New child booster seat ratings from IIHS

Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released new ratings of child booster seats. The first of their kind, IIHS ranked boosters from those that performed as “best bets” to those that are “not recommended” based on the seat’s ability to correctly position a vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt for booster-age children, not on their performance in simulated crash tests. Unlike child restraints intended for smaller children that have internal harnesses, materials, and structures to restrain children and absorb crash energy, booster seats function as a positioning device to correctly place the child within the vehicle’s seatbelt system. It is the seatbelt that does the restraining with the boosters designed to position those belts across the stronger bony structures of the hip and clavicle/collar bone rather than across the softer tissue of the abdomen and neck.

IIHS, in conjunction with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), measured how the lap and shoulder belts fit a crash-test dummy representing the average size and weight of a six-year-old in each of 41 booster seat models. The booster seats were evaluated using a vehicle seat with lap and shoulder belts in a range of positions based on actual vehicle measurements. Though seatbelts are highly effective at reducing injury in a crash, those that are incorrectly positioned across the lap have the potential to cause injury to the abdomen if positioned too high and if they allow children to slide under them during a crash. Shoulder belts positioned too closely to the neck do not place the load ideally over the clavicle/collar bone but are also uncomfortable, which may cause children to hold the belt away from their neck or put the shoulder portion of the belt behind them, reducing the belt’s protection.

IIHS Best Bets

    * Graco TurboBooster backless with clip
    * Fisher-Price Safe Voyage backless with clip
    * Combi Kobuk backless with clip
    * Fisher-Price Safe Voyage
    * Britax Parkway
    * LaRoche Bros. Teddy Bear
    * Safeguard Go backless with clip
    * Volvo booster cushion
    * Recaro Young Style
    * Britax Monarch

Details of the ratings and how they were arrived at can be found at www.IIHS.org.

In making an assessment of which booster seats best fit children, IIHS provides an important and as yet unmeasured piece of the puzzle. Consumer Reports' Ratings include some of the seats also tested by IIHS and are based on our evaluations of how easy the seats are to use, how they fit in vehicles, and how they perform in a variety of simulated crash scenarios. Seats that we rate well and that also show as “good” or “best bets” in the IIHS evaluations provide the best potential for protecting a child in a crash.  If you own a seat that falls into the “not recommended” category from IIHS, it’s more important to perform your own assessment of fit with your own child and car based on the steps outlined below.

But don’t forget some important points:

•    Booster seats are an important step in child passenger safety and should not be overlooked.  Although laws in most states now require the use of boosters for children not yet ready for using the vehicle belts alone, and research has shown them to significantly reduce the potential for injury and death, non-use is still higher than among other child restraint types. Often, children are in vehicles wearing only the seatbelts or are not restrained at all before they’re old or large enough to do so safely.

•    Kids and cars come in all shapes and sizes. As IIHS points out, though the six-year-old dummy used in the study is designed to represent the average six-year-old in stature, it certainly does not represent all kids. Parents and caregivers should make a similar assessment of their own child in their own vehicle to determine if their booster seat is working as intended. Answer these questions to determine if your seat is providing the proper fit:
    o    Does the booster seat position the shoulder belt across the clavicle/collar bone, approximately mid-way between the neck and shoulder?
    o    Does the booster seat position the lap belt low across the hips/top of the thighs?
    o    Does either the booster seat or vehicle head restraint provide some support behind the child’s head?
    o    Is your child comfortable and not tempted to move the belts or themselves out of position after a period of time?

•     Don’t rush to move your kids to the next step (PDF download) in terms of restraint use. Very often a step-up to the next level of restraint means a step-down in terms of overall safety .

•    Regardless of how a seat rates, remember it is best for children to ride in any booster than to let them ride unbuckled or in the vehicle belts alone.

Learn more about how to choose the right child safety seat, including the available types and features.

—Jennifer Stockburger

New portable GPS navigation ratings

We have just completed testing 10 new personal navigation devices (PNDs) and posted the results to our online ratings. These new products include:

Delphi NAV300
Garmin Nuvi 260 and Nuvi 260W
Harman Kardon Guide+Play GPS-310 and GPS-810
Jensen Rock n Road NVXM1000 and Touch & Go NVX430BT
Lowrance XOG
Magellan Maestro 3140
Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U

The ratings are a result of months of in-lab and on-the-road testing, thousands of miles of driving, and putting the units through their paces in cities and the countryside. As we’ve found, portable GPS devices can all provide nationwide route guidance to help you find long-distance destinations and local points of interest. Where they differ most is in ease of use and their features. For our ratings, we factor heavily the qualities that make it easy to input destinations and give the most helpful directions.

With newcomers such as Jensen, Panasonic, Sony, and others entering the market, there are more choices and dramatically lower prices than ever before. Many features that were previously found only on high-end models are now available on budget-priced ones.

Yet, despite the influx of new models, the longtime GPS brands—Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan—are still making the best systems, accounting for 16 of the top 20 models in our Ratings.

To help in making PND selections, we have Quick Picks for Best Overall and Best Budget. Of course, online subscribers can browse the standard ratings chart and click through for the detailed model pages, complete with user reviews. We encourage GPS shoppers to engage with our interactive ratings tool that allows you to sort and filter by the parameters that matter most to you.

If you're not ready to replace a paper map this month, look for continued coverage in the near future. We will further expand the ratings when we complete testing on units from Dash, Garmin, Magellan, Sony, and Uniden.

—Jeff Bartlett and Jim Travers

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

Is the best-selling car the best car?

As expected, we received quite a few comments about our domestic-brand-only American Top Picks 2008 blog. Reading through the oft-feisty responses, I noted that two readers questioned why the Ford F-150 didn't make the cut—or even get mentioned—in the pickup truck category. One wrote:

Not only is it the best-selling full-sized truck for over 30 years...but when was it listed as the truck pick for a model year by CR? Not only does it outsell every truck in the U.S. but every CAR as well! Shouldn't it receive at least honorable mention every year? ...Why does that work for Camry every year and not the F-150?

Since the issue of vehicle sales vs. the ranking of a vehicle in CR's Ratings comes up on occasion, let's take a look.

