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发帖数: 608 | 1 10个类别里 TOYOTA 得五个冠军, HONDA 名落孙山
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/consumer-reports-magazine/Ap
Top Picks 2012
The best models of the year in 10 categories
Consumer Reports Magazine: April 2012
A redesigned, significantly improved Camry Hybrid has helped Toyota capture
five of the 10 spots on this year’s Top Picks list. The other Toyotas that
made the cut are the Prius hybrid, the Highlander and RAV4 SUVs, and the
Sienna minivan. This is the first time since 2003 that one brand has so
dominated the list.
In addition to the Camry and Highlander, two other new picks are the Hyundai
Sonata and the redesigned Subaru Impreza. The other selections are
returning models: the Chevrolet Avalanche, Ford Mustang, and Infiniti G.
Toyota’s ability to maintain its competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is
a big factor in its strong presence on this year’s list. But another
factor is today’s weaker minivan field. The current Sienna scored lower in
our tests than its predecessor, but the front-wheel-drive version is the
only minivan that didn’t have below-average reliability in our latest
survey. So it’s the only minivan we recommend.
Our Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories, chosen
from the more than 260 vehicles we’ve recently tested. For car shoppers,
they are a great place to start. To find out how other models stack up, see
our ratings in our model overviews.
Top Picks must meet our criteria in three areas:
Road test. Each must rank at or near the top of its category in overall test
score.
Reliability. Each must have earned an average or better predicted-
reliability Rating, based on the problems Consumer Reports subscribers
reported on 1.3 million vehicles in our latest Annual Auto Survey.
Safety. Top Picks must perform well if included in crash or rollover tests
conducted by the government or the insurance industry.
Each model’s report card shows its overall road-test and predicted-
reliability Ratings, as well as its overall fuel economy in our tests. If
multiple Ratings are displayed, they apply to different versions of a model.
Prices reflect the sticker prices when we bought our test cars. You can
find more details on all of the Top Picks in our vehicle ratings.
Family sedan
Toyota Camry Hybrid
With its 2012 redesign, the Camry Hybrid jumped to the top of the family-
sedan category. One eye-opener for a car of this size is its impressive 38
mpg overall fuel economy, the best in class and even better than some
smaller hybrids that lack the Camry’s performance. Other high points
include a comfortable ride; a roomy, quiet cabin; fairly quick acceleration;
and for 2012, a nicer interior and somewhat crisper handling (although the
Camry is still no sports sedan).
Price: $29,052.
Sporty car
Ford Mustang
The heart of this iconic sports car has always been its strong acceleration
and rumbling V8 power. And the 5.0-liter V8 in our GT coupe and convertible
test cars doesn’t disappoint, providing scorching acceleration, a great
exhaust sound, and good fuel economy for this class. Even the 3.7-liter V6
is punchy and refined, and it’s more fuel efficient than the V8. But now
there’s more to the Mustang than power. Agile handling, a decent ride,
comfortable front seats, and very good fit and finish make the current
version an inviting package. The rear seat is tight but usable in a pinch.
Price: $28,880 to $43,880.
Affordable family sedan
Hyundai Sonata
With last year’s family-sedan pick, the Nissan Altima, due for a redesign
soon, we chose the four-cylinder Sonata as a more affordable alternative to
the Camry Hybrid. For less than $22,000, the Sonata provides a roomy, well-
equipped cabin, supple ride, nimble handling, and thrifty 27 mpg overall.
And despite its swoopy, coupelike styling, the Sonata still provides decent
rear-seat room and rear visibility, unlike many other cars today.
Price: $21,800.
Small SUV
Toyota RAV4
With its inviting blend of performance, fuel economy, and versatility, the
RAV4 continues to set the pace among small SUVs. It also provides a roomy
interior, comfortable ride, and responsive handling, as well as excellent
reliability. With a four-cylinder engine, the RAV4 delivers some of the best
gas mileage in its class. The spirited V6 version accelerates as quickly as
many sports sedans and gets only 1 mpg less than the four-cylinder model.
Its optional third-row seat is small but useful.
A runner-up is the Subaru Forester.
Price: $25,405 to $30,328.
Family hauler
Toyota Sienna (V6)
This versatile minivan fits the bill nicely for families looking for a
comfortable, roomy interior, plenty of features, and the ability to carry up
to eight people. Among its high points are lively performance, decent fuel
economy, and a comfortable ride, although the handling is rather lackluster.
The Sienna is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. But that
version has had below-average reliability, according to our latest survey,
so we recommend only the front-wheel-drive version.
Price: $35,810.
