Consumer Reports articles from April 2006

Consumer Reports archives from April 2006

You're in our driver's seat.(Have You Heard?)
April 1, 2006... OK, readers, fire off that e-mail, jam those forums, mail those letters. We know what's coming: "Consumer Reports has a bias against American cars." We hear it about once a week, so let's set the record straight: Our staff members are as...

Top picks 2006: the best models in 10 categories.(Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Prius, Infiniti M35, Subaru Impreza WRX / STi, Acura TL, Honda Odyssey, Honda Accord, Subaru Forester, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Civic, )(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2006... Four new models made our Top Picks list this year. The redesigned Honda Civic is our choice among sedans priced below $20,000. The outstanding Infiniti M35 dethroned the Lexus LS430 in the luxury-sedan class ($40,000 or more). The Toyota...

Which cars would owners buy again?(up front: News / Trends / Advice)(Survey)
April 1, 2006... Hybrid-vehicle owners are a satisfied bunch, according to the latest Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey of CONSUMER REPORTS subscribers. Respondents again named the Toyota Prius the most satisfying vehicle of all cars, minivans, trucks, and...

A quick exit from locked trunks.(SAFETY ALERT)(Kids And Cars' Quick-Out Emergency Trunk Release)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Every year, 10 to 20 people die while trapped in a car trunk, says Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids And Cars, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce injuries and deaths of children in and around motor vehicles. Some of the...

Getting the most from your fuel dollars.(SAFETY ALERT)
April 1, 2006... Recent price fluctuations at the gas pump have served as a reminder of the importance of fuel economy. Although what you drive has the greatest effect on your wallet, how you drive can also make a big difference. That's a critical finding...

Best vehicles under $25,000.(up front: News / Trends / Advice)
April 1, 2006... In 2005, the average new car sold for more than $28,000, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. But plenty of excellent cars cost less than that. If a low price is a high priority for you, look to these vehicles for the...

Sticker shock replacement tires can be costly.(up front: News / Trends / Advice)
April 1, 2006... Tire-industry professionals have a new name for some customers: accidental performance buyers. Wide, low-profile performance tires are increasingly common as original equipment on new cars. That can lead to sticker shock when it's time to buy...

Faulty fuel tanks linked to fire hazards.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Three automakers have recalled close to 350,000 mostly late-model cars and sport-utility vehicles because of various fuel-tank-related problems that could lead to gasoline leaks and, possibly, fires. The largest recall involves 205,000...

What's new 2006/2007.(2006 cars)
April 1, 2006... The buzzword at this year's auto shows has been "crossovers," or car-based SUVs that are similar to tall wagons. Automakers are turning to them because they generally have nicer road manners, demonstrate more secure handling, and provide...

Reliability: progress has stalled.(2006 cars: Reliability trends)
April 1, 2006... An analysis of our Annual Car Reliability Surveys over the past five years shows that overall problem rates have reached a plateau for newer cars, especially Asian makes. It could indicate that the most reliable new cars have reached a...

The dollars & sense of hybrids.(2006 cars: CR INVESTIGATES)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2006... Gas/electric hybrid vehicles can present a dilemma for car buyers. On one hand, they are more fuel-efficient and produce lower emissions than conventional, gasoline-only vehicles. Most current models have also scored well in our testing and...

Ratings & recommended vehicles.(2006 cars: Vehicle Ratings)
April 1, 2006... Of the 120 vehicles that Consumer Reports recommends, 30 are standouts that earned our top-tier recommended Rating; they exhibited good overall performance in our tests and high levels of safety. They include 26 cars, two minivans, and two...

High-tech headaches and hassles.(Technology)
April 1, 2006... New technologies permeate all aspects of our lives. Our vehicles are no exception. Too often, though, modern automotive gizmos can be frustrating, counterintuitive, or just plain expensive to buy and own. Microchips have sparked critical...

5 tip-offs to mechanic rip-offs.(Money)
April 1, 2006... Unless you're a car mechanic yourself, dealing with a repair shop may require a leap of faith. But if you pay attention to what your mechanic says (and does), you'll find clues that could tell you whether you're being bamboozled. Here are...

Correction.(Money)(Correction notice)
April 1, 2006... The February report "Bargain Financial Advice" referred to the Vanguard Group's management fee. It applies only to clients who want optional, ongoing advice and have accounts of $500,000 or more. The fee is 0.75 percent for assets up to $1...

Safety feature comparison.(2006 cars: Safety features & crash-test scores)
April 1, 2006... Each year it is easier for consumers to shop for and find vehicles with advanced safety features, and 2006 is no exception; some 65 percent of vehicles are available with electronic stability control (ESC),up from 60 percent last year. ...

Canada extra.
April 1, 2006... canada extra INFORMATION FROM CONSUMER REPORTS[R] FOR CANADIAN READERS How to use the Canada Extra section Every month, Canada Extra provides Canadian pricing and availability information about products tested for that issue. For the...

Best & worst used cars.(2006 cars)
April 1, 2006... These lists guide you to the most reliable vehicles from model years 1998 to 2005 and alert you to those that have been problematic. Reliable Used Cars and Used Cars to Avoid include all models that showed above- or below-average overall...

Detailed reliability ratings: easier-to-use charts for new & used cars.(2006 cars: Reliability Ratings)
April 1, 2006... The charts on the following pages give you a model's complete reliability picture for both its used versions (1998 through 2005) and the new one currently on sale. These detailed reliability Ratings are based on our 2005 Annual Car...

Annual auto roundup.(selling it: Goofs / Glitches / Gotchas)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... April is the cruelest month for car dealers, the time when Selling it takes them to task for sins committed during the past year or so. For some reason, they never seem chastened, which might be a good thing, since we're left with plenty of...

Everybody happy?(selling it: Goofs / Glitches / Gotchas)(car dealers)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A note from a Pontiac/Buick/GMC/Cadillac dealer in North Carolina says that "we are happy to have you as a customer." Judging by the options that are available in its customer-service survey, the dealer expects all customers to be happy, too.

Quick, grab the binoculars.(selling it: Goofs / Glitches / Gotchas)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Otherwise, you'll miss the little type that lets you know the big type is fibbing.

Roving far afield.(selling it: Goofs / Glitches / Gotchas)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A California reader points out that "Sea Rover" might be more apt. The latitude and longitude indicate that this dealer is "centred" a few hundred miles off the Carolina coast. Hint to dealer: You might not want to boast about travel...