mmarshall

Well, here, I'll shut up and let Consumer Reports do the talking. I have an extremely high opinion of this organization, and how it tests and rates vehicles. My own experience, over the years, has also been very close to theirs.


http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...view/index.htm

Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, but Ford posted the largest gain in the past year, improving in its road-test and reliability scores. General Motors and Volvo also improved in both areas. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer whose scores dropped in both measures.

Our automaker report cards reflect the performance, comfort, utility, and reliability of more than 270 vehicles that we've recently tested. Here are other highlights from this year's analysis:

Honda, Subaru, and Toyota are the top three automakers for the third year in a row. Most of their vehicles do well in our tests and are relatively trouble-free.
Newer GM models have performed well in our tests, but the company still fields a few lackluster cars that drag down its overall score. Reliability has improved, but it's still not stellar.
Chrysler came in last, with the lowest average test score by far. But the company, now run by Italian automaker Fiat, is currently overhauling its lineup. Newer models, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram, have done better in our tests than older models, and we're encouraged by our early looks at upcoming redesigns. Chrysler's reliability needs to improve for the automaker to be competitive.
European cars perform well in our tests, but many have confusing controls and inconsistent reliability. Volvo is the only European make with an above-average reliability score.

Each automaker's overall score is based on a composite of road-test and predicted-reliability scores for all of its models that we've tested. The road tests comprise more than 50 tests we perform, covering performance, safety, fuel economy, comfort, and convenience. Reliability scores come from our Annual Auto Survey. We also show the percentage of each carmaker's tested vehicles that we recommend. We revised our methodology this year, now giving equal weight to reliability and test scores. Previously, test scores carried more weight. So the overall scores are not directly comparable with last year's. We also had insufficient data on one brand we included last year, Mitsubishi.

Asian makes lead the pack

Honda, including its Acura division, has had the best reliability record of any manufacturer and has made mostly good to outstanding vehicles. The subcompact Fit, midsized Accord, and Acura MDX SUV have been at or near the top of their categories for years. In fact, no Honda product scores less than average in reliability. But some new Hondas have been unimpressive, including the CR-Z and Insight hybrids, which didn't score well enough in our tests to be recommended. The redesigned Odyssey, still our top-ranked minivan, dropped a few points in our testing.

Subaru, which has the highest average road-test score, makes only about a half-dozen models, but almost all do well in our road tests and have been reliability stalwarts. The Forester is a top-rated small SUV, and the Legacy, a good-performing sedan, has improved with each generation. Only one model, the sporty Impreza WRX, has below-average reliability.

Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models remain solid choices overall, but some newer Toyotas have slipped in interior fit and finish, with the Sienna minivan and Venza wagon being two recent examples. Two Toyotas, the subcompact Yaris and the FJ Cruiser SUV, have shown superb reliability but scored too low in our road tests for us to recommend them.

Hyundai's overall road-test score is a bit higher than last year's and could further improve with the impressive new models we are now testing.

Ford rules Detroit

Ford has outpaced its crosstown rivals in reliability in recent years. In our road tests, we have been impressed by current Fords such as the Fusion, Flex SUV, and Mustang. Even the new small Fiesta drives nicely. But the Ford Escape and Edge SUVs are nothing special, the large Ford Taurus has limited visibility, and the touch-sensitive controls in some new Fords and Lincolns are difficult to use.

Newer GM vehicles such as the Buick Enclave and LaCrosse, and the Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse, have done well in our road tests and have average reliability. The new Chevrolet Cruze performed well in our tests, but reliability remains to be seen. The below-average reliability of some Cadillac and GMC models hurts the automaker's overall score, as did subpar older models such as the Chevrolet Impala sedan, Colorado pickup, and the outgoing Aveo subcompact.

