Out of a broad range of 200 vehicles considered, Consumer Reports is putting the Honda Fit on top for not only the best value in small cars, but the best overall value, as well.

Vehicles were scored based on cost of ownership, performance and reliability in segments spanning from small cars up to luxury sedans. The data more specifically includes road-testing, five-year ownership costs, how well the models hold their value, insurance rates, finance interest rates, fuel economy, maintenance and repair costs and reliability.

“A low price doesn’t necessarily make a car a good value,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. “A cheap vehicle can wind up costing you more money over time or can be disappointing down the road. We think real value is what you get for your money.”

The Fit wasn’t the only car Japanese automakers had on the top of the Consumer Report’s lists, with the majority of the top values coming from Japan. Additionally, 34 of the 48 best values are from Japanese automakers, while 5 come from the U.S., 3 are South Korean, and 6 are European.

Eleven segments were included in the evaluation, which include family sedans, small cars, sports cars, wagons, minivans, luxury sedans, small and mid-sized SUV’s, large and luxury SUV’s, and full and compact sized pickups. In general, hybrids tend to retain their value and score high, while SUV’s usually do better than minivans because of minivans low reliability.

Out of all of the categories, small cars and family sedans rank highest in value, with the Golf TD, Scion xD, and Toyota Prius hybrid making the list.

While the Honda Fit did the best for small car value, the Chevrolet Cruze 1LT did the worst. As for the upscale and Luxury class, the Lexus ES350 has the best value. The small SUV segment was led by the Toyota RAV4.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Toyota’s new 2012 Camry sedan has received a ‘Recommended’ rating from Consumer Reports magazine, which has been pretty critical of Japanese models as of recently.

“The Camry has a nicer interior, more responsive handling, and better fuel economy than before,” Consumer Reports said. “In fact, the four-cylinder model’s 27 mpg overall ties with the Hyundai Sonata for the best fuel economy among conventional gasoline-powered family sedans.”

Click here for more news on the Toyota Camry.

While Toyota has always fared well with Consumer Reports, the company’s Tundra, Lexus GS and older versions of the Camry struggled to impress the non-profit organization.

- By: Omar Rana

Recently, angsty consumers and of course ‘the internet’ have not been kind to the new and perhaps uninspired Honda Civic; there is some hope though as Consumer Reports has just awarded the sportier Civic Si the “recommended” designation.

The news comes from a comparo between the Si and the VW Jetta GLI; though many feel that the GLI is no longer the sedan version of the spicy Golf GTI, it still outscored Honda’s offering in the test.

“The Civic Si has a great powertrain, but it needs a better car wrapped around it,” said David Champion, sr. director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center.

This may sum it up for most individuals looking to buy a normal Civic. CR cited simple ergonomic gambles Honda took when reinventing the previously successful Civic: the stereo is controlled by a single knob, which CR said is “tedious”. They also said that despite all of the glass, good head and knee room, there is not enough space for the driver’s right leg, thanks to a swollen center console. On a positive note, the Si gets 29 miles to the gallon, and according to CR, the engine is relaxed for everyday driving, offering excellent low end torque and exciting power at high revs.

It is important to point out that the GLI is not recommended by Consumer Reports just yet as it has not been out long enough for them to determine reliability.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

“The redesigned Audi A6 has been significantly improved and now ties the Infiniti M37 for the top spot in Consumer Reports’ midsized luxury sedans Ratings,” Consumer Reports said. “The Audi was tested as part of a group of four luxury sedans in the magazine’s January issue.”

Click here for more news on the Audi A6.

The A6 improved from its previous score of 79 with improvements in strong acceleration, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a quiet, well-finished interior.

“The redesigned Audi A6 is an impressive car and a joy to drive,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT.

- By: Omar Rana

Two vehicles that Consumer Reports wasn’t to fond of during their recent tests were the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the all-electric Nissan LEAF. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid scored 69, 20 points below the previously-tested and more popular conventional Sonata GLS. The Nissan LEAF ended up scoring a 78, which places it midpack among 6 fuel-efficient hatchbacks that Consumer Reports recently tested.

Click here for more news on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

“The Sonata GLS is among Consumer Reports’ highest-rated family sedans. Although the Sonata Hybrid gets better fuel economy than its non-hybrid doppelganger, the trade-offs in driveability, refinement, and braking performance are too high,” Consumer Reports said in a statement. “The car stumbles and hesitates as it makes the transition from electric to gas power and both handling and braking are less capable.”

Click here for more news on the Nissan LEAF.

“The Leaf, which is the first widely available and affordable all-electric car, is a civilized vehicle with very low running costs,” Consumer Reports said. “It’s quick, very quiet, rides comfortably and is easy to get in and out of. The Leaf’s main drawbacks are a limited driving range of only about 75 miles per charge, and it takes a long time to recharge, about 6 hours on 240V.”

Refresher:

• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: The 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is powered by a 2.4L Theta II engine making 169-hp at 6,000 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to an electric motor that makes an additional 40.2-hp and 151.2 lb-ft of torque. Working together side-by-side, both units develop a total of 209-hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can also operate in EV-only mode at speeds of up to 62 mph. Fuel-economy is rated at 35/40 mpg (city/highway). Prices start at $25,795.
• Nissan LEAF: Power for the 2012 Nissan LEAF comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan LEAF allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 90 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2012 Nissan LEAF will start at $35,200.

- By: Omar Rana

“Very few of the 116 Volt respondents had any serious problems in the first few months of ownership,” Consumer Reports said in a statement. “To be recommended a vehicle must do well in our testing, have average or better reliability, and perform adequately in independent safety tests (if included).”

Consumer Reports said that in its testing of the Volt, it found that the plug-in hybrid delivers quick and quiet acceleration, has very low running cost in electric mode and offers an overall fuel-economy of 99 mpg. However, the publication said that the Volt has limited visibility and seats only four people.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

Refresher: The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, ‘T’-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 379   miles. The 2012 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt start at $39,995 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $32,495.

- By: Omar Rana

Chrysler has made a huge comeback post-bailout and their latest products speak for themselves. In fact, they’ve made such a huge improvement that Consumer Reports scored the Chrysler 300 C as “Excellent” in an overall road and called it “the best Chrysler sedan we’ve seen in decades.”

Scoring 80 in CR’s latest test of four upscale sedans, in comparison the previous generation scored only a 64.

“The 300C’s quick, muscular 5.7-liter V8 engine is now complemented by responsive handling and a more comfortable ride,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. “And, thanks to a major upgrade, its roomy interior is now quieter, more luxurious, and has improved visibility.”

Click here for more news about the Chrysler 300.

The other competitors in the test were the Hyundai Genesis, the Toyota Avalon and the Acura TL. Still leading the comparison was the Hyundai Genesis and after receiving a mid-cycle refresh, the Genesis received an “Excellent” rating of 92.

- By: Chris Chin

Honda’s future is very much in question. The Japanese make is well known for making fun, reliable, well-built and attractive cars for an affordable price. But as time has progressed, we’ve observed that Honda and their luxury subsidiary, Acura, have resorted to riding on their reputation and have cut many corners on their cars as of recent. It’s a damn shame. And to add insult to injury, Honda’s latest Civic scored too low on Consumer Reports’ latest comparison, in which they said the Civic rates too low to be recommended. A Honda too low to be recommended? That should be a big red flag for the Japanese make that says: “You’re doing it wrong!”

Specifically, the resdesigned Civic LX’s score dropped an entire 17 points to a mediocre 61 out of 100, versus last generation’s 78. Consumer Reports said that the latest Civic’s handling is too pedestrian with a lower ride quality than its predecessor. Additionally, long stopping distances and pronounced road noise pin the current Civic in its deserved place.

Click here for more news on the Honda Civic.

“While other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center.