No doubt, the F-150 has been the top-selling single vehicle nameplate for many years. Even with the recent drop in truck sales, Ford sold over 700,000 F-150s in 2007. Sales figures make great ad copy or fodder for Internet forum discussions. After all, people love to cheer (or boo) for a winner, and sales numbers set up clear winners and losers. But does that matter to the owner?

Topping the sales charts doesn't mean that a vehicle tops its class. After Ford redesigned the F-150 back in 2004, Toyota and GM completely redesigned their trucks and Dodge made substantial improvements to their Ram. As a result, in our last pickup truck test, the Tundra and Silverado handily outscored the F-150. The F-150's engine was strained; the seats uncomfortable; and stability control (a requirement for being a Top Pick) is unavailable. (A 2009 freshening aims to address these complaints.) The F-150 has been a Top Pick in pickups - but that was back in 1999. (See our video reviews of the current full-sized pickup trucks.)

Let's look at the car side of the market. For the last several years, the Toyota Camry has outsold all cars, selling about 470,000 cars a year. But despite what many people think, the Camry hasn't been a CR Top Pick since the 2000 V6 model. (That said, the Camry scores much closer to the top of the family sedan heap than the F-150 does in the pickup segment.) Sometimes the figures and our rankings line up; the Honda CR-V is the top-selling small SUV for 2007, and it ranks very close to the top of our ratings for four-cylinder SUVs.

It would be naive of us to think that all consumers bought products solely based on how they score in our tests. For example, we don't factor styling in to our scoring. The Ford Five Hundred (now Taurus) is a better all-around car than the Chrysler 300, but while one of them is flashy enough to star in rap videos, the other is more likely to be featured in insurance company ads with its badges removed as the amorphous Generic Car.

Brand image also plays a role in some buyer's minds. Sometimes when we're asked for buying advice (an occupational hazard), sometimes our more affordable suggestions are shunned for the sake of status. (Never mind what happens when we suggest buying a minivan or station wagon.)

There's more to it than that though. Typically domestic brands have many more dealers and are represented in more rural areas, easing sales and service for some buyers. Massive spending on commercials gets those vehicles into the public eye. Car companies have resorted to putting heavy end-of-year incentives on cars to "win" a sales race for bragging rights. Some companies spin their accounting, like Toyota's counting the Matrix in Corolla sales and including the Solara in Camry sales. And car companies can dump excess inventory into rental or other fleets to count as sales.

Motivation to sell a lot of cars runs deep in the industry. There is overhead—plants and labor—that is better utilized when kept busy. Selling more cars can translate into economy of scale of production, ideally increasing profits (unless you have to plunk heavy incentives on the cars to move them out of inventory.) While it might be hard to find parts for an esoteric car down the road, most mass-production cars sell in enough volume and have enough factory support to make this a non-issue.

But when it comes to spending your money, none of these issues has anything to do with how good a car is to drive, how it helps prevent (or protect you in) an accident, or how reliable the car is to own. As American Idol's Simon Cowell would say, this is a talent competition, not a popularity contest - and we're scoring cars based on talent.

See our true list of overall Top Picks for 2008. Watch the Top Picks videos.
Also, read "Who makes the best cars?"

—Tom Mutchler

Redesigned tires section - tire ratings and sizes now easier to find

The Tires section at ConsumerReports.org has been redesigned, and we couldn't be more excited about the changes. Now, online subscribers can review the sizes each tested tire model is available in, making it easy to find the best tires for your vehicle. (These new charts eliminate the need to search manufacturer Web sites for available sizes.)

To get started from the Tires & Car Care page, or the Tires-specific landing page, you simply choose the type of tires you need.

We streamlined the tire categories as follows:

• Car Tires: regular all-season, performance all-season, and ultra-performance tires. 
• Truck Tires: all-season and all-terrain models. 
• Winter Tires: Q-speed rated tires (sometimes called "regular winter tires") and performance winter tires in higher speed ratings.

Pick a category and start your quest for the right tire to suit your needs. Unsure of what you need? We have helpful advice under How To Choose and Tire Size and Type accessible from any of the three tire categories, appearing as prominent links on the left side of the page. There's also direct links to CR Quick Picks, Ratings, and Ratings By Tire Size.  And you can get a more in-depth report by selecting Learn More About. 

As a reminder: CR Quick Picks are our top recommendations within a tire type. Ratings provides overall score and specific ratings of major performance categories like dry, wet, winter grip, comfort, rolling resistance, and tread-life (where applicable). Ratings by tire size gives the overall score for each model and the sizes in which each model is available, organized by wheel diameter. This feature also shows higher speed rated models  when available, which can be useful for those who might want to upgrade from, say, a S- or T-regular all-season tire to a performance or ultra-performance model with a higher speed rating.

The Tires home page still has useful links on general Buying Advice, Care & Safety, and CR blogs on tires.

We hope you enjoy the new redesign! Post your feedback below, and then join the Tires team in the Tire Talk forum.

—Gene Petersen, Jen Stockburger, Ryan Pszczolkowski

Most fun cars to drive

"Fun to drive" is a subjective measure—an elusive quality that can mean different things to different people. From our experience, a car can have a very powerful engine and accelerate quickly, but without handling agility, it’s not much fun. For us, fun is a combination of factors such as handling response, sound, and the nature of the power delivery that lead to grin-inducing satisfaction. Here are the top fun-to-drive models that we’ve recently tested in order of ranking:

• Porsche 911 Carrera S
• Porsche Boxster
• Honda S2000
• Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06
• Mercedes-Benz SLK350
• Infiniti G35
• Mazda RX-8
• Volkswagen GTI
• BMW 328i
• MazdaSpeed3
• Subaru Legacy GT
• Mini Cooper S

See our complete list of Best & Worst cars in many categories.

Consumer Reports' Top Picks 2008

This year's Top Picks in 10 categories include four new models. For the first time since 2005, a U.S. model, the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado, made the list as our choice in pickup trucks. And for the first time ever, a South Korean automaker is represented: The Hyundai Elantra SE and Santa Fe are our top small sedan and midsized SUV, respectively. The fourth new entry is the Lexus LS 460L, the highest-scoring vehicle we've tested and best among luxury sedans.