Sports sedan
Infiniti G
With its inviting blend of luxury and driving fun, the G37 stands out from
the crowd. Its agile handling, blistering acceleration, and comfortable,
well-crafted interior make it one of our highest-scoring sedans and have
earned the G a spot on this list for the sixth straight year. This sports
sedan feels at home whether tackling a twisty back road or cruising on the
highway. A snug cabin and small trunk are the only notable weaknesses. The
less expensive G25 model isn’t as quick, but it shares much of the G37’s
inviting package and provides 3 more mpg. Both are available with rear- or
all-wheel drive.
Price: $34,225 to $37,225.
Green car
Toyota Prius
In this dawning age of automotive electrification, the Prius still sets the
standard for its blend of fuel efficiency, practicality, and affordability.
The 44 overall mpg we measured in the hatchback is still the highest of any
five-passenger, non-plug-in vehicle we’ve tested, and the 41 mpg of the new
Prius V wagon easily tops its class. Moreover, its roomy interior,
comfortable ride, and hatchback versatility make it easy to live with. Crash
-test results are excellent. New electric cars have gotten the energy
equivalent of higher mpg figures, but they’re less practical and affordable
.
Price: $26,750 to $28,217.
Small car
Subaru Impreza
Redesigned for 2012, the all-wheel-drive Impreza is a well-rounded sedan
with nimble handling and a compliant, absorbent ride that rivals some luxury
sedans. Fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is impressive for an AWD car. The
roomy interior includes a relatively spacious rear seat, simple controls,
and refreshingly good visibility. The only real shortcoming is so-so noise
isolation. Based on the previous Impreza, we expect above-average
reliability. Last year’s pick, the Hyundai Elantra, remains an excellent
alternative that costs several thousand dollars less and provides slightly
better gas mileage but no AWD.
Price: $21,345.
Pickup truck
Chevrolet Avalanche
The Avalanche provides the best combination of utility and versatility of
any pickup we’ve tested. Its unified bed and cab help give it a steady,
comfortable ride, and the cabin is quiet. The innovative partition in the
rear of the cab can be folded down, so longer cargo can extend into the back
of the cab. A three-piece bed cover provides a weather-tight and lockable
cargo area. We recommend getting the optional backup camera to compensate
for the large rear blind zone.
Price: $47,435.
Family SUV
Toyota Highlander
The Highlander returns to our list after last year’s pick, the V6 Kia
Sorento, dropped to below average in predicted reliability. This refined,
comfortable, and quiet SUV has consistently ranked near the top of its class
in our road-test scores and has had above-average reliability. Its interior
is nicely finished and versatile, with a roomy second-row seat but a tight
third row. The V6 version delivers a decent 18 mpg overall, and the hybrid
model tops all SUVs at 27.
Price: $38,578 to $47,255.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Car Ratings: Consumer Reports Issues New Best List and Honda Gets a Wake-Up
Call
http://www.cnbc.com/id/46559051
Published: Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012 | 1:57 PM ET Text Size By: Phil LeBeau
CNBC Correspondent
The latest results from Consumer Reports should be a wake-up call for Honda
executives [HMC 38.5899 -0.2501 (-0.64%) ]. When I asked David
Champion about the quality and reliability of the latest models tested by
Consumer Reports, Champion said bluntly, “They’re still reliable, but the
re-designs are disappointing. Their fit, finish, steering, and handling all
need work.”
If that isn’t bad enough for Honda, consider his analysis of the interior
of some Honda models compared to the interiors of Big Three models. Champion
tells me, “It’s a complete reversal from 10 or 15 years ago. Honda used
to have the superior interior while Ford and GM had uninspiring and cheaper
looking interiors. Now it has flipped.”
The annual ranking of auto reliability by Consumer Reports is a benchmark
annual report.
Source: Subaru.com
Subaru for the first time has earned the top score in Consumer Reports
automaker report cards for 2012.
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Often, those who slip and fall in the rankings get as much attention as
those who are at the top. That is certainly the case this year.
The Consumer Reports top three auto brands:
1. Subaru
2. Mazda
3. Toyota
Consumer Reports bottom three
11) Mercedes-Benz
12) General Motors
13) Chrysler
So why am I writing about Honda?
Mainly because the Consumer Reports rankings show how much the brand has
slipped.
For the second time in the last three years, Honda has no models selected as
a top pick by Consumer Reports.
What’s the problem?
Champion says “It’s a complete lack of direction.”
Let’s be clear, Honda has had an extremely challenging last year following
the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The supply chain was broken and while
Honda recovered, the Thai floods dealt another blow to the Japanese
automaker.
Still, the review from Consumer Reports confirms what many in the auto
industry have felt for some time. Honda is a brand that needs to reset
itself. Yes, they are still reliable, but these days reliability is not
enough |
