Consumer Reports: Annual Results News
10-25-2011, 03:29 PM
#521
I drive a Subata.
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not sure. interested in that topic though.
I tend not to really trust these CR rankings. just take it with a grain of salt.
I tend not to really trust these CR rankings. just take it with a grain of salt.
10-25-2011, 03:54 PM
#522
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Ford needs to realize that they need to make certain things simple enough where people don't have to take a class to learn to use their new vehicle. Most consumers will get frustrated.
I will get a very reliable car for dd but will not pay as much attention to a fun car reliability. The boxster i had, had the tendency to blow motors if the IMS bearing went. $15,000 later........... people replaced their motors.
I will get a very reliable car for dd but will not pay as much attention to a fun car reliability. The boxster i had, had the tendency to blow motors if the IMS bearing went. $15,000 later........... people replaced their motors.
10-25-2011, 05:33 PM
#523
Advanced
I can understand if it's the JD Power "initial quality" which gauges owner's reactions to the vehicle in the first year of ownership, but not a reliability survey.
Not sure about the dual clutch though. I think it's a "normal" issue that some people just don't like, not that they're breaking.
10-25-2011, 05:36 PM
#524
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
^ maybe you are wrong? and we are all wrong?
who knows what the reliability of those things really are?
I've never even touched the system before. Anyone has any experience with it?
who knows what the reliability of those things really are?
I've never even touched the system before. Anyone has any experience with it?
10-25-2011, 06:30 PM
#525
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...umer-reports/1
The three new Ford models "all had below-average reliability in their first year," dropping the Ford brand's overall ranking to No. 20 this year, from No. 10 a year ago. CR said that until now Ford has been "a model of American reliability, competing well against Japanese makes." But not now. It's 10-spot tumble was the biggest drop of any major brand in the report.
Particular problems included the MyFord Touch electronic control system and a dry-clutch automatic transmission in the Fiesta and Focus.
Particular problems included the MyFord Touch electronic control system and a dry-clutch automatic transmission in the Fiesta and Focus.
But looking at TrueDelta, there were only a few people who reported having a problem with MyTouch:
Sep 2011 - 10000 miles - Bluetooth not working. Sync would not activate.
Mar 2011 - 6000 miles - Issue with Push Button ignition, engine sounded like it did not want to crank over on first attempt. Contacts repaired and transmission reflashed. Sync system updated as well.
Jun 2011 - 17000 mies - Could no longer play audiobooks from iPod after updating to latest version of Sync. After seven unsuccessful attempts ended up switching to an iPhone, which works.
Mar 2011 - 5000 miles - the sync was not working with my cell phone .. a software update corrected this problem first gear had been jerky for the beginning . I complained many times but nothing was done. I threatened legal action and after a couple of test drives and an adjustment to the transmission software it is running perfectly.
Apr 2011 - 2000 miles - After you start the car, the sync button must be pressed 2 or more time to get it to work. Automatic Transmission somtimes does not shift into gear for a long time after accelerator is pressed. VERY DANGEROUS! Sometimes it rapidly alternates trying two different gears but can't or won't pick one.
Who knows?--> 2011 Ford Fiesta repair histories report
Weird. Nothing on 2010 or 2011 model year Ford Focus on TrueDelta. Only goes up to 2009 model, which had a high # of reported repairs.
Only things I saw regarding MyTouch
Sep 2010 - 22000 miles - Sync module was replaced
Oct 2009 - 5000 miles - software update for Sync auto dial 911 assist
--> 2009 Ford Focus repair histories report
It's likely that there aren't too many Ford owners using TrueDelta vs. Consumer Reports
Last edited by AZuser; 10-25-2011 at 06:39 PM.
10-26-2011, 07:34 AM
#526
Safety Car
Acura #3
Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand took back the top spot among luxury brands in Consumer Reports' reliability ranking, beating BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, which fell the most of any vehicle line.
Winning the luxury crown as well as the top spot among all brands with its youth-oriented Scion line may help Toyota restore confidence among consumers following 2 years of falling U.S. sales, recalls, unflattering reviews and production lost because of the March earthquake in Japan.
The Toyota City, Japan-based automaker's Toyota brand held at 6th place for a 2nd year, a further sign of resilience after recalling millions of vehicles in 2009 and 2010 amid unintended-acceleration claims.
"Toyota has always made a pretty good car," David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Automotive Test Center, said in a phone interview. "They have fixed a lot of the problems that they had. The recall situation was totally overblown."
Lexus's key rivals, Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG's BMW, both improved this year, while still finishing in the bottom half of the survey among all vehicle types. Mercedes ranked 18th and BMW was 19th. Volkswagen AG's Audi ranked 26th, and Jaguar, owned by India's Tata Motors Ltd., ranked last.
Lexus Models
This year's resurgence of Lexus was pushed largely by 2 models. The survey's most-reliable vehicle was the new Lexus CT 200h hybrid, a luxury version of the Toyota Prius, the world's best-selling gas-electric vehicle.
The automaker has also fixed squeaks and rattles that consumers reported last year with the Lexus IS 250 convertible. The model was the brand's worst last year, the Yonkers, New York-based publication said. Lexus addressed those issues this year, Champion said.
