Consumer Reports family sedans chat

Today, Consumer Reports experts will be online to discuss the latest road test group—family sedans—here in the Cars blog at 1 p.m. ET.

As seen in the December 2009 edition of Consumer Reports magazine, we tested several all-new and updated models, including the Ford Fusion, Mazda3 iTouring, Subaru Legacy, and Toyota Camry.

Our automotive experts will field questions about these cars and other sedans during the live, interactive chat, sharing test findings and helping you make the right buying decisions.

Top-selling cars in 2009 yields some surprises

It’s been a tough year so far for automakers. Many manufacturers are posting large declines in sales compared to last year. However, some individual vehicle models are making strides. Reuters recently put together a list of the top-selling vehicles through October 2009 and it holds some surprises.

The Ford F-150 pickup continues to secure the top spot even with a sales decrease of 23 percent in 2009 over the first ten months of 2008. However, not all pickups held their sales rank; the Dodge Ram drops from the 5th spot to 9th and the Toyota Camry bumped the Chevy Silverado down from 2nd to 3rd.

But the big news is the Ford Fusion. The Fusion was freshened for the 2010 model year and has achieved a number of accolades. The Fusion hybrid is the highest scoring domestic family sedan in Consumer Reports testing. Most versions of the Fusion have above average predicted reliability in our survey data. In sales, it has jumped 10 spots to reach the top 10. Further, it is the only model in the top 10 to show a sales increase this year--15 percent over last year.

Here is the list of the top 10 vehicles in sales and the change from 2008. Also, noteworthy is that all the models are recommended by Consumer Reports.

Click on each model in the chart below to see how they performed in our road test, and see their ratings for reliability, safety, and more.

Rank	Make & model	2009	2008	2008 rank	% change
1	Ford F-Series pickup	334,922	436,022	1	-23.2
2	Toyota Camry	285,069	379,270	3	-24.8
3	Chevrolet Silverado pickup	261,142	402,191	2	-35.1
4	Honda Accord	244,579	333,011	6	-26.6
5	Toyota Corolla	240,755	307,071	4	-21.6
6	Honda Civic	223,751	304,297	8	-26.5
7	Nissan Altima	169,435	241,529	9	-29.8
8	Honda CR-V	158,573	171,193	11	-7.4
9	Dodge Ram pickup	155,467	213,684	5	-27.2
10	Ford Fusion	148,045	128,381	20	+15.3

Also read: Flashy muscle cars are recession's hot ticket.

—Liza Barth

New Ford Ranger, Ka not coming to U.S.

Although Ford is redesigning the Ranger pickup for the rest of the world in 2010, it won’t bring the new version of its compact pickup to the United States.

That’s the news from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, in an interview with Automotive News. (He also said Americans would not be interested in a vehicle as small as the European Ka, a model sized beneath the upcoming Fiesta, sharing its platform with the Fiat 500, Chrysler will sell here.).

The new Ranger was designed in Australia and will be built in Thailand, the second-largest pickup market after the United States.

The new Ranger would have replaced the current Ranger which has been on the market in the U.S. with only minor changes since 1983. When we last tested it, the Ranger scored 25 out of a possible 100 points, too low to be recommended. We found the ride stiff, the handling vague, the cabin cramped, and the powertrain unrefined and outdated.

For 2010, the American Ranger will get new side air bags, electronic stability control with rollover protection, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It is scheduled to go out of production in 2011.

Meanwhile, other sites have speculated that Ford is considering building a new midsized pickup, called the F100, based on the fullsized F-150. 

 —Eric Evarts

2011 Ford Explorer: Inflatable, seat-belt air bags to protect rear-seat passengers

Ford announced today that it will offer inflatable seat belts in the back seat of its 2011 Ford Explorer. The new safety feature will provide additional protection for kids and elderly passengers—common second-row occupants that are especially vulnerable to injury.
 
The belts will reel in and out like regular belts, but they will have air bags built into the webbing that will inflate upon impact. The inflatable belts will spread the load of the impact across about five times more body area, Ford says. Since rear seated passengers don’t have frontal impact air bags to help protect them in a crash, the seatbelts are their main source of crash protection during an impact. With regular safety belts, the force of the impact is spread only across the area of the body that is in contact with the belts. This can lead to neck and chest injuries in severe crashes, especially for young or small passengers who don’t fit in the belts as well as average-sized adults. (This is why children under eight years old should always ride in a child seat, to ensure the belts lay cross the strongest bony structures in their bodies.)
 
Ford claims the new belts will reduce those injuries and have been designed to still be used to safely install a child safety seat. The company says the technology protects even if passengers are sleeping with their heads resting on the belt.
 
