Consumer Reports assembles an "All American" Top Picks list

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]