Placing just below the new Civic is the Volkswagen Jetta, which has equally received as poor of a review as the Civic. Out of the cars in its class, Consumer Reports recommended the redesigned 2012 Ford Focus and the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

Consumer Reports will be unveiling their full report on small sedans and hatchbacks for the 2011-year in its September issue of the magazine where other full-detailed reports on other cars will be provided.

Refresher: The 2012 Honda Civic Sedan is powered by a 1.8L inline 4-cylinder engine making 140-hp at 6,500 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque of 4,300 rpm. The Civic Sedan gets an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 28/39 mpg (city/highway) and 32 mpg combined when mated to an automatic transmission (standard on Civic EX Sedan and all EX-L models). A manual transmission is standard on the Civic DX and LX (automatic transmission available). Prices start at $15,805.

2012 Honda Civic Sedan / 2012 Honda Civic Coupe:

- By: Chris Chin

A test of eight Chrysler Group LLC vehicles by Consumer Reports has revealed that the company’s cars are getting better – however the level of improvement varies from car to car.

Consumer Reports said that the Dodge Durango and the Dodge Charger have improved the most.

“Both the V6 and V8 tested versions of the Durango SUV received ‘Very Good’ road test scores which now makes them comparable with the redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer,” the publication said. “However, they score well below rivals like the Toyota Highlander and the Chevrolet Traverse. The Charger Rallye also received a “Very Good” road test score and now ranks close to the Ford Taurus and Buick LaCrosse.”

The Chrysler Town & Country, which is virtually the twin of the Dodge Grand Caravan, earned a score of “Very Good.”

“It’s clear that Chrysler is on the right path, but they still have a long way to go,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. “We see major improvements for models that have had a significant redesign. When Chrysler invests the time and money in a true redesign, the result has been a much more competitive model.”

Consumer Reports also tested the new Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger, Jeep Compass, Dodge Journey, and Jeep Patriot but was unimpressed by the vehicles. Those vehicles scored at or near the bottom of their respective categories.

Consumer Reports will also be testing the updated Chrysler 300C, Dodge Challenger, and the new Fiat 500. Those vehicles weren’t available in time for testing.

- By: Omar Rana

The Infiniti G25 sedan and the Buick Regal Turbo scored ‘Excellent’ and ‘Very Good’ in overall road tests, respectively, in Consumer Report’s latest round of testing a group of four sport Sedans. The test also including the Audi A4 and the Volvo S60.

“The G25 now ranks second overall in Consumer Reports’ recent tests of 13 sports sedans, behind the larger engine Infiniti G37,” Consumer Reports said. “The G37 was CR’s Top Pick in the sports sedan category Buick’s Regal Turbo is now mid-pack in the rankings, slightly outpointing the less expensive and non-turbo Buick Regal.”

The 2011 Infiniti G25 Sedan is powered by a 2.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 engine making 218-hp and a peak torque of 187 lb-ft. It comes standard with a 7-speed automatic transmission and is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The 2011 Buick Regal Turbo is powered by a 2.0L Ecotec 4-cylinder turbo engine making 220-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The Volvo S60 now ranks 10th out of the 13 sports sedans tested and the A4 now cranks 12th.

“The Regal is a well-honed sedan with a taut, steady ride, sporty handling, and excellent fit and finish,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT.

You can read more in the Annual April Auto Issue.

- By: Omar Rana

According to a new survey of 911 adult car owners in the United States conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center, 56 percent expect their next new vehicle to be the same size as the model they currently own. However, those looking to go smaller are motivated by improved fuel economy, lower maintenance and repair costs, environmental concerns, and improved reliability.

“Despite the common drive to reduce car-operating costs, not everyone wants to downsize. Many young drivers have older vehicles, and as their careers grow, there is a natural ambition to have a new or newer car that is more comfortable and reliable—often that means stepping up from a small car to a midsized sedan or other vehicle. This younger demographic may also be in their family-starting years, and likely in need for more passenger space,” said Jeff Bartlett, deputy online editor, Consumer Reports Cars.

