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Study: Consumer Reports: Car buyers will pay for higher fuel economy, won’t compromise safety

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Safety

Toyota Prius models at a dealership

According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, new car buyers are factoring fuel economy as a larger concern in their purchases. That’s no real surprise given that prices at the pump remain high, but the study also revealed that those same consumers are unwilling to sacrifice safety just to net a few additional miles per gallon.

The research revealed that 62 percent of buyers say they are planning to buy a vehicle with much better or significantly better fuel economy than their current ride. On average, that translates to fuel economy of 29 mpg or better. Surprisingly enough, 10 percent of those questioned said that they expected 40 mpg or better from their next purchase. That means that buyers will need to be willing to make all sorts of concessions, including making compromises on purchase price, vehicle size and the number of options.

One factor those surveyed evidently won’t give up on, however, is safety. Only 11 percent of the total respondents said they would be willing to compromise safety for greater fuel economy. Read the complete summary over at Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports: Car buyers will pay for higher fuel economy, won’t compromise safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports: Most car buyers not looking to downsize

Filed under: Car Buying

simpsons canyonero

Back in 2008, gas prices soared past $4 per gallon and car buyers clamored for more efficient forms of transportation. But once fuel became affordable again, we’re guessing there were quite a few Honda Civic and Chevy Cobalt owners who longed for their old SUVs. The price of gas is skyrocketing yet again, but it appears that customers aren’t inclined to make that mistake again.

Consumer Reports recently polled 911 new car-buying adults to gauge the size of their next vehicle, and 56 percent responded that their next car or truck will be the same size as the one it replaces. The poll shows that a quarter of the respondents did plan to downsize, but another 19 percent were inclined to buy bigger the next time around. And if you’re 18-34, you’re more likely to up-size your next vehicle, in part because younger buyers will in many cases own a smaller vehicle because they are typically cheaper to purchase. This demographic also falls into the heart of family starting years, so children could be driving the growth.

Among those who wanted to downsize, 92 percent were looking for improved fuel efficiency, while 71 percent wanted less expensive repair costs and 67 percent were concerned about the environment. Improved reliability and a lower purchase price are also factors. Unsurprisingly, 80 percent of those who wanted a larger vehicle were looking for more space, while comfort came in second at 72 percent. Safety, reliability and lower maintenance and repair costs were also factors.

Hit the jump to read over the Consumer Reports press release, and let us know in the poll below whether you plan to up-size, downsize or retain the status quo when you buy your next vehicle.

View Poll

[Source: Consumer Reports]

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Consumer Reports: Most car buyers not looking to downsize originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Jetta ranked last among small sedans by Consumer Reports

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta – Click above for high-res image gallery

The new for 2011 Volkswagen Jetta received a new, far lower base price tag of $15,995, but Consumer Reports evidently feels that the more affordable sticker has come at too high of a cost to the vehicle itself. The buyer-centric organization ranked the Jetta dead last among 11 small sedans tested for the April edition of its magazine.

David Champion, senior director of the group’s Auto Test Center says, “In an effort to bring the car’s starting price down, VW cheapened the previous Jetta’s interior and suspension, making it less sophisticated and compromising handling.”

CR isn’t pulling any punches while describing why the sedan fares so poorly, calling it “a shadow of the agile, well-finished car it once was.” Ouch. Specifically, the VW was dinged hard for sub-par handling and cornering grip, poor interior fit and finish and its coarse-sounding 2.5-liter, five-cylinder. In addition, CR came away disappointed with long brake distances and a six-speed automatic that is reluctant to downshifting.

We’re thinking VW may not like CR’s take on the Jetta, but at least the automaker can point to increased sales as the reason the automaker decided to remove so much of what made the Jetta so popular with enthusiasts.