The bag-equipped belts will start out as an option on the new 2011 Explorer, Ford says, then availability will expand to other models. Similar technology is available in some light aircraft.
 
The air bags sit inside the fabric of the seat belts and inflate in 40 milliseconds using a cool, low-pressure gas from a cylinder housed under the rear seats of the vehicle. This inflation rate is much slower than traditional air bags to reduce the potential for injury from the air bags themselves.

In surveys the company has conducted, it says 90 percent of respondents have deemed them as comfortable to wear as regular safety belts or more comfortable, because they are slightly wider and softer than standard belts. Ford hopes this will encourage more rear seat passengers to wear the belts. Currently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 60 percent of rear seat passengers wear their safety belts, compared with 83 percent of front-seat occupants.

Visit our guide to car safety. For more on child safety, see our kids and car safety guide.

—Eric Evarts

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: 10 best and worst models

Just because a model is reliable doesn’t mean it is recommended by Consumer Reports. Four out of the top 10 most reliable vehicles don’t perform well enough in our tests for us to recommend them. The opposite happens as well—some vehicles that score well in our testing are not recommended because they have below average reliability. Seven out of the 10 least reliable vehicles have high enough test scores to be recommended, but their poor reliability prevents them from reaching that recommended status. So, it’s important to look at both performance in our tests as well as reliability because a high scoring car isn’t always a smart purchase choice if it isn’t reliable.

Our 2009 Annual Auto Survey reveals the best and worst vehicles in reliability based on our subscribers’ experiences with 1.4 million vehicles over the past 10 years (2000-2009). Our data helps determine which used cars to choose as well as to forecast how the 2010 models will hold up.

The vehicles listed below are the top 10 most and least reliable new cars in our reliability survey. Models with an asterisk (*) are based on data of one model year only. Click on the vehicles below to visit the model overview pages to see how they performed in our tests and also view a more-detailed look at reliability broken down by 17 potential trouble spots. (Model overview pages are available to online subscribers.)

Most reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the best score.

1. Honda Insight*
2. Lexus SC*
3. Toyota Venza (4-cyl.)*
4. Mercedes-Benz GLK*
5. Toyota Yaris Hatchback
6. Toyota FJ Cruiser
7. Honda Fit*
8. Toyota Prius
9. Scion xD
10. Toyota 4Runner (V6)

Least reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the worst score.

1. Volkswagen Touareg*
2. Jaguar XF*
3. Chevrolet Colorado (4WD)
4. GMC Canyon (4WD)
5. Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)*
6. BMW 535i (AWD)*
7. Chrysler Town & Country
8. Dodge Grand Caravan
9. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)*
10. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (V8)

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability, as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth 

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: Where Ford really stands

Since we announced the results from our latest auto reliability survey, there has been a lot of buzz—and a wide range of interpretation—in the media and blogosphere about Ford’s strong showing. On one hand, I’ve seen a headline that said Ford is number one. (It’s not.) And I’ve seen writers wondering aloud if we’re shilling for the company—casting it in an overly rosy light. (We’re not.)
 
We are always glad to see an automaker raise the level of quality and reliability in its cars. It’s good for consumers who don’t want the hassle and expense of a lot of problems down the road. But, let’s be clear: while Ford is easily the best of the domestic automakers in terms of reliability, it’s still no Toyota or Honda. (Read our full report on car reliability.)
 
Here’s the picture in nutshell:
Toyota and Honda clearly dominate in reliability. They have five of the top seven brands in our ranking: Scion, Honda, Toyota, Acura, and Lexus. All of their models are average or better. Of the 48 models that get our top predicted-reliability rating, 17 are built by Toyota and seven by Honda. That’s half. If you just look at the top 10 models, seven are built by Toyota and two by Honda. (The other is a Mercedes-Benz.) And of the 16 vehicle categories for which we have predicted-reliability ratings, nine are topped by a Toyota-built vehicle and two by Hondas. Overall, that’s a pretty convincing case.
 
When it comes to Ford, we’ve said that it’s the only Detroit automaker that’s building cars with world-class reliability. What do we mean by “world class”? Ninety percent of the 51 models for which we have data are average or above. It is the only American automaker to earn our top rating, received by eight of its models. And only five models are below average. That’s also impressive.
 
Here are some highlights:
The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are among the top models in the family cars class, under only the Toyota Prius. Six versions rate higher than any versions of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, which have typically done very well in our survey results and are often perceived as the paradigms of reliability.
 
The front-wheel-drive Lincoln MKZ tops the upscale cars category, beating out such high-scoring competitors as the Acura TL and Lexus ES. The front-wheel-drive Ford Edge and V6 Mustang rank near the top of their classes. And most other Ford-built models are in the upper half of their categories.
 
