Consumer Reports Rates 2011 Best & Worst Automobiles

Every year new automobiles are out on the market competing for your hard-earned money. Wouldn't it be nice to know which vehicles are most reliable and economical all-around? Luckily, you have a very thrifty person on your side that loves to give attention to the best bargains out there.

Generally, the best authority on consumer spending, we could probably agree, would be "Consumer Reports.org (on the web)." Consumer Reports uses a 100-point scoring system with over 50 unique tests to measure qualities of vehicles that are important to consumers. In short, they report their findings to us. The results give the public a good overall assessment of vehicles tested.

At consumerreports.org the top overall scores went to Lexus LS 460L, BMW 135i (manual), Porsche 911 Carrera S (manual), Mazda 5 Grand Touring and Infiniti G37 Journey. The top five scored from 95-99 out of 100 possible points.

The lowest overall scores went to Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Ford Ranger XLT (V6), Jeep Liberty Sport, Smart For Two Passion (a.k.a. the "Smart Car") and Chevy Aveo 5 1LT. The lowest five scored from 17-31 out of 100 possible points.

Certain qualities in a vehicle appeal to certain people. I prefer safety over sport. Consumer Reports.org evaluates safety in two categories. In the "Dry braking," category of safety the top spots went to Porshe, Lotus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Nissan. The lowest scores in the same category go to Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Colorado and Chevy Tahoe Hybrid.

In the safety category of "Avoidance Maneuver," the top spots went to Porsche, BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Mini Cooper. In the same category, the lowest spots were filled by Toyota Tundra and Chevy Suburban.

In the category of "fuel economy,"(or who has the best overall mpg) the top spots for sub-compact cars went to Smart For Two Passion (the smart car), Scion xD, Mazda2 Sport, Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta. The lowest ranking sub-compact cars are Chevy Aveo LT and Chevy Aveo5 1LT.

For small cars, the best fuel economy came from Honda Insight, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 i Touring Sedan and Hyundai Elantra GLS. The worst fuel economy from small cars: Subaru Impreza 2.5I, Suzuki SX4 Technology, Dodge Caliber SXT, Volkswagen Golf 2.5 and Chevy HHR LT.

For more information on fuel economy in the specific class of vehicle you are interested in, visit the consumerreports.org website. In addition to what I have listed, you will find fuel economy ratings there for sporty cars, sedans, wagons/hatchbacks, small and large SUV's, minivans and pickups. Spoiler Alert!! I will tell you that five of seven of these classes have a Toyota in the top spot for overall fuel economy.

Other qualities rated by Consumer Reports.org include: Ownership costs, Best & Worst Values, Acceleration, Visibility, Most fun to drive, Comfort, Off-road performance, etc... .

In conclusion, the "Best & Worst Values," category at Consumer Reports.org is the best indication of which vehicles to test drive or avoid completely. This category evaluates vehicles on... "performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering all owner costs over a five-year period." These are likely the qualities we all want to consider when buying a vehicle.

At the top of the list for best value: Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla LE, Mini Cooper, VW Golf and Toyota Prius IV. Finally, the top five worst values by Consumer Reports.org: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Cadillac Escalade (base), Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Jeep Liberty Sport, and BMW 750Li. Five more of the worst values: Dodge Nitro Detonator 3.7, Ford Ranger XLT V6, Mercedes-Benz GL 450, M-B S550 and Jaguar XF (base).

~~http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/buying-advice/best-worst-cars-review/overview/best-and-worst-ov.htm

~~http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/buying-advice/best-worst-cars-review/best-worst-in-safety-performance/best-and-worst-safety-performance.htm

~~http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/buying-advice/best-worst-cars-review/best-worst-fuel-economy/best-and-worst-fuel-economy.htm

~~~http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/buying-advice/best-worst-cars-review/best-and-worst-values/best-and-worst-values.htm