August issue road tests: Wagons & hatchbacks

For our August issue test group, we tested hatchbacks and wagons. These vehicles are good alternatives to small SUVs. They offer better fuel economy, have a sedan-like ride, and flexible cargo-carrying capabilities.

The full road tests from the magazine (available to subscribers), have been posted online, along with videos of some of the models hosted by our automotive experts. These videos highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the vehicles, bringing the road tests to life.

For this month’s group, we looked at the Chevrolet HHR, Hyundai Elantra Touring, Kia Soul, Mazda3, Pontiac Vibe, and Volkswagen Jetta. Plus, we also feature the newly introduced Honda Insight hybrid, which gets 38 mpg overall.

In the September issue we’ll report on family sedans, including the Kia Optima and Ford Fusion and Fusion hybrid.

Ratings for all of the hatchbacks and wagons we have tested can be found with our dynamic New Car Selector tool.

Car brands: Who owns what?

The auto industry is very complicated these days, with constant change across all corners of the globe. The worldwide economic slowdown dictates widespread cost reductions, inspiring partnerships and changes in ownership. Further confusing the scene are past commitments between companies: For example, the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform–even though Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer joined at the hip.

To help clear up some of the confusion, here is a road map to navigate who owns what brands among the major companies that sell in the U.S. car market.

BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce

Fiat owns: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati; Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep–20-percent stake

Ford Motor Company owns: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo (for now), and still owns 13.4 percent of Mazda

General Motors owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Also owns a controlling interest in Daewoo, as well as Opel and Vauxhall in Europe and Holden in Australia. (Pontiac to be discontinued)

Honda owns: Honda, Acura

Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia

Tata Motors (India) owns: Jaguar and Land Rover

Mazda (partially owned by Ford)

Mitsubishi

Daimler AG owns: Mercedes-Benz and Smart

Nissan owns: Nissan and Infiniti (Nissan is owned by Renault--France)

Porsche owns: Porsche and a majority share in Volkswagen

Subaru (A controlling interest of Subaru is owned by Toyota)

Suzuki

Toyota Motor Company owns: Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino Motors, with a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru’s parent company) and Isuzu

Volkswagen owns: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and overseas SEAT and Skoda.

In formal negotiations to be sold:
Hummer: Tengzhong (China)
Saturn: Penske Automotive Group
Saab: Koenigsegg (Sweden)

--Liza Barth

Top 40 Best Deals on American-Made Cars

Memorial Day is a time to commemorate the sacrifices made by men and women to protect our freedoms and values. It is a time to rally around the flag, with picnics, parades, and yes, car sales. In the patriotic spirit, our Auto Price Services team has studied the market and compiled these best deals on American-made cars for the holiday weekend.

Made in America
Buying an American-made car puts a new car in your driveway, and it also stimulates the economy from the automaker down through the parts suppliers, factory workers, and neighborhood dealerships. Given the recent announcements from Chrysler and General Motors that they will be making drastic cuts in the number of franchised dealerships, there will now be a greater drive than ever for these stores to make a deal. Likewise, their competitors will also offer significant discounts.

As is the case with our Best New Car Deals, to make this list, a vehicle must meet our stringent requirements to be recommended. Specifically, the vehicle must have performed well in Consumer Reports' tests, have average or better reliability, and, if crash-tested, provide good overall safety. Vehicles also must not have tipped up in the government rollover test.

To truly judge the deals, we factored customer rebates as well as hidden dealer incentives, as available in our new car price reports. From a list of all discounted models, we whittled it down to the 40 American-made models that meet our recommended criteria and offered the greatest discounts.

The list showcases a diverse assortment of 11 brands, reflecting the global nature of the auto industry and the reality that most companies build cars in the United States. (Conversely, many models from Chrysler, Ford, and GM are imported from other countries.)

While pro-America motives may fuel your purchase, be sure to research the models that best suit your needs and budgets, weighing the potential risks in choosing from a brand in bankruptcy proceedings or being divested, such as Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn. Tremendous up-front savings can be overshadowed by excessive depreciation unless you plan on keeping the car longer than five years. There also may be limited dealer access.

