Autoblog

FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries

Zach Bowman — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that car thefts in 2009 were at their lowest level in 20 years. Last year, a total of 794,616 vehicles were stolen from their owners - a 17 percent drop compared to 2008. Without a doubt, those numbers are good news for car owners across the country, but the FBI report isn't all roses and sunshine. The government agency also says that while theft numbers are down, so is the number of vehicles recovered after they're stolen.

Last year, authorities were able to return just 42 percent of all stolen vehicles. That number marks a 25 percent decline compared to 2008. The reason? Law enforcement says that thieves are getting smarter all the time, and that most acts of vehicle theft are perpetrated by professionals who are skilled at their trade. Experts recommend following the usual tricks to make sure you're not a victim, including locking your vehicle, keeping valuables out of sight and parking it well-lit areas to make sure your vehicle doesn't wind up on the short list of those stolen in 2010.

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty]

FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports picks side in V6 pony car wars

Zach Bowman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang V6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you've found yourself stuck on the fence between the sultry styling of the Chevrolet Camaro V6 and the downright impressive sports car performance of the Ford Mustang V6, Consumer Reports may just have something to help you make up your mind one way or the other. Those responsible for some of the most aggressive consumer testing in the industry have awarded the Blue Oval a 'Very Good' road test score while the Bowtie was saddled with a mere 'Good' rating. The testers went so far as to say that picking the six-pot in the Mustang didn't take too much away from the car's fun factor, while doing the same in the Camaro did.

That's no surprise to us. We felt the six-cylinder Mustang was fit enough to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Nissan 370Z and Hyundai Genesis Coupe in our recent Battle of the Sixes - something we wouldn't have even bothered to try with the Camaro, let alone the Dodge Challenger.

Consumer Reports also said that the Mustang is 'Recommended' by the company, but the Camaro is too new to have accurate reliability data. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang V6

Gallery: The Joy of Six: 2010 Chevy Camaro V6 RS

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips and Alex Núñez / AOL

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports picks side in V6 pony car wars

Consumer Reports picks side in V6 pony car wars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Crossover, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Toyota

2011 Toyota Sienna - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's generally accepted that every new iteration of any vehicle is somehow better than its predecessor. And that's true of the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan, which is festooned with more goodies (like a 16.4-inch widescreen monitor for rear-seat passengers) and a sportier flair (complete with a sporty SE trim) than the previous generation Sienna. The only question that remains, then, is this: Do those improvements automatically equal a better vehicle?

According to Consumer Reports, the answer is no. And surprisingly, it's not even close, with the new Sienna's overall test score of 80 paling in comparison to the 2010's overall score of 94. The main culprits cited by CR for the plummeting score are poor fit and finish and excessive interior noise - bad enough that CR claims it's not possible to have a proper conversation between front and rear passengers.

So, if not the Toyota Sienna - which held the honor for three straight years - what is CR's top-rated minivan? The six-year-old Honda Odyssey. For what it's worth, there's a new Odyssey coming out next year, but as we've seen from the Sienna, a new model doesn't necessarily equal one that tests better at the influential magazine. It's also worth noting that the new Sienna's overall score is roughly on par with that of the Kia Sedona, which has been available in its current configuration since 2006.

Consumer Reports also tested other people movers, such as the micro-minivan Mazda5 and the large box-on-wheels crossover Ford Flex. Both vehicles got rather positive reviews, and testers found that they may be looked at as realistic replacements for the tried-and-true minivan paradigm of the Toyota Sienna. Check out the official press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Sienna

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated

Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Safety, Hatchback, Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Luxury

Consumer Reports picks the best cars for teens and seniors - Click above for high-res image gallery

The car-savy folk over at Consumer Reports have released a new list of its best picks for vehicles suited for teens and seniors. The group suggests parents looking to send their teens off to school with a newer vehicle should try to avoid the common misstep of assuming that a larger SUV is safer than its smaller, more efficient counterparts. Instead of opting for a heavy roller, Consumer Reports suggests that parents look toward cars with standard traction control and side curtain airbags - cars like the Mazda 3, Scion xB, Honda Accord or Nissan Rogue.

