American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda Ridgeline
In English
What’s the secret to repeatedly appearing on Consumer Reports’ prestigious list of the best car makes and models? The answer lies partly in continuity; that is, to produce a good car without making big changes.
The Honda, Mazda, Subaru and Toyota brands, among others, continue to offer proven features and appear on the list year after year, says Jake Fisher, senior director of car testing for Consumer Reports. The non-profit organization subjects the cars to a series of evaluations and tests in order to select the best of the year (Top Picks).
For example, Toyota and Subaru don’t seem to make big changes from year to year, even though they flaunt “upgrades” to build buzz around their new models.
“Toyota and Subaru have a secret: When they do a redesign, is it really a redesign?” Fisher asks.
Let’s look at an example: Subaru’s Forester, a small SUV shaped like a sneaker, has always had the same basic mechanical components (also known as the platform) as the Impreza, a small car from the same manufacturer. as well as its verified hardware elements. This year, the Forester appears for the ninth consecutive time in the list of the best 10 vehicles published by Consumer Reports, this time in the category of vehicles that cost from $25,000 to $35,000. The categories designated by the organization vary from year to year.
All models of the Mazda brand also stand out for their perseverance. “Everything they make, we recommend,” says Fisher, even though his models don’t top any price category this year.
The list of the best brands
Consumer Reports’ ranking of the best brands can be just as interesting and informative as its lists of the best models.
According to this classification, the 10 best brands this year, based on the global score of their respective models, are the following: Subaru, Mazda, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Mini, Toyota and Infiniti.
“It’s remarkable that some mainstream brands, like Subaru, Mazda and Honda, have stood out in this way. For consumers, it shows that you don’t have to splurge on a luxury brand to have a safe, satisfying and reliable car,” says Fisher. .
This information can be especially helpful now that some models are hard to find or more expensive due to issues related to the pandemic. Due to the scarcity of microchips used in various vehicle components — from simple phone jacks and power seats to electronic engine controls — some car models are also in short supply.
If the model you are looking for is not available, you may be able to find another model of approximately the same size and with similar features from the same brand.
Case in point: If you can’t find the Toyota RAV4 (an SUV), you might consider the Toyota Corolla Cross, a model based on the Corolla sedan and tuned in a crossover between SUV and truck styling, but slightly smaller than the RAV4.
Or maybe you could swap out the Subaru Forester—which is listed by Consumer Reports but may be impossible to find—for a Subaru Crosstrek. Both SUV models have all-wheel drive and received the highest score from the federal government for crash safety. And if the Crosstrek is also hard to find, you could opt for a Subaru Outback, a larger vehicle. While the Outback looks more truck-like than the Crosstrek or Forester, it earned the same safety ratings and achieved the same fuel efficiency—29 miles per gallon—in tests conducted by the Government.
The 10 best vehicles, according to Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization, compiles its list of the best models in different price categories. This list is based on car tests and owner surveys, predicted reliability and safety features. Many models are now more expensive than when Consumer Reports determined the price categories based on the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Therefore, it is recommended that you do your own research on prices. Fuel economy figures are those reported by the magazine.
Crash test results conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a federal agency, include an overall score based on the car’s performance in various types of crashes. The highest NHTSA rating is five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an industry trade body, awards its top rating of “Top Safety Pick+” to cars that score well in all of its tests. The second-best IIHS rating is “Top Safety Pick” (without the “+” sign). If a vehicle did not earn an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” or “Top Safety Pick +” rating, no overall IIHS score is reported.
Nissan
Nissan Sentra (small car)
Today, the Sentra is considered a low-cost, high-value sedan. According to Consumer Reports, the Sentra offers a greater sense of luxury than its competitors: its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine achieves faster acceleration than other vehicles in its class and also offers “a comfortable ride and a nimble handling”, as well as a passenger cabin that is “well-appointed for a vehicle of this price.” Visibility is good; climate and infotainment controls are “a model of simplicity.” All versions are compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and come with Nissan’s “Safety Shield 360” system, which includes blind spot warning.
Keep in mind the following: the level of satisfaction of its owners is lower than average.
Crash test rating: 5 stars, according to the NHTSA
MPG: 32
Nissan
Nissan Rogue Sport (SUV subcompacto)
Consumer Reports rates this vehicle as “more mature and substantial” than most of its competitors. “Front access is extremely easy, and the driver enjoys a raised seat that improves visibility and offers more headroom.”
Its predicted reliability is “commendable,” and the SUV has safety features that outperform those of more expensive models, with the following standard items: lane departure warning, blind spot alert, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear braking. automatic.
Keep in mind the following: the level of satisfaction of their owners is well below average.
Crash Test Rating: Not rated to date
MPG: 26
Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru Forester (small SUV)
Making its ninth consecutive time on the Recommended Cars list, the Forester received a “slight update” for 2022, incorporating black accents into its exterior design that Subaru says are not only “cool,” but also “cool.” They perform a “protective” function. According to Consumer Reports: “The key to the Forester’s success has been its efficient and roomy design, its good fuel economy, its focus on safety, its excellent road test performance and its strong reliability record.” Thanks to its vertical design, it offers ample space and “great visibility of the road”. The buyer enjoys “good handling and a smooth ride,” and “
Crash test rating: 5 stars, according to the NHTSA
MPG: 28
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
Honda Accord (Midsize Sedan)
According to Consumer Reports, the Accord is the “quintessential family sedan” and the magazine praises it for “its roomy interior, comfortable ride, abundant power and impressive efficiency.”
