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2011 Toyota Sienna

Two years after Consumer Reports smacked Toyota by pulling its coveted Recommended label from the Japanese automaker's vehicles in the wake of safety concerns, the venerable consumer products testing magazine has slipped back into its comfortable role of being one of Toyota's biggest fans. In announcing its annual Top Picks list, CR lauded five Toyota models as best-in-class, meaning the once beleaguered brand captured fully half of the category awards.

The five triumphant Toyota models included the Camry Hybrid (hybrid), RAV4 (small SUV), Sienna V6 (family hauler), Prius (green car), and Highlander (Family SUV). It is the first time since 2003 that a single automaker has scored five class awards. Honda, the last automaker to do so, did not land a single vehicle on the list for the second time in three years.

Other vehicles landing a spot on the list include the Ford Mustang (sporty car), Hyundai Sonata (affordable family sedan), Infiniti G (sports sedan), Subaru Impreza (small car), and Chevrolet Avalanche (pickup truck).

CR says it evaluates vehicles for their road test performance, as well as reliability and safety, requiring that winners rank at least near the top of their category on the organization's overall road test scores while having average or better reliability on reader surveys and performing "well" on crash tests.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota dominates Consumer Reports annual Top Picks list

Toyota dominates Consumer Reports annual Top Picks list originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Fit and Toyota Prius named Consumer Reports Best Values for 2010

Consumer Reports is set to ship its annual automotive issue out to subscribers, but before the dyed and bound dead trees make their way to subscribers, CR shot off a few press releases to let us know what to expect. While we already covered the six new members of their Top Picks charts this morning, we found their New-Car Best and Worst Values List equally newsworthy.

CR chose the Honda Fit and Toyota Prius as its top picks for best overall value in the marketplace, despite Honda recalling more than 650,000 Fits and the issue plaguing the Toyota Prius, among the myriad of things that have kept ToMoCo busy lately. So before the complaints come in, perhaps a look at CR's methodology is in order. According to the presser after the jump:
"To determine which cars are the best values, Consumer Reports looked at a combination of performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering total owner costs over the first five-years. The better a car performs in Consumer Reports' road tests and reliability Ratings and the less it costs to own, the greater its value."
Consumer Reports says the Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius bested 280 other cars in eight different categories to grab their top spots. Each recorded a score of 2.08 on their tally sheets, representing values that are more than twice as good as the overall average for the group. It could be argued that the recalls affecting the vehicles might have come too late in the game and/or may have not impacted their rankings significantly enough to erase the inherent value of each vehicle. And lest we forget, CR isn't alone in recognizing the Prius, with MotorWeek and Intellichoice both naming the Japanese hybrid to their awards this year.

The full report on best and worst new-car values will show up March 2, but you can see the lists in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Despite recalls, Consumer Reports names Honda Fit, Toyota Prius Best Values

Despite recalls, Consumer Reports names Honda Fit, Toyota Prius Best Values originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koreans come on strong, a domestic makes it and Toyota nabs four

Consumer Reports will soon release its highly anticipated Annual Auto Issue and we've got the scoop on which cars will be honored as Top Picks within its pages. This year there were some surprises among the 10 categories, including Hyundai, which broke out with two Top Picks: the Elantra SE for Small Sedan and Sante Fe for Midsized SUV. Even a domestic vehicle managed to make it on the list (the first time in two years), with the Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab earning a Top Pick in the Pickup Truck category. The rest of the honored vehicles all hail from Japan, including four Toyota models, one Mazda, one Infiniti and one Honda.

The fact that Hyundai earned two Top Picks and a domestic received one at all is a testament to our long held suspicion that Japanese automakers aren't the only ones who know how to build a good vehicle. Other automakers, particularly our own domestic ones, just forgot for a while. But they're remembering, and quickly. Many new Ford and GM models are performing extremely well in CR's battery of tests, as well as ranking higher and higher in its readership surveys. CR is still withholding a Recommended rating for some of them based on past models that weren't fit for road use, but that won't last forever.

Check out the full list of Top Picks after the jump within the Consumer Reports official press release.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports names Top Picks for 2008

Consumer Reports names Top Picks for 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another installment of Consumer Reports annual automotive issue is close at hand. The yearly car issue crowns Top Picks in a variety of categories as well as offering up some solid alternative choices. Last year, we had the opportunity to peek behind the curtain at CR's huge auto test facility in Connecticut, and we were psyched to find out there's real car guys behind all those filled-in circles. Here's a sample of what CR's crew is likely up to right now, expending a huge amount of labor on careful research and evaluation. In a couple of months, we'll be able to raise a fuss when CR yet again passes over our favorite car and anoints something far more reliable and better built their favorite. Oh well, there's always next year.

