Consumer Reports picks 'Best Cars' - GreenHybrid

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 10:23 AM

Quote:

For 2004 models, Honda Accord Hybrid best family sedan, Ford Focus best small car.

All but one of the vehicles in the magazine's list of "top picks" in 10 different categories for 2005 are Japanese. The exception is Ford's small-sized Focus sedan. Japanese vehicles also score a clean sweep on a list of 21 vehicles that Consumer Reports says it can recommend because they earned "very good" or "excellent" scores in all five major ratings areas it tested.

The recommendations are important since the spring auto issue from Consumer Reports, which accepts no paid advertising or free samples of the products its reviews, has long been seen as a trusted shopping guide by many U.S. car buyers.

- http://money.cnn.com/2005/03/04/pf/a...ex.htm?cnn=yes

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 12:38 PM

I just glanced through the print edition of this Consumer Reports. Here are some observations:

The Lexus RX330 claims the title for best Midsized SUV. Note that the hybrid version of this line, the RX400h, is due out April 15.

The Toyota Prius claims the title for best Green Car. They state the MSRP at $23,000, $3,000 more than the introduction MSRP. Better update the hybrid comparison lineup! It recieved an "excellent" rating for reliability. So much for the cynics.

The Honda Accord claims the title for best Family Sedan. They mention that the Honda Accord Hybrid ranked highest of the Accords, as well.

The Toyota Prius also "drew near-unanimous praise: 94 percent of the 1,640 survey repondents who own or lease a 2004 redesigned Prius said they would definitely get one again." It is the featured automobile in this story.

The entire section points out numerous times the dominance of Japanese cars verses domestic cars in the market. American makes are constantly criticized. There's even an article about Ford's 1.2 million unit recall of SUVs, pickups and cars.

There's an additional snippet about the Hybrid SUVs coming out. the RX400h, Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape Hybrid are mentioned for their "V8 performance" and "V6-like fuel economy."

Jason · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 12:44 PM

I noticed a fatal mistake in how Consumer Reports notes the horsepower of hybrids. Instead of defining the net ouput horsepower, it breaks it down into engine & motor. For instance, for the Prius it states "76+67 hp," which is quite misleading as the vehicle has a maximum net output of 110 hp. CR, if you're reading this, don't do it again!