Europe is mixed

If front-seat comfort, fit and finish, and driving dynamics were all that counted, European cars would rule the roost. As it is, subpar reliability hounds some European brands. Volkswagen's brand reliability has improved of late, but Audi's spotty reliability brings the combined automaker's score down. If the new Jetta sedan, with its low-grade interior and mediocre fuel economy, is an indication of where Volkswagen is headed, it's going in the wrong direction. Mercedes-Benz and BMW, with below-average reliability, are near the bottom of our ranking. Their SUVs, especially, had reliability problems, according to our survey, despite being good performers. And although the BMW 1 Series has an excellent road-test score, it is hobbled by terrible reliability.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

lol, just read everything in red...

but, ever since I found out I had a FoMoCo duratec in my mazda6, i knew ford was up and coming and they're increase in their reliability was no surprise. It's been a solid engine for the most part, i wish i could say the same for the rest of the car.

And, sounds like subaru is doing quite well for itself

mmarshall

The new steering-wheel-attachment problem, of course, hasn't helped it any, especially if it turns out to be more than in just one car.

IS-SV

Pretty much what I expected, not that I select cars by brand (versus specific model). No big deal on CR stating the obvious about brands.

I don't have an extremely high opinion of how CR tests and rates cars, I look to other sources for those purposes and come to my own conclusions for final ratings/rankings/conclusions. I don't even use CR's car safety info, it's too superficial and not even close to the quality and depth of data available via IIHS and NHTSA sources. I do have a fairly high opinion regarding CR's reliability data charts, especially since no other similar quality reliability data is even out there to compare to.

btw - CR does a great review of coffee-makers, CUSINART scoring very high.

mmarshall

Yes, their cars seem better-built than in past years, though, IMO, Ford still needs to work on the fit/finish of some of their interiors....they don't seem to quite equal the latest from GM and Chrysler in interior plushness.


Subies have always been great bad-weather cars, do well in the road-tests, and, as the article states, have generally had good-to-excellent reliability. But the 2010/2011 Legacy and Outback have had some noted steering/suspension problems, and head-gasket issued plauged non-turbo 2.5L Subarus from the late 90s till 2002-2003.

mmarshall

Well, pretty much what I expected, too, but I was posting it for the benefit of the whole CAR CHAT forum, not just you or me.

I agree that there are other good reviews than just CR. And, like you, I have a higher opinion of the CR reliablity-charts than the rest of the publication. But CR takes a lot of their safety-info from the IIHA and NHTSA sources you mention, although, with many SUVs, CR does their own roll-over tests, with outriggers attached on the sides. They occasinally flunk SUVs for that, and rate them Not Acceptable. Examples were the old Ford Bronco, the Jeep CJ-5, the Suzuki Samurai, the 1995-96 Isuzu Trooper/Acura SLX twins, and the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero. Since then, of course, modern VSC systems have made SUV handing safer.

IS-SV

"Well" you gave your opinion and so did I. Nobody said you posted it for my benefit only, other than you.

Note: Your opinion is only one of many which is fine.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Chrysler never does good on these lists. They suck outside of the Jeeps, Rams, Challenger, and Charger. Hopefully things will get better with their other cars.

mmarshall

Grounds for a compliment, I'd say.

IS-SV

Absolutely, solid ground(s). CR showing us some great appliance ratings and rankings.

I highly recommend the CUSINART, been using one for 5 years with excellent results.

mmarshall

Problem is, even with the JGC, Ram, 300, and Charger, the obvious (and notable) improvements have generally been cosmetic, mostly in looks, interior materials/trim, and styling. But the real question, the long-term reliability under the skin, remains yet to be proved. And, unfortunately, we've already had one CAR CHAT member invest in a new 2011 JGC and get burned just in the first few months.

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

Interesting about the Cusinart, but is it Fun to use? That's most important to me.

IS-SV

Well, it's never rolled-over on my kitchen counter.

At when I use a premium blend (Pete's coffee), it gives a pretty good kick.

I totally agree with CR's recommendation on this coffee-maker, it jives with my long-term ownership experience.

Oh sorry, never answered your question. Maybe, maybe not, not really though.