Meanwhile, the publication points to a number of models for seniors that offer good visibility and easy access, including the Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Azera and Subaru Forester XT Limited. As you might expect, CR notes that each of the vehicles on the list can boast at least average reliability and carry the publications' Recommended label.

Interestingly enough, the only vehicle that Consumer Reports recommends for both driver types is the Honda Accord. Check out our galleries of the winners below and hit the jump to peruse the full press release.

Gallery: Consumer Reports Best Cars for Teens

Gallery: Consumer Reports Best Cars for Seniors

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors

Consumer Reports picks best cars for teens and seniors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedans

Zach Bowman — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Nissan, Suzuki

2010 Nissan Altima and 2011 Hyundai Sonata - Click either image above for high-res image gallery

The minds at Consumer Reports have just wrapped up testing on a handful of family sedans. The publication lined up the Chevrolet Impala, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and Suzuki Kizashi for a four-door throw down, and by the time the dust settled, Nissan and Hyundai reigned supreme. Both the four-cylinder Altima and Sonata racked up 'Excellent' ratings from the Consumer Reports testers, but only the Altima managed to walk away with the coveted 'Recommended' badge - the Sonata is too new for CR to weigh in on the Big Hyun's reliability.

Likewise, the Kizashi secured an 'Excellent' rating, though missed out on the honor of being 'Recommended' for the same reason. The same can't be said for the Chevrolet Impala. The Bowtie only managed a 'Good' rating, though it fared poorly enough in testing to be 'Not Recommended.' According to Consumer Reports, the big Chevrolet's disappointing fuel economy, clumsy four-speed transmission and lackluster fit-and-finish simply mean that it's due for a new model in a big way. Hop the jump for the full press release blast.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2010 Nissan Altima

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

[Source: Consumer Reports]
Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2009, (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Consumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedans

Consumer Reports gives top marks to Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata among family sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WSJ brings to light dirty practice of auto awards fees

Zach Bowman — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Earnings/Financials

The free press? It ain't so free. It's no secret that most publications face rising costs and declining revenues, both of which combine to create bottom lines that would shiver even cash-strapped Chrysler's timbers. So it should come as no real surprise that Consumers Digest makes manufacturers pay for licensing associated with the publication's illustrious "Best Buy" awards. But that hasn't stopped the Wall Street Journal from drawing a correlation between the number of nods the magazine hands out and how much cash the winners spend on licensing and advertising.

Here's how it works: Consumers Digest hires freelance auto writers to review vehicles each year. Those vehicles are supplied by manufacturers through short-term loan agreements. Once all of the reviews are in, the editors choose which vehicles are deserving of a "Best Buy" award and which aren't. Once the awards are announced, manufacturers typically want to toot their own horn and brag in advertising. Thing is, Consumers Digest won't allow the carmakers to use their name without paying the piper first. In this case, that means handing over $35,000 for the mention of a first-place win.

Consumers Digest isn't the only publication handing out awards that operates with this business model, but the Wall Street Journal compares the practice to Consumer Reports - a squeaky-clean institution that buys every car it tests from dealerships and refuses to allow manufactures to cite its awards. It's not exactly an apples to apples job.

Even so, the article notes that the number of "Best Buy" awards handed to General Motors increased by 17 percent compared to last year, and that Consumers Digest recommended around half of the Toyota vehicles it tested even in the midst of a wave of recalls from the company.

The Wall Street Journal piece does do a fine job of underscoring the fact that everything you read is best taken with a healthy helping of skepticism. Any publication that ranks products walks a fine line between credibility and keeping the lights on. Consumers would do well to remember that.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

WSJ brings to light dirty practice of auto awards fees originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 May 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus resumes sales of GX 460, software update available to owners

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX 460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sixteen days after the Lexus GX 460 landed on Consumer Reports "Do Not Buy" list and Toyota issued a stop-sale on the luxury 'ute, Lexus has developed a fix for the stability control issue discovered by CR and has begun rolling out the fix.

In a statement issued by Mark Templin, the Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager says that the automaker's engineers were able to recognize and develop a remedy for the stability control system which CR deemed unsafe during its "Throttle Lift Off" test.