Fortunes have moved in the opposite direction for Stuttgart, Germany-based Porsche SE. The brand ranked 2nd last year and tumbled in the latest report because of complaints about the new Cayenne sport-utility vehicle. Consumers griped that controls failed for the heat, air conditioning, stereo and navigation system, Champion said.
Porsche sells just four other models. Because the sample size for the Boxster coupe was too small to count in the survey, the Cayenne's problems can drag down the entire brand, Champion said. Nick Twork, a Porsche spokesman, declined to comment.
Chrysler Improves
Chrysler Group LLC, controlled by Fiat SpA since its 2009 bankruptcy, showed improved results. The Chrysler brand moved up from 27th last year to 15th. Jeep is the highest-ranking U.S. domestic brand at 13th.
Most brands owned by Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. fell in the rankings. The Ford brand fell 10 spots to 20th. GM's top-selling Chevrolet brand stayed at 17th. Buick, 24th, and Cadillac, 25th, both fell 6 places.
Japanese carmakers took 9 of the top 10 spots in the rankings, up from 7 a year ago. Honda Motor Co.'s Acura luxury brand took 3rd place, Mazda Motor Corp.'s brand rose from 12th place last year to 4th. Honda ranked 5th, Nissan Motor Co.'s Infiniti ranked 7th behind Lexus, Fuji Heavy Industry's Subaru was 8th and Nissan finished 9th.
For Lexus, a top reliability ranking for the CT 200h from Consumer Reports will counter some criticism that the magazine levied against the car in a review.
"Lexuses are famed for their soft rides and quiet cabins, but you won't find either 1 here," Consumer Reports wrote in its October issue. "Road bumps punch through as hard, rubbery kicks, and frequent, quick ride motions persist even on a smooth highway. Lots of road noise enters the cabin, and the engine sounds loud when revved high, which happens often."
Overcoming Damage
Improved survey results can also help overcome the reputational damage Toyota incurred 2 years ago, Champion said.
After Toyota's recall of more than 8 million autos worldwide in late 2009 and 2010, the company began assessing all of its vehicles, the components used to produce them and the factories that build them. To woo buyers, the company promised standard free maintenance for 2 years on all new Toyota and Scion vehicles sold in the U.S.
"Consumer Reports has tremendous credibility with consumers because of the way they test vehicles," Brian Smith, vice president of U.S. marketing for Lexus, said in an interview. "To have the CT do so well in its category -- a brand-new car in its first year -- is indicative of the brand."
A renewed commitment to quality helped Toyota and Lexus brands regain their pre-recall rankings in J.D. Power & Associates annual new-car quality study. In the report released in June, Lexus was again the top-ranked brand, a position it lost in the 2010 review, while the Toyota brand jumped to 7th place from a year earlier.
"They said they were going to focus on the customer," said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., an automotive consulting firm in Birmingham, Michigan. "Looks like it paid off."
--With assistance from Tim Higgins in Southfield, Michigan. Editors: Jamie Butters, Kevin Miller, Bill Koenig.
To contact the reporters on this story: David Welch at dwelch12@bloomberg.net; Alan Ohnsman in Los Angeles at aohnsman@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at jbutters@bloomberg.net
To contact the reporters on this story: David Welch at dwelch12@bloomberg.net; Alan Ohnsman in Los Angeles at aohnsman@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at jbutters@bloomberg.net
10-26-2011, 09:24 AM
#528
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We haven't had enough owners of the 2010 and 2011 Focus signed up to provide results for these years. Our members tend to be interested in cars, and not too many people interested in cars bought these. A high percentage of their sales went to rental fleets.
We will have a result for the 2012 Focus next month, and it will be better than CR's. The Fiesta was pretty bad at first, but has been improving. The scores for some other cars will also be better than in CR.
A few key differences to recognize between CR and TrueDelta:
--their survey was conducted last April, so for the Focus and some other late 2011 / early 2012 models it was based on just a couple months or even a couple weeks of ownership. Their results for models introduced after the first of the year are often off. TrueDelta's current results include a couple more months of data, and our November results will be five months ahead of CR's "new" data, which are actually already six months old.
--CR asks people to report problems "you considered serious," which opens the door wide for owner bias and often distorts their results; there are no clear rules for what does and does not count as a problem
--TrueDelta has a very explicit definition of what should be reported and what counts. One thing that does not count in our stats is a free software update, because these are becoming as common for cars as they are for computers AND we don't want to discourage manufacturers from providing them. There have been a number of software updates for SYNC, and probably some for the dual clutch transmission as well.
One very common problem with the Fiesta was a poorly attached ground that caused many cars to fail to start. File off the paint beneath the ground, update the software, and the problem was fixed. There have been a few reports of failed dual clutch transmissions, but not enough to dramatically affect the reliability stats. There aren't many cases where these transmissions have had a mechanical problem, at least not yet. But more than zero, which is the typical number for a fairly new car these days.
10-26-2011, 10:35 AM
#529
Race Director
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...ly-fixed-now/1
Ford Motor CEO Alan Mulally says Ford has definitely fixed the bedevilling problems that caused Consumer Reports magazine to dramatically lower its predicted-reliability score for the Ford brand.