Among those surveyed, a quarter plan to downsize, while 19 percent actually expect to buy a larger vehicle.

Reasons for downsizing include:

• Improved fuel economy (92 percent)
• Lower maintenance and repair costs (71 percent)
• Environmental concerns (67 percent)
• Improved reliability (67 percent)
• Lower purchase price (65 percent)
• Don’t need the passenger / cargo space (61 percent)
• Improved safety (59 percent); Don’t need as much power (54 percent).

Reasons for upsizing include:

• Need more passenger / cargo space (80 percent)
• Improved comfort (72 percent)
• Improved safety (66 percent)
• More reliable (60 percent)
• Improved fuel economy (55 percent)
• Lower maintenance and repair costs (50 percent).

- By: Omar Rana

When you see one publication rate a vehicle positively while another rates it negatively – it isn’t because one publication is better or more knowledgable than the other – they both just perceive a particular model in different manner.

Since we haven’t driven the 2011 Ford Explorer we can’t really comment on the new midsized SUV from Ford; however the folks over at Consumer Reports don’t seem so impressed by it.

In a test of three midsized SUVs – including the new 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the diesel 2011 Volkswagen Touareg TDI – the Highlander Hybrid outpointed the others and posted an overall road test score of “Excellent.” The V-dub Touareg came in close behind the Highlander and now ranks fourth overall in CR’s ratings of midsized SUVs. The Explorer fell short in this competitive market segment and now ranks 17th out of 19 vehicles in the category.

Click here for more news on the Ford Explorer.

Here’s what Consumer Reports had to say about the new Explorer:

The redesigned Explorer is much improved over the previous model, but it still doesn’t compete with the best in this class. The Explorer has a steady and compliant ride and decent fuel economy, but the engine is noisy and handling is not agile, even for this class. The Ford Explorer XLT ($39,275 MSRP as tested,) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine that provides lively performance and 18 mpg overall. The six-speed automatic transmission is sometimes slow to downshift. Braking is very good. The optional MyFord Touch dashboard design is overcomplicated and distracting to use. The interior is mostly well-finished. The cargo area is generous.

Refresher: Power for the 2011 Ford Explorer comes from a 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 engine making 290-hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission or the optional 6-speed SelectShift automatic. Ford will also offer an 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled EcoBoost engine making 237-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Also mated to a 6-speed automatic, the EcoBoost Explorer is expected to deliver a 30 percent increase in fuel-economy. The 2011 Explorer will hit dealerships with three trim levels including base, XLT and Limited. Prices start at $28,190.

2011 Ford Explorer:

- By: Omar Rana

The redesigned 2011 Kia Optima beat the high-selling Honda Accord in a face-off between the two family sedans during a test conducted by Consumer Reports. The 2011 Kia Optima now ranks sixth among the top 10 of all 4-cylinder family sedans tested by the organization, ahead of the Honda Accord and behind the Suzuki Kizashi.

“The Optima edged out the Accord by just one point in CR’s testing. Both vehicles achieved “Very Good” overall scores,” Consumer Reports said. “Top-scoring four-cylinder family sedans include the Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry, in that order.”

Click here for more news on the Kia Optima.

The Consumer Reports team praised the 2011 Optima for its handling (which they say is more nimble than the Accord with quick steering), transmission, controls, fuel economy and its crash-test results.

“Its lows included road noise, low rear-seat height, and limited rear visibility,” Consumer Reports said.

Refresher: The base 2011 Kia Optima is powered by a 200 hp, 2.0L GDI turbo 4-cylinder. Buyers can also opt for a 274-hp 2.0L GDI 4-cylinder turbo. Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, the 2011 Kia Optima is on sale now with a starting price tag of $18,995. The 2.4-liter Theta II hybrid Optima goes on sale in early 2011.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Ford Fiesta

With gas prices increasing the way they are, many would expect new car shoppers to go the frugal route and purchase a small fuel-efficient car. According to a new survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, that won’t be the case.

