Honda on Top in 2006
Honda has taken 5 out of the 10 spots in this years' US-based Consumer
Reports top automobile picks. No American or European carmakers made it to
the top 10. The other manufacturers were Subaru, Toyota, and Nissan's Infiniti.
The Winners
Sedan, less than $20,000 - Honda Civic
Consumer Reports cited the Civic's roomy interior, comfortable ride, good
handling and fuel economy. The magazine also points out the Civic's standard
side curtain airbags and excellent crash test scores. The Civic replaces
last year's pick in the category, the Ford Focus.
Sedan, $20,000 - $30,000 - Honda Accord
The hybrid Accord offers slightly better fuel economy and quicker acceleration,
but regular 4-cylider and V-6 versions are just about as good, Consumer Reports
says. The magazine also noted the Accord's comfort, roominess and handling.
Sedan, $30,000 - $40,000 - Acura TL
Another Honda product, the Acura TL provides a "near ideal blend of comfort,
convenience and sportiness," Consumer Reports says. It's a quick car that
still gets fairly good fuel mileage, the magazine said, and the interior has
good fit and finish.
Luxury sedan - Infiniti M35
Available in rear- or all-wheel-drive, the M35 offers a good balance of
performance, comfort and handling, Consumer Reports says. It replaces last
year's pick in this category, the Lexus LS430.
Fun to drive - Subaru Impreza WRX/STi
With the WRX and its high-performance STi version, you can have a blast
behind the wheel with two more doors behind your back. The WRX is an
inexpensive, fun sports car with the practicality of a small sedan, the
magazine says.
Small SUV/SUV, less than $30,000 - Subaru Forester
Honda just barely lost out in this category. The Honda CR-V was runner-up.
The car-based Forester handles and rides well, Consumer Reports says.
Mid-sized SUV/SUV more than $30,000 - Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid has quick acceleration, a comfortable ride and a
third-row seat. The Highlander Hybrid and the closely-related Lexus RX400h
were the only SUVs to earn an overall "Excellent" score in Consumer Reports'
testing. The magazine recommended the Honda Pilot as another good choice
with a better third-row seat.
Minivan - Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey leads it class in agility, refinement and interior flexibility,
Consumer Reports says. Electronic stability control and side curtain air bags
are standard.
Green car - Toyota Prius
The Prius takes this category for the third year in a row. With a spacious
interior and reasonable performance, the Prius is a good alternative to a
mid-sized sedan, Consumer Reports says.
Pick-up truck - Honda Ridgeline
Redefining the pick-up truck, the car-based Ridgeline combines a comfortable
ride and agile handling with good payload capacity, Consumer Reports says.
There's even a weather-proof trunk hidden in the bed. The Toyota Tundra is
another good choice for buyers who need a longer bed and more towing capacity.
Testing Background
Each year, Consumer Reports buys vehicles anonymously for its test fleet
through ordinary retail dealerships and tests them at a specially built
facility in Connecticut. Among the tests performed are acceleration, handling,
braking, ride quality and visibility.
In addition to track tests, test engineers also drive the vehicles in
ordinary day-to-day situations.
To gauge reliability, the magazine surveys subscribers to both the magazine
and its related Web site. Each respondent can supply data on up to two vehicles
and the magazine received survey data on about a million individual vehicles
this year, Consumer Reports said.
In order to be considered for a Top Pick a vehicle must have at least
average predicted reliability, based on survey results, and good scores in
crash tests by the government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Source: CNNMoney.com (Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney staff writer)
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