In word that is sure to have U.S. and European auto executives reaching for their antacids,
Consumer Reports magazine has unveiled their 2006 Top Picks. All ten are born of Japanese companies, with Honda
occupying fully 50-percent of the list.
The winners, to be published in the magazine's upcoming April issue:
- Sedan, less than $20,000
Honda Civic - Sedan, $20,000 - $30,000
Honda Accord - Sedan, $30,000 - $40,000
Acura TL - Sedan, $30,000 - $40,000
Acura TL - Luxury sedan
Infiniti M35 - Fun to drive
Subaru Impreza WRX/STi - Small SUV/SUV, less than $30,000
Subaru Forester - Mid-sized SUV/SUV more than $30,000
Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Minivan
Honda Odyssey - Green car
Toyota Prius - Pick-up truck
Honda Ridgeline
[Source: CNNMoney.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
TriShield @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:43AM
I'm not surprised, in fact I even agree with CR's picks on the list. Honda and Toyota make fabulous appliances, and CR always lets us know what the best appliances are. But I like to drive cars, not appliances.
I like cars that have good doses of personality and character, which is why it infuriates me when American automakers churn out "me-too" FWD appliances to try and counter Honda and Toyota (then fail miserably at it).
Good thing V8, RWD is alive, for now.
Jason E. Rist @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:46AM
Why am I not surprised?
Leo @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:47AM
Luxury sedan: Infiniti M35
Why did Chris leave this one out. Honda/Acura Blindness maybe? Too bad - it's the best car on the whole list.
Paul @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:50AM
no surprises here.
americans build big stupid defective cars and the asians build smart quality cars.
tony belligerent @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:50AM
While I'm sure we're bound to hear a lot of "Consumer Reports are in bed with the japanese car companies"-type comments, one thing that really strikes me about this is that they picked the Honda Ridgeline for best truck.
It's not a truck, it's a car with a bed. The H.R. fails miserably at all true-to-form pickup truck tasks.
Gunnar Heinrich @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:51AM
When you're on a roll. You're on a roll. And the Japanese most assuredly are.
It is too bad that General Motors and Ford cannot seem to get the same kind of good press - their cars have never been better.
The sheer momentum of carmakers like Toyota just keeps the positive press flowing.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/02/when-youre-up-toyota-fj-cruiser.html
Proud Japanese @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:52AM
Guess who the proudest person here is?
Ted Schafer @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:54AM
The Subaru Impreza WRX/STi may be fun to drive but it is butt ugly.
I guess they 'forgot' to drive a Corvette, CTS-V, Mustang, Grand Prix GXP, Cobalt SS, or Solstice etc.
Are these people really 'car guys' anyway?
Seriously!
Joe @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:56AM
I'm glad they liked the Honda Ridgeline because it seems like i have a ton of customers that want out and want in my american or toyota trucks. They go to do the job with them and realize quickly its a car...
Jeff @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:58AM
I would argue that the Ridgeline is a truck that will do everything the typical person needs, and about 80% of what die-hard truck owners need. Only in heavy towing and rigorous off-road use will traditional pickups excel. For everything else, daily driving, groceries, and Home Depot runs, the Honda is a great truck.
kowell @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:59AM
I agree with the earlier comment.... It's just not right for the Honda Ridgeline to win pickup of the year when it'S not a real pickup. It's a weird inbetween closer to an SUV then a pickup. It'S sad to see the pickups are going to way of the 4x4..... towards cheaper make beleives from non-truck plateforms that are made for a light on road use.
jake @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:04PM
Honda makes great vehicles, although I think the Ridgeline is a minivan with a bed... The rest of CR's picks are very solid too. What is interesting is that CR will be stating that American cars are more reliable than European cars...but the comments trashing American cars as being POS' will no doubt flow freely in this blog. The Europeans will be given a pass in the media (seen the headlines?) and on this blog...
JD @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:05PM
To you "BUY AMERICAN ONLY" people. 5 of these vehicle are built in the USA. That says something about the AMERICAN workers!!
Puff Chippy @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:06PM
Looks like a list of top schnores. What a boring bunch of vanilla dung. And what's with the "Mid-sized SUV/SUV more than $30,000" going to a Highlander Hybrid??? Right, no bias there. What a waste of natural resources.
tony belligerent @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:06PM
jeff:
Yes, for what the average person does, but if I was evaluating a truck, I would test it based on what it CAN do, what it's designed to do.
That's like saying the best performance coupe is a Toyota Camry, because, hey, 80% of people don't drive fast or go through turns, they just sit in traffic. So since the Camry is Japanese and costs about $50k less than a loaded 'vette, it MUST be superior!
Gale @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:07PM
I'll agree that the Honda Ridgeline doesn't belong on the list. But I'd give the award to another Japanese truck (made in the USA) - The Nissan Titan. Compare the two and you'll see that only one is a real truck.
And it's a great one.
Sid @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:08PM
Big surprise. Anyone who reads CR should be barred from even saying the words 'car' and 'fun' in the same sentence.
These people have less cred with cars than Playboy's Car reviews.
Stumpy @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:10PM
I love my Honda. I have been telling my friends and family to buy only cars made in Japan for a while.
US companies let Americans down with their poor build quality and just poor cars in general.
Joe Isuzu @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:10PM
Emperor is proud!
Love the Rising Sun
RossL @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:15PM
Here's something else interesting - most of these Japanese vehicles were designed *specifically* for the North American tastes. e.g.,
Civic: we get a version designed specifically for the U.S. and Canada (a different version is sold elsewhere)
Accord: ditto (the Euro spec Accord is sold here as the Acura TSX)
Odyssey: North America only, iirc.
Ridgeline: North America only, iirc.
Acura TL: designed primarily for North America, iirc.
That, to me, is what's really impressive about Japan's automaters, espy Honda.