Choosing the Top Picks
Our Top Picks are the most well-rounded models in their categories. Each must meet these stringent requirements:

• Road tests: Each Top Pick scores at or near the top of its category among more than 260 vehicles we've recently tested at our Auto Test Center.
• Reliability: Each has an average or better predicted-reliability Rating, based on the problems subscribers reported on almost 1.3 million vehicles in our Annual Car Reliability Survey.
• Safety: Top Picks have performed adequately in overall safety if tested by the government or the insurance industry. Starting this year, they also must provide a critical safety feature, electronic stability control (ESC), either as standard equipment or as a readily available option. That's why the Honda Accord, for example, is the Top Pick in family sedans over the Nissan Altima. The Altima scored slightly higher in CR's testing, but offers ESC only as a pricey option on the V6 and standard on the hybrid model.

"All the vehicles in Consumer Reports' Top Picks list are standouts for performance, versatility, reliability, and safety," says David Champion, senior director of automotive testing, Consumer Reports. "CR's Top Picks list is a great place for consumers to start when they're looking for a new car."

Consumer Reports' testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any U.S. publication or Web site. More than 50 individual tests are performed on every vehicle, including evaluations of braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Around 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations are racked up on each test car during the testing process.

Here, by category, are the Top Picks:

Green car - Toyota Prius
Small sedan - Hyundai Elantra SE
Family sedan - Honda Accord
Upscale sedan - Infiniti G35
Luxury sedan - Lexus LS 460L
Fun to drive - Mazda MX-5 Miata
Small SUV - Toyota RAV4
Midsized SUV - Hyundai Santa Fe
Minivan - Toyota Sienna
Pickup truck - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

Read the full story and watch the Top Picks videos.

Consumer Reports' Annual April Auto Issue is on sale from March 4 through June 4, and it is available wherever magazines are sold. Visit the April Auto Issue special section.

Consumer Reports annual auto issue highlights

Top Picks 2008
First time a South Korean automaker is represented in Top Picks

Consumer Reports announced that it has named four new models to its Top Picks list for 2008--the Hyundai Elantra SE and Hyundai Santa Fe as top choices for small sedan and midsized SUV, respectively; the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado as the top choice for pickup truck; and the Lexus LS 460L as the best luxury sedan. This marks the first time that a South Korean automaker—Hyundai—is represented and the first time since 2005 that a U.S. model—the Chevrolet Silverado—has made the list as CR's choice for pickup trucks. Historically, Consumer Reports Top Picks have been a blend of Japanese, European, and domestic models.
Read the full story and watch the Top Picks videos.

Owner Costs
New owner-cost estimates help consumers find good deals on their next car
A cheaper car can cost consumers more in the long run than a more expensive alternative, according to Consumer Reports' new owner-costs comparisons. In fact, a car's sticker price doesn't tell the whole story, according to Consumer Reports. For example, at about $17,500, a Mitsubishi Lancer could cost $5,000 less than a Mini Cooper to drive home. But considering the total costs of ownership for each car, the Lancer could cost drivers around $3,000 more over five years. A Toyota Highlander can cost $3,000 more to purchase than a V6 Ford Explorer, but owning the Ford after five years can end up costing $6,500 more. Consumer Reports recommends that in addition to looking for a good deal on their next car, car shoppers also consider how much the model will cost them to own. CR's estimates include depreciation, fuel costs, interest, insurance, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. (Comprehensive data will be integrated into the model pages next week.)
Read the owner costs story.

Automaker Report Cards
We answer the question: Who makes the best cars?
Overall, the best cars sold in the United States are still made by Honda, according to the Consumer Reports' Automaker Report Cards. Honda also led the pack last year, the first time CR issued such information. With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Toyota (75) and Subaru (72). BMW, Mazda, Nissan, and Volkswagen tied at 71, after rounding. Only Honda and Subaru earned the distinction of having all of the models tested make Consumer Reports' Recommended list. Detroit automakers garnered some of the lowest scores, but there have been significant signs of improvement in Ford and GM vehicles this past year. Of all the Ford vehicles tested, the percentage Consumer Reports recommended jumped to 64 percent from 54 percent last year, due to improved reliability. Ninety-three percent of Ford models had average or better reliability in Consumer Reports' latest survey, up from 63 percent last year.
Read Who makes the best cars?

Consumer Reports' Annual April Auto Issue is on sale from March 4 through June 4, and it is available wherever magazines are sold. Visit the April Auto Issue special section.

Consumer Reports annual auto issue now online

Consumer Reports has rolled out its annual auto issue features and data at ConsumerReports.org. This release follows the site unveiling a redesign of the Cars channel just days prior.

With the April issue content, the latest findings are collected into a special section to ease navigation. The data itself is reflected in ratings charts, the updated New Car Selector, and model overview pages—all available to online subscribers.

Videos of the 2008 Top Picks are posted, joining the latest road test and crash tests videos in the expanding multimedia offerings. 

Below are highlights from the annual auto issue:

TOP PICKS
The best vehicles in 10 categories, including the top family sedan and our first American pick in three years.

BEST & WORST
Winners and losers for performance, fuel economy, and more. Plus a sampling of the highs and lows from this year's testing.

SNEAK PEEKS FOR 2008-09
Drivers will see more SUVs and other vehicles with diesel and hybrid engines.

WHO MAKES THE BEST CARS?
Some manufacturers consistently turn out great cars while others are struggling. Find out how they compare.

RELIABILITY TRENDS
Asian brands continue to dominate, but Ford is improving.

WHAT THAT CAR REALLY COSTS
You can save thousands of dollars by comparing how much cars cost to own.

EXTENDED WARRANTIES
Our new survey shows why the odds are usually stacked against you.

RATINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Ratings for predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, safety, and fuel economy.

VEHICLE PROFILES 
Reviews of 250 models, including prices, reliability, specifications, and judgments by Consumer Reports'  automotive experts.

BEST & WORST USED CARS
The models least likely to cause problems, plus ones to avoid.

