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

Tested: Speed vs fuel economy

We all seem to be in a rush these days. Life’s time demands seem to only increase, with the delicate balance of work, family, and recreation pressuring us to maximize every minute. As a result, there is real temptation to edge beyond the speed limit to shave seconds off each mile. But while driving fast may get you there sooner, there are some real downsides, such as diminished safety for yourself and fellow motorists; risk of a speeding ticket; and decreased fuel economy.

To quantify the impact a heavy right foot can have on your wallet, Consumer Reports recently conducted a seven-vehicle test comparing the fuel economy of each at speeds of 55, 65, and 75 mph. The results show the faster you drive, the more fuel you burn—no surprise there. But the most significant change in fuel economy comes from the most fuel-efficient vehicles we tested.

The Honda Insight hybrid showed the largest drop in fuel economy—over 15 mpg going from 55 to 75 mph. The Toyota Camry returned 40.3 mpg at 55 mph, but that reduces to almost 35 mpg when the speed moves up to 65 mph and drops to almost 30 mpg when speeds reach 75 mph. That’s a drop of about 5 mpg for every 10 miles over 55. Vehicles with lower fuel efficiency had the smallest drop. The V8-powered Mercury Mountaineer has a fuel economy of 23.8 mpg at 55 mph and that drops to 21.2 mpg at 65 and 17.8 at 75 mph. See the chart below for more details on all the vehicles tested.

Make & model	55 mph	65 mph	75 mph
Acura TSX 2.4-liter 4-cyl.	39.9 mpg	35.5 mpg	30.7 mpg
Honda Insight 1.3-liter 4-cyl.	51.9	44.8	36.5
Lexus RX350 3.5-liter V6	30.9	27.4	23.0
Mercury Mountaineer 4.6-liter V8	23.8	21.2	17.8
Toyota Camry 2.5-liter 4-cyl.	40.3	34.9	29.8
Toyota RAV4 2.5 liter 4-cyl.	34.6	29.3	25.9
Toyota Yaris 1.5-liter 4-cyl.	42.5	37.9	34.0

In this economy, saving money is important. But it’s not that simple. As the adage goes, time is money and it can sometimes be worth spending more to get somewhere faster. Another consideration is traffic. There is debate as to whether driving slightly over the speed limit is more dangerous than going slower. Some say it is the difference in speed of vehicles that contributes to accidents—not speeding—and that it’s best to move with the flow traffic.

What do you think? Are speeders or slow drivers the cause of accidents? Would you be willing to drive slower to save a few bucks and reduce national fuel consumption? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

See our guide to fuel economy for more on saving gas and alternative fuels.

—Liza Barth  

Cash for clunkers: American cars

The “Cash for clunkers” program intended to jump start auto sales is in full gear. The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) allows consumers to trade in their gas guzzler for an instant credit toward the purchase of a more fuel-efficient vehicle based on specific qualifications.

All automakers are hoping to benefit from the potential sales surge. In particular, Chrysler and GM could benefit from a sales boost to coincide with their exit from bankruptcy.

If you are considering junking your old car and want to buy from an American brand, then check out our list of domestic vehicles that qualify for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program. All models listed are also Consumer Reports recommended, which means they must have performed well in Consumer Reports' tests, have average or better reliability, and, if crash-tested, provide good overall safety. In addition, we list the owner cost score, which factors in depreciation, fuel, interest, insurance, maintenance and repair, and taxes over the first five years. A much more detailed view of owner costs, for three, five, and eight years as well as full ratings, reliability, safety and more are available in the model overviews for each new car (available to online subscribers).

For comparison, we have included the overall mpg from Consumer Reports’ tests to illustrate real-world fuel economy numbers. To judge the benefits from making a switch, we used these figures to calculate the annualized fuel costs based on 12,000 miles a year at an average price of $2.50 a gallon for gas. We assumed the trade-in vehicle had 18 mpg. If the overall EPA mpg is less, then the fuel savings would increase. (Compare your fuel economy scenario.)

Make & model	EPA mpg	CR's overall mpg	Annual CR fuel costs	Minimum fuel savings	Cost of ownership score (1-5 years)
Chevrolet HHR	24	24	$1,250	$417
Chevrolet Malibu (4-cyl.)	26	25	1,200	513
Ford Escape (4-cyl.)	21	21	1,429	238
Ford Escape Hybrid	28	26	1,154	595
Ford Focus	27	26	1,154	556
Ford Fusion (2010)	25	24	1,250	467	N/A
Ford Fusion Hybrid (2010)	39	34	882	897	N/A
Ford Mustang	20	20	1,500	167
Ford Taurus	21	18	1,667	238
Lincoln MKZ	21	20	1,500	238
Mercury Mariner	23	21	1,429	362
Mercury Mariner hybrid	28	26	1,154	595
Mercury Milan	23	21	1,304	362
Pontiac Vibe	28	29	1,034	595
Saturn Aura XR V6	20	20	1,500	167

For more information about the program, visit our Cash for clunkers special section.  To get advice on whether it is the right time to buy a new car, see our post Is Cash for Clunkers for you? Visit our New car buying and leasing forum to share your experience and give advice to others making the trade.