Despite all of this goodness, Ford still has its weaknesses. The mighty Ford F-250 turbodiesel 4WD pickup has the fifth worst score in the survey results. The front-wheel-drive Lincoln MKS is at the bottom of the upscale cars category. And three all-wheel-drive Lincolns (MKS, MKX, and MKZ) were also below average.

So, of the 33 brands that we rank, Mercury came in at number 10.  Ford ranked at 16th (still made the top half), and Lincoln’s problematic models sank it to 20th place. (In contrast, Buick, which is GM’s highest-ranked brand, is 19th and Jeep, Chrysler’s highest, is 30th.)

The bottom line
Ford has made some very reliable vehicles, right in there with other generally reliable Asian automakers Honda, Toyota, and the company has been able to maintain that consistency for several years now. So, yes, we think that’s worth a hearty attaboy. But, no, Ford is not yet at the top of the heap.

For more information, visit our guide to reliability. See how the automakers compare (available to online subscribers).

 —Rik Paul

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: Best and worst models by car maker

It is easy to assume that certain automakers build only reliable cars and others don’t, however, nearly every manufacturer have their share of winners and losers in our annual reliability survey. Each company and even brand product portfolio runs a spectrum of reliability performance, with its own best and worst examples. For some, the range can span from much better than average to much worse than average, whereas other may be centered around average. The key lesson from scanning the data within an automaker is not to make assumptions.

For example, the best Toyota Motor Company model in our reliability survey is the Lexus SC—its predicted reliability score is the second highest out of over 300 vehicles, but the worst is the Lexus GS (AWD), which scores in the bottom 10 percent, and receives a much worse than average rating, and is not recommended in our testing. While it is true that Lexus models tend to be reliable and test well, this is not the case for all Lexus vehicles.

The greatest disparity comes from Volkswagen. The VW Golf (aka Rabbit) is one of the most reliable small cars you can buy, but the Volkswagen Touareg has the lowest predicted reliability score in our 2009 Annual Auto Survey.

In most cases, the best model for reliability is a recommended model and the worst is not. However, Honda’s top reliable vehicle in our survey, the Honda Insight, is not recommended due to low scores in our testing. The least reliable Honda vehicle is the Acura RL, but it has an average reliability score and is recommended. Honda is one of the more consistent manufacturers and has no model that scored below average in reliability.

The two more reliable General Motors products are from two brands that are leaving the GM umbrella. The Saturn Aura (4-cyl.) is newly recommended this year and the Pontiac Vibe will be phased out in the coming months.

Below are the best and worst models in reliability. Models with an * are based on data of one model year only.

BMW
Best: BMW 328i (RWD)
Worst: BMW 535i (AWD)*

Chrysler
Best: Jeep Patriot
Worst: Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

Ford
Best: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan (4-cyl.)
Worst: Ford F-250 (turbodiesel, 4WD)*

General Motors
Best: Chevrolet Malibu (V6)
Worst: Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon (4WD)

Honda
Best: Honda Insight*
Worst: Acura RL

Hyundai/Kia
Best: Hyundai Tucson
Worst: Kia Sedona

Mazda
Best: Mazda3 sedan
Worst: Mazda CX-7

Mercedes-Benz
Best: Mercedes-Benz GLK*
Worst: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (turbodiesel)*

Nissan
Best: Infiniti M35 (RWD)
Worst: Nissan Versa sedan*

Subaru
Best: Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
Worst: Subaru Impreza WRX*

Toyota
Best: Lexus SC*
Worst: Lexus GS (AWD)

Volkswagen
Best: Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit)
Worst: Volkswagen Touareg*

Volvo
Best: Volvo S40 (FWD)*
Worst: Volvo XC90 (V8)*

The main take away from this information is don’t judge a book by its cover. Avoid assumptions and do your research before you buy your next vehicle. It takes just a few minutes to browse the model overview pages, or use the interactive new car selector tool, which sorts and filters by the parameters that matter most to you.

Either path will reveal Consumer Reports recommended models that did well in our road tests, score average or better in reliability, and performs at least adequately if included in government or insurance industry safety tests.

For more details on our 2009 Annual Auto Survey including the full list of most and least reliable new cars by vehicle type, see our reliability report. Also, check out our guide to car reliability for more details on new and used car reliability as well as owner satisfaction.

—Liza Barth 

Ford recalls 4.5 million vehicles over fire hazard

In collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford Motor Company has announced a recall alerting owners about a possible fire hazard in 4.5 million older Ford model vehicles. This new recall is the eighth involving a total of approximately 16 million Ford vehicles equipped with a faulty cruise control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments. The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, then overheat, smoke or burn, potentially causing vehicle fires--even with the engine is turned off, vehicle parked, or left unattended.