Latest portable GPS navigation ratings

For you last-minute shoppers, as well as those looking to treat themselves with a helpful electronic gadget, we've just posted ratings on 13 new portable GPS navigation devices. This latest update includes units from Alpine, Cobra, Garmin, Harman-Kardon, LG, Magellan, Mio, Navigon, Pharos, and TomTom. The ratings are available to online subscribers, and they include scores for factors to help you make a better buying decision. We also posted a free First Look at the Garmin nuvi 200. (Full ratings of the nuvi 200 are in the charts and its product page.)

In addition, if you click on the brand name in the ratings chart, there is a detailed product page for each unit, with more testing data, specifications, and insights from our detailed evaluation. There is also a relatively new tool that may prove helpful: a GPS product selector. This selector allows you to filter the ratings list by myriad parameters to help find the one that's best for you. This interactive tool includes both tested and non-tested models.

One thing is clear from reviewing these products—it's  very hard to judge which does what simply by looking at the packaging or even the manufacturer's online information. Some enticing features, like real-time traffic information, can be confusing. Other considerations, such as ease of use and battery life, are just not possible to discern before buying. This is where we come in, as we do the testing for you. For these and many other reasons, we think you'll find the ratings valuable in making your purchase decision.

If you're not taking the plunge this month, look for continued coverage in the near future. We will further expand the ratings when we complete testing on units from Hewlett-Packard (HP), Jensen, Lowrance, Magellan, and ViaMichelin.

—Jeff Bartlett

Also read: "Road map to the best last-minute GPS deals."

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS with other shoppers and owners in the forums.

Small SUVs and SUV alternatives tests and videos

For our test group in the December 2007 issue we drove vehicles in the very popular small SUV category. These vehicles perform adequately, but can’t compete with the top performers in this segment: the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our auto staff experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus our experts demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

"Small SUVs" features the Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Kia Sportage, and Saturn Vue. We also took a look at two SUV alternatives: the Kia Rondo and Suzuki SX4. Watch the videos.

—Liza Barth

Luxury and ultra-luxury sedan tests and videos

Last month we looked at affordable small and sporty small cars. This month we drove vehicles on other end of the price spectrum by testing luxury and ultra-luxury sedans for the November 2007 issue. These vehicles offer a high level of comfort, roominess, and luxury features at a premium price.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our auto staff experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus our experts demonstrate some of the latest technologies.

"The Money Class" features the BMW 535i (ahem, drifting), Infiniti M35, Mercedes-Benz E-Class (which includes the E320 diesel engine as well as the E350), Lexus GS 450h, and the Volvo S80. Watch the videos.

"Ultra-lux face-off" features a one-on-one showdown of the Lexus LS 460L and Mercedes-Benz S550. These cars were covered in a comparison article in print, though we will soon have full road tests posted in the model overview pages (available to online subscribers). Watch the videos.

--Liza Barth

Small and sporty car tests and videos

The two complementary test groups in the October 2007 issue prove car buyers don't need to break the bank to drive fun and affordable models.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos featuring our Auto Test Center engineers Jake Fisher, Tom Mutchler, and Jennifer Stockburger. These experts bring the tests to life by driving the cars and demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

"Small Wonders" features the Hyundai Elantra, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, and Scion xB. Watch the videos.

"Sporty Cars" features the Mini Cooper S, Mazdaspeed3, and Saturn Sky has also been reproduced. These cars were covered in a comparison article in print, though we will soon have full road tests posted in the model overview pages (available to online subscribers). Watch the videos.

--Jeff Bartlett

Pickup truck test - How we configure vehicles

We're frequently asked about how we decide to equip the test vehicles we buy. Since we buy every vehicle we test, we have more control over trim level and equipment than car magazines and Web sites who borrow vehicles from a manufacturer. These press fleets aren't limitless. In many cases, their size has dwindled in recent years as manufacturers look to reduce costs, making it even harder for the media to set up apples-to-apples comparisons. Since car companies want to do well in magazine tests, those press vehicles often have every performance-oriented feature available, are high trim line, and sometimes omit weight-adding options.

Choosing the right pickup truck variation to test is a difficult challenge--one that took a lot of consideration on our part. Pickups are unique in that they offer seemingly millions of combinations of body styles, trims, engines, and axle ratios. According to recent sales patterns, we knew that half-ton crew cab 4x4 trucks in a mid-level trim are the popular choice for most consumers, so we focused on those for our recent test.

Beyond those considerations, when we buy a test vehicle, choosing its equipment requires balancing several goals. The process is complicated since manufacturers don't make "ease of magazine comparison test construction" part of a vehicle's design brief, nor do dealers necessarily stock similar truck packages from brand to brand. In general, we want to test a representative vehicle that is comparable to other vehicles in the test group (and previously tested peer vehicles). We also typically test the version--powertrain and trim level--that most regular consumers will buy. And, even though price is not a factor in our scoring, it's nice to keep the as-tested prices in the same ballpark.

So, based on those principles, we tested a Silverado 2LT with the 5.3-liter V8 and a Tundra SR5 with its 5.7-liter V8. These are the most popular powertrains for the 4x4 crew cab trucks we tested, according to manufacturers' sales data. But given the Tundra's horsepower advantage, we considered testing a Tundra with the smaller 4.7-liter V8 or, on the flip side, a Silverado with the 6.0-liter V8.

The problem is: maintaining parity with the smaller engine in the Tundra would then suggest opting for less-powerful V8 engines in the other trucks. The result would mean a 4.7-liter Dodge, a 4.8-liter Chevy, and a 4.6-liter Ford. That test would be evenly matched in displacement, but given that those engines aren't really bought by most consumers in the crew cab 4x4 trucks we were testing, it wouldn't be very useful.

So what about the 6.0-liter Chevy? This up-level powertrain would have improved acceleration times, but revised 2008 EPA fuel economy estimates show the K1500 4x4 6.0-liter gives up two mpg overall to the 5.3-liter.

Pickup trucks are unique in that you can typically select the rear axle ratio. Again, like most buyers, we stuck with the standard axle ratios. Manufacturers fit these because they are a good all-around compromise of fuel economy and towing capacity. We could have opted for a different axle ratio in the Silverado and the others that would have improved towing capacity and acceleration--but that would have adversely affected fuel economy.