Regardless of the model that catches your eye from this list, buying these models will help keep America working and put you behind the wheel of a good car.

Make & model	Expires	MSRP	Invoice price	Customer rebate	Dealer incentive	Bottom line price	Potential savings below MSRP
2009 Nissan Titan SE 4X4 Crew Cab SWB	6/1/2009	$33,200	$30,061	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	25%+
2009 Ford Focus SES Sedan	6/30/2009	17,865	16,552	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Focus SES Coupe	6/30/2009	17,865	16,552	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Nissan Armada LE 4X4	6/1/2009	47,860	43,562	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Mustang GT Premium Coupe	6/1/2009	29,160	26,734	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Convertible	6/1/2009	27,345	25,100	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew 157-in.	6/1/2009	34,760	31,303	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	20%+
2009 Ford Escape XLT 2.5L 4WD	6/30/2009	25,205	23,381	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Odyssey EX	6/1/2009	29,455	26,692	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Sable Premier	6/30/2009	29,380	26,917	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L 4WD	6/30/2009	26,215	24,300	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Taurus Limited FWD	6/30/2009	30,670	28,053	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Mariner Premier I4 4WD	6/30/2009	26,515	24,598	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Ridgeline 3.5 Auto RTS	6/1/2009	31,305	28,363	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Nissan Frontier 4.0 LE Crew Cab 4X4 AT	6/1/2009	29,190	27,045	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mercury Mariner Premier V6 4WD	6/30/2009	27,515	25,508	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Auto 4WD SR5 Crew Max	6/1/2009	34,285	31,369	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Taurus X Limited AWD	6/30/2009	34,175	31,272	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto Hybrid	6/1/2009	26,150	23,796	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto SE	6/1/2009	22,815	20,533	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 2.4 Auto LE	6/1/2009	21,650	19,593	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Lincoln Navigator Luxury 4x4	6/1/2009	56,020	51,383	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 EL	6/30/2009	45,730	41,628	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Outback 2.5 Auto I	6/1/2009	23,295	21,907	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Toyota Camry 3.5 Auto V6 XLE	6/1/2009	28,695	25,823	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS I4	6/1/2009	18,700	17,922	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Tribeca Limited 5-Passenger	6/1/2009	32,595	30,727	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT 4X4 Crew Cab	6/1/2009	34,295	31,723	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mazda Tribute 2.5 Auto i Grand Touring 4WD	6/1/2009	26,375	24,681	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited w/Navigation Auto 4WD	6/1/2009	34,095	31,721	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Accord 2.4 LX-P	6/1/2009	21,905	19,869	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD	6/1/2009	35,295	31,969	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Mazda Tribute 3.0 Auto S Grand Touring 4WD	6/1/2009	27,635	25,856	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Honda Accord 2.4 LX-P 5AT	6/1/2009	22,705	20,592	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 HEV Auto	6/1/2009	26,650	24,976	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2009 GMC Sierra 4WD Crew Cab SLT SWB	6/1/2009	41,855	38,716	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 A/T	6/1/2009	22,450	21,466	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Sedan	6/1/2009	21,040	19,728	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE Auto Sedan	6/1/2009	25,680	23,800	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2009 Honda Accord 3.5 EX-L V6 5AT	6/1/2009	28,955	26,240	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+

—Jeff Bartlett and Michael Dempsey

 

Recalls: Hyundai, Mazda, GM, and Jeep vehicles

There have been a number of vehicle recalls announced recently affecting Hyundai, GM, and Mazda vehicles. If your vehicle is listed here, the manufacturer may contact you with information about what to do, or you can use one of the numbers we list below to contact the manufacturer yourself.

2010 Mazda3

Mazda is recalling over 25,000 2010 Mazda3 vehicles due to a problem with the clearance between the engine harness and starter housing. The cover of the harness may be damaged during operation and cause a short circuit. This may result in the engine stalling and not being able to restart.