—Liza Barth

Also read:

Cash for clunkers: Recommended cars that qualify for a voucher
Cash for clunkers: The best gas guzzlers to junk
Cash for clunkers: Compare the fuel savings
Cash for clunkers: Fuel and owner costs
Cash for clunkers bill cuts fuel consumption–running the numbers

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

From the logbook: Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Even amid the bad news from Detroit, Ford seems to be on a roll. Its Fusion line is garnering much praise these days, the company has avoided any talk of bankruptcy, and its products have done very well in CR’s reliability surveys.

We’ve recently written about the possibility of the price of fuel rising, which might prompt some new-car buyers to seek out more fuel-efficient transportation.

Our Mercury Mariner Hybrid (twin to the Ford Escape Hybrid) gets the best fuel economy of any SUV we’ve tested (26 mpg overall). It also has lots of interior room, easy access, and good visibility. But our fully loaded Mariner  cost us $36,000; it was the only configuration we could find in dealers late last year. It included a moon roof, as well as a navigation system (part of the Premium Package that also gets you heated leather seats, premium sound, etc.). Bypass the Premium option, saving you $3,595, and you can get into one for a more reasonable $33,000.

What’s it like to live with day-to-day, bearing in mind that we are critics? And is the high price worth all its “greenness?” Take a peak at comments from our tester’s logbook:

“Adequate power – can go up to 40 mph on electric power alone on a flat road.”
 
“Engine is loud when accelerating hard but much more civilized than before.”
 
“Ride is rough.”
 
“Navigation system has nice features and the voice-recognition works well.”
 
“Touch screen’s letters and numbers are too small to enter addresses and select options.”
 
“Flat [front] seat isn’t very comfortable…manual recline and telescope steering wheel is absurd at $36,000.”
 
“Rear passengers complained that the seats were uncomfortable after a few hours.”
 
“Cheap interior.”
 
“Rear hatch takes more than one slam to close.”
 
“Clever drivetrain looking for a more modern vehicle.”

So while some question the Hybrid’s value, all agree that the technology is successful. We look forward to measuring the fuel economy of our next Ford hybrid – the Fusion, which many of us like much better.

Read our full Mercury Mariner Hybrid road test, ratings, and other information on the model overview, available to online subscribers.

—Mike Quincy

Ford and GM offer job-loss incentives to help boost sales

In an effort to stimulate car sales and boost consumer confidence, Ford and GM have announced their job-loss customer protection plans. Both incentives, similar to the Hyundai Assurance and AutoNation programs, are an effort to help consumers worried about job stability and making monthly car payments.

Ford’s program, called the Ford Advantage Plan, will cover payments of up to $700 a month for 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury if customers lose their jobs. In addition, Ford announced zero-percent financing on select vehicles in their lineup. The program will run until June 1st.

General Motor’s program, called GM Total Confidence, will cover payments of up to $500 a month for nine months if you lose your job for economic reasons. In addition, during the first two years of ownership, GM will help protect the retail value of the vehicle at trade-in time if the outstanding principal loan is more than the NADA Clean Retail Value. All vehicles will be backed by a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance and alternate transportation should your vehicle break down. The GM program is available on vehicles purchased from April 1st through April 30th.

The Hyundai program has produced a bump in sales; GM and Ford are hoping it will work for them, as well.

—Liza Barth

Pricing: 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan

Starting at just under $20,000 ($19,995 including $725 destination and delivery charge), the Fusion S base model will be powered by a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 34 mpg. The SE trim level will start at $20,545 and the SEL at $23,975. An optional 3.0-liter V6 engine is also available on SE and SEL models. In addition, the performance version Sport starts at $25,825 with the AWD version at $27,675.

The Mercury Milan is priced at $21,180 (including destination and delivery) for the FWD model with the four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The top of the line Milan Premier AWD model will be priced $27,800 with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine.

The Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995 and the Milan Hybrid at $31,300. Both are EPA rated at 41 mpg city, 36 highway, besting government figures for the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg city, and 2 mpg highway.

Customers who purchase a Fusion or Milan Hybrid may qualify for the highest available federal tax credit of $3,400 if they purchase by March 31, 2009. Partial credits will be available after that until the end of March 2010.

The current Fusion and Milan both have done well in our tests with a controlled and satisfying ride and sporty feel. We have not tested the 2010s yet.

For more information about the new Fusion and Milan hybrids, see our preview coverage.

--Liza Barth

Ford hybrid tax credits are going fast

Ford will soon launch the revitalized Fusion and Mercury Milan lines, continuing the pattern of ongoing improvements to these well-rated sedans. Highlighting the 2010 models is the addition of hybrid variants. Ford is touting a 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway fuel economy rating for the Fusion hybrid—notably more efficient than the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry hybrids based on EPA numbers. (Photo is from the 2008 LA Auto Show.)