click through to see the video

Continue reading VIDEO: Autoblog goes behind the scenes at Consumer Reports

VIDEO: Autoblog goes behind the scenes at Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog videoAutoblogVideoconsumerconsumer reportsConsumerReportspicksreportstoptop picksTopPicksvideoSun, 06 Jan 2008 13:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1077868/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/06/video-autoblog-goes-behind-the-scenes-at-consumer-reports/1077868/article-detail.xml 1077868 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/cr_testfacility_handling_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/cr_testfacility_handling.jpg <![CDATA[Consumer Reports assembles an "All American" Top Picks list]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/consumer-reports-assembles-an-all-american-top-picks-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/consumer-reports-assembles-an-all-american-top-picks-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/consumer-reports-assembles-an-all-american-top-picks-list/#commentsFiled under:



While Consumer Reports' overall Top Picks for 2007 were a Japan-only affair, for the second year in a row, the magazine has compiled a "Top Picks - American Style" list on its Car Blog, in which only US nameplates are featured. The rationale behind this is to help shoppers who are set on buying a vehicle from an American marque only.

The rules are pretty simple: a car can't make the list unless it's a recommended vehicle in the April auto issue. With that said, here are CR's selections:

Top Picks - American Style
  • Fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V
  • Small sedan: Ford Focus ZX4 SES
  • Family sedan: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
  • Upscale sedan: Lincoln MXZ
  • Luxury sedan: Cadillac DTS
  • Small SUV: Pontiac Torrent
  • Midsized SUV: Ford Freestyle
  • Minivan: (None apply)
  • Budget car: Ford Focus ZX3
  • Green car: (None apply)
CR notes that the Torrent beats the better Ford Escape because the Pontiac is equipped with stability control, and the Escape, which is not, got up on two wheels during NHTSA's stability test. We're guessing that this issue with the Escape is what also kept it from taking the "Green Car" pick. The Saturn Vue is not a recommended vehicle in the first place, so that keeps the Green Line from stepping into the open spot vacated by the Escape Hybrid.

Finally, even though Chrysler has never stopped offering minivans, their low CR reliability ratings preclude the mag from recommending the current generation. CR offers additional analysis on its American picks here. You can also check out last year's "American Style" list for a comparison.

[Source: Consumer Reports Car Blog]

Consumer Reports assembles an "All American" Top Picks list originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 top picks - american style2007TopPicks-AmericanStyleamerican styleAmericanStylecar blogCarBlogconsumer reportsConsumerReportstop picksTopPicksWed, 14 Mar 2007 14:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/852701/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/03/14/consumer-reports-assembles-an-all-american-top-picks-list/852701/article-detail.xml 852701 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/caddyctsv_red_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/caddyctsv_red.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #59]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/autoblog-podcast-59/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/autoblog-podcast-59/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/autoblog-podcast-59/#commentsFiled under: ,

We apologize for the tardiness of Autoblog Podcast #59, as sometimes it's a devil to coordinate schedules. We managed to get our act together for this week though, and in episode 59, Dan Roth fills in for Damon Lavrinc, who's in Geneva. Alex and Dan recount their visit to the Consumer Reports track day, which provided insight into the organizations testing methods and showed that there are real car guys within the belly of the beast. A great time was had by all, and the CR folks were eminently gracious. After talking about that for longer than we should have (whoops!), we move on to the newly-unveiled Mazda 2, and our lust for it. This time, it looks like we won't be met with denial from Ford, as the 2's platform-mate, the Ford Fiesta, heads this way for 2009. We take the time to do some general Ford pontificating, move on to a tangent about styling trends and wrap up with breathless praise for the swagger of the Opel GTC Concept's lines. Enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #59 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastconceptconsumer reportsConsumerReportsford fiestford fiestaford mondeoFordFiestFordFiestaFordMondeogenevageneva auto showgeneva motor showGenevaAutoShowGenevaMotorShowgran turismo coupeGranTurismoCoupegtcmazda 2Mazda2opelopel gtcOpelGtcpodcasttop picksTopPicksWed, 07 Mar 2007 11:36:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #59Dan Roth44:28Autoblog Podcast; GM; Saturn; Ford; Nissan; Consumer Reports; Top Picks; Mazda 2; Ford Fiesta; Mondeo; Opel; Gran Turismo Coupe; Track; Driving; Track Day http://www.autoblog.com/feed/847268/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/03/07/autoblog-podcast-59/847268/article-detail.xml 847268 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/new-ab-podcast_logo_200_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/new-ab-podcast_logo_200.jpg <![CDATA[Consumer Reports' 2006 Top Picks? 100% Japanese]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/02/consumer-reports-2006-top-picks-100-japanese/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/02/consumer-reports-2006-top-picks-100-japanese/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/02/consumer-reports-2006-top-picks-100-japanese/#commentsFiled under: ,

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]

 

 

Consumer Reports' 2006 Top Picks? 100% Japanese originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Mar 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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