"We've identified the software problem and incorporated the fixes in product going forward," Mulally said today in a conference call with financial analysts and journalists discussing Ford Motor's $1.6 billion second-quarter profit.
Mulally said the glitches that made owners upset with fuel-mileage-tuned automatic transmisisons in Ford's Focus and Fiesta small cars have been fixed for some time. The whack to Ford's reliability rating in the CR report card announced yesterday is a one-time matter, he says.
Ford will score higher in evaluations from now on, he says.
Ford sales have been boosted by its reputation as a reliable brand, so the latest CR scorecard could hurt.
"We've identified the software problem and incorporated the fixes in product going forward," Mulally said today in a conference call with financial analysts and journalists discussing Ford Motor's $1.6 billion second-quarter profit.
Mulally said the glitches that made owners upset with fuel-mileage-tuned automatic transmisisons in Ford's Focus and Fiesta small cars have been fixed for some time. The whack to Ford's reliability rating in the CR report card announced yesterday is a one-time matter, he says.
Ford will score higher in evaluations from now on, he says.
Ford sales have been boosted by its reputation as a reliable brand, so the latest CR scorecard could hurt.
10-26-2011, 10:43 AM
#530
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Both. It's slow to respond to commands, and it definitely takes a bit of practice to know how to use it. I wasn't really impressed with it when I first used it. I've delivered a few Ford products with Sync and came back with the same feeling and experience every time.
10-26-2011, 10:58 AM
#531
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http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...urvey-results/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...job-one-again/
10-26-2011, 11:17 AM
#532
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But that's my question. are the complaints about usability or reliability? Same thing with the Dual clutch. We've all heard complaints about how jerky it is. Or are they breaking as well?
On the bright side for Ford, at least there was no mention of the MT-82 in the Mustang.
On the bright side for Ford, at least there was no mention of the MT-82 in the Mustang.
10-26-2011, 11:33 AM
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I was reading an article in Automotive News about Ford's response to the DC transmission. They said that customers are complaining that they are jerky. Ford's response is blaming the dealers, saying that they aren't informing the customers enough about the technology and features of the car, and people buy these cars thinking that it has an automatic transmission, and expecting it to perform like an automatic. There's your problem!
http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/features/#page=Feature3
10-26-2011, 11:57 AM
#534
Senior Moderator
Sounds like they put the dual clutch in the wrong cars. Their biggest sellers who's buyers don't really care or know about the technology. Maybe they should have just held off until it was more refined and launched it in their ST models first.
10-26-2011, 12:42 PM
#536
The sizzle in the Steak
The Oddy made the 
list...SHOCKING!!!!
list...SHOCKING!!!!
12-01-2011, 07:58 AM
#537
Safety Car
Satisfaction 2011
"Considering all factors (price, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?"
Perhaps no other question could produce a result as indicative of overall vehicle satisfaction, and so it's no surprise that's the query Consumer Reports poses to its subscribers every year, and for 2011, the Chevrolet Volt scored highest of all with 93% of respondents indicating they definitely would buy GM's plug-in hatchback again.
It's not all lollipops and rainbows with the Volt these days, though, as Consumer Reports points out in the press release pasted after the break. For one thing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not yet opened its investigation into the Volt and other plug-in cars for spontaneous combustion after an accident. Plus, owners of the Volt had only been in possession of the keys to their PHEVs for a few months when the survey was sent out.
2nd and 3rd place went to the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911, respectively, each with a rating of 91 percent. Somewhat paradoxically, CR says its readers tend to give higher scores both to cars with fuel-saving powertrain technology and those with high-powered engines, which helps explain the top three finishers.
Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford each had four models earning scores of 80 percent or higher. A total of 27 vehicles scored in that 80th-percentile group. Cars receiving the lowest scores were the Chevrolet Aveo (37%), all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix (43%), and Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck (47%). Read more in the press release after the break.
CONSUMER REPORTS OWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY: CHEVROLET VOLT EDGES OUT SPORTS CARS FOR TOP SPOT
Volt narrowly edged out Dodge Challenger & Porsche 911
YONKERS, NY-The Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid that has an advanced but unproven powertrain, and carries a $40,000 sticker price, is now the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports' latest annual owner-satisfaction survey.
Ninety-three percent of respondents who own the Volt said they would definitely buy it again, making it the highest-rated car in the nationally representative survey. The Volt narrowly edged out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911, each with owner-satisfaction scores of 91%.
Though the Volt's high score reflects the excitement surrounding GM's new electric/gasoline drivetrain, it comes with a caveat. The model had been in showrooms for only a few months when Consumer Reports' survey was conducted, and it remains to be seen if the score will hold up as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles. Still, early adopters of a new technology tend to be among the most enthusiastic buyers.
Consumer Reports' car owner satisfaction survey was conducted prior to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevrolet Volt catching fire after being crash tested.
"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.
For each of the 27 models that got Consumer Reports top owner satisfaction rating-at least 80% of respondents said they'd definitely buy the car again-12 were sporty cars or convertibles and nine were hybrids or diesels.
Brand nationality doesn't seem to be a factor among the top-rated models. The 27 models with the highest rating include 10 American, 10 European, and 7 Asian models. Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford were tied with 4 models each on the top list.