These Ford Motor Company hybrids, along with the Escape and Mariner hybrid SUVs, are eligible for full tax credits if purchased or ordered before March 31st. After that time, the credits are reduced by 50 percent due to Ford crossing the 60,000-vehicle threshold that begins a scale-down process for tax credits. (See what vehicles are eligible and their credit amounts.)

Like all appealing incentives, there is a catch. Ford says the 2010 hybrids go on sale in the spring, though will not release a date. Spring begins March 20, less than two weeks before the tax credit is reduced.

A Ford representative explained that customers could order a vehicle prior to March 31st, to be delivered later, and still receive the credit. However, it may prove difficult, or even impossible, to secure a test drive prior.

In April, there will still be a significant credit available--$1,700. Ultimately, no matter which vehicle you are drawn to, if a tax credit is a significant factor, be sure to check with your accountant to ensure you can receive it based on your tax scenario. And remember, tax credits do not apply on a lease. (See “Hybrid cars and the vanishing tax credit.”)

Ford Hybrid tax credits

	1/1 - 3/31/09	4/1 - 9/30/09	10/1 - 3/31/10
2010 Fusion Hybrid	$3,400	$1,700	$850
2010 Milan Hybrid	3,400	1,700	850
2009 Escape Hybrid FWD	3,000	1,500	750
2009 Escape Hybrid 4WD	1,950	975	487.50
2009 Mariner Hybrid FWD	3,000	1,500	750
2009 Mariner Hybrid 4WD	1,950	975	487.50

Learn more about the updated 2010 Fusion and read our 2009 Mercury Mariner First Drive.

—Jeff Bartlett

Just In: Mercury Mariner Hybrid

It’s a frequently asked question: “Why isn’t the Ford Escape Hybrid in your ratings?” With the recent fluctuations in fuel costs, some have wondered why we don’t list this efficient American hybrid SUV.

Here’s the reason: We had tested the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. But when Ford updated the Escape for 2008, they didn’t make all of the upcoming changes to the car at once. For 2008, the Escape had a less-than-extreme interior and exterior makeover and non-hybrid Escapes finally got standard stability control. Problem was, the Hybrid wasn’t so blessed for 2008. That omission was addressed for 2009, along with the addition of a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for both the Hybrid and non-hybrid. Since we buy all the cars we test, we prefer to get more “shelf life” out of them, ensuring they have long-term value to our readers. So we didn’t test an Escape Hybrid when we evaluated the 2008 Escape V6. (Watch the Ford Escape road test video.) Instead, we waited for a 2009 Hybrid to assess the substantial changes for the new model year.

As it turns out, even the last Escape we tested didn’t last long: the V6 got several upgrades for 2009, including more power and claimed better braking -- a sore spot in our tests. So now we own two more Escapes: a 2009 four-cylinder and a V6.

As for the Hybrid, it seems they’re a hot commodity, with long waiting lists and next to none available sitting on dealer lots. So we put our name on a list and waited. And waited. We waited until we found a 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid sitting on a local lot. Since the Mariner and Escape only differ cosmetically, we grabbed it.

All of the Mariners we could find were pretty much loaded; we couldn’t escape (no pun intended) buying one without a navigation system. Along with leather and sunroof, these options pushed the price from an already high $32,225 to a lofty $36,615.

We’ll see if the Mariner meets or beats the 26 mpg overall that we got with the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid we last tested. Expect a First Drive report online soon.

--Tom Mutchler

Photo by Mike Leung

Best new car deals

Looking for a new car? Many dealers are looking to clear their lots to make way for the 2009 models, enabling car buyers to negotiate a favorable price during model-year-end clearance sales. We’ve listed vehicles with attractive incentives that meet Consumer Reports’ stringent criteria for being Recommended. Five top deals in different model categories are highlighted below, and on the Best New Car Deals main page with vehicle profiles. Most deals featured are good through September 30th and we will update the list as new deals become available.

                                                                                                                                               

Model	MSRP	Invoice Price	Rebates	Potential         negotiating        room
2009 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Coupe	$22,085	$20,357	$1,500	10%+
2008 Acura TL 3.2	$33,725	$30,991	$3,500	5%+
2008 Ford Fusion         2008 Mercury Milan	$22,900         $19,095	$21,050         $17,661	$1,500         $1,500	10%+         15%+
2008 Kia Optima EX	$19,895	$18,510	$2,000	15%+
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4-cyl CVT         2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS V6	$23,970         $25,210	$22,502         $23,671	$1,500         $1,500	10%+         10%+

In our Best new car deals section, we maintain a list of CR-recommended vehicles that offer significant savings. The current list includes 2009 and 2008 models ranging from the BMW 7 Series to the Saturn Outlook. Detailed information is available on both Recommended and otherwise in the Consumer Reports Auto Price Reports.

—Desiree Calamari