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 

Recalls: Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles

A few recalls have been announced recently that affect the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, Scion xD as well as Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI and Eos. If your vehicle is listed here, the manufacturer will contact you with information about what to do, or you can use one of the numbers we list below to contact the manufacturer yourself.

2009 & 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix, 2008 & 2009 Scion xD

Toyota has announced a voluntary safety recall involving 95,700 Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Scion xD vehicles equipped with the 1.8 liter engine. If the vehicle operates in very low outside temperatures, there is a risk that condensed moisture from the PVC port can seep into the brake system vacuum port and freeze. If the condition continues ice can accumulate and cause the port to plug up. That would affect the vehicle’s braking ability and lead to increased stopping distances.

This recall only affects vehicles in 19 states where temperatures can reach lower levels. The states include Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Owners will receive a notification of the recall in the mail and dealers will install a newly designed connector which will move the brake system vacuum port. Questions regarding the recall can be answered by calling Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 or Scion at 1-866-707-2466

2009 and 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos

Volkswagen has announced a voluntary recall involving 13,500 vehicles equipped with DSG transmissions built between September 2008 and August 2009. The transmission has a faulty temperature sensor that could result in a warning light on the dashboard and may shift the vehicle into neutral.

Owners will be notified by Volkswagen to schedule an appointment with a dealer who will repair if necessary. Questions can be directed to 1-800-444-8982.

Crash tests: Scion tC loses CR recommendation, coupes added to high-impact video collection

When weighing the myriad considerations in choosing a car, all it takes is a minute watching your favorite car careen into an offset barrier at 40 mph to place safety as a top concern. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently rated a group of two-door coupes for crash safety—the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Scion tC, and Volvo C30. This marked the first time IIHS had tested coupes. (In the past IIHS has tested two-door convertibles and hatchbacks.) There was a relatively wide difference in crash test performance among these five cars. (Read: "Crash tests: IIHS tests five coupes, two get top marks.")

The good news: the Ford Focus coupe and Volvo C30 were IIHS “Top Safety Picks,” scoring good in frontal, side and rear crash tests, thereby proving that small, two-door models can excel in these crash tests.

Most disappointing: the Scion tC achieved only an acceptable rating in its frontal offset test. This is troubling given that almost every new car gets a good rating in this test. The tC didn’t redeem itself in side crash performance either, scoring acceptable in that test, as well as being marginal in rear crash protection.

This new data, combined with the tC’s lack of electronic stability control, mean it scores only “fair” in Consumer Report’s overall safety rating. That rating is a composite of IIHS and NHTSA crash test results; dynamic safety performance, including handling and braking, from our track testing; and the availability of ESC, including whether it is standard or optional. We currently do not recommend cars that have an overall safety rating below good. This means that we no longer recommend the Scion tC.

The tC’s shabby safety performance is all the more troubling given that this inexpensive sporty coupe is popular among young drivers. That group of drivers is relatively inexperienced and more likely to take risks when driving. Combine this with the tC’s lackluster crash test results and lack of ESC, and it isn’t really a surprise that the tC has a substantially worse-than-average record in injury losses, according to Highway Loss Data Institute data. (See our safety feature comparison guide.)

We have added the crash-test videos of these tests to our free crash-test video player and on their respective model overview pages, available to online subscribers. There are now more than 300 vehicles featured in the player, with narrated segments clearly showing how the vehicles perform in the Institute’s test, along with ratings.

See how your car performs in crash tests at: consumerreports.org/crashtest

—Jeff Bartlett and Tom Mutchler

Crash tests: IIHS tests five coupes, two get top marks

For the first time the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has rated a group of two-door coupes for crash safety—the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Scion tC, and Volvo C30. (In the past IIHS has tested two-door convertibles and hatchbacks.) All five of the cars rated acceptable or better in frontal, side, and rear crash tests.

The Volvo C30 (which only comes as a two-door) and Ford Focus two-door model earned the Institute’s highest Top Safety Pick award, indicating they offered Good protection to occupants in front, side, and rear collisions, and offer electronic stability control. The Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cobalt coupes rated just behind with Good front and rear crash test ratings, and Acceptable side crash ratings.