Dealers will inspect and add a protector clip to the harness. If necessary, the harness will be repaired. The service will be done at no charge.

The recall is expected to begin on May 6, 2009. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

2001-2003 Hyundai Elantra and 2003 Hyundai Tiburon
2001-2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
1999-2004 Hyundai Sonata and 2001-2004 Hyundai 300/350

Hyundai is recalling over 170,000 2001-2003 Elantra and 2003 Tiberon models as well as over 85,000 2001-2003 Santa Fe and over 175,000 1999-2004 Sonata and 2001-2004 XG300 and XG350 vehicles sold or registered in states that use large quantities of salt for de-icing during the winter months. Vehicles that are used in these so called “salt-belt states” may have internal corrosion. The Elantra and Tiberon models could have thinning of the steel in the front lower control arms. The Santa Fe could have thinning of the rear trailing arm steel and the Sonata and XG300/350 models could have thinning and corrosion of the front sub frame steel.

All could increase the risk of a crash.

On all models, the dealer will inspect the areas affected for corrosion and will replace in necessary. If a replacement isn’t necessary, the dealer will add drainage holes and rust proof the area. All procedures will be done free of charge. For more information, contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

2006-2007 Hyundai Accent, Entourage, Sonatas
2007 Hyundai Azera, Elantra, and Santa Fe
2005-2007 Hyundai Tucson
2007-2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai is recalling almost 532,000 models from various years due to a malfunction in the stop lamp switch, which may cause the brake light to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or remain illuminated after the pedal is released. This malfunction may also affect the transmission shifter-- the vehicle may not be able to get out of Park. The electronic stability control light may turn on and cruise control may not deactivate when the brake is applied.

Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge.

For more information, owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.

1997-2003 Buick Regal
2000-2003 Chevrolet Impala
1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina
1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

GM is recalling over 1.4 million vehicles due to a problem with the 3.8-liter V6 naturally aspirated engine. Engine oil may be dropped on the exhaust manifold when the vehicle goes through hard braking. If the manifold gets hot enough and the oil runs to the heat shield, an engine fire could occur.

Dealers will remove the spark plug wire retention channel and install two new plugs free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin sometime in May. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537 and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or www.pontiac.com or www.gmownercenter.com.

2002-2003 Jeep Liberty

Chrysler is recalling over 42,000 Jeep Liberty vehicles sold in various “salt-belt states” on the East coast and Midwest due to a problem with the front suspension upper control arm ball joint. The area may have a loss of lubrication, which could cause a failure in the ball joint and result in a loss of steering control.

Dealers will replace the arm free of charge.

For more information, owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2001-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chrysler is recalling over 102,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles due to an overheating problem with the front heated seats, which could potentially cause a fire.

Dealers will replace the heater elements free of charge.

Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer Reports automaker report cards

For the third consecutive year, Honda has earned class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to the Automaker Report Cards published in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue. At the opposite end of the annual ranking is Chrysler, which fared
even worse than last year. The company’s poor performing products and sinking reliability results have kept all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep badged vehicles off CR’s Recommended list.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Subaru (75), and Toyota (74) in the overall score. Subaru is also the only automaker with 100% of its tested vehicles Recommended, although it has a relatively small model lineup. Mazda (73), came in 4th, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen, and BMW, all tied at 72.

While the top four overall scores belong to Japanese automakers, a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer. For example, the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris scored too low in Consumer Reports’ tests to be recommended. Conversely, despite overall scores of 63 and 57 respectively, that placed Ford and GM toward the bottom of the results, new models like the Ford Flex, F-150, Chevrolet Malibu, and Cadillac CTS have done well in CR’s tests and rank near the top of their classes in its ratings.

Full details and rankings are available in the article “Who makes the best cars?”

Visit the annual auto issue special section for quick access to the latest Ratings, articles, and videos.

