Consumer Reports articles from April 2008

Consumer Reports archives from April 2008

Have you heard? A safety feature worth seeking out.
April 1, 2008... The 1948 CONSUMER REPORTS Auto Issue rated 38 cars (a lot for those times, but nothing compared with the 134 cereals in the same magazine, or the 262 autos in this issue).We wrote then: "Features and gadgets do not get a strong emphasis here....

Top picks: the best models for 2008.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... SMALL SEDAN Hyundai Elantra SE Redesigned for 2007, the Elantra is a well-rounded small car. It provides good fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and an interior that's quiet, roomy, and well equipped. It also has standard electronic...

Best & worst: the highs and lows from our testing and owner surveys.
April 1, 2008... The best we've tested Highest scores Lexus LS 460L 99 Infiniti M35 X (AWD) 97 Infiniti M35 (RWD) 96 Porsche 911 Carrera S 96 Toyota Sienna XLE (FWD) 93 Lowest...

Sneak peeks: more crossovers, diesels, and trucks are coming down the road.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... Automakers are bringing more fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles to market. But not all of those models are what you would call economy cars; the ranks include SUVs and sporty cars designed to squeeze more out of a gallon of fuel. ...

Who makes the best cars? Honda is tops, but Ford and GM have improved.
April 1, 2008... Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are made by Honda. That's the conclusion of a recent analysis conducted by CONSUMER REPORTS that looks at the reliability, performance, fuel economy, comfort, interior fit and finish, and ergonomics of...

Reliability trends: Japanese brands top our reliability forecasts.
April 1, 2008... Reliability remains a forte for most Japanese brands. Twenty-three of the 33 models in our "most reliable" list are from Japanese automakers. Moreover, we've predicted average reliability or better for all Honda and Subaru models based on our...

What that car really costs to own: save thousands by buying a car that fares well over the long haul.
April 1, 2008... A cheaper car can cost you more in the long run than a more expensive alternative, our new owner-costs comparisons have found. At about $17,500, a Mitsubishi Lancer could cost $5,000 less than a Mini Cooper to drive home. But considering...

Extended warranties: a high-priced gamble our survey of 8,000 new-car buyers shows they are usually a poor deal.
April 1, 2008... Most people don't buy a new car without hearing the dealership finance manager warn about "how foolish it would be" not to protect your investment from unexpected repairs as you put on the miles. What comes next is a persistent sales pitch for...

Vehicle ratings: top performers in every category, and new safety and owner-cost data.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... Of the 262 current vehicles that CONSUMER REPORTS has tested, 53 are standouts, earning our top recommendation. These 31 cars, 19 SUVs, and 3 minivans have exhibited very good or excellent overall performance in our tests, are likely to be...

Vehicle profiles: our reviews, Ratings, and specifications.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... These profiles, covering all major 2008 and early 2009 models, include our expert, unbiased summary reviews; forecasts of reliability, owner satisfaction, and cost of ownership; price ranges; and important specifications for each model. CR...

Should you buy your new car in the U.S.? You may save loonies, but the process might drive you loony.(canada extra)
April 1, 2008... 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 Annual Auto Issue of CONSUMER REPORTS though, the special Canada Extra...

The 2008 cars.(canada extra)
April 1, 2008... The prices below include the manufacturers' suggested retail prices, in Canadian dollars, for vehicles listed in this issue. For most models, the price range covers several trim lines (which differ mainly in their features) and body styles...

Which cars are safer? Our new safety Ratings can help you compare models.
April 1, 2008... Twenty-six models earned the highest overall safety Rating in the new Consumer Reports Safety Assessment. By contrast, eight models received only a fair or poor Rating. CR now provides an overall safety Rating for 95 models, making the charts...

Best & worst used cars: reliable models to look for--and troublesome ones to avoid.(Product/service evaluation)
April 1, 2008... Is it time to replace your car? Owners of about 27 percent of the vehicles in our latest Annual Car Reliability Survey acquired them used last year, and they're definitely on to something. Data from our exclusive survey, conducted by the...

Used-car reliability: 17 trouble areas to help you assess a used car.
April 1, 2008... Perhaps you are shopping for a used SUV and are trying to decide between a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a V6 Toyota 4Runner. One look at the charts below could lead you to a quick, well-informed decision: The Jeep's reliability has been much...