In addition to resuming sales, dealers began contacting customers yesterday to start issuing the software update and Lexus owners can expect their GXs to be reprogrammed within a week. For owners who still don't wish to drive their affected SUV, Lexus will continue to offer a courtesy vehicle free of charge. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

Continue reading Lexus resumes sales of GX 460, software update available to owners

Lexus resumes sales of GX 460, software update available to owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota confirms Lexus GX handling issue, hoping to isolate issue soon

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota engineers in Japan have apparently replicated the lift-throttle oversteer problem recently found by Consumer Reports on the new 2010 Lexus GX460 and are working on a fix. Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong has confirmed the existence of the handling problem to The New York Times.

According to the NYT, as soon as CR discovered the problem, they contacted Toyota and worked with the automaker to make sure it understood the organization's test conditions. The engineers in Japan are currently trying to understand the root cause and come up with a robust solution.

For now, Toyota has stopped selling the GX globally until a corrective action is identified, and owners in the field can get loaner vehicles from their dealers until their SUVs are repaired. The solution could end up being either hardware changes or software updates to the stability control, or a combination thereof. For more on the testing and what might be causing the oversteer problem, check out our in-depth analysis.

[Source: The New York Times]

Report: Toyota confirms Lexus GX handling issue, hoping to isolate issue soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota reportedly testing all of its SUV's stability control systems

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Further proof that Toyota is taking Consumer Reports' recent test and subsequent Do Not Buy rating of its Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicle seriously is a report from AutoWeek that the Japanese giant is testing all of the stability control systems used on every single one of its SUV models.

Toyota took the decisive action of issuing a stop sale on its new Lexus GX 460 here in the United States (also in the Middle East and Russia) after CR found that it was possible to coax the big 'ute into a massive sideways slide when the throttle is lifted mid-corner, seemingly defeating the standard stability control in the process. Under certain situations, the tall, heavy vehicle could potentially roll over.

According to Toyota, none of the 5,400 or so owners here in the States have reported any issues with their GX 460's handling characteristics, but that doesn't mean the issue isn't serious. Click here to read our own explanation as to what might be prompting the errant handling woes and expect to hear plenty more on these SUV handling issues in the coming weeks and months.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: AutoWeek]

Toyota reportedly testing all of its SUV's stability control systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't)

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Lexus, Toyota

The latest blow to the formerly sterling reputation of Toyota came this week when Consumer Reports gave the new Lexus GX460 a "Do Not Buy" rating. It's not often that CR gives its worst rating to a vehicle and it's never happened to a Toyota or Lexus product before. In light of recent recall woes, Toyota is taking this news very seriously and has stopped selling the Lexus GX while it investigates the issue.

The reason for the dire rating is what CR considers a major safety risk with the new GX. During the publication's handling tests, the CR drivers experienced significant oversteer (the back end of the vehicle sliding sideways) before the electronic stability control intervened and brought the SUV back under control.

Cornering oversteer is something automakers try to avoid, except on high-performance sports cars. On SUVs with a high center of gravity, this is an especially serious problem because if the vehicle hits a curb, shoulder or other impediment while sliding it's more prone to roll over. During a previous test with the Toyota 4Runner, which shares its basic platform with the Lexus GX, CR didn't experience the same problem. Follow the jump as we examine some possible explanations for the disparity between these two SUVs.

Continue reading Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't)

Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears

Zach Bowman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Consumer Reports has officially given the Lexus GX the automotive equivalent of a black eye. The publication has deemed the high-riding luxury SUV a "safety risk" for its likelihood to go shiny side down during emergency maneuvers, and as such, has put it on the publication's infamous "Do Not Buy" list. During testing, the Consumer Reports crew found that the traction control on the GX would allow the vehicle to slide nearly completely sideways before getting everything in line.

Interestingly enough, while Consumer Reports tested the nearly-identical Toyota 4Runner, that SUV wasn't found to suffer the same problem with the traction control. Is it possible that all of the luxury goodies you'll find aboard the Lexus add enough pounds to overwhelm the vehicle's stability control, or that the Lexus has significantly different programming? It's possible.