Other vehicles tested were the Chevrolet Cruze in both LS and LT trims and the Hyundai Elantra. The Cruze models are now rated at the middle of CR’s small sedan pack, with a Very Good overall score. The Elantra came away with laurels for the being the best small sedan in its class, and the Hyundai was the only small sedan among the latest four tested to be given CR’s official Recommendation. Hit the jump to read over CR’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta: First Drive

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Volkswagen Jetta ranked last among small sedans by Consumer Reports

Volkswagen Jetta ranked last among small sedans by Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports holding tournament to crown Drivers’ Choice champion

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Land Rover

Consumer Reports Moto Madness

Consumer Reports has added itself to the insanity that is March Madness with a bracket all its own. Consumer Reports will crown this year’s driver’s choice champion with an NCAA Tournament-style bracket made up of four “regions,” which in this case relate to types of cars.

First-round voting has already begun in the four categories, which are: sporty cars, SUVs and trucks, practical cars, and performance sedans. The bracket is well thought out and the choices are legitimately thought-provoking. Would you rather have a Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, or the last-hurrah Dodge Viper? How about a Range Rover or a Cadillac Escalade?

Head over to Consumer Reports to see the full bracket and make your selections before the second round begins on March 21.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports holding tournament to crown Drivers’ Choice champion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors

Filed under: Car Buying, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Six cars that CR says are worse than their predecessors – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s nothing like being told you aren’t as good as you used to be. “You’ve changed, man. You’ve really changed.”

In its annual automotive issue, Consumer Reports awards scores to each new car available on the market, and though you’d think that a new model would score higher than the one it replaces, that isn’t always the case. In fact, CR points out six 2011 model year vehicles that received substantially lower scores under its methodology than their predecessors.

At the top of CR‘s list is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta – a car that has come in for a raft of criticism from the media since its redesign launched in mid-2010 (criticism that has been summarily ignored if the Jetta’s rising sales figures are anything to go by). Rounding off the rest of the list are the Honda Odyssey, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Sienna, Mercedes-Benz E350 and BMW X5.

Consumer Reports does raise an important point, though: Earning a lower score doesn’t automatically mean the car should be written off completely. In its story, CR states:

Some models, such as the Honda Odyssey, Mercedes-Benz E350, and Toyota Sienna, are still very good vehicles that we recommend. But they don’t quite measure up to the standards set by their previous generation models. Others, such as the current BMW X5, Toyota 4Runner, and Volkswagen Jetta sedan, are clear disappointments.

Clear disappointments? Ouch. Head over to Consumer Reports for the full story.

Gallery: 2011 Consumer Reports Disappointments

2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2011 Honda Odyssey 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Safety, Videos, Acura, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, Volkswagen

2007 Acura TSX, one of Consumer Reports best cars for teens

2011 Consumer Reports best cars for teens – Click above for high-res image gallery of the picks

Letting a 16-year-old loose on the world behind the wheel of a couple of tons of metal is a terrifying thought. Statistically, teens are more likely to die in a car accident than by any other means, and, most of the time, those accidents are avoidable.

To make picking a car for your teen easier, Consumer Reports has come up with a list of relatively new, relatively cheap options to keep your kids safe while they ~~bomb around with five of their friends~~ make the commute between school, work and home.

As you may imagine, CR recommends a family sedan that packs in as many modern safety features as you can afford, including stability control, ABS, traction control and side curtain air bags. They eschew trucks and SUVs due to their comparatively poor handling, high centers of gravity and bad gas mileage. Don’t even go there with sports cars.

Consumer Reports prime choices are as follows: the Acura TSX, the 2009 and up Ford Focus, the 2007 and up Hyundai Sonata or Hyundai Elantra, 2007 and up Mazda3, 2008 and on Scion xB, and both the 2007 and up Volkswagen Jetta and Rabbit/Golf. Click past the jump for a video of CR’s choices.

Gallery: 2011 Consumer Reports best cars for teens

2007 Acura TSX 2009 Ford Focus 2007 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Hyundai Elantra 2010 Mazda3 Touring

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video]

Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Videos

Consumer Reports behind-the-scenes

Consumer Reports Behind the Scenes – Click above to watch video after the jump

Admittedly, the crew from Consumer Reports hangs out in a different slice of the automotive spectrum than we do. While we can’t seem to wrap our minds around why every driver doesn’t want rear-wheel drive, diesel-powered wagon with a manual cogbox and roll-up windows, CR knows the Hows and Whys of what people actually look for in a vehicle. They spend hours upon hours testing every make and model of vehicle imaginable – all of which are bought from dealers instead of borrowed from press fleets. If you want the bare-bones, honest take on what a car, truck or SUV is like to live with, these guys have the answers.