Consumer Reports owner-satisfaction survey, which drew responses from more than 314,000 subscribers on 2009 through 2012 model year vehicles, is based on the results from Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
Scores are based on the percentage of respondents who answered "definitely yes" to the following question: "Considering all factors (price, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?"
Other fuel-efficient models that earned Consumer Reports top ratings include a number of hybrids, such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h and RX 450h, and Toyota Prius, as well as diesel versions of the BMW X5 and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta Sportwagen.
Sporty models that did well include the supercharged Audi S4, Audi A5 and S5, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper Convertible.
The appeal of power also extends into mainstream models, as owners of turbocharged versions are often more satisfied than owners of conventional versions of the same car. Although the Ford Flex and Hyundai Sonata, for example, are generally well liked, only their turbocharged versions earned Consumer Reports' top owner satisfaction scores.
Small cars, lower-priced small and midsized SUVs, minivans, and compact pickup trucks tended to score much lower as a group.
This year, only 3 models received Consumer Reports lowest rating, which means that fewer than half of the respondents said they would definitely buy the car again. They are the Chevrolet Aveo (37 %), all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix (43 %), and Chevrolet Colorado pickup (47 %).
Full Consumer Reports' owner satisfaction survey findings are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org now. Findings will also be in the January issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which goes on sale December 6.
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
Volt narrowly edged out Dodge Challenger & Porsche 911
YONKERS, NY-The Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid that has an advanced but unproven powertrain, and carries a $40,000 sticker price, is now the top-scoring model in Consumer Reports' latest annual owner-satisfaction survey.
Ninety-three percent of respondents who own the Volt said they would definitely buy it again, making it the highest-rated car in the nationally representative survey. The Volt narrowly edged out the V8-powered Dodge Challenger and the Porsche 911, each with owner-satisfaction scores of 91%.
Though the Volt's high score reflects the excitement surrounding GM's new electric/gasoline drivetrain, it comes with a caveat. The model had been in showrooms for only a few months when Consumer Reports' survey was conducted, and it remains to be seen if the score will hold up as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles. Still, early adopters of a new technology tend to be among the most enthusiastic buyers.
Consumer Reports' car owner satisfaction survey was conducted prior to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement that it would conduct a safety investigation into plug-in hybrid sedans following an incident with a Chevrolet Volt catching fire after being crash tested.
"These models reflect a larger trend we've seen in recent years: Sporty cars and fuel efficient cars with alternative drivetrains tend to generate more enthusiasm and loyalty than most other types of vehicles," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports automotive editor.
For each of the 27 models that got Consumer Reports top owner satisfaction rating-at least 80% of respondents said they'd definitely buy the car again-12 were sporty cars or convertibles and nine were hybrids or diesels.
Brand nationality doesn't seem to be a factor among the top-rated models. The 27 models with the highest rating include 10 American, 10 European, and 7 Asian models. Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford were tied with 4 models each on the top list.
Consumer Reports owner-satisfaction survey, which drew responses from more than 314,000 subscribers on 2009 through 2012 model year vehicles, is based on the results from Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
Scores are based on the percentage of respondents who answered "definitely yes" to the following question: "Considering all factors (price, reliability, comfort, enjoyment, etc.), would you get this car if you had it to do all over again?"
Other fuel-efficient models that earned Consumer Reports top ratings include a number of hybrids, such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h and RX 450h, and Toyota Prius, as well as diesel versions of the BMW X5 and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta Sportwagen.
Sporty models that did well include the supercharged Audi S4, Audi A5 and S5, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper Convertible.
The appeal of power also extends into mainstream models, as owners of turbocharged versions are often more satisfied than owners of conventional versions of the same car. Although the Ford Flex and Hyundai Sonata, for example, are generally well liked, only their turbocharged versions earned Consumer Reports' top owner satisfaction scores.
Small cars, lower-priced small and midsized SUVs, minivans, and compact pickup trucks tended to score much lower as a group.
This year, only 3 models received Consumer Reports lowest rating, which means that fewer than half of the respondents said they would definitely buy the car again. They are the Chevrolet Aveo (37 %), all-wheel-drive Toyota Matrix (43 %), and Chevrolet Colorado pickup (47 %).
Full Consumer Reports' owner satisfaction survey findings are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org now. Findings will also be in the January issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which goes on sale December 6.
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
12-01-2011, 08:15 AM
#538
Race Director
The model had been in showrooms for only a few months when Consumer Reports' survey was conducted, and it remains to be seen if the score will hold up as the car rolls out to a wider audience and owners spend more time with their vehicles.
it won't hold up.
12-01-2011, 08:25 AM
#539
I once talked to an older gentleman who drove a Volt, he said he loved it. Probably the best car GM's ever made. On his normal commutes (~15 miles each way) he doesn't use any gas or hardly uses any at all. His best tank netted him 200 mpg or so, lasted him like a month or something like that.
Biases and potential exaggerations aside, he seemed impressed with it
Sarlacc is plenty pleased with his Challenger.
Biases and potential exaggerations aside, he seemed impressed with it
Sarlacc is plenty pleased with his Challenger.