Indeed, when you read advertisements touting the maximum towing capacity claims for most trucks, they are for an optimized combination of body type, drivetrain, and axle ratio--regardless of if anyone buys them that way or if you'd find that configuration at your local dealer. In contrast, the 5.7-liter Tundra Double Cab 4x4 comes in only one configuration, with a relatively aggressive rear axle ratio that helps provide a high standard towing capacity of 10,300 pounds.

Even though the axle ratio subtracts from overall fuel economy, the Tundra boasts the best fuel economy (by a small margin) and the best acceleration (by a big margin) of this group--an impressive feat. GM has done a lot of work to optimize their 5.3-liter pushrod engine, even adding a system that shuts down four cylinders in some conditions, but it can't quite match the combination of the Tundra's overhead-cam engine and six-speed automatic. (For now, the Silverado 1500 has only a four-speed automatic.)

Of course, many choices beyond powertrain and driveline decisions can affect the scoring. When we went to buy a Tundra SR5 with desired equipment (like a power seat), we found that Toyota's limited build configurations meant we couldn't get a Tundra without the TRD suspension package. Given our druthers, we would have avoided the serious off-roading package, as we did on the other trucks. With the Silverado, for example, we bought the Chevy's Z85 towing suspension instead of the stiffer Z71 off-road set-up. That Z85 suspension gave our Silverado a better ride than the Tundra.

To sum up, keep in mind that our Ratings reward well-rounded vehicles. Clearly, we use different scoring criteria for pickup trucks than for other vehicles since pickup truck buyers care about things like payload and towing capacity. But there's more than that; we look at trucks from the point of view of private owners who use the truck to commute during the week and then haul mulch or tow a boat, horse, or other trailer on weekends. Many other factors like fuel economy, acceleration, interior ergonomics, and fit and finish all play a role in daily use. (This is reflected in our top-rated truck, the Chevrolet Avalanche, a truck that tows less and is slower than the Tundra.) In other words, while towing capacity matters, it's certainly not the end-all of the scoring.

To clarify how we set up the pickup truck test (added 8/13):

1) This test was not a comparison of maximum towing capabilities for each truck platform. Towing capacity is just one of many test findings discussed in the report; we perform more than 50 tests on each vehicle. Remember that the Chevrolet Avalanche, which is slower and tows less than the Tundra, handily outscores the Toyota.

2) Even if we picked a Silverado that towed more, either via a different axle ratio or the 6.0-liter engine, it is no guarantee that it would result in a higher Overall Score. We weigh fuel economy more than towing capacity, and either change in the truck's equipment would adversely affect the fuel economy score.

3) Why weigh fuel economy more than towing capacity? Because you have to have gas in the truck every day, but most owners only tow occasionally. At 14-15 mpg overall, another 1-2 mpg matters a lot. (Both EPA and other comparison tests show that the 6.0-liter Silverado gets less economy than the 5.3-liter or the Tundra.) Also, even the 7500-pound towing capacity of the tested Silverado is plenty for most owners.

4) Sure, you can custom-order a truck that is optimized for towing. But we spoke with truck engineers from each of the three domestic competitors before purchasing the trucks. Their insights helped us determine the most representative trucks to test. Note: the take rate for the 6.0-liter in the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4x4  is all of 9 percent.

5) The Tundra wasn't optimized for this test because it was the only truck in the test with an off-road suspension. Saddled with the TRD package, the Tundra had a stiff ride that hurt its final score.

6) Our subscriber data, based on millions of vehicles over the years, has shown consistently high reliability for Toyota vehicles. By contrast, even though the first-year reliability of the Tahoe (which shares the Silverado's platform) has been good, year after year the Silverado has been less reliable than the Tahoe.  Because of the Silverado's past below-average performance, we are unable to predict its future reliability, whereas the strong historical performance for both Toyota and Tundra enable us to predict its future performance.

--Tom Mutchler

Read the complete full-sized pickup truck test.
Watch the pickup truck videos.
From the blog:"Big trucks = big bucks"

When commenting, please indicate if you have read the entire story, either online or in print.

Big trucks = big bucks

We just posted our complete tests on a group of big crew cab 4x4 pickup trucks. For the first time in CR's history, we tested heavy-duty turbodiesel pickups from Ford, Chevy, and Dodge alongside their light-duty gasoline counterparts. (For good measure, we also tested a new Toyota Tundra.)

While many of these trucks are sold to contractors or fleets, some go to retirees who are full-time RV travelers, or equestrian types needing to tow a horse trailer containing several steeds. To that end, manufacturers tell us that the personal-use versions of these trucks are typically sold loaded-up with options. (Our shopping experience confirmed it; we had to buy most of them with more options than we wanted off of dealer lots.)

So, how does this translate to the bottom line? Each one of our three trucks cost $50,000. That buys you an Infiniti M35x or a Porsche Boxster if you keep out of the options cookie jar. It seems like a mint for a fairly rudimentary vehicle, but at least the price looks better if you think of buying them by the pound. Our Ford F-250 SuperDuty Lariat weighs over 8,000 pounds, or about $6.25/lb. (A Honda Fit Sport costs $6/lb.)

The diesel engine options alone on these trucks cost around $6,000, or what a decent used Miata costs. The powertrains come from well-known big rig manufacturers, including Cummins (the Ram's engine), Navistar (the Ford's PowerStroke engine), and Allison (the Chevy's transmission).

Don't think that that money necessarily buys you great build quality or refinement. For example, our F-250 has a loud and nasty rattle in the center of the dash, the power windows sound like they're about to give their last breath when you cycle them, and on occasion the glove box door doesn't like to stay shut. A trim piece broke off the Silverado 2500 LTZ's door panel almost immediately after we bought it. Our 2500 Ram Laramie's interior is holding up, maybe because there isn't anything approaching posh in there to break.

So, what does this money buy you? Take a look at our test results--including an extensive report on towing with these trucks--online and in the September issue. Also, see the pickup truck videos online.

--Tom Mutchler

Consumer Reports redesigns car model pages

Consumer Reports has relaunched its car model overview pages, giving online subscribers even more information than before and doing so in a more attractive presentation.

