Best models of year 2011 in 10 categories
Consumer Reports auto experts name the top 10 cars and trucks for 2010. Several new vehicles make the list this year.
Six
new models made our Top Picks this year: the Chevrolet Silverado and
Traverse, Mazda5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester,
and Volkswagen GTI. This marks the first time
in six years that two domestic models earned spots or that a European
car made
the list.
Two
of last year's picks, the Toyota Highlander and RAV4 SUVs, were passed
over this year. At the time of publication, sales
of certain versions had been halted. We have
suspended our recommendation until a potentially unsafe part that could
cause
unintended acceleration is fixed.
Our
Top Picks are the best all-around models in their categories, based on
their performance, reliability, and safety. They
are chosen from the more than 280 vehicles
we've recently tested and must meet our criteria in three areas:
Road test
Each
must rank at or near the top of its category in our overall test score,
which is based on more than 50 tests and evaluations.
Reliability
Each must have an average or better predicted-reliability Rating, based on the problems CR subscribers reported in our latest
Annual Auto Survey.
Safety
Top
Picks must perform adequately in overall safety if tested by the
government or the insurance industry. (For some models,
we do not have enough crash-test data to
assign an overall safety Rating.) In addition, electronic stability
control, a proven
lifesaving safety feature, must be readily
available. All of our Top Picks provide standard ESC and curtain air
bags.
Each model's report card shows its Rating in each area, if available. Prices are the suggested retail amount for our tested
cars.
Family Sedan
Nissan Altima
The
Altima has been one of our top-rated family sedans for years, and a
freshening for 2010 made it better. It now gets improved
gas mileage and provides standard ESC in all
trim lines. The Altima offers an appealing balance of comfort and
performance,
while getting some of the best fuel economy
in its class: 26 mpg overall for four-cylinder models and 24 mpg with a
V6. The
cabin is roomy, well finished, and quiet. And
the secure handling, comfortable ride, and spirited acceleration make
the car
enjoyable to drive. The four-cylinder model
earned an above-average reliability Rating, while the V6 model is
average. Price:
$23,970 to $30,335.
Small Sedan
Hyundai Elantra SE
The
Elantra SE made our Top Picks for the third time. It's a solid,
all-around car that's relatively comfortable, quiet, and
roomy, and provides good fuel economy and
plenty of features for the money. The SE also comes with standard ESC, a
critical
safety feature that's absent on other small
cars (including lower-end Elantras). The Honda Civic EX is more fun to
drive but
offers ESC only on pricier versions. Price:
$18,695.
Sporty Car
Volkswagen GTI
Freshened
for 2010, the GTI is the sporty version of the Volkswagen Golf
(formerly called the Rabbit). This impressive package
is exhilarating to drive and easy to live
with. It delivers the agile handling, spirited acceleration, and
responsive steering
of a true sports car, along with a decent
ride, a well-finished interior, and the cargo-carrying practicality of a
hatchback.
Good fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is
another plus, although premium fuel is required. Price: $27,504.
Small SUV
Subaru Forester
The
Forester provides one of the most carlike driving experiences of any
SUV. It combines agile handling with the most comfortable
ride in its class. Passengers are treated to a
spacious cabin, with a roomy rear seat and excellent visibility. The
2.5X provides
an impressive 22 mpg overall with an
automatic, 24 mpg with a manual. And the turbocharged 2.5XT delivers
effortless acceleration
and 20 mpg, but it takes premium fuel. The
2.5X has had excellent reliability, while the 2.5XT 's is average.
Price: $20,972
to $28,860.
Best Car Overall
Lexus LS 460L
The
LS scored an outstanding 99 out of 100 in our road test, making it our
highest-rated vehicle. This large cruiser pampers
its passengers with a comfortable ride and
luxurious driving environment, including a roomy, well-crafted, and
exceptionally
quiet interior. It offers a plethora of
electronic amenities, including an optional self-parking system. Yet,
its controls
are easy to use. Although the LS isn't
exactly fun to drive, its efficient 380-hp V8 and eight-speed automatic
transmission
deliver smooth, brisk acceleration and a
relatively good 21 mpg overall, the same as a Honda Accord V6. All-wheel
drive and
a hybrid version are available. Price:
$76,572.
Family SUV
Chevrolet Traverse
The
Traverse stands out as an impressive overall package with a quiet,
spacious cabin that can comfortably seat up to eight
adults and leave room for cargo. It provides a
pleasant ride, communicative steering, and responsive handling. Our
Traverse
returned 16 mpg overall, which is respectable
for its size. Rear visibility isn't great, but clever convex side
mirrors and
an optional rear-view camera help. The GMC
Acadia is a twin of the Traverse, but its reliability is below average.
Price:
$39,920.
Sports Sedan
Infiniti G37
The
G sedan, which joins our list for the fourth straight year, is one of
the highest-rated sedans we've tested, with a score
of 95 out of 100. It provides an appealing
combination of agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined
powertrain, a
fairly comfortable ride, and a high-quality,
luxurious interior. The G37 is as inviting to drive on a twisty road as
it is
on the highway. But compromises include a
snug cabin and small trunk. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel
drive is optional.
Coupe and convertible versions are also
available. Price: $37,225.
Family Hauler
Mazda5
The
Mazda5 microvan offers a lot of practicality in a compact, affordable
package. With three rows of seats and sliding rear
side doors, it combines the convenience of a
minivan with the maneuverability and stingy fuel economy—24 mpg
overall—of a
wagon. The interior is airy, with good fit
and finish. Plus the Mazda5 is fun to drive, with a nimble feel and a
comfortable
ride. The addition of standard ESC for 2010
improved its emergency handling. If you need more room, consider the
Honda Odyssey
minivan. Price: $23,805.
Green Car
Toyota Prius
The
Prius received a redesign for 2010. It's still the most fuel-efficient
car in our Ratings, getting 44 mpg overall. That
distinction helped it earn our pick in this
category for the seventh straight year, the longest of any current
model. In addition,
the Prius is a pleasant car to drive, with a
roomy interior, a steady ride, hatchback versatility, and excellent
reliability
and crash-test results. The 2010 redesign
also gave it a more solid feel and a dedicated EV mode that allows it to
run longer
on electric power at low speeds, an advantage
mainly in slow, congested traffic. Price: $23,150-$26,950.
Pickup Truck
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The
Silverado 1500 returns as our top choice after a year off. The crew-cab
4WD model is a well-rounded pickup with a roomy
cabin, generous payload capacity, decent ride
quality, available full-time 4WD, and, on higher-end models, very good
interior
fit and finish. The GMC Sierra is a twin of
the Silverado. The reliability of last year's pick, the Chevrolet
Avalanche, dropped
to below average in our latest Annual Auto
Survey, keeping it from repeating. Price: $37,235.
Source : Consumer Report
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