03-01-2012, 07:42 AM
#540
AZ Community Team
Consumer Reports' top picks of 2012
http://autos.yahoo.com/news/consumer...;_ylv=3?page=1
Not a single Honda/Acura.
They need to get back to their core roots and principals that got them to where they were only a handful of years ago.
Not a single Honda/Acura
. They need to get back to their core roots and principals that got them to where they were only a handful of years ago.
03-01-2012, 09:13 AM
#541
Team Owner
Half of them go to Toyota, impressive.
03-01-2012, 10:37 PM
#542
The Third Ball
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03-01-2012, 11:00 PM
#543
אני עומד עם ישראל
Nice both of my cars on it lol my wife's Highlander and my G. Even last year our old Fit was on it.
10-30-2012, 06:41 AM
#544
Safety Car
AutoNews
Ford Motor Co. plunged for the 2nd straight year in Consumer Reports' survey of auto reliability and now ranks near the bottom of the annual scorecard.
The Ford brand finished 27th out of the 28 brands rated in the latest report, after dropping to 20th from No. 10 last year. Lincoln fell to 26th from 14th. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion, Toyota and Lexus brands ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a list that continues to be dominated by Asian brands.
"Ford's bumpy road can be seen in the numbers," Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports' new director of automotive testing, said in a statement released today. "Sixty percent of Ford-branded models and half of Lincolns were below average in predicted reliability, and none placed above average."
It's another blow for Ford, which just 2 years ago had been touted by the magazine for achieving a "quality renaissance."
In June, the Ford brand placed 27th in the annual Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power and Associates, as it was downgraded by consumers who found the MyFord Touch electronic infotainment system hard to use. In 2010, the Ford brand ranked No. 5 in the same study.
Consumer Reports uses reported experiences for the most-recent 3 years of each model to predict future reliability. The data in the 2012 Auto Reliability Survey released today are drawn from subscribers' experiences with 1.2 million vehicles.
Ford spokesman Mark Schirmer said the findings echo Ford's own research.
"We know we have areas to address, and we have been working on them and we have been making progress," he said. "Our internal data ... show that we are improving in these areas, and we expect that will be reflected in next year's Consumer Reports survey."
Main reasons
The magazine said Ford suffered for 3 main reasons:
• The expansion of the MyFord/MyLincoln Touch system into a wider range of vehicles. Fisher said the technology has been "problematic so far."
• Some newly redesigned models -- including the Ford Explorer, Fiesta and Focus -- "came out of the gate with more problems than normal."
• 3 normally reliable models -- the Ford Escape and Fusion and the Lincoln MKZ -- were redesigned for 2013 and were too new to be counted in this year's results.
4 other Japanese brands ranked just behind Scion, Toyota, and Lexus at the top: Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura. Last year, Scion, Lexus and Acura took the top 3 spots.
All models from the top 7 brands had rankings of average or better in the 2012 study. And of the 90 Japanese models that had the magazine's minimum 100 subscriber responses, 86 finished above average.
2 luxury brands moved up substantially from a year earlier.
No. 8 Audi rose 18 places from the 2011 survey and was this year's top-rated European brand. Infiniti and Kia rounded out the top 10.
GM improves
No. 11 Cadillac was the highest-rated domestic brand, gaining 14 places. General Motors' other brands -- GMC (13th), Chevrolet (15th) and Buick (21st) -- all improved as well.
Chrysler Group brands Jeep (19th), Chrysler (23rd) and Dodge (24th) all fell.
Jaguar, now owned by India's Tata Motors, was ranked last.
Fisher attributed GM's rise to its "working out the bugs."
"Chrysler has taken a step backward," he said at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit today. "Ford has taken several steps backward."
11-20-2012, 06:40 AM
#545
Safety Car
Detroit
Some of the latest new car models from Detroit automakers received mixed reviews from Consumer Reports and have failed to win a recommendation from the popular U.S. shopping guide.
The Dodge Dart, the 1st all-new model from the Fiat-Chrysler partnership, earned kudos for a solid feel, handling and ride, and upscale options, the magazine said today. But the compact sedan was dragged down by underpowered powertrains and didn’t score high enough by the magazine to be recommended.
The Dart, a replacement for the Dodge Caliber hatchback and Chrysler’s 1st legitimate small car since the Neon, is based on the same platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Consumer Reports testers found that the Dodge Dart has a relatively quiet cabin, fairly nimble handling, and taut yet compliant ride.
“Where the Dart stalls out is its powertrains,” the magazine said, adding the standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine feels underpowered, while the optional 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder “is raspy and has drivability issues when mated with the optional dual-clutch automated manual transmission.”
The magazine said it tested a 2.0-liter Dart SXT priced at $20,680 and 1.4-liter Rallye model priced at $24,490.
“The Dart is the 1st decent compact car from Dodge in decades,” Jake Fisher, director of the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, said in a statement. “It has some solid positives. But overall it can’t yet measure up to the best in class.”
Consumer Reports also failed to recommend the all-new Cadillac XTS and the Lincoln MKS sedans. The XTS scored much higher overall than the MKS in the matchup, but both cars underwhelmed the magazine’s testers in a segment dominated by German, Japanese, and Korean models.
