Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #220: Jeep subcompact, Smart ED, global Mustang, with <i>Consumer Reports'</i> John Linkov]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/08/autoblog-podcast-220-jeep-subcompact-smart-ed-global-mustang/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/08/autoblog-podcast-220-jeep-subcompact-smart-ed-global-mustang/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/08/autoblog-podcast-220-jeep-subcompact-smart-ed-global-mustang/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

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Autoblog Podcast #220 is here, and Chris, Dan and Zach are joined by Consumer Reports' Jon Linkov. Topics start with the annual CR Autos issue and move on to the idea of a subcompact Jeep, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive, a globally designed Mustang and, of course, your questions and feedback. It's an hour and fifteen minutes of fun this week - thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #220: Jeep subcompact, Smart ED, Global Mustang, with Consumer Reports' John Linkov



In the Autoblog Garage:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Guests: Jon Linkov
Runtime: 01:15:10



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Autoblog Podcast #220: Jeep subcompact, Smart ED, global Mustang, with Consumer Reports' John Linkov originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 smart fortwo electric driveautoblog podcastcayenneconsumer reportsconsumer reports carsconsumer reports recommendedfeaturedford mustangfortwojohn linkovsmart electric drivesonata turboxterraTue, 08 Mar 2011 11:45:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #220Autoblog01:15:10 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19871655/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/08/autoblog-podcast-220-jeep-subcompact-smart-ed-global-mustang/19871655/article-detail.xml 19871655 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3.jpg <![CDATA[Honda and Subaru top latest <i>Consumer Reports</i> automaker report cards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/24/honda-and-subaru-top-latest-consumer-reports-automaker-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/24/honda-and-subaru-top-latest-consumer-reports-automaker-re/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/24/honda-and-subaru-top-latest-consumer-reports-automaker-re/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The time has come once again for Consumer Reports' annual Auto Issue, which means the respected magazine will hand out an updated list of the vehicles and brands that it recommends. Included amongst the pages are CR's so-called Automaker Report Cards, and the tippy-top and way bottom couldn't have been easier to see coming.

Much like last year (and the year before, and the year before...), Honda gets the nod as the head of CR's list, joined in this instance by fellow Japanese automaker Subaru. The leading duo each earned a score of 77 out of 100, putting them three points ahead of cross-town rival Toyota, who's score of 74 was no doubt affected when CR yanked its Recommendation off eight of its products following their recent recall and safety woes.

Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen also performed well, scoring ahead of Ford, which was the highest ranking American automaker on the list. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Saab, and Volvo each earned plaudits for improving on their reliability scores from last year, leaving only one automaker to languish at the very bottom of the list. Drum roll please... Chrysler!

The Pentastar was the only company to score worse this year than last, though there was one lone bright spot shining from Auburn Hills: the Dodge Ram 1500, which is the only Chrysler model on Consumer Reports' Recommended list. Bravo. See the full press release after the break, and keep an eye on your mailbox or a newsstand near you for the complete Auto Issue.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Honda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cards

Honda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 auto issue2010AutoIssuechryslerconsumer reportsconsumer reports 2010 auto issueconsumer reports auto issueconsumer reports automaker report cardsconsumer reports carsConsumerReportsConsumerReports2010AutoIssueConsumerReportsAutoIssueConsumerReportsAutomakerReportCardsConsumerReportsCarshondasubaruWed, 24 Feb 2010 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19369759/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/24/honda-and-subaru-top-latest-consumer-reports-automaker-re/19369759/article-detail.xml 19369759 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/cr-2010-auto_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/cr-2010-auto.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Consumer Reports</i> gets first drive impressions of 2011 Hyundai Sonata]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/08/consumer-reports-gets-first-drive-impressions-of-2011-hyu/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/08/consumer-reports-gets-first-drive-impressions-of-2011-hyu/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/08/consumer-reports-gets-first-drive-impressions-of-2011-hyu/#commentsFiled under: ,

2011 Hyundai Sonata - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai won't be giving the American automotive media its first crack at driving their new 2011 Sonata until next week. However, new Sonatas have apparently already started rolling off the trucks into Hyundai dealers across the country. Unlike the rest of the media horde (Autoblog included), when the folks at Consumer Reports want to test a new vehicle, they actually go out and buy one.

Such was the case last week when they purchased one of the first examples of Hyundai's stylish new mid-sizer. CR tested a base GLS model Sonata and felt that while it does handle better than the 2009 equivalent, it still isn't quite up to the standard of the sportiest examples in the segment including the Ford Fusion and Mazda6. There is, however, a more aggressive SE model which CR hasn't tried out yet, so this might not be a truly apples-to-apples comparison.

CR's testers did feel the interior was an improvement over the outgoing model with higher quality materials and a particularly roomy rear seat. We'll have our own first hand impressions by the end of next week.


Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata


[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports gets first drive impressions of 2011 Hyundai Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 Hyundai2011 Hyundai Sonata2011Hyundai2011HyundaiSonataConsumer Reportconsumer reportsconsumer reports carsConsumerReportConsumerReportsConsumerReportsCarsdrive impressionDriveImpressionhyundaisonataMon, 08 Feb 2010 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19348326/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/08/consumer-reports-gets-first-drive-impressions-of-2011-hyu/19348326/article-detail.xml 19348326 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011sonata000opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2011sonata000opt.jpg <![CDATA[CR says Mercedes B200 could be U.S. bound]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/cr-says-mercedes-b200-could-be-u-s-bound/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/cr-says-mercedes-b200-could-be-u-s-bound/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/14/cr-says-mercedes-b200-could-be-u-s-bound/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Not actual CR car. Their tag says "CR4SHZL."

If you see a white base-model Mercedes B200 tooling around Connecticut, don't get too excited. Yet. You see, that one was bought in Canada (for almost $29k U.S.!) and driven across the border by Consumer Reports for their upcoming small car issue. The CR folks mostly like the little Mercedes and called it a "baby minivan." The big news is that, without citing sources, the magazine's website says the German B-class could be imported into the States.

Which we think would be great. More choice is always better. But Automobile.com drove a 2005 version of the car and said, "The B200, fortunately, is not offered in the U.S." Ouch.

[Sources: Consumer Reports, Automobile.com]

CR says Mercedes B200 could be U.S. bound originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b classb-classb200BClassconsumer reportsconsumer reports b-classconsumer reports carsconsumer reports mercedesConsumerReportsConsumerReportsB-classConsumerReportsCarsConsumerReportsMercedesmercedes b200mercedes economy carMercedesB200MercedesEconomyCarMon, 14 May 2007 10:54:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/895352/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/05/14/cr-says-mercedes-b200-could-be-u-s-bound/895352/article-detail.xml 895352 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/b200_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/b200_450.jpg -1 2