Pricing: 2010 Mazda3

The redesigned Mazda3 sporty compact sedan will start at $15,045. The 2.0-liter Mazda3 i Touring four-door sedan will be equipped with an automatic transmission and priced at $18,350. Standard features include stability and traction control as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Mazda claims the fuel economy will be a 10-percent improvement over the previous model at 25 city, 33 highway mpg. Based on our testing of the outgoing model (2.0L automatic), that would put overall fuel economy at about 30 mpg.

Starting at $19,540 for the four-door and $20,030 for the five door, the Mazda3 s will have a 2.5-liter engine with 167 horsepower and an automatic transmission. Fuel economy is EPA rated at 22 city, 29 highway mpg.

The top-of-the-line Mazda3 s Grand Touring model is priced at $22,300. With a choice of four or five doors, the Grand Touring model adds a number of features including a memory driver’s seat, dual-zone temperature control, heated leather seats, and adaptive front lighting.

The current Mazda3 has been one of Consumer Reports’ top rated small cars. We’ll see how this new model fares when we put it through our tests in the coming months.

Learn more about the Mazda3 in our preview coverage.

--Liza Barth

Pet Peeve—Smart keys, dumb and dumber

We’ve complained a lot recently about so-called "smart keys" that actually seem pretty dumb. BMWs and Minis now take multiple steps to start the car. And we’ve had trouble with Volkswagens not releasing the key. We’ve also had an awful time with our new A4—you have to insert a large block of plastic/metal into a slot, hold it there and then wait for the engine to fire. But what’s worse is trying to remove it—you have to very delicately push it all in and then gently remove it. Often, the engine shuts off but you can’t remove the key. Which means you then have to push it back in—which restarts the engine—and begin the whole process over. At best, we often find ourselves searching for an available cup holder or bin to stash the key that would otherwise go in the ignition. Which, of course, doesn’t work since these are not keyless systems.

But my least favorite thing about these dumb smart keys is that the start buttons that go along with them can’t simply turn the engine off when I get home without turning everything else off, too.

Let me explain. My news-radio listening habit is so severe that as a car reviewer, I’m almost uniquely incapable of giving an opinion of the sound quality of a car’s stereo. If I can understand what an anchor is saying, that’s good enough for me. (Radio reception is a different issue.) Consequently, I frequently arrive home and pull into my driveway in the middle of a news item and want to hear how the story ends. (National Public Radio loves to take credit for these “NPR moments” as they beg for pledges every month.)

But the advent of "smart" keys has left me feeling dumb. After I stop in my driveway, I face an ugly choice: turn off the engine and miss the crucial end of a report, or watch precious gas money evaporate out the tailpipe as the engine idles until the report ends.

While most start buttons do have an accessory position, you can only access it from having the car off and hitting "Start" without depressing the brake pedal. You can’t get there in a single step when the car is running.

This month’s Mazda6 was particularly annoying, because it took the radio a full 7 seconds to reboot—complete with a chime—an eternity in a 30-second radio report.

So I usually just leave the engine running, figuring it’s not much different than if I’d hit another red light on my way home. The good news is, as winter sets in at least it keeps me warm. And this is another reason why I’m grateful gas prices have gone back down.

—Eric Evarts

Family sedans – Road tests and videos

Our January test group was family sedans. These sedans offer room for four or five passengers and their luggage, plus reasonable fuel economy.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos hosted by our automotive experts. These videos highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each model, bringing the road tests to life.

Family sedans tested include the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, and Saturn Aura. We also did a head-to-head comparison of the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

In the February issue, we’ll report on upscale sedans.

—Desiree Calamari

Personal Picks: 3-row SUVs

Times are tough if you’re selling SUVs these days. While many families like the space offered by midsized and larger three-row SUVs, they’re often concerned about fuel economy. Once you add AWD and common options, these vehicles don’t come cheap, either – a problem in a tight economy. Finally, while big truck-based SUVs used to generate big profits, sales are moving toward car-based alternatives. So how do you sell such vehicles in this climate?

Gathered in the November 3-row SUV test group are some of the latest efforts from Detroit and Japan. But as far as fuel economy goes, if you want the best you have to pony up over $40,000 for a Toyota Highlander Hybrid—but it returns an impressive 24 mpg overall. At the other end of the spectrum are the old-style, truck-based SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada, which all get 13 mpg overall.