The XTS is a replacement for the DTS and STS sedans in Cadillac’s lineup.
Consumer Reports said the Cadillac XTS was “wonderfully luxurious, with a very spacious and well-appointed cabin.”
Infotainment system 'frustrating'
But Cadillac’s new flagship is hampered by its CUE infotainment system, which testers found to be “convoluted and frustrating.”
The magazine applauded the Lincoln MKS’ plentiful features, quiet cabin and excellent fit and finish.
“But the car is hampered by its cramped driving position, ungainly handling, uncompromised ride, and limited visibility,” the magazine said. “With an overall road-test score of 60, the MKS is the lowest-rated luxury sedan in class, lagging far behind previously-tested standouts like the Audi A6 and Infiniti M37.”
The redesigned Lexus ES was also tested and received high marks for a comfortable, quiet interior, impressive hybrid and V6 drivetrains, and excellent fuel economy, particularly in hybrid form, the magazine said.
But the 2013 model took a step back in ride and interior refinement from the previous ES, Consumer Reports said.
“Although its handling didn’t impress and its controls were newly complicated, both tested trims -- the ES350, ($43,702) and the hybrid ES330h ($44,017) -- scored high enough overall to be recommended and rank among CR’s higher-Rated upscale sedans."
Spark scores low
The magazine also tested the Chevrolet Spark and said the 4-door subcompact produces excellent fuel economy of 34 mpg overall and 42 on the highway.
It has a surprisingly useable rear seat, a comprehensive assortment of features, and is affordably priced at $15,420, Consumer Reports said.
But sluggish acceleration, stiff and jittery ride and very noisy cabin dropped the Spark’s overall score to 34, the magazine said.
It is 1 of the lowest scoring cars tested by the magazine in recent years and is too low to recommend.
You can reach David Phillips at dphillips@crain.com.
11-20-2012, 08:48 AM
#547
Senior Moderator
I take little CR reports now days seriously.
02-05-2013, 11:24 AM
#548
Safety Car
Turbo Report
Small turbocharged engines are marketed as delivering the power of a large engine, with the fuel economy of a smaller 1. That's a tempting proposition, but our testing shows these small-displacement turbos are not delivering on the promises.
By now, we've tested many cars with these engines, and lots of competitors with traditional, naturally-aspirated powerplants, big and small. Generally, the turbocharged cars have slower acceleration and no better fuel economy than the models with bigger, conventional engines. Looking at EPA fuel-economy estimates (calculated based on laboratory tests), some of these cars' turbocharged engines seem to have an advantage. But we found those results don't match the findings from our own fuel-economy tests.
The latest example is the collection of EcoBoost Ford Fusions we tested, which come with small, direct-injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. The smallest 1—a 1.6-liter producing 173 hp—is a $795 option over the basic conventional 2.5-liter 4 cylinder on Fusion SE models. But that car's 0-60 mph acceleration time trails most competitors, and its 25 mpg overall places it among the worst of the crop of recently-redesigned family sedans. The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, all with conventional 2.4- or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engines, get an additional 2, 5, and 6 mpg, respectively. And all accelerate more quickly.
The larger among Ford's EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines, the turbocharged 231-hp, 2.0-liter, is billed as having the power of a V6 but delivering the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. However, our so-equipped Fusion Titanium returned 22 mpg (which pales against the 25 and 26 mpg we recorded for the best V6 family sedans), slower acceleration and reduced refinement compared to its V6-powered peers.
Chevrolet-Cruze-Eco-badge.jpgAnother example is our tests of the Chevrolet Cruze. Our base Cruze had the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder; our higher-end 1LT version came with the 1.4-liter turbo 4 cylinder. While the 1.4-liter feels marginally more powerful in daily driving, it was barely faster to 60 mph, and it got the same fuel economy as the larger engine—26 mpg overall.
Turbochargers pump extra air into the engine to deliver more power. But all engines have to be operated at a very specific air-to-fuel ratio. So this extra air has to be augmented with extra fuel, which may offset any savings from shrinking engine sizes.
1 benefit to the turbocharged engines is an abundance of torque at low to mid rpm. In daily driving, this means a more effortless feeling of thrust with reduced need to downshift while climbing hills or when delivering the kind of moderate acceleration most drivers demand. That can make a car feel more responsive, even if its actual acceleration times from a standstill are slower. However, not all of these turbocharged models deliver that benefit. Many, especially those smaller 1.4- and 1.6-liter engines, still downshift frequently to keep up with traffic. And all but 1 of the tested cars have slower mid-range acceleration from 45-65 mph.
In contrast, BMW's turbocharged 4-cylinder engines seem to deliver both good fuel economy and acceleration: The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4 cylinder contributes to 28 mpg overall in our last tested 328i sedan. It improved mileage only marginally in the 2013 X3 SUV compared to the 6-cylinder 2011 X3 we tested, with essentially identical power and acceleration but somewhat comprised refinement. The 2.0-liter turbo 4 cylinder engine we've tested in Audis and Volkswagens usually return impressive mileage, though we haven't tested any identical model powered by 2 different engines for such a direct comparison.
