Japanese carmakers top Consumer Reports rankings

Japanese carmakers top Consumer Reports rankings
NEW YORK: Japanese automakers dominated the list of 10 best new vehicles for 2007 in different categories compiled by Consumer Reports magazine. Models from Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co Ltd led the all-Japanese list.

The magazine compiled the list on the basis of testing nearly 250 vehicles on its own, which had average predicted reliability and passed through government and insurance industry safety tests.

This is for the second time in the last 10 years when the list is being published that all the top names were Japanese. It includes five new models -- Toyota RAV4, Infiniti G35, Toyota Sienna, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Honda Fit. Toyota led the top picks with four vehicles, followed by three from Honda. Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand had its two sedans, the M35 and G35, in the list. Mazda Motor Co.'s MX-5 Miata convertible became the most fun to drive vehicle.

Toyota's RAV4 and Highlander Hybrid were identified as the best small and mid-sized sport utility vehicles. Toyota Sienna became the best minivan and its hybrid Prius the best "green" car -- for the fourth consecutive year.

Honda's Civic and Accord were the best sedans, while its subcompact Fit the best budget car.

As many as 55 of the 59 used car models recommended by the magazine were Japanese, also dominated by Toyota and Honda. Only four models came from U.S. manufacturers, three by GM -- the Buick Regal, Chevrolet Prizm and Pontiac Vibe. Ford's Lincoln Town Car was only car from the company on this list.

Ford won mention for the "nimble handling" and "comfortable ride" of its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, which made the list of the magazine's most impressive new models.

The list offered disappointment for Chrysler Group. None of its vehicles found mention in the list. On the contrary, four of its new vehicles -- the Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Sebring -- were described by the magazine as the most disappointing debuts. Its parent's luxury Mercedes-Benz brand, also did not figure in the list.

The magazine found that Volkswagen leads in overall test performance, followed by Honda, BMW and DaimlerChrysler, Mazda and Nissan. However, Honda, Subaru and Toyota scored the highest marks for reliability. Ford's and GM's models like Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac finished in the middle of the list in terms of reliability. Ford's Mercury brand was the only domestic nameplate to make the top 10.

Category and brands that came on top of the rankings:

Category Top-ranked model

Budget car: Honda Fit
Small sedan: Honda Civic
Family sedan: Honda Accord
Upscale sedan: Infiniti G35
Luxury sedan: Infiniti M35
Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
Mid-size SUV: Toyota Highlander hybrid
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
Green car: Toyota Prius
Fun to drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata