Rating the 2001s.(Cars 2001)(Cover Story)(Directory)

These Ratings show at a glance how well each vehicle we've recently tested compares with others in its class. Some new vehicles don't appear here because we haven't tested them yet. Overall Ratings are based on performance, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Reliability is not part of this score, but it does affect whether we recommend a vehicle.

KEY

P = poor; F = fair; G = good; VG = very good; E = excellent

[check] means the model is recommended; a recent version performed competently in our tests and, based on the model's history, we predict that its reliability will be at least average.

[up arrow] means this new model is promising; the vehicle performed competently in our tests and, based on the reliability of other models made by that manufacturer, we expect its reliability to be at least average.

The engine or transmission is noted for the tested model if there's a choice and if it makes a difference in the overall score.

 
Overall Ratings 
 
High-end cars 
 
          MAKE AND MODEL                      OVERALL SCORE 
 
                                         P    F    G    VG   E 
 
UPSCALE SEDANS 
 
[check]   4 BMW 330i                                         91 
[check]   4 Lexus ES300                                      88 
          Lincoln LS V6                                      87 
[check]   4 Lexus IS300                                      87 
[check]   4 Saab 9-5 2.3t                                    85 
          Volvo S80 2.9                                      84 
          Mercedes-Benz C320                                 81 
[check]   4 Infiniti I30                                     81 
          Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0                         78 
[check]   4 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro                        78 
[check]   4 Acura 3.2TL                                 77 
          Volvo S60 2.4T                                68 
[check]   4 Chrysler 300M                               67 
          Mitsubishi Diamante                      60 
          Saab 9-3                                 60 
 
LUXURY SEDANS 
 
          Audi A6 Quattro V6 2.8                             91 
          Cadillac DeVille DHS                               87 
[check]   4 Lexus GS300                                      85 
[check]   4 Acura 3.5RL                                      84 
[check]   4 Lincoln Town Car Executive                  71 
          Lincoln Continental                           62 
 
Overall Ratings 
 
Pickup trucks 
 
          MAKE AND MODEL                  OVERALL SCORE 
 
                                     P    F    G    VG   E 
 
COMPACT PICKUP TRUCKS Extended-cab V6 4WD 
 
[check]   Ford Ranger XLT 4.0                       62 
[check]   Mazda B-4000 SE                           62 
          Chevrolet S-10 LS                    54 
          GMC Sonoma SLE                       54 
          Toyota Tacoma                   32 
 
FULL-SIZED PICKUP TRUCKS Extended-cab V8 4WD 
 
[check]   Toyota Tundra SR5 4.7                          87 
          Chevrolet Silverado                       77 
            1500 LS 5.3 
          GMC Sierra SLE 1500 5.3                   77 
[check]   Ford F-150 XLT 5.4                        67 
          Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.2     20 
 
Overall Ratings 
 
Wagons & minivans 
 
             MAKE AND MODEL                    OVERALL SCORE 
 
                                          P    F    G    VG   E 
STATION WAGONS 
 
[check]      Mercedes-Benz E320 4matic                        96 
             Audi A6 Avant                                    94 
[check]      BMW 525i Sportwagon                              93 
[check]      Saab 9-5 V6                                      91 
[check]      Volkswagen Passat GLS                            89 
             Ford Focus SE                                    88 
[check]      Subaru Legacy Outback                            82 
               Limited 
[check]      Volvo V0                                    74 
             Chrysler PT Cruiser                         74 
             Saturn LW300                                70 
 
MINIVANS 
 
[check]      Honda Odyssey EX                                 96 
[check]      Toyota Sienna LE                                 94 
[up arrow]   Chrysler Town & Country LX                       90 
[up arrow]   Dodge Grand Caravan Sport                        90 
[check]      Mazda MPV LX                                79 
             Chevrolet Venture LS                        78 
             Oldsmobile Silhouette                       78 
             Pontiac Montana                             78 
             Ford Windstar SE Sport                      71 
             Mercury Villager base                       69 
             Nissan Quest GXE                            69 
 
Overall Ratings 
 
Sporty cars 
 
          MAKE AND MODEL                       OVERALL SCORE 
 
                                          P    F    G    VG   E 
 
          COUPES 
 
[check]   Toyota Celica GT-S (manual)                         92 
[check]   Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6                     80 
            (auto) 
          Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0                      80 
            (manual) 
          Mercury Cougar V6 (auto)                       74 
[check]   Honda Accord Coupe EX V6                       73 
            (auto) 
          Mitsubishi Eclipse GT                     57 
            (manual) 
 
          SPORTS CARS 
 
[check]   Honda S2000           ...