Consumer Reports 2011

[haviruzz@gmail]

Other highlights from the survey:

• As Ford's star has fallen, Chrysler's has risen. Jeep has moved up seven spots to become the most reliable domestic brand, and all its models for which we have sufficient data scored average in predicted reliability. Chrysler and Dodge moved up 12 and three spots in ranking, respectively.
Excerpted from the title article found on Yahoo/Verizon news today. (I usually take Consumer Reports with many grains of salt.)

• Japanese brands dominate our survey's upper echelons and took the top nine spots. They were led by Scion, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota.
• Jaguar, Porsche, and Audi are at the bottom among brands for which we have sufficient data.
• Many hybrids are proving extremely reliable. The top two models in our survey are the Lexus CT 200h and Honda CR-Z. The Toyota Prius was among the top models, rebounding from brake problems that plagued the current design.
• Family sedans hold up well overall and are led by the Ford Fusion Hybrid. All of the models for which we have data have at least average reliability. In contrast, only one minivan makes that cut: The front-wheel-drive Toyota Sienna is average.
• Heavy-duty, three-quarter-ton pickups are among the most problematic vehicles. With the exception of the turbodiesel Ford F-250, they all scored below average.

For full reliability charts and predicted reliability on hundreds of 2012 models, plus a list of what's up and what's down, visit ConsumerReports.org.

[mikev]

Nice!! Great to see the Z as one of the most reliable hybrids! I'd like to read their complete writeup on the Z once they do it, now that it's in its second year of production...

[haviruzz@gmail]

I owned a 2000 Insight MT w/aircon. On a trip to Nashville (reunion) in the Roanoke-Bristol area of I-81, the Insight IMA would crap out near zero. That was in 2005, IIRC.

Just made the same run, only to Birmingham, AL in the CRZ. This time with wife and two heavy suitcases amd a large 18-quart Koolatron cooler behind my seat (driver) plugged into the CRZ 12V outlet. Wife had to do a bit of gymnastics to get at the cooler's contents; some pitagas (Latvian concoction) and two bottles of excellent champagne for our friends in BHM.

To get to the point, the CRZ IMA never got below 3 nor above 7; either down or back. The biggest challenge on the route was I-24 around Chattanooga; that is really a wild, fun run. Keeps you alert.

Cruise Control: Outstanding!!! In Normal Mode it would hold +- 1 mph regardless of speed, elevation, or grade - 69-75; there are some of the latter grades on I-24. Tried it in Econ Mode: sloppy +-3-4mph and slow response in grade changes.

Averaged about 40mpg overall. Probably could have done better, but with the extra weight, godawful weather, heavy headwinds and crosswinds to contend with too, 40 seems well above the average.

What a great drive and fun machine, None better. And I've driven the Austrian Alps in a 4-banger Healey; so I do have memorable dives for comparison.

[Varmint]

Originally Posted by haviruzz@gmail

And I've driven the Austrian Alps in a 4-banger Healey; so I do have memorable dives for comparison.

I'm jealous. My father is a huge fan of the big Healys. As I recall, the 4 pot actually had a higher top speed than the 6.

[VTEC Mini]

Originally Posted by haviruzz@gmail

Other highlights from the survey:

• As Ford's star has fallen, Chrysler's has risen. Jeep has moved up seven spots to become the most reliable domestic brand, and all its models for which we have sufficient data scored average in predicted reliability. Chrysler and Dodge moved up 12 and three spots in ranking, respectively.
Excerpted from the title article found on Yahoo/Verizon news today. (I usually take Consumer Reports with many grains of salt.)

• Japanese brands dominate our survey's upper echelons and took the top nine spots. They were led by Scion, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota.
• Jaguar, Porsche, and Audi are at the bottom among brands for which we have sufficient data.
• Many hybrids are proving extremely reliable. The top two models in our survey are the Lexus CT 200h and Honda CR-Z. The Toyota Prius was among the top models, rebounding from brake problems that plagued the current design.
• Family sedans hold up well overall and are led by the Ford Fusion Hybrid. All of the models for which we have data have at least average reliability. In contrast, only one minivan makes that cut: The front-wheel-drive Toyota Sienna is average.
• Heavy-duty, three-quarter-ton pickups are among the most problematic vehicles. With the exception of the turbodiesel Ford F-250, they all scored below average.

For full reliability charts and predicted reliability on hundreds of 2012 models, plus a list of what's up and what's down, visit ConsumerReports.org.

Originally Posted by mikev

Nice!! Great to see the Z as one of the most reliable hybrids! I'd like to read their complete writeup on the Z once they do it, now that it's in its second year of production...

I find this terrific! Consumer Reports on more than one occasion has kicked the CR-Z in the lug nuts and "Can not recommend" it in a couple of publications. Their snooty, wanna be fashion trend setters tore or car apart in their reviews on their video report and I am glad to see that actual owners threw it back in their face to show they always don't know what they are talking about and the CR-Z is a great car..

[GoHuskies]

CR uses feedback from owners on more than just breakdowns or rattles... issues with telematics systems such as difficulty of use matter as well. That's where Ford fell due to SYNC. I suspect Audi is down as well due to the new MMI tech such as wifi.

[TwoZs]

Maybe I helped their numbers. I joined their on-line magazine version when car shopping about a year ago and got a survey on my cars from them. My CRZ had a great year while my Ford truck had yet another expensive one.

CRZ = no problems but a loose door seal I didn't mention in the survey as hadn't noticed it then.
Nissan 370Z = some electrical problems with power windows, but otherwise good
3 toyotas including my old '88 Corolla = great year (not that their survey included old cars)
Ford F250 farm truck = another bad year with tow truck rides and the usual two big cash infusions to keep it happy as well as the almost yearly recalls that thing has had since I bought it. I think it was designed to make people hate Fords.

[lilfeat]

Consumers Reports is a poor publication. Rarely do they have a car comparison where they have anything that a car lover cares about when making their decision.
And at this point, other than initial quality, what kind of track record do the Honda and Lexus really have?