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.

Consumer Reports family sedans chat

Friday, November 20th, 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.

Go to the family sedan chat. The chat will be archive and can be read at any time.

—Jeff Bartlett 

New rollover protection criteria lead to fewer IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2010

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a much shorter list of Top Safety Picks for 2010 than in previous years, just 27 models, compared with 94 models in 2009. The Institute has tightened the criteria it uses to name Top Safety Picks for 2010 with the addition of rollover protection, leaving out many vehicles that previously made the list. 

To receive a Top Safety Pick designation for 2010, cars have to receive a Good rating in the IIHS’s new roof crush tests, as well as meet all the earlier criteria: Good scores in front and side crash tests, a Good head restraint design for rear impacts, and the inclusion of Electronic Stability Control. In its crash tests, the IIHS rates cars on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor.

The added requirement of a Good rating in the roof strength test eliminated several top-selling models that were on last year’s list, including the Ford Fusion and the Honda Accord. “Honda and Ford would have to make only minor changes to achieve good ratings for roof strength, as the Accord and Fusion just missed the mark,” says IIHS president Adrian Lund.

The Toyota Camry also missed the mark because its head restraints were rated Marginal. Toyota had no cars on the list of Top Safety Picks this year. Other past winners with no vehicles on the list this year included BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saab. The Institute praised Subaru as the only automaker to win the award in every category it entered, with five vehicles earning the Top Safety Pick designation. Chrysler, Volkswagen, and Volvo each earned four. No convertibles were included on this year’s list. Two new small cars, the Nissan Cube and the Kia Soul, join the list.

The Volvo XC60, which was introduced this year, had an early safety problem in the side impact test, and only models built after Nov. 1, 2009 qualify for the award. However, IIHS points out that consumers with XC60s built before than can see their Volvo dealer for an update.

2010 IIHS Top Safety Picks

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after Oct. 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional ESC
Dodge Avenger with optional ESC
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door with optional ESC, except Si
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza, except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side air bags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

Although fewer models earn the award this year, it is still possible to find models in all categories with good overall safety scores. However, in some categories, few if any models meet both IIHS’s requirements for a Top Safety Pick and Consumer Reports standards for recommendation. To be recommended by Consumer Reports, a vehicle must perform well in our testing, have at least average reliability, and perform adequately in safety tests by both the government and the IIHS, if tested.

The small SUV category illustrates how fewer models now standout as the safest and best models. Last year 10 small SUVs earned Top Safety Pick designations. This year only four did: the Honda Element, Jeep Patriot, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Many other small SUVs received sub-par ratings in the IIHS’s new roof-strength test. Of those, only the Forester and the Tiguan meet the criteria to be recommended by Consumer Reports.

Overall, vehicle safety has made significant improvements through the years, as automakers have added stronger front and side structures, head-protecting air bags, and electronic stability control on many more models. (For proof, see “IIHS crash tests 2009 Chevrolet Malibu vs 1959 Bel Air.”) Increasingly stringent safety tests have been a driving force in motivating the auto industry to make progressive improvements, and this revised methodology to selecting Top Safety Picks will likely lead to even safer vehicles. 

There are many considerations when choosing a new vehicle, and this change to how the IIHS spotlights what it considers to be the safest models should help car buyers who prioritize safety.

—Eric Evarts 

For more information on the government tests, see our related reports:
Crash test 101
Rollover 101
Roof-crush standards

2010 Subaru Legacy performs better in IIHS bumper test

Bumper durability has improved significantly with the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy, leading to lower repair costs, based on recent tests by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS). Shown to the right, the latest Legacy earned an Acceptable rating based on IIHS tests of how well the front, front corner, rear, and rear corner bumpers withstand everyday fender-benders. The Legacy’s 2010 predecessor, the 2007-2009 versions, had previously rated Poor on this test, and sustained more than $4,000 in damage. The 2010 model sustained less than $900.
 
The IIHS rates bumpers Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor based on 6 mph front and rear impact and 3 mph corner impact. Vehicles are run into a steel barrier that has a plastic absorber and flexible cover to simulate a car’s energy absorber and plastic bumper cover. The biggest improvement for the Legacy was in the front impact test. The difference is that the 2010 Legacy's front reinforcement bar is taller, about six inches wider, and more than an inch higher off the ground. This prevented the bumper from sliding under the barrier during the test.
 
