the time it takes to drive to the car wash, wait in line, wash, and drive home — you could have just done it yourself and saved 10 bucks.

That said, finishing with streak-free windows can be a challenge. You might be tempted to reach for the glass cleaner, but resist the urge. Instead, just wipe your windows with a damp cloth, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry them.

10. Roll those windows down

If you’re going to wash your car, mind as well do it thoroughly. Most people forget to roll the windows down to clean the dirt off the top of the window.

It might not seem like a big deal. But if rain causes that hidden dirt to streak down the side of your car, all your car-washing effort will have been in vain.

Just don’t forget to roll them back up before spraying off the rest of the car.

Splattered bugs and stubborn bird droppings usually don’t come off with your typical soap-and-water wash.

You need to bring in the heavy artillery: WD-40.

WD-40 can remove just about any type of gunk from your paint and grill without causing damage. Just make sure to rinse with soap and water when you’re finished.

12. Make those headlights sparkle with toothpaste

Foggy and yellow headlights are not only unattractive, but they are also dangerous.

A study by AAA showed that cloudy headlights can reduce the effectiveness of the lights by up to 78%.

One solution is to replace your headlights, but that can cost hundreds of dollars.

To save money, you can clear up those cloudy lights by squirting on some toothpaste made with baking soda, smearing it around with a cloth, then rinsing with water.

Bumper stickers are fun to put on, but not fun to take off.

The trick to loosening them up is to use heat.

Grab a hairdryer and heat up the sticker, starting in the center, then moving out to the edges. Once it’s nice and hot, slip a credit card underneath the edges and slowly work them up, reheating as needed.

If the sticker is on your window, a razor blade works even better. Once the sticker is off, wipe off any remaining residue using distilled vinegar.

14. Rubbing alcohol can get those wiper blades clean

There’s nothing more annoying than wiper blades that leave huge streaks across your window. Most people assume the solution is to buy new wiper blades, but not so fast.

Sometimes the wiper blade itself is fine — it just has dirt or dried soap gunking it up.

To remove it, dip a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol, then run it along the blade. If it removes the streaking, you just saved yourself a trip to the store.

If you’re not careful, car clutter can go from zero to code red very quickly, especially with kids.

The solution is to have a home for everything. Cars don’t come with much organizational space, but you can install your own.

Two easy solutions to organize your space are shower caddies and shoe organizers. Hang them on the back of your seats, and say goodbye to clutter forever.

If you’re feeling extra inspired, you can even label each pocket with stickers.

16. Hide your change in an old container

There’s nothing more stressful than holding up traffic at a toll booth or parking lot as you tear apart your car hunting for coins.

To avoid this, grab an old container from your house — preferably one that fits in a cup holder — and use it as your car’s piggy bank.

Old gum containers work great because they look natural in a car, but any old food jar with a cap will do the trick.

When you get hungry on the road, you’re more likely to eat unhealthy food. The Taco Bell drive-thru is just too convenient.

To avoid wrecking your diet, keep a basket full of healthy snacks and water at arm’s reach.

Stock it with food that won’t go bad in extreme temperatures like sunflower seeds, nuts, and dried fruit.

18. Make a DIY trash can

An ATM receipt here, a cheeseburger wrapper there — this is how your car gets out of hand.

The solution is a non-spillable trash can. Plastic cereal containers work like a charm. You could also stick a Command hook to your dash and hang a grocery bag from it.

If you can’t be bothered to make your own garbage container, you can get a headrest trash can on Amazon that will run you less than 10 bucks.

Cup holders tend to get grody with spilled drinks and crumbs. They’re also a pain to clean.

One way to solve the cup holder conundrum is to line them with a silicone cupcake holder. Whenever they get grimy, just throw them in the dishwasher.

They can come in a pack of 24, so you can put them in all your vehicles and still have some left over for cupcakes.

20. Smell fresh with essential oils

Remember that essential oil from the DIY carpet cleaner?

You should have plenty left over to use as a DIY air freshener.

Simply put a few drops on a clothespin, then stick it in your car vents.

Keep the bottle of essential oil in your car, and whenever the smell fades, add more drops.

Sometimes no matter how much air freshener (or essential oil) you use, your car still smells funky.

When that happens, it’s time to check the cabin air filter. A quick Google search should tell you if your vehicle model has a removable cabin air filter, and how to change it.

Dirty air is constantly moving through these filters. And over time, they can start to stink.

22. Get a pet seat hammock

In the past, you had to choose — travel with pets, or have a clean car.

Now, with the new pet seat hammock, you can have both. It easily attaches to the headrests of the front and back seats, creating a waterproof “hammock” where your furry friend can roll around without destroying your car.

