Autos Consumer Reports For 2010
Consumer Reports named six new models to its annual list of standouts (Top Picks) by 2010. The list this year, comprising nine different automotive brands, is the most diverse group of standouts in more than a decade. The results of the annual Car (Annual Auto Issue) Consumer Reports, including the outstanding new, were announced today at a press conference at the Washington Automotive Press Association (Washington Automotive Press; WAPA, as its acronym English) in Washington, DC
Mazda5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen GTI, Silverado and Chevrolet Traverse and joined Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Toyota Prius and Lexus LS460L those elected from Consumer Reports as best model year, based on their performance, reliability and security.
“The diversity of the highlights of this year reflects the level of competitiveness that has achieved the industry,” said Rik Paul, Automotive Editor of Consumer Reports. “Car buyers today have more choice than ever when looking good and versatile vehicles.
The highlights of Consumer Reports are the best models in their categories and must meet stringent road tests in addition to meeting stringent reliability and safety. Each of the leading score reaches the highest or the closest of its category among more than 280 vehicles recently tested by Consumer Reports in its Auto Test Center, has an expected average or higher reliability (based on the problems that subscribers reported in the Annual Survey of Consumer Reports’ Auto, covering more than 1.4 million vehicles) and showed adequate performance in general safety when it was tested by the government or the insurance industry. In addition, each model must offer electronic stability control (ESC, by its initials in English), a rescue safety device found, either as standard equipment or as a readily available option. All models offer highlights of this year’s standard ESC and curtain airbags.
In recent years, models of Toyota and Honda had their share in the list of the most prominent of Consumer Reports. But the automotive landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. This year, the Nissan Altima was able to dethrone the Family Sedan Honda Accord and most prominent, and is the first time since 1998 that does not choose a model from Honda.
The Toyota Prius retains its place as a leading eco-friendly car for the seventh consecutive year, while the Lexus LS460L returns to Best of All to Consumer Reports. At the time of publication, sales of Toyota Highlander and RAV4 were paralyzed, and now Consumer Reports has lifted its recommendation for both vehicles out of contention in the Small and Family SUV category.
“The competition is quite fierce, and often the difference between the first and the second may be very small. We believe that all vehicles are highlights of this year exceptional vehicles that stand out in different areas,” adds Paul.
The test programs Consumer Reports is the most complete of any publication or website of the United States. Each vehicle is subjected to more than 50 individual tests, including evaluations of braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety and fuel economy. During the testing process tested every car accumulates about 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations. CR buys all the cars in anonymous testing to vendors. Other reviewers base their evaluations on press cars are chosen by the manufacturers.
These are the Top 2010 for each category.
- SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Elantra SE (us $ 18.695) on the list of outstanding for the third time this year. It’s a solid car and versatile, relatively comfortable, quiet and spacious, with good fuel economy and many features that justify its price. The SE comes standard with ESC, a critical safety feature not found in other small cars (even the Elantra cheaper).
- FAMILY SEDAN: Nissan Altima. The Altima (us $ 23.970 to $ 30.335) was among the best qualified family sedans by Consumer Reports for a couple of years but lacked a readily available ESC. The renovation of 2010 as improved and increased efficiency in fuel economy, and for the first time offered standard ESC on all contour lines. It offers an attractive balance of comfort and performance, and achieves one of the best fuel savings in its class at 26 mpg overall in the four-cylinder models and 24 mpg in the V6. The interior is spacious, well finished and quiet. And its safe handling, comfortable ride and its strong acceleration make it a very pleasant car to drive.
- SPORTS CAR: Volkswagen GTI. The GTI (U.S. $ 27.504), renovated in 2010, is the sporty version of the Volkswagen Golf (formerly called Rabbit). The GTI is fun to drive and easy to get used. It offers agile handling, quick acceleration and steering response of a true sports car, along with a decent place, well-finished interior and cargo convenience of a hatchback vehicle. Another advantage is the good fuel economy of 27 mpg overall, but requires the use of super fuel.
- SMALL SUV: Subaru Forester. The Forester (us $ 20.972 to $ 28.860) offers one of the driving experience more akin to a car of all SUVs. It combines agile handling with a more comfortable ride in its class. Passengers enjoy a spacious cabin with a huge back seat and excellent visibility. The 2.5X has an impressive economy of 22 mpg overall in the automatic version and 24 mpg in the manual. And the turbocharged 2.5XT offers effortless acceleration and 20 mpg, but uses super fuel. The 2.5X showed excellent reliability, while the average level is 2.5XT.
