By Ron Amadon
Toyota (TM) dominated Consumer Reports' annual review of what it
considers the best cars and trucks, while Detroit automakers
captured only a single category, top editors of the magazine
announced on Thursday.
But even before disclosing the winners, the magazine
acknowledged that in the auto industry these days, times are tough,
with sharply lower sales as Americans have been battered by the
deteriorating economy and tight credit.
"This is a year unlike any other in the new car market," said
Consumer Reports Auto Editor Rik Paul.
Toyota (TM) was named best midsized SUV for its Highlander; best
small SUV for the RAV4; and best minivan for the Sienna, although
Director of Automotive Testing David Champion admitted, "my wife
would not be caught dead driving a minivan."
The Consumer Reports Best Cars Issues will hit newsstands in
March.
The Toyota Prius took home the award for best green car.
Honda's Accord was named Best Family Car, while the Mazda MX5
Miata captured the Fun to Drive category. The top small car was the
Hyundai Elantra.
Detroit's one category win came in the area of full sized pickup
trucks, with the Chevrolet Avalanche edging out the redesigned Ford
F150.
For the first time, the magazine put together a listing of cars
that, due to a variety of factors including cost of operation and
depreciation, were considered the best value for the dollar.
The Prius Touring model and the Mini Cooper were the two top
finishers. Finishing last among the "bang for the buck" vehicles
was the Hummer H2.
Rounding out the top vehicles of the year - Best Overall
Vehicle: Lexus LS460 and Best Upscale Sedan: Infiniti G37.
Improvements out of Detroit, but still a ways to go
Detroit's three auto makers have made "substantial, incremental
improvements in the reliability of their products," Champion
said.
He said Ford (F) has made the most progress, especially in their
new models, but needs to jazz up their products, which now suffer
from "so-so styling."
General Motors (GM) has some "very good" new models but has been
inconsistent in quality, while Chrysler "has a long way to go" to
catch up, Champion said.
With people keeping their current vehicles longer given the
recession, CR said people should be more vigilant when it comes to
maintenance. Champion said scrimping on maintenance now will only
lead to bigger bills later.
And he urged motorists to call a number of dealers and
independent shops to check on their service costs. Doing so, he
said, would result in consumer savings of up $250, even among
dealers within a short distance of their homes. For example:
Thirty-thousand mile maintenance on a Toyota Camry cost $187 at one
Chicago area dealership but $388 and $400 at two others.
Further, it was recommended that motorists check what
maintenance tasks are recommended by the manufacturers in their
owner's manuals. Frequently, Champion said, shops want to charge
motorists for work that is not recommended and would only increase
the final bill.
Looking to the future, Champion sees various types of
fuel-powered vehicles around the country with battery power in the
East, ethanol in the Midwest, with BioDiesel out west.
"I don't think we are going to have one fuel source that goes
across the whole nation," Champion said. "Each area has its own
unique challenges."
-Ron Amadon; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com