NHTSA warns consumers to be aware of certain vehicle conditions that could signal a possible problem, such as a cruise control system that stops working or can’t be activated, brake lights that stop working, brake lights and ABS warning lights that illuminate on the dashboard, or the inability to shift the vehicle out of the park position. NHTSA also warns owners to not park the vehicle in garages or near homes until a repair is made.

The problem affects the vehicles listed below.

• 1995-2003 Ford Windstar
• 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford Super Duty diesel
• 1992-2003 Ford Econoline
• 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer
• 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
• 1994 Ford F53 motor home

Ford will notify owners beginning around October 26, 2009 to bring in their car to a dealer where they will install a fused wiring harness for the cruise control deactivation switch and inspect the ABS control connector for any problems. All repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or the NHTSA safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 using the ID number 09V399000.

—Liza Barth 

Just In: 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited and Ford Fusion SEL AWD

During a morning chat in the lunch room, one of us was saying how our 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R sedan test car was growing on him. Nicely trimmed, decent power, all-wheel drive – all for right around $30K. Then someone asked, “But would you buy that, or a Ford Fusion AWD?”
 
It was a pretty good question. So good, in fact, that we decided to buy a Fusion AWD to find out. The name Subaru is synonymous with all-wheel drive, making the Fusion a much lesser-known alternative. (Also see "Just In: 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback.")
 
The extra snow traction of an all-wheel-drive sedan can add a lot of piece-of-mind in some locations without having to drive an SUV. Quite a few large and/or high-end sedans offer all-wheel drive, but there aren’t many all-wheel drive competitors in the family sedan segment anymore. Even with the added content of its standard all-wheel drive system, the Legacy costs the same (or sometimes less) than a similarly equipped, front-wheel drive Accord/Altima/Camry.
 
But there is a little more competition when you compare six-cylinder family sedans. Both our Legacy 3.6R Limited and Fusion SEL AWD have leather, moon roof, and lot of other creature comforts. They’re also priced right on top of each other. Our Legacy 3.6R lists at $30,094. Our Ford Fusion SEL V6, with nearly identical equipment to our previously tested front-wheel drive Fusion SEL, had a sticker price of $29,425. (Rebates and haggling cut a few thousand dollars from that.)
 
All-wheel-drive’s added weight usually comes with a fuel economy and acceleration penalty, so we’ll see how the Fusion AWD compares to its front-wheel-drive equivalent. And we’ll see if Subaru has some worthy competition in the all-wheel drive family sedan market. Look for a road test on these models soon.
 
—Tom Mutchler

Life after cash for clunkers: September auto sales

The much-publicized cash for clunkers program gave a shot of adrenaline to car sales this summer, inspiring purchases even from consumers who did not participate. With the $3 billion spent in moving people into more fuel-efficient vehicles, the question became, what would become of the market without the federal incentives? The answer: September sales figures show that all manufacturers saw a significant 35 to over 50 percent sales decrease compared to August. But--and here’s the good news--when compared to last September, a few manufacturers actually saw a sales increase, including Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru.

Here are the sales trends among the largest automakers:

Chrysler: Still struggling post bankruptcy, Chrysler saw a 42-percent decrease over last September and down 40 percent for the calendar year so far.

Ford: Helped by a sales surge from the redesigned Taurus, Ford showed only a small decrease of five percent over September 2008, but so far this year they are down 22 percent.

GM: Low inventory levels after the clunker program pushed General Motors to a decrease of 45 percent over last year and 36 percent decrease so far for 2009.

Honda: With a decrease in sales almost across the board (except the Pilot, which showed a small increase), Honda sales were down 23 percent over last year and 24 percent so far this year.

Hyundai: Continues to enjoy growth and increase market share. They reported a 27 percent increase over last September and a 1.4 increase year to date.

Nissan: Sales for September were down 7 percent over last year and 26 percent year to date. A number of vehicles, including the Nissan Maxima, 370Z, Pathfinder, and Frontier, as well as the Infiniti QX56, saw a gain over last year.

Subaru: Attributing its success to the redesigned Outback and Legacy models, Subaru saw an increase of 1 percent over last September and continues to have the highest sales percent increase of any manufacturer--up 10 percent for the calendar year so far.

Toyota: Overall sales were down 16 percent from last year and 27 percent year to date, but the Lexus division saw an increase of 7 percent over September 2008.

Even with help from last month’s cash for clunkers program, manufacturers are still struggling this year. As they enter the fourth quarter, we should see some more promotions and rebates to help drive up sales before the end of the year.

—Liza Barth