Gojirra99

Consumer Reports New Top Picks for 2008: Hyundai Elantra SE, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Silverado and Lexus LS 460L



First time a South Korean automaker represented in Top Picks



First time since 2005 a U.S. model makes list for pickup truck



YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports has
named four new models to its Top Picks list for 2008 -- the Hyundai Elantra
SE and Hyundai Santa Fe as top choices for small sedans and midsized SUVs,
respectively; the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado as the top choice for
pickup truck; and the Lexus LS 460L as the best luxury sedan.



The announcement was made today during a Washington Automotive Press
Association (WAPA) press conference. Details can be found in CR's Annual
April Auto Issue, on sale Tuesday, March 4.



This marks the first time that a South Korean automaker -- Hyundai --
is represented, and the first time since 2005 that a U.S. model -- the
Chevrolet Silverado -- has made the list. Historically, Consumer Reports
Top Picks have been a blend of Japanese, European, and domestic models, but
for the last two years the Top Picks have all been from Japanese
manufacturers.



The Toyota Prius remains the Top Pick in the "green" car category for
the fifth year in a row. The Prius demonstrated an excellent 44 mpg overall
in Consumer Reports' real-world fuel economy tests, the best of any
five-passenger vehicles tested by CR.



Consumer Reports' Top Picks are the most well-rounded models in their
categories and must meet stringent road test, reliability, and safety
requirements. Each Top Pick scores at or near the top of its category among
more than 260 vehicles CR recently tested at its Auto Test Center; has
average or better predicted reliability (based on the problems subscribers
reported on in CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of almost 1.3 million
vehicles), and performed adequately in overall safety if tested by the
government or insurance industry.



Starting this year, they also must provide a critical safety feature,
electronic stability control (ESC), either as standard equipment or as a
readily available option. That's why the Honda Accord, for example, is the
Top Pick in family sedans over the Nissan Altima. The Altima scored
slightly higher in CR's testing, but offers ESC only as a pricey option on
the V6 and standard on the hybrid model.



"All the vehicles in Consumer Reports' Top Picks list are standouts for
performance, versatility, reliability, and safety," said David Champion,
senior director of automotive testing, Consumer Reports. "CR's Top Picks
list is a great place for consumers to start when they're looking for a new
car."



Consumer Reports' testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any
U.S. publication or Web site. More than 50 individual tests are performed
on every vehicle, including evaluations of braking, handling, comfort,
convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Around 6,000 miles of general
driving and evaluations are racked up on each test car during the testing
process.



Here, by category, are the issue's best performers. Changes from last
year's Top Picks list are noted:



-- SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Hyundai Elantra SE ($18,000) is
a well-rounded small car that provides good fuel economy, a comfortable
ride, and an interior that's quiet, roomy, and well-equipped. The SE also
has standard electronic stability control, a proven safety feature that's
absent on many other small cars. The Honda Civic EX and Mazda3 scored
almost as well and are more fun to drive, but lack ESC on more affordable
versions. (Last year's Top Pick for Small Sedan was the Honda Civic.)



-- MIDSIZED SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe. Redesigned for 2007, the
much-improved Santa Fe ($22,000 to $31,000) edged out the Honda Pilot in
CR's tests. It provides a quiet and roomy interior, excellent fit and
finish, a refined powertrain, a relatively good ride, and an optional
third-row seat. Standard ESC helps provide secure handling. (Last year's
Top Pick for Midsized SUV was the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.)



-- PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. The redesigned
Silverado ($27,000 to $39,000) is considerably improved. It achieves a nice
balance between work attributes and livability, including a generous
payload rating, a comfortable ride, improved interior quality and steering
feel, and easy access. ESC is standard on all crew-cab models. The GMC
Sierra is virtually identical to the Silverado. The redesigned Toyota
Tundra outscored the Silverado in CR's tests, but first-year reliability of
the 4WD, V8 version was below average.



-- LUXURY SEDAN: Lexus LS 460L. With a score of 99 out of 100 in CR's
road test, the LS 460L ($77,000) is CR's highest-rated vehicle. It provides
a no-compromise environment of comfort and roominess, coupled with an
isolating quietness. It also delivers quick acceleration and relatively
good fuel economy. While it's brimming with electronic amenities, its
controls are easy to use. (Last year's Top Pick for Luxury Sedan was the
Infiniti M35.)



-- FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord. The Accord ($22,000 to $31,000),
redesigned for 2008, is a well-rounded roomy sedan with a comfortable ride,
agile handling, and smooth, refined powertrains. Electronic stability
control is standard on all models, and crash-test results are impressive.
Although the Nissan Altima edged out the Accord in CR's ratings, most
affordable versions of the Altima lack ESC, a requirement to be a Top Pick.
(This is the sixth consecutive year that the Accord was named a Top Pick
for Family Sedan.)



-- UPSCALE SEDAN: Infiniti G35. The G35 ($33,000 to $35,000)
successfully blends sportiness and luxury. Available in rear- or all-wheel
drive, it has an exuberant powertrain, agile handling, and a well-crafted
interior. (This is the second consecutive year the G35 was named Top Pick
for Upscale Sedan.)



-- FUN TO DRIVE: Mazda MX-5 Miata. The MX-5 ($27,000) won drivers over
with its balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crisp-shifting
six-speed manual transmission. It virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in
CR's test scoring, but it's roughly half the price. The manual top can be
lowered and raised with one hand from the driver's seat, making open
motoring a snap. (Unchanged from last year.)



-- SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4. The impressive RAV4 ($23,000 to $30,000) is
versatile, comfortable, and roomy enough for a small third-row seat. The
spirited V6 version accelerates quickly (the same as a Mazda Miata from 0
to 60 mph), yet delivers an excellent 22 mpg overall. The four-cylinder
version gets 23 mpg, the best of any nonhybrid SUV CR has tested.
(Unchanged from last year.)



-- MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna. The Sienna ($24,000 to $37,000) is CR's pick
for the second year in a row. Its spacious, quiet, and refined interior is
on par with some luxury sedans and its V6 engine is powerful and fuel
efficient. It is also the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. The
Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, is more agile and fun to drive.



-- GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius. The gas/electric Prius hybrid ($24,000)
retains its lock on this category for the fifth straight year. Despite a
wave of new hybrid models, the Prius' 44 mpg overall is still the best CR
has measured in any five-passenger car. The interior is roomy and
versatile, and the Prius has been very reliable.



CR's Annual April Auto Issue is on sale from March 4 through June 4.
The Consumer Reports Auto Issue is available wherever magazines are sold.
Free highlights from the April Auto Issue will be available at
http://www.ConsumerReports.org.



Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and
advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most
comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the
magazine's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and
reporting on cars. To subscribe to Consumer Reports, call 1-800-234-1645.
Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at
http://www.ConsumerReports.org.



APRIL 2008

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it
may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports(R)
is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit
organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe
marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect
themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To
maintain our independence and impartiality, Consumers Union accepts no
outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the
interests of consumers. Consumers Union supports itself through the sale of
our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few
noncommercial grants.



SOURCE Consumer Reports

encore888

Excellent! The LS 430 was the Best Luxury Sedan in 2004 and 2005; now the 460 L takes the award in 2008, and has the highest overall score ever to boot. Well done!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

wow, just wow. very nice to see that the ls460 take back the crown

so who won for 06 and 07? i wonder what difference between 07 and 08 that makes the ls460l win this year. i don't recall much difference in the market between 07 and 08

RXSF

2007 was won by the Infiniti M45. i dont think that even counts as a luxury sedan, but i guess CR didnt specify prestige luxury sedan or just any luxury sedan

DustinV

When was Consumer Reports founded?

encore888

CR published its first issue in 1936.

It's pleasant news to see the LS 460 L win, btw the reason why it wasn't eligible in 2007 was because that CR had not completed its test for the new LS yet. The test was finished as part of CR's "Ultra-Lux" comparo between the LS 460 L and S550, which the LS won with the 99/100 score at the end of 2007.

At the time it seemed to me that the new LS had priced itself out of the luxury category won by the $55,000 LS 430, but apparently the unprecedented high score (higher than the LS 430 even) allowed the LS 460 L to take the "Best Luxury Sedan" title yet again.

This title had been advertised in CR for the LS 430 as the "Best Car We Ever Tested" - a title now belonging to the LS 460 L.

Gojirra99

1936, look at history on their website ...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

interesting facts there. now it kind of make more sense. the m45 beating out the ls460 (and s class), that was odd

DustinV

1936? Somehow I get the feeling that Consumer Reports simply loves Lexus a bit too much and that BIAS gets in the way. I mean there would have been tons of interesting and technologically advanced cars over the years that would have fit the bill. Unless Consumer Reports started testing for different criteria recently.

Furthermore the Infiniti M to me isn't a luxury car but a premium sports sedan. The Lexus GS is a much better luxury car than the Infiniti M in my opinion (and the M the better sports sedan). So why would Consumer Reports place the Infiniti M in the "luxury car" section? Beats me...

Anyway, I like the LS, but I also love the Mercedes S class. To me, the S class still has a slight edge over the Lexus in terms of appeal and class. I guess the S class has heritage and reputation backing it up.

astrotoy

Having been a subscriber to Consumer Reports for close to 40 years, they used to rank Mercedes consistently at the top. What happened was that the quality control for Mercedes went down the tubes around the time of the reunification of Germany (around 1990) which was about when the Lexus was introduced. As a subscriber, you get an annual report that you can fill out which describes your repair experience with your car - so the "love" CR feels for Lexus has a lot to do with the actual experiences of their readers, a very large data base. The time period for the survey is also much longer (8 years) than the J.D. Powers surveys which are for a few months. You will notice that within the past few months, some Toyota and Lexus models have fallen in reliability ratings from CR - again an objective measure of reports from their subscribers, and a warning to Toyota and Lexus on QC issues. I buy my cars on the basis of both styling/features and reliability. Having been a former MB owner who paid much too much in repairs, CR only confirms my experience.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yes i also recall CR ranking high on mb and people were saying they were biased against mb, etc... funny to see how now some say they are biased against lexus

one thing i will admit and agree. lexus needs to focus on quality. that's one thing that can jeopardize their reputation

Seize

Kudos to Lexus and the LS460

rogersmith

Gotta give credit where credit is due:
From Consumer Reports 2008.

Luxury sedan: Lexus LS460L

Cost: $77,000

The LS460L came one point shy of a perfect 100 in Consumer Reports' road tests. It combines a smooth ride and quietness with quick acceleration and good fuel economy.

Despite loads of high-tech electronics, Consumer Reports found the controls easy to use.

Soldier76

Wow, I always thought CR was extremely hypercritical when it came to reviewing cars and wouldn't expect them to give the LS460L this high of a score. That just goes to show you why Lexus is ahead of the Germans in reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Not to say that Mercedes, BMW, AUDI, and other german brands aren't more fun or engaging to drive (truly subjective in many ways), but most people at the end of the day wants a car with the fewest problems (that'll hit their pockets hard) and best all around comfort.

SlangBlade

... you mean 6 years and a half years ago?