By using a simple pull-down search tool positioned throughout the main Cars pages, or from the A-to-Z cars index, online subscribers can quickly access the key information needed to make an informed purchase decision. These model overviews collect all Consumer Reports ratings on that vehicle, from the results of our more than 50 tests, to reliability and owner satisfaction. Of course, the basic specifications and safety data are also presented.

Simple navigation tabs enable users to toggle between Ratings, Specs, Road Tests, Owner Satisfaction, and more. Notably, the Prices tab provides MSRP and invoice pricing for the first time.

For models with more than one tested trim level, there is a pull-down menu under the lead image to change the photo and ratings to another variant. Links to past Road Tests are also provided. And for the first time reliability data is presented for all versions of most vehicles (rather than just for the version we tested).

Supplementing the information in the overviews, links are now integrated to allow online subscribers to go directly to related blog categories and participate in brand-specific, free forums.

Just as concept models foreshadow future design direction, these pages hint at more changes to come. Stay tuned!

--Jeff Bartlett

Don't be used by user reviews--make them work for you

The Internet is a digital democratizing force, giving voice to all constituents and connecting a vast wealth of information to every computer. Users can now access direct feedback from owners of nearly every modern product, from gadgets to cars, providing personal perspectives in greater quantity than traditional media. However, not all voices should be considered equal.

At ConsumerReports.org, we have a thriving online community of knowledgeable, insightful members eager to help one another in the pursuit of quality, satisfying products. This feedback is a valued complement to hundreds of tests conducted each year by our teams of engineers and scientists.

I was reminded last week by a press release that even the best user reviews without the context of professional analysis are compromised when newcomer cargurus.com announced its "Midyear most popular cars." The release reads: "Based on the quantity and quality of ratings received by each car on CarGurus, 2007 models were ranked by consumer popularity."

The Jeep Wrangler claimed the honors in the release of being the "most-popular" vehicle, although the site's home page lists it as the third most-popular SUV.

In blogging on this announcement, CNET referred to the Wrangler being "The No. 1 rated car," though the PR clearly indicates it is a popularity contest--not a ranking based on professional judgment, or even the total average user rating. The popularity of this redesigned off-roader caught my attention, but it is the influence of the user reviews as ratings that sent me on this tear.

Sales are strong, even downright robust for the four-door Wrangler variant. Clearly the Wrangler is four-wheeling off dealer lots, but could this Jeep possibly be that well liked among its owners?

Scanning the user reviews at ConsumerReports.org, I see much the same results as CarGurus. Owners, quite frankly, love the Wrangler. Sure, there some common criticisms regarding fuel economy and soft-top removal, but most owners cite "fun" and give it four or five stars.

And yet, Consumer Reports gives it an overall score of 17... out of 100. And yes, 17 is the lowest score in the class. (In fairness, the new Wrangler scores more than 300 percent better than the previous generation, which earned just a 5 overall.)

So, who is right? Both the owners and pro car testers.

Our engineers evaluate cars using scientific, repeatable methods that enable detailed comparisons across product lines. Simply stated, we drive every significant new model, and put it through an exhaustive battery of tests. We do so without fear or favor. The product is what it is, and the results speak for themselves.

Bear in mind that owners are a pre-selected bunch. These are people who love a vehicle enough to plunk down years of hard-earned cash to put it in their driveway and welcome it into the family. As such, they do not represent the more than 16 million new car buyers who chose not to buy the Wrangler this year. And to that end, a Wrangler owner's definition of "fun" is going to be a lot different than how a Chevrolet Corvette or Toyota Prius owner defines it. Ultimately, car owners have a vested interest in liking their chosen vehicle--to admit otherwise, online or off, is to confess to a poor fiscal decision that may be hitting their checkbook for a long time to come.

Both the professionals and the car owners each bring valid, valuable insight to a vehicle--in this case, the Wrangler. The owners' satisfaction speaks well of their first impression being supported by miles of happy driving and their enthused reports can foster excitement. Just remember, user reviews are but one view of the vehicle, and most owners do not have the opportunity, or experience, to evaluate a model in the context of the entire marketplace. 

The Internet is rich with research tools, such as user reviews, forums, and professional ratings. Each has value. To make an informed decision, it would be best to use them all... though be sure to weight the expert opinions accordingly.

--Jeff Bartlett

Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us

The extended tread life test on CR’s Sienna AWD continues. And so far, so good. But let’s recap…

Toyota Sienna all-wheel-drive owners clearly have a beef with the short tread life of the standard run-flat tires and continue to share complaints in letters and Cars forums posts, especially in Tire Talk, the online-subscriber-only tire forum at ConsumerReports.org. We've also covered the frustration of Sienna owners regarding fast-wearing tires here in the Cars blog: "Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty" and "Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us."

As we’ve said before, most owners were pleased with the overall performance of their AWD Sienna--one of the top-rated models in Consumer Reports tests--but few are satisfied with the run-flat tire tread life, cost of replacement, and limited models from which to choose (two OE suppliers). Some even have psychological fears about not having a spare tire on board. To recap, many owners have complained that the run-flat tires wear out much quicker than expected or unevenly--often within 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Some owners found themselves facing an aggravating annual tire replacement, costing $700 or more. Toyota finally addressed the issue last year with an extended warranty on 2004 to some 2006 model-year vehicles, mostly addressing the irregular wear condition. Later-model vehicles came with a revised tire intended to eliminate the wear condition.

Our AWD Sienna
We purchased a new 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD (ratings available to online subscribers) with the Dunlop SP Sport 4000 Self-Supporting Technology tires (DSST). After the road test was completed, we purchased a new set of Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST tires for a tread life evaluation on the Sienna AWD. The evaluation started at the end of March and at this point in July, we have a little more than 11,200 miles on the tires. We’ve been checking inflation pressures religiously, aligning the wheels, rotating the tires, and measuring the average tread depth in no less than16 test points around each tire every 2,000 miles. Now, most consumers are not likely to follow our frequent alignment and rotation schedule, but we’re giving the tires the best opportunity to wear optimally. 

