Consumer Reports Magazine's Annual Top Picks

[desertpilot]

Source: Consumer Reports magazine's annual auto issue
3/08/05


Best Pick Sedans:

Honda's Accord Hybrid


"Top Picks":

Honda Pilot
Honda Odyssey
Honda Accord
Acura TL
Subaru Forester
Subaru Impreza WRX
Toyota Prius
Lexus LS430
Lexus RX330


Most reliable vehicle:
Only two problems reported per 100 vehicles.

Hyundai Sonata


Least reliable vehicle:
Tied with 49 problems reported per 100 vehicles.

Lincoln Navigator
Nissan Quest


CR also reported that U.S. automakers have continued a three-year run of increased reliability.

Ford's Focus was pulled in the end due to the model's "poor" performance in the IIHS's recently released side-impact tests.

[krygny]

I haven't gotten my copy of CR yet but I read elsewhere about what's in the issue. I'm surprised a Nissan is on the least reliable list. To me, they'll always be "Datsuns" - i.e., tinny rust-buckets. But reliability-wise they were never that bad.

[stlblues]

Originally posted by krygny
I haven't gotten my copy of CR yet but I read elsewhere about what's in the issue. I'm surprised a Nissan is on the least reliable list. To me, they'll always be "Datsuns" - i.e., tinny rust-buckets. But reliability-wise they were never that bad.

I've got a Nissan Titan that puts the Pilot to shame in the power and quiet cabin department. It's been great. No the fit and finish isn't "Honda". but the ride, POWER, comfort, and driveabilty are better. We took the Titan on a 4200 mile vacation and was far more comfortable than the Pilot on a 2900 mile trip. I've had more problems and QC issues with the Pilot than the Titan.

[Larryl]

CR does some odd things. The 03 V6 4Runner was judged as a vehicle to AVOID because of a voluntary recall on the fuel control system (1,200 vehicles) that was a 20 minute adjustment that did not cause any vehicle to stop, hesitate or leak fuel. The V8 4Runner, esentially the same vehicle except for the engine and transmission was rated as a BEST BUY. That V6 has had no other problems and proven to be a good engine but CR does not upgrade the status. So when you read CR you sometimes have to know what you're looking at or you might pass up a vehicle that you should consider.

[il38694]

Hyundai Sonata is the most reliable car. Do you believe that????

[sski]

Hyundai got off to a bit of a bad start with the pony. Apparently the quality has really come up but it's not Honda/Toyota. I also read if you are looking at a second car, either winter beater or a commuter, a 2 or 3 yr old Hyundai is worth looking at because they still depreciate pretty bad but are a fairly decent car. You could probably pick up a used Sonata for way less than a used Civic.

[stlblues]

Originally posted by il38694
Hyundai Sonata is the most reliable car. Do you believe that????

Hyundia has come a long way. I know a couple of people with them and they have had less trouble with theirs than I have with the Pilot. Watch out Honda and Toyota.

[Dac]

Hi guys,this CR makes me wonder about a few things.So the Hyundai and American cars are very good (or better...) but top European cars arent,is CR on crack ?,oh wait maybe this $$$$ contributions may have something to do with it,after all who cares,i wont loose any sleep over the issue if it going to be a Hyundai Sonata or a BMW (any BMW)....I think it's funny .
Dan

[Larryl]

CR claims they don't take advertising, but remember, they buy millions of dollars of cars from somewhere and they have to sell magazines.....so what does that tell you. If you follow the money, which no one there talks about, there must be more to this pure testing process than meets the eye. These people remind me of the 'borne again Christian' business men that claim purity and steel your pocket book.

Their reporting on safety is sometimes suspect. They hammered Suzuki for a little jeep like vehicle that sold only in the several thousands, but tipped over a few times. At the same time there was Ford with the Bronco II that was easyer to tip over and sold in the hundres and hundreds of thousands over a longer production run, but never a peep from CR. CR does not take advertising, but somewhere, somehow they must take something. The readers may not be paying all the bills. Maybe the regualr magazines are more honest. They only print info-mercials on cars with a lot of useless fluff and carefully avoid anything useful, but you know that when you buy one. CR claims purity and who know what your really getting.

[stlblues]

Originally posted by Larryl
CR claims they don't take advertising, but remember, they buy millions of dollars of cars from somewhere and they have to sell magazines.....so what does that tell you. If you follow the money, which no one there talks about, there must be more to this pure testing process than meets the eye. These people remind me of the 'borne again Christian' business men that claim purity and steel your pocket book.

Their reporting on safety is sometimes suspect. They hammered Suzuki for a little jeep like vehicle that sold only in the several thousands, but tipped over a few times. At the same time there was Ford with the Bronco II that was easyer to tip over and sold in the hundres and hundreds of thousands over a longer production run, but never a peep from CR. CR does not take advertising, but somewhere, somehow they must take something. The readers may not be paying all the bills. Maybe the regualr magazines are more honest. They only print info-mercials on cars with a lot of useless fluff and carefully avoid anything useful, but you know that when you buy one. CR claims purity and who know what your really getting.

Actually, during testing, the Dodge Caravan turned over before the Samurai. I still have a Samurai with 8" of lift and 31" tires. NO ROLL OVER PROBLEMS. I know people with both BMWs and Hyundias. The Beemers have been far more troublesome. A friends 7 series Beemer lives in the shop. He's a doctor so he can afford it though.