The Legacy is only the fifth car to get an acceptable rating in the bumper test. The others are the Ford Focus, Mazda6, Scion xB, and Smart ForTwo. All but two of 17 midsized cars rated Marginal or Poor for bumper protection. No car has yet earned a good rating. (Read: “IIHS midsized sedan bumper test–None rated Good.”)
 
This IIHS bumper test does not measure safety, just repair costs. The Legacy earned the Top Safety Pick designation with a good performance in front, side, and rear tests.
 
Over 300 crash tests conducted by IIHS can be seen in our crash test video player. Also, videos on current-generation vehicles are now available from the model overview pages (for subscribers).
 
Learn more about car safety.
 
—Maggie Shader

Sneak peek: Turbocharged 2011 Buick Regal sedan

Buick’s second all-new model since GM emerged from bankruptcy will take a classic name: Regal. The Regal will debut at the LA Auto Show next month.

Smaller than Buick’s other new model, the LaCrosse, the Regal is about the size of the Acura TSX and the Volvo S60. It will have a choice of two four-cylinder engines: a 2.4-liter, making 182 hp, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter version putting out 220 hp. Each will come with a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Adjustable suspension in the turbocharged model will have three settings: Normal, Touring, and Sport. Supposedly, the Touring mode will soften the suspension for highway drives, while Sport will firm it up for winding roads.

The standard model goes on sale in the spring, with the turbo following next June.

The new Regal is based on the European Opel Insignia and has already been a hit in China. Pricing has not yet been announced. No news yet about resurrecting the grand daddies of all Buick muscle cars: The Grand Sport or Grand National.

—Eric Evarts 

Pricing: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

The Suzuki Kizashi is set to enter into the competitive midsized sedan category with a starting price of just under $19,000. The base Kizashi S will be offered with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission for $18,999. The S will also have an available automatic CVT for $20,499 or all-wheel drive for $21,749. The entry-level version will offer a number of standard features including eight air bags, which include front, side, and curtain; stability control, ABS, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and audio controls on the steering wheel.

Suzuki forecasts the volume model will be the SE, available with a CVT and all-wheel drive. Additional features will include 17-inch tires on alloy wheels, and a power driver’s seat with three-position memory. Prices will range from $21,499 to $22,749.

The GTS is the sporty line available with a six-speed manual or performance-tuned CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters. Features include a premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth capability, 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and power moon roof. The GTS pricing starts at $22,499 and will top out at $24,849 for the AWD CVT.

The top-of-the line SLS adds leather seats, power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto dimming rear-view mirror with a universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors, automatic rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and rear proximity sensors with audible warning and visual display. Prices for the SLS range from $24,399 for FWD manual transmission to $26,749 for AWD CVT.

All models regardless of trim will be powered by a 2.4-liter engine and add $735 for destination and handling.

We recently drove the Kizashi GTS line and weren’t impressed. We found the ride stiff and steering not very Euro inspiring as Suzuki has marketed. The interior was pleasing and seats decent.

The Suzuki Kizashi will hit dealerships in December and we’ll put it through the paces at our track in the coming months.

Read our Suzuki Kizashi first impressions.

—Liza Barth 

Video: Diesel comparison - BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen

For buyers looking for a fuel efficient car, diesels provide an alternative to hybrids. Popular in Europe for years, more diesels are making their way to the U.S. market.

Modern diesels escape many of the liabilities of earlier designs. They are quieter, burn cleaner, and have much improved acceleration. Fuel economy is considerably improved over gasoline-powered versions.

But buying a diesel usually means paying more up front. Finding a diesel pump isn't quite as easy as locating gasoline, and diesel fuel prices recently have fluctuated widely. Except for Volkswagen, diesel vehicle availability is also limited to high-price luxury brands.

In this video, we take a look at four diesels—Mercedes-Benz GL320 Bluetec, BMW 335d, BMW X5, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI—and their pros and cons.