But are these vehicles necessary? Here’s a look at what we would choose if we wanted a three-row SUV in our garage:

Rick Small: Within this category, I like to drive the Mazda CX-9 the most. It has quicker response and a sportier feel to it than other competing models. The driving position is pretty good for my tall frame. But fuel economy could be better – it gets just 16 mpg overall. The new Ford Flex was a pleasant surprise; it’s quiet and rides very well. It has plenty of room in the second-row seat and a useful third row. While I like the versatile cargo area is, I wish the driving position was more comfortable.

We also have the latest version of the GM’s three-row crossovers, the Chevrolet Traverse. So far it’s very similar to the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook versions we previously tested. The Traverse has a good ride, fairly responsive handling, and a roomy second-row seat and useful cargo area. Unfortunately, the Enclave, Outlook and Acadia all have below-average predicted reliability. (We have no data yet for the new Traverse.)

The Honda Pilot does most things pretty well; it gets a little better fuel economy than the others here and we predict above-average reliability. You couldn’t go wrong by buying it – just don’t look for a sporty experience.

Tom Mutchler: As our Ratings show, the three-row SUV market is crowded with a lot of good choices. In fact, I’m having a hard time narrowing down which one I’d buy. I’ve very happily taken long road trips in our Mazda CX-9, Ford Flex, and our previously tested Buick Enclave. Which one you prefer depends on details: the CX-9 has sporty handling, the Flex has distinctive looks, and the Enclave blends room with luxury.

Maybe the reason I’m having a hard time picking a three-row SUV is that I’d rather own a minivan. (Indeed, I do.)

Beyond towing my someday-Airstream, there isn’t anything that I would need a SUV to do that a minivan can’t do better. My Honda Odyssey has much more cargo volume, allowing me to haul my whitewater kayaks and mountain bikes (standing up!) inside with room to spare. There’s more passenger space, with business-class accommodations in the second-row captains chairs. Like the CX-9, the spry Odyssey is surprisingly fun on twisty back roads, as proven convincingly on a vacation turn on Skyline Drive. On that same trip, I averaged 25 mpg, far better fuel economy than I got out of the SUVs. (Our test results show similar benefits.)

Sure, I don’t have AWD, but a set of Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires improve snowy road stopping and turning beyond just the traction gains of AWD. I do wish it was quieter inside, like the Flex and Enclave, but a Toyota Sienna rivals them.

Nope, a minivan isn’t cool. No one dreams of conquering the Sahara or the arctic tundra behind the wheel of a minivan. But for hauling your family or lots of stuff, you can’t do better.

Mike Quincy: Since my life doesn’t include towing heavy trailers or going very far off-road, I’m still sticking with the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. It’s the king here for fuel economy, predicted reliability is off-the-charts good, and it drives more like a nice car than a truck. I also find it more entertaining to drive (and quieter) than most minivans. I still like GM’s Traverse/Enclave/Outlook/Acadia lineup, but my wish that I made for these a little over a year ago for “a torquey turbo-diesel engine” still hasn’t come true. But now, more than ever, is the time for fuel efficiency. With improved fuel economy, GM could right the listing SUV ship.

3-row SUVs - Road test and videos

Our November test group evaluated 3-row SUVs. These large vehicles have been favorites with families, offering seating for up to eight, four-wheel-drive capability, and plenty of cargo space.

The full road test from the magazine has been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos hosted by our automotive experts. These videos highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each model, bringing the road tests to life.

SUVs tested include the new Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, distinctive Ford Flex, upgraded Mazda CX-9, redesigned Honda Pilot, and truck-based Toyota Sequoia.

At the other end of the spectrum from these people-movers, read our Smart ForTwo review and watch the video. It may be cute and fuel efficient, but be forewarned: the ForTwo finished at the bottom of our subcompact car Ratings.

In the December issue, we’ll report on luxury SUVs.

—Desiree Calamari