- THE BEST OF ALL: Lexus LS 460L. The LS (U.S. $ 76,572) received an outstanding score of 99 out of 100 in road tests by Consumer Reports and is the highest rated vehicle. It offers a comfortable ride and a luxurious driving field, with a spacious interior with good finishes and exceptionally quiet. It is full of electronic amenities, including an optional self-parking. Anyway, its controls are easy to use. Its efficient 380-hp V8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide smooth acceleration and quick, and relatively good fuel economy of 21 mpg overall. Versions are available with four-wheel-drive and hybrid.
- SUV FAMILY: The Chevrolet Traverse The Traverse (U.S. $ 39,920) stands as an impressive vehicle in general, a quiet and spacious cabin that can be placed up to eight adults comfortably with room for cargo. Provides a pleasant way, driving easy and responsive handling. The tested model yielded a total of 16 mpg, which is respectable for its size. The rear visibility is not the best but small convex side mirrors and a rearview camera additional help.
- SPORTS SEDAN: Infiniti G37. The G sedan (U.S. $ 37,225) tops this category for the fourth consecutive year. One of the sedans tested with best rating, with a score of 95 out of 100. It offers agile handling, acceleration dizzying, a refined powertrain, reasonably comfortable travel and a luxurious interior and high quality. The G37 is so attractive to drive on a winding road as a highway. But its disadvantages include a tight cabin and a small trunk. Rear-wheel drive is standard, the four-wheel drive is optional. Are also available coupe and convertible versions.
- TRANSPORT FAMILY: Mazda5. The utilitarian Mazda5 (U.S. $ 23,805) offers great value in a compact and affordable. With three rows of seats and sliding rear doors, combines the advantages of a minivan with the handling and fuel economy mpg -24 in all-of a truck. The interior is airy, with good fit and finish. It’s fun to drive with nimble sensitivity and comfortable ride. The incorporation of a standard ESC in 2010 improved its emergency management. If you need more space, consider a Honda Odyssey minivan.
- ECO-CAR: Toyota Prius. The Prius (us $ 26.950) was redesigned for 2010 and the category leader for the seventh consecutive year. Still the car more efficient use of fuel in CR’s ratings, with a total return of 44 mpg. The Prius is a nice driving car with a roomy interior, a stable motion, backdoor versatility, and excellent reliability and performance in crash tests. 2010 was the redesign also gave a more solid feel and an EV mode that allows you to travel farther on electric power at low speeds, which is an advantage in slow traffic and congested.
- VAN PICK UP: Chevrolet Silverado. The Silverado 1500 (U.S. $ 37.235) back to the top of the list after a year. The double cab model with four-wheel-drive pickup is well balanced, with a wide cockpit, generous payload capacity, decent ride quality, four-wheel drive available at all times and in models of high range, very good interior fit and finish. The GMC Sierra is identical to the Silverado. His confidence level is average.
The annual number of cars (Annual Auto Issue) Consumer Reports will go on sale March 2 at all the stalls selling magazines. There will be outstanding details of the publication available free at www.ConsumerReports.org. Subscribers will have access to all articles and editing skills.
With over 7 million subscribers to the print edition and online, Consumer Reports is one of the most reliable sources of information and advice on consumer products and services. Make the program more comprehensive vehicle evaluation of all publications or websites of the United States, the auto experts have decades of magazine driving experience, evaluation and reporting on cars. To subscribe, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. You can access information and articles from the magazine online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
APRIL 2010
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I don’t know why cars need ESC and all the other electronic “safety” devices. With cars that have electronics to manage their breaks, accelerators, stability, etc, there will possible be more accidents than ever. I just bought my first car with ABS and I had to change it as I live in a town with cobbled streets and the ABS was confused by the bumps at low speed. Coming up to a stop sign, the breaks would judder eventually stop the car half way accross the junction.
When I grew up, cars were 100% mechanical and there were hardly any accidents. I learned to drive a rear wheel drive, manual gearbox, 1600cc car and I could throw it into a corner knowing how it would react. Nowadays, people think that the car is going to drive for them and so they don’t learn how to drive properly.
Michael
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