“Most car buyers (56 percent) expect their next new vehicle to be the same size as the model they currently drive, but those who are looking to downsize are motivated by improved fuel economy, lower maintenance and repair costs, environmental concerns, and improved reliability,” Consumer Reports said in a survey.

The results come from a recent random, nationally representative telephone survey of 911 adult car owners in the United States. Among those interviewed, a quarter expect to downsize, while 19 percent plan on buying a larger vehicle. The rest said that they are likely to buy a similar sized vehicle.

“Despite the common drive to reduce car-operating costs, not everyone wants to downsize. Many young drivers have older vehicles, and as their careers grow, there is a natural ambition to have a new or newer car that is more comfortable and reliable—often that means stepping up from a small car to a midsized sedan or other vehicle This younger demographic may also be in their family-starting years, and likely in need for more passenger space,” said Jeff Bartlett, deputy online editor, Consumer Reports Cars.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

In these days, nothing seems to be built like they used to be. The simple answer is that it’s all about the money. In desperate bids to increase profits and expand into markets to raise volume, much has been sacrificed in the realm of build quality, reliability and handling performance.

This should not be news to anyone as we’ve been forced to adapt to the slow degradation that has been affecting nearly every manufacturer. Some have recognized their faults and are putting solid efforts in to redeeming themselves. Some have completely gone the opposite way. And of course, there are the reasons why cars have become less involving and cheaper than they used to be. But to keep this short and sweet, Consumer Reports just issued a little assessment.

CR found that in models such as the Honda Odyssey, Mercedes-Benz E350, and Toyota Sienna had slightly deviated from the standards that their predecessors have set. Others include the current BMW X5, Toyota 4Runner and the Volkswagen Jetta, all of which have fallen short of their expectations.

Just to give you an idea, Consumer Reports devised a little chart. Check it out after the jump.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Consumer Reports

Behind the scenes at Consumer Reports Auto Test facility

The way we like reporting on the automotive industry, we’d like to think it’s from a more enthusiast perspective rather than a analytical and boring perspective. The folks at Consumer Reports tend to fall somewhere in the middle of that description.

Either way, if you were wondering how one of the most respected consumer publications out there goes about testing vehicles, here’s a short video that will explain it all.

“Consumer Reports operates the largest and most sophisticated independent automobile testing center devoted to the consumer interest anywhere in the world,” Consumer Reports said in a statement. “Situated on 327 acres in rural Connecticut, the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center is home to more than 20 staff members, including automotive engineers, technicians, and support staff. Consumer Reports buys, anonymously, all the cars it tests, about 80 per year, and drives each for thousands of miles.”

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Consumer Reports

2011 Ford Mustang GT

Consumer Reports has released its annual all-American Top Picks for 2011, which consists of well, all-American vehicles. To meet the qualifications for being named a Top Pick by Consumer Reports a car must:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Consumer Reports issued a harsh initial review of the Chevy Volt, questioning whether it makes economic sense.

“When you are looking at purely dollars and cents, it doesn’t really make a lot of sense. The Volt isn’t particularly efficient as an electric vehicle and it’s not particularly good as a gas vehicle either in terms of fuel economy,” said David Champion, the senior director of Consumer Reports auto testing center at a meeting with reporters here. “This is going to be a tough sell to the average consumer.”

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

The Volt tested by Consumer Affairs got 25 to 27 miles on electric power alone, but that was in harsh winter conditions. The range in more moderate whether however, should be around 40 miles. Champion says that a hybrid such as the Prius makes the most sense for longer trips, and that “If you drive about 70 miles, a Prius will actually get you more miles per gallon than the Volt does,”.

Champion also noted that the Volt costs twice the amount of the Prius.

He did offer some praise of the Volt despite the heavy criticism, and commented on teh acceleration, and noted that under certain driving cycles, consumers could by and large avoid consuming gasoline.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, ‘T’-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 379   miles. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News