So what have we found up to now? In short, not much yet--the tires are less than 20 percent worn-out to the tread wear indicators, the wear is relatively even across the tread width, and we’re not observing any abnormal wear condition.  At this early stage, the tires appear to be able to last more than 45,000 miles, even exceeding Toyota’s estimate of 40,000 miles noted in their Tire Information booklet. Still, we recognize that to get a more accurate picture of projected tread life, we’ll need more miles. We plan on doing just that with the hopes of reaching 20,000 or more miles by the end of summer. That shouldn’t be a problem, with many of our colleagues taking the minivan on extensive summer trips.

 

NOTE: An updated has been posted: "Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires"

--Gene Petersen

Related blog posts:
Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires
Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us
Toyota Sienna AWD tires - patience wearing thin
Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty
Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us.
Run-flat tires go flat with our readers  

April issue on tour - Tune in!

Next week, I'll be hitting the road to promote CR's premier car book: the April annual auto issue. I'll be stopping in major media outlets in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. We've received a number of requests to do radio and television interviews, which will keep me busy all next week. We're still booking more interviews, but this is what we've got so far.

If you live in any of these cities (or care to stream live via a station's Web site), here's the schedule we've got mapped out for our West Coast April issue media tour. But as the fine print for these things usually goes, check your local listings for details.

Las Vegas:
KLAS - TV - Channel 8 Eyewitness News
Date: 3/26/07
Time: Two taped segments to air the same day and one the next day

Los Angeles:
KTLA - TV - Channel 5 Morning News-Early Edition
Date: 3/27/07
Time: Four segments, live all morning starting at 6:00 AM

KNX 1070 - CBS radio - "Money 101 with Bob McCormick"
Date: 3/27/07
Time: Live at 11:00 AM

San Francisco:
KGO - Radio AM 810 - "The Ronn Owens Show"
Date: 3/28/07
Time: Live at 11:00 AM

KTVU - TV - Channel 2 Morning News
Date: 3/29/07
Time: Live at 8:45 AM

KOMO - AM 1000 radio
Date: 3/30/07
Time: Taped radio interviews to be broadcast later

KOMO - TV - Channel 4
Date: 3/30/07
Time: Live at 4:45 PM

I hope you tune in.

--Mike Quincy

2007 Top Picks: American Style

For the second year in a row, all of Consumer Reports' April issue Top Picks have Japanese nameplates. While these cars excel both in our tests and in our subscriber reliability survey, there are also plenty of good alternatives, as a scan down the list of vehicles A-Z reveals.

We talk to people everyday who say, "I just want to buy American." To that end, for the second year we offer our list of Top Picks, American style.

By our definition, Top Picks must be recommended models--even when creating unofficial lists. So, let's review the ground rules: For CR to recommend any model, it must have average or better reliability; and if tested, provide good overall crash protection, based on our composite of insurance-industry and government crash tests. SUVs also must not have tipped up onto two wheels in the government's rollover test or, if not tested, must have available electronic stability control (ESC).

The list below features the highest-rated, American-branded vehicles in their category that received a Consumer Reports recommendation.

• Fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V
• Small sedan: Ford Focus ZX4 SES
• Family sedan: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
• Upscale sedan: Lincoln MKZ
• Luxury sedan: Cadillac DTS
• Small SUV: Pontiac Torrent
• Midsized SUV: Ford Freestyle
• Minivan: (None apply)
• Budget car: Ford Focus ZX3
• Green car: (None apply)

As we did last year when creating this list, we'll look at some trends. Most of these models are repeats, but there is some positive progress:

• For all of Ford's financial problems, the company offers some strong products. The Fusion/Milan/MKZ siblings are well-designed vehicles that have had impressive first-year reliability. That reliability record for these relatively new models is all the more impressive given Ford's past history of problem-plagued introductions, as with the Focus and Escape.

• Despite its age, the Focus remains a fun-to-drive car with an inviting balance of handling and ride comfort. Hopefully, the 2008 freshening improves on that.We are disappointed that the hatchback and wagon will be dropped from the line-up.

• Ford has been slow to implement electronic stability control (ESC) to its products. The efficiently-packaged Freestyle makes our list as our top-scoring, Recommended domestic midsized SUV, but it lacks ESC to quell its tail-wagging in an emergency maneuver. The MKZ is one of the few upscale cars still available without ESC. (Ford says standard ESC is coming for both vehicles.)

• The Pontiac Torrent is a mid-pack-scoring small SUV, but it was reliable in its first year, so it makes this list. The considerably better Ford Escape would have been listed here, but again, the lack of ESC holds it back. Since the Escape tipped up onto two wheels in NHTSA's dynamic stability test, CR can not recommend it.  Most versions of the Escape get standard ESC for 2008.

• It's not really worth complaining about the CTS-V sedan being on the list for Fun to Drive. The car is a blast and has four doors to boot. But it's a shame that the Chevrolet Corvette isn't reliable enough to allow us to recommend it or the rocket-ship Z06 version. The DTS's strong first-year reliability lets us recommend it, claiming here the Luxury Sedan pick.

• Ford and GM are exiting the minivan market, leaving Chrysler as the only domestic contender. The reliability for the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan  keeps us from recommending them. Hopefully the 2008 redesign will yield a more modern and competitive van.

And if you were curious, the Fusion/Milan/MKZ are built in Mexico, and the Torrent is built in Canada. Hence, it's not so easy determining what is (or isn't) an American car.

--Tom Mutchler

Consumer Reports Top Picks - Where are the domestics?

Like last year, the Consumer Reports 2007 Top Picks are all from Japanese companies, with seven of the 10 being from Honda and Toyota. How can this be? If we're accused of having a bias, it's simply that we have one that favors good, reliable, safe cars.

The CR Top Picks aren't just based on brief driving impressions, as are many car awards. These cars are chosen from the more than 250 vehicles that we have recently tested. We use multifaceted criteria to ensure that each Pick is a well-rounded vehicle that excels in a number of areas.

Each Top Pick is a CR-recommended vehicle that has met our stringent requirements in three areas:

Testing: Each has scored at or near the top of its category in our vehicle testing.

Reliability: Each has proven average or better in reliability, based on our Annual Car Reliability Survey.