—Tom Mutchler

2009 Annual Auto Reliability Survey: A high price doesn’t mean it’s reliable

Paying more for a new car doesn’t guarantee that it will be reliable. Inexpensive small cars and midsized family sedans are the most reliable vehicles according to our 2009 Annual Auto Survey, which is based on our subscribers’ experiences with 1.4 million vehicles.

Twenty of out of 37 small cars and 21 out of 41 family cars have above-average predicted reliability. Minivans are at the bottom of the list, but there are not as many minivan options. See how the other vehicle categories fare below.

Car type	% of models rated average or better
Family cars	91%
Small cars	84%
Small SUVs	83%
Upscale cars	78%
Compact pickups	74%
Midsized SUVs	74%
Full-sized pickups	68%
Luxury cars	67%
Sporty cars	62%
Upscale/luxury SUVs	55%
Large SUVs	50%
Minivans	43%

When it comes to buying a new car, you do not need to spend top dollar. It pays to do your research and find the model that meet Consumer Reports’ stringent requirements to be recommended, as well as your budget.

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 

2010 Cadillac CTS – Flash-to-pass, part 3

Sometimes we wonder why is it so hard for some companies to do something that everybody else does as a matter of course. Nearly two years ago we took GM to task for a flaw on the very nice 2008 Cadillac CTS. That car lacked a flash-to-pass headlight feature. GM promised to correct that, and they have--partially.
 
The omission affected CTS versions with bi-xenon headlights which come on the Premium trim line.
 
We just purchased a new CTS sedan with the direct-injection 3.6-liter V6, Premium package and FE2 suspension.
 
Indeed, GM has not only added the flash-to-pass feature but notes triumphantly that it didn’t even cost them any money. The feature was there all along but it was disabled, GM explains, for bulb-longevity reasons. Frankly, the longevity argument doesn’t cut much ice. Xenon lights already have a much longer life expectation than halogens. But here’s the real caveat: The CTS’s new flash-to–pass is momentary. The high beam duration is merely one second regardless of how long you squeeze the left stalk. If you hold it with the intention of maintaining high beams for several seconds, you still get only one single flash that goes off after the one second, which is unlike almost any other car. You might have to blip the stalk multiple times to get an inattentive driver’s attention.
 
Examining the headlight unit reveals that there is no dedicated bulb for the flash-to-pass feature, which other bi-xenon systems employ. The CTS instead only briefly triggers the regular high beam. That’s a creative (read: cheap) way to get off the hook. We’ll take it for now, but it’s no free pass. Hopefully, it won’t take another two years to get a continuous flash-to-pass.

See the related posts:
The stalk that broke the Cadillac CTS' back
No flash-to-pass for Cadillac CTS, part 2
 
—Gabe Shenhar

Just In: Lexus HS 250h

Walk into a Lexus dealer with $39,000 to spend on a new sedan and you’ll find you have a surprisingly wide array of choices. That will buy you a Lexus IS 350, a compact rear-wheel drive sedan aimed squarely at the BMW 3 Series. Or, you could get Lexus’ top-selling sedan, the Camry-based ES 350, which is aimed directly at those buyers who used to drive Buicks.
 
Now there’s a third option: the hybrid-only Lexus HS 250h. Based on the Prius and the sold-overseas Toyota Avensis, the HS uses the Camry Hybrid’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder drivetrain. The HS appears to be aimed at Prius-shopping professionals who want something “nicer” that still gets excellent mileage. Cars like the aforementioned Camry Hybrid, the fun-to-drive Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid, or a diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI might fit that bill, but they don’t have the cachet of the Lexus name. (Vehicle links point to the model overview pages, where online subscribers can access road tests and ratings.)
 
They don’t have the HS’s price tag, either. Our car is an HS 250h Premium, which gets you a wood and leather trimmed interior, power seats and steering wheel adjustment, and 18-inch wheels. A bunch of piddly little options (spoiler, glass breakage sensors, remote start, a cargo net and trunk mat, and all-weather mats) added a whopping $1,094, bringing the total with destination to $38,939.
 
We’ll let you know if the HS lives up to Lexus’ standards of quiet refinement as we put miles on our test car.
 
—Tom Mutchler