Find Out How Consumer Reports Rate 2007 Car Models

In their annual Buying Guide, Consumer Reports divides vehicles into twenty categories. After rating each car/truck/sport utility vehicle according to survey results, safety, and fuel economy, they publish a comprehensive list to display the overall road test scores of each vehicle tested.

Best/Worst Overall Road Test Scores

With high scores on predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, accident avoidance, crash protection, and overall miles per gallon (MPG), the highest-rated vehicle in any category is the Infiniti M35 X, a luxury sedan, which received an overall road-test score of 97 (out of a possible 100). The negative qualities of the car are the price (which we will address later) and the fact that car gets only 18 MPG.

The lowest overall road test score, a 30, was given to the Chevrolet Aveo LS. In quite the opposite manner from the M35, the Aveo's best feature is its 27 MPG fuel efficiency.

Best/Worst Fuel Efficiency

The Toyota Prius, listed under the categories of Small Cars (Automatic Transmission) and Family Sedans, posts the highest overall fuel efficiency at 44 MPG. It's overall road-test score was a 68, with Better ratings in all categories except "Accident Avoidance" and "Crash protection without side air bags." (To clarify, a number of cars were tested for crash protection both with and without side air bags. The Prius did receive a Better rating with the side air bags.)

Sitting at 11 MPG, the worst of the bunch, is the Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (5.7). A Full-Sized Pickup, the Dodge Ram received an overall rating of 44.

Top Eight Overall Vehicles

There were a total of eight vehicles with overall road test scores of 90 or above, including the Infiniti M35. To list from the top down, the best vehicles according to the 2007 Buying Guide are as follows:

Performance/Luxury Sports Cars

96 - Porsche 911 Carrera S - 20 MPG

93 - Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - 19 MPG

Sports/Luxury Cars

91 - Volkswagen GTI - 25 MPG

90 - Subaru Impreza WRX STi - 20 MPG

Roadster

90 - Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 22 MPG

Upscale Sedan

90 - Acura TL - 23 MPG

Of these top eight rated vehicles, the lowest price is seen on the Volkswagen GTI, which is set at $23,975. The most expensive of the bunch is the Porsche 911 Carrera S, priced at $87,520.

Most/Least Expensive Vehicles

While the Carrera S is rather pricey, it is not the most expensive car in the entire group. This distinguishing feat is awarded to the Mercedes-Benz SL550. Priced at $105,855, the SL550 received an overall rating of 86 with its lowest marks coming under "Predicted reliability," where it got a Worst rating. The SL550 receives a fuel efficiency of up to 17 MPG.

Now it is time to unveil the cheapest car on the lot and determine just how good or bad of a bargain it is. It isn't surprising to discover that the cheapest car ($12,925 for Manual Transmission and $13,885 for Automatic Transmission), has been featured before in this list. The Chevrolet Aveo LS is both inexpensive and has the worst overall score (30 and 32, respectively with 27 MPG and 28 MPG).

For a complete report of this year's test, check Consumer Reports' Buying Guide 2007.