PHP Code:
Model Engine 0-60 mph EPA mpg CR mpg
Ford Fusion 1.6L Turbo 4 8.9 28 25
Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Four 8.2 26 27
Kia Optima 2.4L Four 8.6 27 25
Toyota Camry 2.4L Four 8.4 28 27
Honda Accord 2.4L Four 7.7 30 30
Nissan Altima 2.4L Four 8.2 27 31
Ford Fusion 2.0L Turbo 4 7.4 26 22
Hyundai Sonata 2.0L Turbo 4 6.6 26 25
Kia Optima 2.0L Turbo 4 6.6 26 24
Toyota Camry 3.5L V6 6.4 25 26
Honda Accord 3.5L V6 6.3 25 26
Nissan Altima 3.5L V6 6.3 23 24
Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L Turbo 4 9.8 28 26
Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L Four 10.5 27 26
Dodge Dart 1.4L Turbo 4 8.6 31 29
Dodge Dart 2.0L Four 11.0 27 27
Ford Escape 1.6L Turbo 4 9.9 25 22
Honda CR-V 2.4L Four 9.2 25 23
Kia Sportage 2.4L Four 10.3 23 22
Toyota RAV4 2.5L Four (2012) 10.0 24 23
Ford Escape 2.0L Turbo 4 8.2 24 22
Kia Sportage 2.0L Turbo 4 7.1 22 21
Toyota RAV4 3.5L V6 (2012) 6.7 22 22
BMW X3 2.0L Turbo 4 7.3 24 23
BMW X3 3.0L Six 7.2 21 22
Ford F-150 3.5 V6 Turbo 7.7 17 15
Ford F-150 5.0L V8 7.8 16 15
02-05-2013, 12:55 PM
#549
The sizzle in the Steak
Another "shock" piece from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports has been searching for relevancy for years now.
They are going the way of the dinosaur thanks to the internet.
CR. You won't be missed.
Consumer Reports has been searching for relevancy for years now.
They are going the way of the dinosaur thanks to the internet.
CR. You won't be missed.
02-05-2013, 03:36 PM
#550
You'll Never Walk Alone
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The CR report is basically stating the obvious. There's no surprise, really. Boosted small engines do well in EPA tests since the tests only involve very mild acceleration and a relatively low "top speed", hence manufacturers are doing it. It's the same thing with companies using larger battery packs and motors for their hybrid models to get very good EPA ratings.
02-06-2013, 12:27 PM
#552
You'll Never Walk Alone
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I recall this blast from the past: link
So far, I think Audi/VW and BMW are the only companies are able to extract real world benefits of smaller boosted engines. However, that comes at a price. Those engines need octane 91+ fuel, they have very good fundamental components and thermal management systems to ensure no knocking/misfiring. They can run stoichiometric longer under load without any issue. That's very important. Other companies that try to use smaller boosted engines say their engines can run 87 octane fuel. Those companies probably invested less money on developing the fundamental components and good thermal management systems. Result? As soon as the load increases, or a certain load is sustained for a period of time, the air-fuel ratio changes, and the engine starts to run rich to prevent knocking (i.e. instead of 14.7:1, the engine starts running at 11:1).
In EPA tests, almost every boosted engine can run at 14.7:1 since the load is very light (i.e. gentle acceleration). In the real world however, pretty much most people drive more aggressively. As a result, 14.7:1 is not possible all the time. NA engines on the other hand, can run at 14.7:1 even at full throttle for a short amount of time.
02-06-2013, 01:47 PM
#553
Senior Moderator
iPhone user error.
02-06-2013, 02:27 PM
#554
Fahrvergnügen'd
If I had my choice between a 160hp 1.6L Ecoboost and a 160hp 2.0L NA I-4 I'm taking the Ecoboost. Not just because I could chip it (which 99% of people wouldn't in a Fusion) but because it probably has more torque and is more enjoyable to drive.
02-06-2013, 03:00 PM
#555
2G TLX-S
^^^^^
Turbo cars are more tunable too. It is very easy to squeeze out massive dose of additional horsepowers, simply by cranking up the boost level for as long as the engine block can hold up.
Turbo cars are more tunable too. It is very easy to squeeze out massive dose of additional horsepowers, simply by cranking up the boost level for as long as the engine block can hold up.
02-06-2013, 05:03 PM
#556
You'll Never Walk Alone
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I think that depends on a few things, like the engine size, turbo size, etc.
The Dart 1.4T 6MT vs Focus SE 5MT is a good example: http://media.caranddriver.com/files/...d-focus-se.pdf
Let's get one fact out of the way first, the Focus is 300lb lighter than the Dart.
Now look at the specs, both cars have 160hp, but the Dart has an extra 38lbft of torque that is being delivered almost 2000rpm earlier. Regardless of weight, that is a huge difference, correct?
To check out if the Dart actually has much more torque at low rpm, there's no better way than to look at the top gear acceleration data for both cars. For both 30-50mph and 50-70mph, the Focus does both in 12.5 seconds. The Dart? 50-70mph is not much behind the Focus at 13.8s, but just look at 30-50mph. It takes an awful long 30.1 seconds to do that. Even if you consider the fact that the Dart is doing this in 6th gear, that's still a very long time. That implies a very weak bottom end, despite what the specs tell you.