So far, Toyota hasn't said much other than that it's concerned with the Consumer Reports findings. Considering that the Japanese manufacturer has had more than its fair share of bad publicity recently, being blacklisted by CR is just another log on the fire.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #173 - with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports

Dan Roth — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, Chrysler, Infiniti, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports joins Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth to talk about the New York Auto Show, offer insight into how CR rates autos, touch on the possible 16.4 million dollar fine for Toyota and consider the Renault/Nissan deal with Daimler that may happen this week. It's an hour and a half before we run out of steam. Enjoy!

Autoblog Podcast #173: with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports

In the Autoblog Garage:

Nissan Cube
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT (long-term intro)
Volkswagen GTI
Infiniti G37
Jeep Patriot
Mercedes CL550 4Matic

News:
New York Auto Show
$16.4 million fine possible for Toyota
Renault/Nissan and Daimler lash-up

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Dan Roth

Guest:
Jon Linkov of Consumer Reports

Runtime: 1:28:45

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #173 - with Jon Linkov from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all

Chris Shunk — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Toyota

Click on the image above to watch the video after the jump

We've seen demonstrations that show how to stop a vehicle experiencing unintended acceleration before, but this newest video from Consumer Reports demonstrates just how crucial a brake override function can be in stopping a throttle gone wild. CR engineer Jake Fisher lines up a pre-recall 2010 Toyota Avalon and a post-repair Camry to compare and contrast the amount of time it takes to bring a vehicle at full throttle to a stop. Hint: There's a big difference.

The Avalon went first, and at 60 mph with the throttle open, it took over 500 feet to come to a complete stop - nearly four times the distance of a normally operating vehicle. Even worse, when the brakes were pumped, the ability to stop the Avalon diminished greatly. Pump the brake two or three times and CR shows that you might as well be driving downhill on a sheet of ice.

Next comes the Camry, which has been retrofitted with a brake override system courtesy of Toyota's recall. The Camry stops at wide open throttle as though the gas pedal is totally disconnected. The result of CR's little video shows that vehicles equipped with brake override can quickly come to a stop even when the throttle is pegged, making unintended acceleration a non-issue. Hit the jump to watch the six-minute video for yourself and let us know if you think all automakers should adapt this technology in the post-jump comments.

[Source : Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all

Video: Consumer Reports makes the case for brake override for all originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Book Review: The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Humor

In 1985, just nine months before the Yugo came to America, Yugo America CEO Malcolm Bricklin and second in command Tony Ciminera toured the Zastava plant in Kragujevac, Yugoslavia. This is where the Yugo 45, the crazy-cheap car Americans would come to know, love and then loathe, would be built and rebadged as the Yugo GV (Bricklin intended GV to stand for "great value," but he never bothered paying the ad firm to spread the word). Ciminera was horrified at what he saw.

Workers would take brand new body panels they'd just finished stamping and toss them onto a pile. Meaning that the new cars would roll off the assembly line dented. Bricklin, of course, failed to see the problem and told Ciminera just to fax the Zastava workers a list of changes needed when the two of them returned to the U.S. The problem with that plan was that the Zastava factory didn't have a fax machine. Once they got one, the fax that Ciminera sent them was over four meters long. And Bricklin was sticking to his fanciful nine-month deadline.

Gallery: The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History

Continue reading Book Review: The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History

Book Review: The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports says Toyota owner loyalty waning

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Toyota

The intense media spotlight has been focused directly on Toyota as its recalls of over 8 million vehicles for acceleration-related issues has begun hitting the Japanese automaker where it hurts most. Toyota sales were down year over year in January and a similar story unfolded for the month of February.

Automotive News is reporting that a recent Consumer Reports survey of Toyota owners shows that the embattled automaker should expect more customers to jump ship in the short-term. The Japanese automaker was leading the industry in consideration as recently as December, as CR data shows that 70 percent of Toyota owners were planning on purchasing a new Toyota when it came time for a new vehicle. Just two months later and the number has dipped to 60 percent, dropping Toyota below Honda in overall consideration.

The negative Toyota press is no doubt hurting the automaker, but the news isn't totally (and completely) bad. While Toyota dropped below Honda in owner loyalty, the Japanese automaker is still ahead of Chevrolet (52 percent loyalty) and Ford (51 percent loyalty). Toyota also fared better with customers 45 and over, as the demographic reportedly has remained loyal to the brand. Customers age 18 to 44, however, are more likely to switch to another brand.

