Law and Rights
The latest annual reliability survey from Consumer Reports applauds some Asian automakers while again lobbing lemons at US makers and, this time, tossing a few at European automakers too.
The "Top 31 most reliable" scorecard:
Japanese: 29
US: 2
European: 0
The "Worst 48 least reliable" scorecard:
US: 22
European: 20
Japan: 4 (all Nissan)
South Korea: 2 (the Hundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage)
On the Worst list, Audi A8, BMW 5 and 7 Series, Mercedes S and E Class, Jaguar S Type, Saab 9-3, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chrysler 300 V-8, and Lincoln LS.
Toyota and Lexus make up more than half of the vehicles on the highest reliability rating from Consumer Reports, but Honda Accord, Civic Hybrids, Infiniti M35-45, nonturbo Subaru Impreza, Toyota Prius and the Lexus RX400h hybrid also got top scores.
When it comes to SUV's, the Asian manufacturers still score most reliable overall, but among the worst reliability were the Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada, proving that sometimes even the Asians get it wrong.
It's not unusual to see Asian manufacturers ranking high on reliability again ... that seems to be their record in the Consumer Reports surveys. What is a surprise is to see European makers dropping so far into the pits. Engineering and design and safety excellence have long been touted by the likes of Mercedes, Saab, Volvo and even VW, but survey results just don't show it.
Of course, with GM's recent plant closing announcements, and previous announcements from Ford, it doesn't bode well for US makers. Question is, which came first: lousy economics or poor quality? Or maybe it was just bad customer appreciation that started the fall from grace with US consumers.
Either way, US makers will not be first place until they realize that they have to build cars right in the first place, treat customers right in the first place, and fix problems right in the first place (the first time in the shop).
That new car smell is still great, but it's that repair shop odor that sours consumers every time.
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Law and Rights
Some Cars Run Right
The latest annual reliability survey from Consumer Reports applauds some Asian automakers while again lobbing lemons at US makers and, this time, tossing a few at European automakers too.
The "Top 31 most reliable" scorecard:
Japanese: 29
US: 2
European: 0
The "Worst 48 least reliable" scorecard:
US: 22
European: 20
Japan: 4 (all Nissan)
South Korea: 2 (the Hundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage)
On the Worst list, Audi A8, BMW 5 and 7 Series, Mercedes S and E Class, Jaguar S Type, Saab 9-3, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chrysler 300 V-8, and Lincoln LS.
Toyota and Lexus make up more than half of the vehicles on the highest reliability rating from Consumer Reports, but Honda Accord, Civic Hybrids, Infiniti M35-45, nonturbo Subaru Impreza, Toyota Prius and the Lexus RX400h hybrid also got top scores.
When it comes to SUV's, the Asian manufacturers still score most reliable overall, but among the worst reliability were the Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada, proving that sometimes even the Asians get it wrong.
It's not unusual to see Asian manufacturers ranking high on reliability again ... that seems to be their record in the Consumer Reports surveys. What is a surprise is to see European makers dropping so far into the pits. Engineering and design and safety excellence have long been touted by the likes of Mercedes, Saab, Volvo and even VW, but survey results just don't show it.
Of course, with GM's recent plant closing announcements, and previous announcements from Ford, it doesn't bode well for US makers. Question is, which came first: lousy economics or poor quality? Or maybe it was just bad customer appreciation that started the fall from grace with US consumers.
Either way, US makers will not be first place until they realize that they have to build cars right in the first place, treat customers right in the first place, and fix problems right in the first place (the first time in the shop).
That new car smell is still great, but it's that repair shop odor that sours consumers every time.
Subscribe in a reader- Most Reliable Cars For 2016 - And The Worst Predictions From Consumer Reports Magazine
Each year Consumer Reports Magazine sends out thousands of questionnaires to car owners to survey defects and problems that owners are experiencing. Based on the latest survey results, Consumer Reports has predicted what cars will the most reliable in...
- Consumer Reports' Top Vehicles For The Money Includes
Each year Consumer Reports April issue of its magazine releases the list of best vehicles for the money - and the worst. Best of Value, you could call it. Based on a mix of how well a vehicle performs in the magaine's tests and also the anticipated...
- Top Safe Vehicles 2009
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released its pick of the Top Safety Vehicles for 2009. The annual list is made of vehicles that earned top scores in front, side and rear crash tests and are also equipped with electronic stability and control...
- Top 10 Vehicles
Consumer Reports has released its "Top 10" Best Cars for 2008 in its annual auto issue that is about to hit the newstands. Here's the scoop... The "Top 10" list is their ranking of the top vehicles in ten categories and for the last two years Japan...
- Toyota Down, Subaru Up, Go Figure
In a stunning upset, Toyota reliability fell below both Honda and Subaru in the Consumer Reports reliability report just out. In fact the Toyota quality is such a problem right now that Consumer Reports director of auto testing bluntly said that Toyota...