Instead of cleaning your backseat every time you take Buddy for a ride, you can simply toss the hammock in the washing machine.

A microfiber cloth is an essential piece of your car-washing toolkit. But not for washing your dashboard and center console. They are notorious for leaving tiny pieces of lint everywhere.

When it comes time to dust, use a coffee filter instead. The material picks up dust without leaving a lint mess.

24. Clean out crevices with a screwdriver

Grime has a way of building up in all the nooks and crannies at the edges of panels in your center console.

You could grow out your fingernails to scrape off the crud, but there’s a better way. Pick up a flathead screwdriver, cover it with a cloth to prevent scratches, and scrape away.

Putting down a blanket to protect your car seats from pet hair only gets you so far.

If your pet travels with you regularly, it’s only a matter of time before those seats get coated in hair.

And pet hair is stubborn. If the vacuum cleaner doesn’t do the trick, try spraying your seat with water, then using a squeegee to collect all the hair.

The water dampens the hair so it lumps together, making it easy to gather.

26. Wrap your rearview mirror in a plastic bag

Ziploc bags aren’t just for food storage — they’re super useful for keeping your car mirrors clean in winter.

There’s nothing worse than getting ready for work on an icy January morning only to discover your rearview mirror’s been encrusted with ice and snow overnight.

To prevent the extra cleaning work, especially when you just don’t have time, wrap your mirrors in a Ziploc bag or even a regular plastic bag.

The covering helps keep most of the snow from sticking, and it’s a great hack for when you can’t park your car in a garage.

Reliability score: 28 Overall score: 60

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasts a sleek, elegant design with the best in advanced safety features, but it’s not much more than a pretty face.

This luxury five-seater comes with a driver-assistance system called Pilot Assist that’s convenient for stop-and-go traffic but doesn’t have any safety benefits, so drivers will still need to remain alert and take over when necessary.

The seating is comfy, true to standard Volvo form, but the fuel economy isn’t great and the ride feels incredibly jarring over bumps, ruts and potholes.

And using the control system for climate, audio or phone while driving can be “frustrating” and “distracting” as you’ll waste precious seconds with your eyes off the road and hand off the wheel.

• $48,500 starting price
• 23 mpg

9 (tie). Ford EcoSport

Reliability score: 28 Overall score: 45

Consumer Reports says the fuel economy and acceleration of this subcompact SUV are, unfortunately, “neither eco nor sport.”

The 2021 Ford EcoSport is fun to drive on smooth roads, thanks to quick steering and excellent handling, but you’ll definitely feel the bumps and deal with unpleasantly loud road and engine noise.

On top of that, there’s limited cargo and rear space, and the legroom is a bit tight. And it’s on the pricier end, compared to competitors such as the Chevrolet Trax and Mazda CX-3 that have better fuel economy.

• $25,299 starting price
• 24 mpg

Reliability score: 27 Overall score: 29

With a subpar rating for fuel economy, the Jeep Wrangler is not the environment’s best friend.

The SUV's reliability rating from Consumer Reports has been dropping steadily for 10 years, and the unique off-roading abilities of the Wrangler don’t neutralize the negatives.

Not to mention that anyone who’s been in a Jeep knows just how deafeningly loud it can be when you’re on the highway. It’s not a vehicle well-suited to daily use.

While the 2021 Wrangler may be the most sophisticated Jeep released so far, let’s be honest: That isn’t saying much. Make sure you take it for a test drive first.

• $37,665 starting price
• 18 mpg

5 (tie). Tesla Model S

Reliability score: 26

Tesla’s all-electric sedan comes with a hefty price tag — but is it really worth the cost?

The 2020 Tesla Model S is smooth and quiet, with snappy acceleration and a high-tech, stylish design. You’ll reduce your ecological footprint, as it guarantees zero emissions, and cut down on operating costs.

All that said, the battery-powered vehicle takes a relatively long while to charge, so drivers will need to plan long trips accordingly.

It also suffers from reduced range in cold weather, which is why it loses points for reliability.

• $78,425 starting price

Reliability score: 26 Overall score: 44

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado might be the most fuel-efficient pickup truck you can buy, but that doesn’t save it from the cold, hard truth: In many ways it's a failure.

The Colorado’s reliability and consumer satisfaction ratings have consistently fallen in the last five years, and the relatively good fuel economy is barely an upside.

It can tow nearly 4 tons and has plenty of up-to-date tech, but the midsize truck still falls short in some pretty fundamental ways.

Consumer Reports says the ride is stiff and choppy, and the cloth seats and driving position make the Colorado impossibly uncomfortable to drive.

• $25,200 starting price
• 18 mpg

5 (tie). Volvo XC90

Reliability score: 26 Overall score: 62

The 2021 XC90 is a big dud. Once you see the roomy interior and clever design — which includes a third row of seats -- you may be shocked that this SUV doesn’t top everybody’s list.