There are enough options in terms of engines and interiors that the Accord can be equipped as a base vehicle or as a luxury car, “with leather and all the details,” according to Consumer Reports.
The hybrid version gets 47 miles per gallon (global figure) without sacrificing acceleration capacity. “The Accord strikes a balance between in-vehicle comfort and good handling, making it equally enjoyable for the driver and passengers,” notes Consumer Reports.
Crash test ratings: 5 stars, according to NHTSA; “Top Safety Pick +”, according to the IIHS
MPG: 47 (hybrid)
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota Prius (hybrid)/Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid)
The Prius, with its aerodynamic design, continues to set the standard for fuel efficiency: “In [Consumer Reports] testing, it got a phenomenal 52 miles per gallon,” and “is noted for its consistent levels of reliability.” and satisfaction of its owners”. The Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid, can travel about 25 miles on electric-only power before engaging in standard hybrid operation, with an overall efficiency of 69 miles per gallon (mpg). Both versions offer “an extraordinary range of 590 miles before refueling. And both are pleasing to the driver, with a comfortable, stable ride and confident handling. The cabins offer a high-tech feel,
Be aware of the following: rear visibility is limited, acceleration is lackluster, and the controls take time to get used to.
Crash test rating: 5 stars, according to the NHTSA
MPG: 52
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota RAV4 Prime (SUV with two rows of seats)
The RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid that “transforms the exceptional RAV4, giving it more power and efficiency, a comfortable ride and a few little luxury touches,” according to Consumer Reports. Additionally, the hybrid vehicle’s 302 horsepower “far exceeds that of any other conventional small SUV” and makes it the second-fastest car in Toyota’s lineup. Its range is up to 42 miles on electric power only.
Please note the following: it takes longer than normal to stop the vehicle; in reverse, a high-pitched sound is emitted as a warning.
Crash Test Ratings: Not Recorded
MPG: 72
Come on
Kia Telluride (Midsize three-row SUV)
The Telluride sets the standard for the popular three-row SUV segment because, according to Consumer Reports, it has simply performed well across the board. It achieved a near-perfect score on the road test and earned “high marks for predictive reliability and owner satisfaction.” According to the magazine, the Telluride is roomy, easy to access, comfortable and enjoyable to drive. Its “straight-line design offers ample space for the driver, passengers and cargo. The controls are simple and it offers plenty of storage space.”
Be aware of the following: it is not very agile.
Crash test ratings: 5 stars, according to NHTSA; “Top Safety Pick”, according to the IIHS
MPG: 21
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Ridgeline (compact pickup)
The Ridgeline “offers a refined body style uncommon in a truck; the ride, handling and interior comfort are more like the Honda Pilot than a typical utility truck. Its smooth 280 V6 engine horsepower and its nine-speed automatic transmission add to the enjoyable driving experience,” notes Consumer Reports. Thanks to an ingenious design, the tailgate can be folded down or opened to the side, “allowing easy access to a large, lockable storage box located under the [cargo] bed.” Overall, according to Consumer Reports, the Ridgeline is “ideal for someone who needs a car to get to work every day, to transport the family or to do a thousand things on the weekends,
Please note the following: the platform has a shallow depth; off-road capabilities are limited.
Crash test rating: 5 stars, according to the NHTSA.
MPG: 20
Ford
Ford Mustang Mach-E (electric vehicle)
Purists will say it doesn’t deserve to be called a Mustang, but the electric “crossover” SUV incorporates some of the sports car’s styling cues and, according to Consumer Reports, “stands out in this emerging category for delivering enjoyable driving, speed, nimble handling and a fun ride. Mach-E options range from a tame 266-horsepower pony to an untamed 480-horsepower stallion.” According to the magazine, the vehicle achieved a range of 270 miles on a single charge, while its other versions can reach more than 300 miles. Conclusion from Consumer Reports: “With this well-done new model, Ford enters the burgeoning market with its first purpose-built electric vehicle, which combines a ‘green’ design
Please note the following: it takes a long time to recharge; its scope is limited; door handles are difficult to use.
Crash Test Rating: Not NHTSA rated to date; “Top Safety Pick”, according to the IIHS
MPG: 90
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Lexus RX (luxury midsize SUV)
“The RX pioneered the midsize luxury SUV in the late 1990s,” according to Consumer Reports, “and remains the pinnacle of this popular segment,” thanks to its blend of “comfort, performance, safety and reliability.” “. The RX reminds us of Fisher’s comments on the balance between evolution and big changes, as his “continuous improvements, including those to the suspension and infotainment system, have given the RX line a fresh air” even though its current generation is already six years old, according to the magazine. The hybrid version, dubbed the 450h, “feels quicker with plenty of torque from its electric motors, plus it got an extra 7 mpg globally,” compared to the non-hybrid 350,
Be aware of the following: rear visibility is limited and handling can be awkward. The transition between hybrid and electric modes is sometimes difficult on the 450h.
Crash test ratings: 4 stars, according to NHTSA; “Top Safety Pick”, according to the IIHS
MPG: 29
