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Consumer Reports Adds Five New Models to Its Top GREEN Picks List For 2007
CONSUMER REPORTS ADDS TOYOTA RAV4, INFINITI G35, TOYOTA SIENNA, MAZDA MX-5 MIATA AND NEW HONDA FIT TO TOP PICKS LIST FOR 2007
Toyota Prius Top Green Pick for fourth consecutive year; best fuel economy of any five passenger vehicle
YONKERS, NY Consumer Reports announced today that it has named five new models to its Top Picks list for 2007
the Toyota RAV4, Infiniti G35, Toyota Sienna, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the new Honda Fit. The Top Picks list is published in CR¹s Annual April Auto Issue.
The Toyota Prius remains the Top Pick in the green car category for the fourth year in a row. The Prius demonstrated an excellent 44 mpg overall fuel economy, the best of Consumer Reports tests of any five-passenger vehicles.
This marks the second time that all the vehicles are Japanese nameplates since Consumer Reports introduced its Top Picks list in 1997. Historically, Consumer Reports Top Picks have been a blend of Japanese, European, and domestic models.
CR¹s respected list of Top Pick vehicles appears in the Annual April Auto Issue, which hits newsstands Tuesday, March 6.
Consumer Reports Top Picks are recommended models and all-around high-performers that scored at or near the top among competing vehicles in CR's rigorous testing program; have average or better predicted reliability, based on CRs Annual Car Reliability Survey; and performed adequately in overall crash protection if tested by the government or insurance industry.
Top Pick vehicles were selected from among the more than 250 vehicles that Consumer Reports has recently tested.
Consumer Reports new Top Pick list for 2007 includes a new category, for fuel-efficient subcompact cars. The Honda Fit is the Top Pick in that category. Missing from the Top Pick list this year is the Pickup Truck category; CR is not naming a vehicle in that category pending upcoming testing of newly released full-size pickup trucks. The Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Avalanche are previous Top Pick trucks.
All the vehicles in Consumer Reports Top Picks list are standouts for performance, versatility, reliability, and safety, said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. CR's Top Picks list is a great place for consumers to start when they're looking for a new car.
Consumer Reports testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any U.S. publication or Web site. More than 50 individual tests are performed on every vehicle, including evaluations of performance, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Many tests were developed exclusively by CR's auto engineers and adopted by the auto industry. Around 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations are racked up during the testing process.
Here, by category, are the issue's best performers. Changes from last year's Top Picks list are noted:
BUDGET CAR: Honda Fit. The Honda Fit ($14,000-$16,000) is the best overall in a new class of fuel-efficient subcompact cars. Not only is it fun to drive, but its compact dimensions pack an impressive amount of interior room and versatility. Overall fuel economy is an excellent 32 and 34 mpg with the automatic and manual transmissions, respectively. Antilock brakes and curtain air bags are standard, a rarity in this class.
SMALL SEDAN: Honda Civic. The redesigned Civic ($17,000 to $23,000) has a roomy interior, a comfortable ride, good fuel economy, smooth powertrain, and good handling. Manual- and automatic-transmission versions get 31 and 28 mpg overall. The hybrid gets 37 mpg overall. It gets kudos for excellent reliability and impressive crash-test resul
APRIL 2007
© Consumers Union 2007. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes.
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