I have no doubt that turbocharged engines in general, turbocharged engines can easily be tuned to achieve much higher power and torque. However, my understanding for these small turbocharged engines, to reduce turbo lag, very small turbochargers are used. As a result, their potential is rather limited unless more money is spent on upgrading the turbochargers and other parts. And when you do get the desired amount of power, then you might run into reliability issues which is another topic.
The Dart 1.4T 6MT vs Focus SE 5MT is a good example: http://media.caranddriver.com/files/...d-focus-se.pdf
Let's get one fact out of the way first, the Focus is 300lb lighter than the Dart.
Now look at the specs, both cars have 160hp, but the Dart has an extra 38lbft of torque that is being delivered almost 2000rpm earlier. Regardless of weight, that is a huge difference, correct?
To check out if the Dart actually has much more torque at low rpm, there's no better way than to look at the top gear acceleration data for both cars. For both 30-50mph and 50-70mph, the Focus does both in 12.5 seconds. The Dart? 50-70mph is not much behind the Focus at 13.8s, but just look at 30-50mph. It takes an awful long 30.1 seconds to do that. Even if you consider the fact that the Dart is doing this in 6th gear, that's still a very long time. That implies a very weak bottom end, despite what the specs tell you.
I have no doubt that turbocharged engines in general, turbocharged engines can easily be tuned to achieve much higher power and torque. However, my understanding for these small turbocharged engines, to reduce turbo lag, very small turbochargers are used. As a result, their potential is rather limited unless more money is spent on upgrading the turbochargers and other parts. And when you do get the desired amount of power, then you might run into reliability issues which is another topic.
03-13-2013, 12:33 PM
#557
Safety Car
Disappointing Dozen
The Consumer Reports Annual Autos Issue is a great resource for researching the best cars. Flip through the magazine or tour the website, and it is clear there are many great choices. However, just as there are many good cars available, there are also many that fail miserably. These vehicles fall way below our threshold to be recommended. Take a look at our dirty dozen—the cars Consumer Reports has recently tested with the lowest test scores.
In perusing these models, you'll find a wide range of car types, counting small cars, sedans, SUVs, and pickups. Likewise, there are several brands represented, with Jeep and Toyota each appearing 3 times. Our criticisms of these vehicles are often similar, with common shortcomings being poor ride, sloppy handling, tepid acceleration, too much engine noise, and an uncomfortable driving position. Sure, these models may be better than the old junker you're looking to trade in, but they do not hold up against the latest competition. Simply stated: There are many better vehicles available for comparable prices.
We understand that many people buy these vehicles, and others, even though they don't meet our criteria to be recommended. To reach that pinnacle, cars must do well in our tests, attain average-or-better predicted reliability, and must not have failed any government and/or insurance industry crash tests.
Below, we present this year's dirty dozen with accompanying highlights where they came up short.
PHP Code:
Make & model Test score Low points
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 20 Ride, handling, braking, wind noise, access, driving position, seat comfort, fit and finish, visibility, fuel economy, reliability.
Smart ForTwo Passion 28 Transmission, acceleration, ride, agility, noise, seats only two, premium fuel.
Scion iQ 29 Ride, noise, acceleration, steering, driving position, fit and finish, radio controls, blind spots, tiny rear seat.
Mitsubishi i SE 34 Short range, long charging time, weak cabin heat, Spartan accommodations, acceleration, ride, agility, seats only four, complicated radio, headlights.
Chevrolet Spark 1LT 34 Acceleration, transmission, ride, noise, front-seat comfort, driving position, controls.
Toyota FJ Cruiser 36 Visibility, ride, handling, noise, fuel economy, fit and finish, access.
Toyota Yaris LE 41 Noise, ride, agility, driving position, front-seat comfort, fit and finish, radio controls, rear visibility.
Dodge Avenger SXT (4-cyl.) 43 Engine noise, acceleration, braking, handling, rear visibility, transmission, driving position, fuel economy.
Jeep Compass Latitude 49 Engine noise, acceleration, driving position, front-seat comfort, rear visibility, cornering limits, braking, reliability.
Ram 2500 Laramie (6.7L, inline 6) 49 Ride, noise, handling, transmission, high step-in, complicated optional radio, reliability.
Toyota Tacoma (V6) 50 Ride, handling, driving position, high step-in, low rear seat.
Jeep Patriot Latitude 52 Engine noise, acceleration, driving position, front-seat comfort, complicated optional radio.
To find the best vehicle for your needs, see our car Ratings. Plus, check out the special auto issue section with our Top Picks, best and worst lists, car brand report cards and more.
05-09-2013, 12:05 PM
#558
I shave my change purse
Consumer Reports: The Tesla S is the best car ever tested
Article:
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...oring-car.html
Video:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/458TLFRkAlk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...oring-car.html
Video:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/458TLFRkAlk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
05-09-2013, 03:23 PM
#559
Safety Car
05-09-2013, 04:23 PM
#560
Drifting
I see alot of Tesla's driving around San Francisco, and alot of happy drivers. Definitely looks cool, and kind of even cooler when it drives by making absolutely no noise what-so-ever.