Consumer Reports lists its ‘Top Picks’ for 2008

Posted on Thursday 28 February 2008


Influential magazine Consumer Reports has come out with this year’s ‘Top Picks’ comparo, picking the best cars from ten different categories in a field that included over 260 vehicles. For the first time ever, a South Korean manufacturer has been included as a top pick - Hyundai has not just one car, but two cars in two different categories. Another new entrant to the awards, the Lexus LS460L was the highest scoring car in the history of the awards garnering a near perfect 99 out of 100.

The awards are done by category as follows:

* Green Car - Toyota Prius

Chosen for its unbeaten 44mpg in a 5-seat hybrid sedan as well as its reliability.

* Small Sedan - Hyundai Elantra SE

Chosen for its overall package of quality and features, and lots of safety systems, for a relatively low price.

* Family Sedan - Honda Accord

Again, its overall package of smooth ride, refined interior and exterior and roominess saw this car edge out its competitors.

* Upscale Sedan - Infiniti G35 (pictured)

A pleasing combination of sportiness and luxury, with smooth powertrains and agile handling, as well as the choice of AWD.

* Luxury Sedan - Lexus LS 460L

The highest rating car to ever be tested by Consumer Reports, scored well in every category.

* Fun to Drive - Mazda MX-5 Miata

Cheap top-down thrills and a superb chassis saw this car score as high as the Porsche Boxster but at half the price.

* Small SUV - Toyota RAV4

Comfortable, roomy and an enthusiastic engine as well as good fuel economy.

* Midsized SUV - Hyundai Santa Fe

A quiet and expansive interior, good build quality, a refined powertrain, a relatively good ride, and ESC as standard.

* Minivan - Toyota Sienna

Only minivan with AWD, as well as a quiet interior and comfortable ride.

* Pickup Truck - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

A good compromise between practicality and comfort with a good payload rating and impressive comfort for a pickup truck.

via motorauthority

 

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

 

Good to see Toyota and Hyundai dominate the list.

 

Perhaps this will put to rest, once and for all, the negative comments about Hyundai from people who keep harping about the junk that Hyundai produced before the late 90's.

I especially agree with their Santa Fe pick. Having reviewed one, I think it is a superb vehicle for the price.....better, in some ways, than the larger and more expensive Veracruz. The only problem this year with the Santa Fe is the lack of a cargo cover.....but that can be added as an accessory.

 

So what happened with with what they said about the Altima edging out the Accord? That was just a couple of months ago.

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.

Oh. that explains it.

 

In coming years, Hyundai will be consistent on this list as well. Especially on price-points, as the Hyundai line will become the new Honda. IMO!

 

You know that it won't...

 

All I know is that the LS has the best, softest leather. Ever. In the history of cars.

 

Im not understanding why the Prius is listed as 44mpg when the EPA says it averages 46.5 mpg. Im nitpicking here.

 

Most Prius owners, in typical suburban driving, average 45 MPG.

 

Arguably, yes.....but some Jaguars and Rolls-Royces are also in the running.

 

They should have just given it a 100 and gotten it over with...

 

That was the first thing I noticed when I sat in one. I was pissed
that the GS is SO much worse in that regard.

 

Congrats to all the winners, in particular the LS!!!

 

Yay