The IIHS rates cars on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. None of the two door cars had any Poor ratings.

The Scion tC ranked at the bottom of the pack. It received Acceptable ratings in front and side crashes and a Marginal rating for rear crashes. But the IIHS criticized it most for not offering electronic stability control even as an option, pointing out that the Scion appeals to younger drivers who would benefit from the added safety ESC provides.

Coupes often have different structures and sometimes other features than the related sedan equivalents. IIHS usually focuses on testing family vehicles, but felt it was time to check in on some of the most popular two-doors on the market. While the frontal offset part is largely unchanged between the two- and four-door versions, the side impact test reveals some differences. The two-door Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cobalt did not perform as well as their four-door versions. The two-door Focus actually performed better than the previously tested four-door.

Learn more about crash tests in our guide to car safety. View more than 300 crash tests performed by the IIHS in our crash test video player.

—Eric Evarts

Pricing: 2010 Scion xD

The Scion xD sees a modest price increase for 2010 and a significant safety feature made standard. The xD base price for the five-speed manual version will start at $14,800, reflecting a modest $150 bump. Upgrade to a four-speed automatic transmission and the price rises to $15,600.

Those figures include a standard electronic stability control (ESC) system, which was previously optional for $650. These affordable, fuel-efficient models target younger drivers who could benefit greatly from the proven safety benefits of ESC, which helps a driver keep the vehicle in control and on its intended path during a turn, to avoid sliding or skidding.

The 2010 xD has a new standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo from Pioneer, with a 160-watt amplifier and six speakers, plus a provision for adding a subwoofer. An optional Alpine Premium audio system adds a 4.3-inch touch screen, HD radio, and more RCA outputs for additional amplifiers. Further, the Alpine unit is back-up camera and navigation system ready. Scion offers an add-on nav with maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

All Scion xD’s feature air conditioning, power windows/door locks/mirrors, cruise control, and keyless entry. Safety features include four-wheel ABS, ESC, traction control, side and side-curtain air bags, and a first aid kit.

In our last road test, we found that the xD offered excellent fuel economy, with decent handling and a versatile interior. However, there is considerable road, mechanical, and wind noise. The ride is choppy, and rearward visibility is compromised by thick C-pillars.

A CR-Recommended car, the 2010 Scion xD is a smarter choice for drivers with the addition of ESC especially younger new drivers. Any owner will appreciate the complimentary 5,000- and 10,000-mile services, as well as the car’s much better than average predicted reliability. The Toyota Yaris, with which it shares a platform, also gets standard ESC for '10.

Visit the Scion xD model overview for ratings, reliability, and road test--available to online subscribers.

—Jeff Bartlett

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

Toyota: Electrics coming, but won’t replace gas cars

Electric cars are no replacement for conventional cars, despite what you might have read.

That’s the conclusion of Bill Reinert, Toyota’s manager of advanced technology planning. In an interview at a New York City conference on sustainable development, Reinert said the company would produce an electric version of it’s tiny Scion iQ. He added that the company is looking at new business models for electric cars, and it won’t be focused on suburban use.

Electric cars may make the most sense to operate in the city, where vehicles usually drive at low speeds and for short distances. However, a real challenge for city use is that most urban dwellings don’t have dedicated parking with access to a plug. So plug-in cars that work on the expectation that consumers will charge them every night at home won’t work.

So, Toyota says it is looking at “new business models,” such as car sharing, leasing batteries or cars, and fleet sales for its EVs. Some will be sold to traditional consumers as well, he says.

Toyota announced that it will put 500 plug-in Priuses on the street in a fleet demonstration program in 2009, with 200 examples in Japan, 150 in Europe, and 150 in the United States. Powered by lithium-ion batteries along with a gasoline engine, these initial plug-in vehicles will be for fleet use, with no opportunity for sale to customers.

In the end, Toyota predicts that perhaps 20 percent of vehicles will be electric by 2020.

—Eric Evarts

Updated 6/12/09

2009 New York Auto Show: Scion and the City

Scion showed off its iQ concept, which is billed as “personalized city transportation” aimed at young hipsters who are enjoying urban revitalization. Showing the car in New York was supposed to reflect this. Only one problem: those city folks probably don’t need or want a car.