For its above-average price tag, you’d expect this vehicle to be a little more polished. The fuel economy is flat-out embarrassing, and if it weren’t for the souped-up safety features, the XC90 would be criminally expensive.

The best features come with pricier packages. The basic XC90 offers Volvo's positive driving experience, but it doesn't have much else going for it.

• $64,750 starting price
• 20 mpg

Reliability score: 21 Overall score: 39

This second-generation Compass is the lowest-rated model in its class for good reason — it’s noisy, rough and higher priced than its better performing competitors. Consumer Reports says you’ll be paying mainly for the Jeep name and little else.

The fuel economy isn’t anything special, and you’ll endure slow acceleration and an annoyingly jittery ride. Keep a lid on your coffee cup at all times, too, as the overly sensitive brakes produce jarring stops.

The interior doesn’t hold much appeal, either, with limited storage options, poor seating support and a cheap, plain finish, although the controls are nice and accessible.

• $24,495 starting price
• 24 mpg

3. Volkswagen Atlas

Reliability score: 19 Overall score: 57

Volkswagen has had varying levels of success with rebuilding public trust since an emissions fraud scandal in 2015.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that nearly half a million VW diesel cars had software that could falsify emissions numbers while the vehicles were being tested.

The 2021 Atlas isn't the breath of fresh air (pun intended) that Volkswagen needed, even though it looks like a pretty hefty SUV and has a totally legitimate third row of seats.

With VW sitting in the bottom five for brand reliability, drivers might do well to look elsewhere.

• $40,095 starting price
• 20 mpg

Reliability score: 18 Overall score: 60

The cushy, spacious Ascent is ideal for family road trips through all four seasons, but it lacks agility and has some steering issues.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent rides comfortably over road flaws but has a pronounced body roll during turns that reduces driver confidence, and Consumer Reports says you’ll find more nimble three-row SUVs elsewhere, such as the Mazda CX-9.

Major trouble spots include the transmission, steering and suspension, in-car electronics and climate system.

• $36,995 starting price
• 22 mpg

1. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Reliability score: 13 Overall score: 45

Chevrolet’s new and improved Silverado boasts a bigger payload and towing capacity, as well as better fuel economy, but Consumer Reports says it's the most unreliable vehicle on the list.

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has seen more downs than ups in its reliability rating in the past decade, and while it certainly demonstrates some marked improvements in its newest model, it’s still neither the quietest nor the smoothest pickup on the market.

The vehicle’s score took a hit due to issues with the brakes, in-car electronics, transmission, engine and drive system. There have also been three recalls for such issues as the seat belts and tires.

• $32,048 starting price
• 17 mpg

Overall score: 69 Reliability score: 2/5

Although the 2021 BMW X3 has retained its title as one of the best-driving compact SUVs, it’s had five safety recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to issues with the fuel system and rear-view concerns.

Consumer Reports says the 2018 version of the vehicle didn’t win them over, but improved reliability in 2019 led it to make a recommendation. Despite updates including improved fuel efficiency and agility, the 2021 model has proven disappointing, however.

Buyers have reported issues with power equipment, including the keyless entry system and body control module, in-car electronics, such as an inoperable GPS, and the air conditioning.

• $43,000 starting price
• 24 mpg

Overall score: 63 Reliability score: 2/5

This sport sedan is fairly comfortable to drive, but it compromises on space and isn’t as quick or fuel efficient as its competitors.

The 2021 Genesis G70 comes with excellent handling and controls and a classy interior finish with perforated leather seats and padded armrests. However, the controls and navigation system have flaws — the latter doesn’t offer alternative suggestions to misspelled addresses, for example.

The G70 dropped to a below-average reliability rating last year, primarily due to problems with the brakes and rotors and “excessive” pulsing or vibration.

• $36,000 starting price
• 23 mpg

8 (tie). Audi Q3

Overall score: 63 Reliability score: 2/5

The Q3 has a loud engine, lacks rear visibility and, despite all its comforts — a spacious interior, leather upholstery and a new touchscreen infotainment system — none of its trims come with a heated steering wheel.

It also trails some competitors in its price range in cargo space and fuel economy, and you’ll have to pay extra for perks such as keyless locking, unlocking and starting, and a power passenger seat.

Motorists who have tried the 2021 Audi Q3 say they’ve had trouble with its body hardware, particularly the doors, and they have experienced premature brake wear.

• $34,000 starting price
• 23 mpg

Overall score: 63 Reliability score: 2/5

This boxy hatchback is both practical and refined with supportive seating, minimal noise and good visibility, but it suffers from setbacks that have dropped its reliability score.