Consumer Reports has gone through the trouble of releasing a video that shows off exactly what goes into their testing process, including some antics on the organization’s sprawling test track. The quick clip even lends a glimpse into some of the high-tech data acquisition devices used to churn out the publication’s braking numbers – too cool.

Hit the jump to take a look at the video for yourself.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility

Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Ford

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford Fusion Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the second year running, the Ford Fusion has not only come out as the top family sedan pick in Consumer Reports‘ list of the 2011 American Top Picks, once again eclipsing the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in reliability.

Topping the list in the budget car segment is the Ford Fiesta, though CR admits they aren’t sure how reliable the car will be, given that it’s a clean-sheet design. The Chevrolet Cruze takes the small car category.

Ford captures CR’s small SUV category with the Escape, and Chevrolet has nailed down the family SUV category with its Equinox 2LT. The funky Ford Flex takes the family hauler category, and the Mustang is the top pick among sporty cars.

The only non-Ford or Chevrolet product on the list is the Buick Regal, which takes top honors for CR’s sports sedan category. The Ford Fusion Hybrid (above) garners the American green car pick for 2011, and the Chevrolet Avalanche rounds out the list in the pickup truck category.

It should be noted that some categories in CR’s list only have a top-scoring American vehicle, not a top pick. In the budget car segment, the sports sedan segment and the small car segment, CR passes on picking a favorite because there are models in the segment that are too new to have reliability data yet.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2010fordfusionhybrid_review000 2010fordfusionhybrid_review001 2010fordfusionhybrid_review002 2010fordfusionhybrid_review003 2010fordfusionhybrid_review004

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

consumer reports 2011 The 2011 edition of Consumer Reports‘ annual Auto Issue will hit newstands on March 8, but we have a sneak peek at what you’ll find inside.

First up is are CR’s Automaker Report Cards, and Honda, Toyota and Subaru continue to enjoy their three-year run at the head of the class. General Motors and Ford, however, are playing catch up fast. In fact, the Blue Oval now has a Recommended rating for 71 percent of its fleet. Chrysler, however, is sitting near the bottom of the pack, though it’s kept company by former classmate Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The Consumer Reports 2011 Auto Issue also examines the best and worst values across eight vehicle segments. Hyundai and Kia both earned a couple of “bests” while General Motors was given a few “worsts.” Beyond the value of a vehicle, CR also names its Top Picks for 2011. For the first time ever, the Ford Mustang has made this list thanks to its multitude of engine choices, fuel economy and price.

If used cars are more your speed, Consumer Reports has even compiled a list of its top choices for 2001-2010 model year vehicles. Awards for best-in-class were chosen based on the results of road tests when the vehicle was new combined with ongoing reliability data.

We have a hefty dose of information for you to digest. The Top Picks, Best and Worst Values and Best of the Best Used Cars are all waiting for you after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue

Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler fixes Grand Cherokee handling issue identified by Consumer Reports

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Safety, Chrysler, Jeep

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Consumer Reports, Chrysler has addressed a handling issue with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that the publication discovered during independent testing. During a double-lane-change emergency maneuver, CR testers noted a considerable amount of skidding and hopping at the very limit of traction. Chrysler engineers then went to the magazine’s test track to review the findings before returning to Auburn Hills to come up with a solution. In December, the automaker released a software update for the vehicle’s stability control, and all Grand Cherokee models manufactured since then have come from the factory with the fix.

Consumer Reports was recently able to put the updated 2011 Grand Cherokee through its paces at the track once again and found that the issue had been corrected. The big SUV managed to maintain an average speed of 50 mph through the course and behaved itself at and beyond the limits of the vehicle’s traction. The fix has helped to improve the vehicle’s Consumer Reports rating for the Grand Cherokee from a 66 to a 71.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Chrysler fixes Grand Cherokee handling issue identified by Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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