Thing is, New York is a horrible place to own a car. It costs hundreds a month to park one in a garage. (Maybe garage owners would half the rates, since the iQ would only need half a space.) You could park a car on the street, but not too many young hipsters could afford both New York rents and the payments on a new car, never mind that you don’t really want to park a new car on any city street.

Driving in New York isn’t much fun, either. It took Mike Quincy and me almost an hour to go a mile at rush hour. New York restricts turns off of some cross streets, adding to the challenge. And going mano-a-mano with a bus or cab for an open spot is adventurous in a car like an iQ. These hassles factor against city cars’ advantages of taking up little road space and fitting into tiny parking spots.

Finally, a lot of those young hipsters move to the cities to enjoy the benefits of NOT owing a car. Mass transit works for the daily commute, or you can grab a cab (or walk) to go beyond where the subway stops. When you do need “personalized transportation,” you can grab a Zipcar or another rental and not have the payments and added expenses of car ownership.

So does the iQ really make sense for Gen Y New Yorkers? Forgetaboutit.

--Tom Mutchler

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.

2009 New York Auto Show: Small car brain drain

I fear the onset of an annoying trend: naming small “city cars” with terms of intelligence. First the Smart and the Think!, now the Scion iQ. Expect the following terms to be trademarked soon:

Genius
Brainiac
Cerebrum
Noggin
Insight (oops, already taken)

I just can’t wait to get a Mensa special edition Kia Cerebrum…

--Tom Mutchler

See Consumer Reports' coverage of the 2009 New York auto show.

2008 SEMA – Personal Picks

As we wind down our coverage of the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show car and component extravaganza in Las Vegas, CR’s attendees have been reflecting on the vehicles that made the greatest impression. It truly takes something special to stand out among the hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles on display. After all, these show vehicles have been specially prepared for this mega event, often built exclusively for showcasing the latest parts, trends, and building techniques. But, it isn’t always the fanciest car that fuels fantasies, nostalgia, or water-cooler discussions.

Between writing more than 20 blog posts about this year’s show, a few team members shared their personal picks. A couple others, overwhelmed by the selection, simply couldn’t decide.

John Galeotafiore: The 2009 Dodge Challenger was my clear favorite. In my early driving days, I was the proud owner of a beat-up 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T. It had a powerful 383 cubic-inch motor with a four-barrel carburetor and four-speed manual transmission.  It had the most unbridled power of any car I've driven to this day. 

The new Challenger pays homage to my old 1971 with all the technological advances that have come in the last 38 years.  While the old car had power, its handling, ride, and comfort all left much to be desired.  I'm sure Challenger purists would disagree, but I could see myself cruising to work every day in the '09 version, something that I wouldn't have wanted to do in my '71.

Gene Petersen: Domestic car makers draw on the past. You have to look back 40 years ago to what made Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors great and formidable car companies. All three automakers were not bashful at all in showing 1960s vintage Dodge Chargers, Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Pontiac GTOs. These were and still are the cars that I dream of, and they were the cars that drew show goers like moths to a bright light.
 
Yet, when looking at the late-model offerings, the car that appealed to me the most was the Ford Flex fitted with oversized wheels and tires. There were numerous Flex concepts on display, and they all looked as cool as the first-generation Scion xB in custom gear.   

Mike DiLauro: Over the past seven or so SEMA shows that I’ve attended, my favorite vehicle has most often been an SUV. This standout vehicle is usually outfitted for some kind of adventure, whether off-road or for the urban jungle. This year, like the rest of America, I've been more interested in downsized vehicles. So although I'm going to go small this year, it still has to be tricked out to inspire me, since SEMA is all about tuning an OE vehicle and making it into something completely new.

I found the best expression of this from Scion. It is fitting that Scion would go to great lengths to live up to that intent. Within the line, the xB hits the sweet spot for tuning—it’s truly the tabula rasa of the auto industry. From the inexpensive entry point to the broad side panels, these cars become something otherworldly in the hands of a tuner. All this, while at the core, a practical, reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle...what more can you ask for?

See our picks from last year's  SEMA show. Read about more cars, gear, news, and views from SEMA.