Safety: Each has performed at least adequately in overall crash protection if tested by the government or Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

This analysis is conducted with the blind eye to manufacturer or country of origin. Because Consumer Reports is an independent, non-profit organization, we are beholden only to our subscribers, not advertisers or industry. Our mission each year with Top Picks is to identify the models that excel in categories we think matter most to consumers.

So, where are the domestic brands?
In some cases, not far behind in our overall tests scores and competitive with reliability. But close isn’t good enough to make the list. Looking at Family Sedans, for example, the Ford Fusion SEL V6 scores very good (77 points) in our testing, has excellent predicted reliability, and excellent crash protection. But, several models tested better and a few match the crash protection rating. Ultimately, the Honda Accord claimed this class accolade. It scores excellent (89 points) in our testing, has very good predicted reliability, and excellent crash protection. The Accord is a clear standout, but the Fusion is still a car we like and endorse with our highest-level Recommendation.

For 2007, we did exclude what is the most American of categories, pickup trucks. Last year, the Honda Ridgeline claimed that honor, with higher test scores and predicted reliability than the traditional, full-sized competition. This year, the segment is revitalized with the new Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra, along with updates to other models. Because we hadn't tested the freshened, and redesigned, 2007 trucks, we withdrew the category. However, we are now purchasing the competitive set and will determine which truck is king of the hill later this year.

Now, even though there are only 10 Top Picks, that doesn't mean these are our sole recommendations. In fact, there are dozens of vehicles we strongly recommend. Every consumer has a unique set of interests, needs, and budget constraints. Our tests, combined with reliability, owner satisfaction, and crash-test data, can help narrow the field down to the smart choices. Ultimately, it is in the buyers' hands to choose the right model from there; our job is to ensure they are armed with expert, unbiased information.

For those who favor buying American, it is worth noting that despite the badges on this year's Picks, several are made in the United States, including the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Toyota Sienna. (Likewise, not all American branded vehicles are made in the States. Read "What is an American car?" and "Chevys made in Japan?")

What if Top Picks were comprised of strictly American-branded vehicles? We'll further explore that scenario in a future post, "2007 Top Picks: American Style."

In the end, yes, we're biased toward good, reliable, safe cars. And we hope you are, too.

--Jeff Bartlett

Recommended reading: "Which companies make the best cars?"

April Auto Issue by the numbers

Every year, the Consumer Reports packs as much survey and test data into the April Auto Issue as space and layout creativity allow. With a growing car market now seeing more than 250 models, and expansion of our reliability data to 10 years over 16 trouble spots, CR has fit more information in the magazine than ever.

For us, numbers are everything, whether behind the more than 50 tests conducted on each vehicle or the enormous subscriber response to  our Annual Survey. We thought it would be fun to look at the numbers related to the April issue and our test and survey programs:

0 - Number of models in the Mercedes-Benz lineup that are CR Recommended.
7 of 10 - Number of 2007 Top Picks claimed by Honda and Toyota.
4.2 - Quickest acceleration, in seconds, 0-60 mph (Dodge Viper SRT10).
11 - Problems per 100 for the 2006 model year, for Japanese and South Korean automakers in CR's Annual Survey.
11 - Lowest test overall mpg (Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, 5.7-liter V8).
16 - Problems per 100 for the 2006 model year, for U.S. automakers.
19 - Problems per 100 for 2006 model year, for European automakers.
23.2 - Slowest acceleration, 0-60 mph (Smart ForTwo).
44 - Highest test overall mpg (Toyota Prius).
54 - Recent standout models that have earned our top recommended Rating.
58 - Percentage of owners reporting brake problems on the 2004 Infiniti QX56, the highest problem rate of any trouble spot in our Survey.
81 - Highest average test score for automaker (Volkswagen/Audi).
255 - Number of vehicles CR has recently tested.
327 - Total acres for the dedicated Consumer Reports Auto Test Center.
2,200 - Models across 10 years that are covered the 2006 Annual Car Reliability Survey.
510,000 - Estimated number of miles we drove for 85 test vehicles in the past year.
1,302,575 - Vehicles that were reported on in the 2006 Annual Car Reliability Survey.
$2,849,349 - Amount of money CR spent to buy model-year 2006 test vehicles.

For more facts and figures, visit the 2007 April Autos Issue special section at ConsumerReports.org. 

--Jeff Bartlett

2007 Annual Auto Issue released!

Right now, the 2007 Annual Auto Issue is being distributed to millions of subscribers by mail and trucked to major retail outlets for newsstand sales. The largest edition of Consumer Reports magazine each year presents vehicle profiles on more than 250 models, the latest reliability and owner satisfaction data, best and worst used cars, first peek at next-year's models, insightful feature articles, and much more. This year, the April issue is packed with more data than ever before!

For those who can't wait for the portable, energy-efficient analog edition to arrive, the entire issue is now available online through a special hub.

Online, or off, the collected facts and insights based on real-world data and exhaustive testing make the April issue a valuable research tool and essential reading for car enthusiasts.

Must-read sections include:

Top Picks - These are vehicles that standout in 10 key categories for performance in CR testing, reliability, and safety. And they're all smart, appealing buys. This year, two companies dominated, capturing seven of the 10 slots. Videos are available online for each Pick.

Reliability trends - The April issue also has the latest survey, which sees our reliability data depth expand from eight years to a full decade. Valuable insight into car purchases, the reliability history reveals trouble-prone car makers and models. And online, we have expanded charts to further assist in comparison and track year-to-year changes.

Owner satisfaction - Here are the results from our biggest owner-satisfaction survey ever, showing a shift in the models that top the list. Best and worst models are highlighted, along with a complete breakdown of ratings by car type.

Which companies make the best cars? - Test data, CR experts, and auto industry analysts combine in this investigative story to reveal which manufacturers truly lead and which ones fall behind. Also included is an insightful guide as to where cars are actually built - you may be surprised at how many so-called "American" cars aren't even built within the U.S. borders.

What's next in auto safety - We highlight the latest features making their way into cars today, and those innovative advances that could soon make driving safer than ever.

New for 2007 & 2008 - The latest models to hit the market, and those coming just around the corner, are featured in the special section. Take a first look at the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Saturn Vue, Scion xB, and others.

Back to the drawing board - Our car experts highlight some half-baked and misgu