While it looks like Toyota is doing a decent job of weathering the sales storm during its time in the media spotlight, consideration could possibly take another hit in March. CR surveyed Toyota customers prior to the three congressional hearings with the automaker.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req. | Image: Philippe DeSmazes/AFP/Getty]

Consumer Reports says Toyota owner loyalty waning originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports may restore Toyota "Recommended" ratings next week

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Consumer Reports may be ready to offer a vote of confidence in Toyota, depending on the outcome of the Japanese automaker's current Congressional Hearings on Toyota Safety here in the United States, says CR Senior Director David Champion.

At the end of January as news was starting to pile up regarding reported cases of unintended acceleration and the subsequent recalls of nine Toyota models (totaling 2.3 million vehicles), CR decided to pull its Recommended rating from the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix (and its twin, the Pontiac Vibe), RAV4, Sequoia and Tundra.

Says Champion, "We're looking at a daily basis at the recalls. We want to be sure that the recalls are being performed." Assuming that Toyota's efforts to repair faulty gas pedals remain on track, it would seem CR has enough faith in the automaker to give back its coveted Recommended ratings.

And what of suggestions that there may be more to Toyota's unintended acceleration woes than faulty floor mats and gas pedals? "We want to see if anything bubbles up from the Senate hearings... A lot of people pointed to the electronics, but I don't see anything at the moment that points to an electronic issue."

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: AOL Autos | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Consumer Reports may restore Toyota "Recommended" ratings next week originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports releases annual list of American Top Picks, Ford the big winner

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Each year that Consumer Reports offers up its annual list of Top American Picks, it seems less and less a consolation bracket and more like a reasonable set of choices. To wit, if you wanted the very best family-sized SUV (Chevrolet Traverse) or fullsize pickup truck (Chevrolet Silverado), Consumer Reports will tell you that you're best off choosing American, regardless of which list its from.

Further, CR has found the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan twins have proven to be more reliable than a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Blasphemy, you say? To borrow a marketing phrase from the Blue Oval itself, Drive One and find out for yourself. We have, and we found out that it's a great car. Apparently, it's also reliable. Not surprisingly, the Fusion managed to earn two more awards in its hybrid guise, including CR's Best Overall Car.

All told, seven of the 10 awards handed out by CR went to Ford - an impressive performance. Two Top Picks were filled by vehicles from General Motors while Chrysler didn't have a single model on the list, which isn't particularly surprising since the Dodge Ram is the only model from the Pentastar that CR even recommends. Click here to check out the rest of the winners from CR.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports releases annual list of American Top Picks, Ford the big winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda and Subaru top latest Consumer Reports automaker report cards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Honda, Subaru

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.

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

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Etc., Recalls, Hatchback, Honda, Toyota

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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Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Luxury, Off-Road

2010 Consumer Reports Top Pick Cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

Each year, the automotive editors of Consumer Reports select their Top Pick Cars, representing vehicles that are the best in their individual segments. These cars are deemed to have "average or better" predicted reliability and have scored high marks in government safety testing. In past years, automakers like Honda and Toyota have dominated this list, but since more and more manufacturers are ramping up their quality within each competitive segment, the 2010 list proves to be the most diverse CR Top Picks group in over a decade.

So, which cars garner the most praise from CR? The Nissan Altima has officially dethroned the Honda Accord from the top family sedan spot, the Volkswagen GTI takes honors as the best sporty car, the trusty Subaru Forester takes the cake in the small SUV category, the quirky Mazda5 wins for best family hauler, and both the Chevrolet Traverse and Silverado stand tall as the best family SUV and pickup truck. These six newcomers join the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Toyota Prius and Lexus LS460L to round out the entire list of Top Pick Cars.

Unlike most automotive media outlets (Autoblog included), Consumer Reports actually buys its own test cars before putting them through rigirous evaluations of handling, braking, comfort, safety and more, and each test car is roughly 6,000 miles older by the time all of the tests have been completed. Follow the jump to read the official press release from CR, and scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of all the 2010 Top Pick Cars.

Gallery: 2010 Consumer Reports Top Picks

[Source: Consumer Reports - sub. req.]

Continue reading Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity

Consumer Reports adds six cars to Top Picks list, touts diversity originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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