Although most owners of the GTI seem satisfied with the car's quick agility, it lacks the edge and excitement of its previous iterations and other sports cars in its class.

It has suffered cooling system problems and steering and suspensions issues, although a Volkswagen spokesperson told Consumer Reports that the automaker hasn’t “seen any complaints on vehicles with the countermeasures fitted.”

• $28,695 starting price
• 29 mpg

7. Infiniti QX50

Overall score: 61 Reliability score: 2/5

This luxury compact SUV fails to deliver on both fuel economy and performance, but one of its biggest flaws lies in the tech. The controls are unnecessarily confusing and distract drivers from the road.

And contrary to its luxurious finish and glossy accents, the drive feels a bit ungainly, due in part to laggy steering and lack of dexterity while navigating sharp corners and big bumps.

Major trouble spots responsible for dropping the QX50’s reliability rating include issues with the body hardware, fuel system, power equipment — particularly the keyless entry system — and in-car electronics, such as faulty GPS or infotainment systems. Customer satisfaction with the vehicle has declined as well in recent years.

• $38,050 starting price
• 22 mpg

Overall score: 59 Reliability score: 2/5

This diminutive vehicle is convenient to park and easy to drive around in the city, but it’s pricey for its size and feels cramped in the back.

It’s got a funky, customizable cabin — you get to choose your dashboard inset panels, the dash center color and seat upholstery — plus some interesting features, like the Dynamic LED ring that glows when you rev the engine. But you’ll find better fuel economy and cheaper prices in its rivals.

Premature brake wear, the climate system and in-car electronics, including the phone pairing, power equipment and keyless entry system, are some other major drawbacks to the Mini.

• $22,400 starting price
• 30 mpg

5. Audi E-Tron

Overall score: 54 Reliability score: 1/5

Audi’s very first electric vehicle might be good for the environment, but its long charging times could deter drivers, and its range is shorter compared to competitors such as the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X.

It quietly glides along road dips and bumps more smoothly than its showier, higher-priced rivals, but it doesn’t sacrifice on style. The cabin interior features leather upholstery, textured wood and shiny black and chrome trim.

Unfortunately, it’s the electronics that have dragged the E-Tron’s reliability down — drivers have experienced issues with the electric drive system, power equipment, software updates and the infotainment screen.

An Audi spokesperson told Consumer Reports that the automaker has “either already put remedies in place or will have them in place shortly.”

• $65,900 starting price
• 74 mpg

Overall score: 54 Reliability score: 1/5

This electric hatchback has a lot in its favor — it’s quiet and quick and practical and roomy. But, like its peers, it suffers from slow charging times and isn’t widely available across the U.S.

The 2021 Kia Niro EV delivers on long range and improves on some of the issues of the hybrid model. However, the all-electric vehicle isn’t available with all-wheel drive and the rear seats may feel a bit low to some passengers.

Some drivers required full replacements after their electric motors seized, although a Kia spokesperson told Consumer Reports that the issue has since been resolved and repairs are covered under the automaker’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• $26,995 starting price
• 112 mpg

3. Kia Soul

Overall score: 48 Reliability score: 1/5

The affordable and accommodating Kia Soul saw its reliability score shoot up during the five years preceding 2020 — so what went wrong last year?

Updates to the vehicle included improved fuel economy and added safety features, but the 2021 Soul feels jittery even on smooth roads, and the engine noise is quite noticeable under the stress of merging onto a highway or climbing a hill.

Some drivers reported issues with the brakes and others required transmission replacements. The automaker says it will continue to investigate the issues.

• $17,590 starting price
• 28 mpg

Overall score: 46 Reliability score: 2/5

This Ford pickup made a comeback after eight years in 2019, but it hasn’t lived up to the original, with an unpleasantly ponderous ride, imprecise steering and poor controls.

The 2021 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds and is relatively fuel efficient for its class, but Consumer Reports says someone looking for more rear space and cargo capacity should go for the Ford F-150 instead.

The Ranger’s below-average reliability score could be due to transmission problems, fluid leaks, driveline vibration and snags with the in-car electronics, such as the infotainment screen freezing.

• $24,820 starting price
• 20 mpg

1. Kia Forte

Overall score: 42 Reliability score: 1/5

It’s back to basics with the 2021 Kia Forte, which boasts a much-improved fuel economy — making it a Consumer Reports Green Choice — but it doesn’t offer anything new or exciting to drivers.

It has a pretty modest, uninspiring design with seating that’s short on lower back support, and the ride doesn’t do much to disguise hard bumps or ruts in the road. The product-testing site even calls it the least comfortable riding car among compact sedans.

Plenty of drivers said they needed to replace the transmission, some after having travelled just 5,000 miles.

• $17,895 starting price
• 34 mpg