Consumer Reports Rates Cars
Many car buyers wait every year for the Consumer Reports annual April issue to hit the newsstands. It is the one that rates all of the new cars and trucks. CBS News Consumer Correspondent Herb Weisbaum brings you their top picks.
If you're looking for a six cylinder family car, Consumer Reports says you can't do better than Toyota's Camry.
Sharon Hanley recently bought a new car and came to the same conclusion. "I did a lot of research and found out that this was the best value for the money," says Hanley. "It shifts smoothly and it's very quiet and has a lot of power," she added.
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For pure driving fun, Consumer Reports says Mazda's Miata is the clear choice. Auto testing director David Champion calls the Miata a joy to drive, "It handles very nicely; you can zip along the country lanes and have a really nice time with it. And it's been reliable."
The Lexus RX300 was named best Conventional Sport Utility Vehicle. More car than truck, Consumer Reports says this is where the SUV market is headed.
If you're looking for a budget priced sport utility vehicle, consider the all-new Subaru Forester. It is redesigned and is now a 2001 model. This all-wheel drive station wagon is Consumer Reports' top small SUV. The editors praised its car-like handling. There's a roomy cargo area with a full-sized spare underneath. And it got good crash test results.
Minivans are still big sellers, and the editors chose Honda's Odyssey as the best of the bunch. They gave it high marks for handling and especially liked its large cargo area, with a rear seat that stows under the floor.
For the first time ever, a Japanese model won the Full Sized Pickup category. Toyota's Tundra scored points for its sophisticated V-8 engine and refined cabin. And the interior was so quiet inside it was actually quieter than most of the sedans that were tested.
Rounding out the top picks list was the Mazda Protégé. Room and refinement gave it the edge in the small sedan category.
Audi's A6 gets the aard for best Upscale Sedan. Testers found it relaxing to drive, describing the ride as serene and supple.
If you have $50,000 to spare, consider the Mercedes-Benz E-320. Consumer Reports says it's the best car they tested this year--period.
The April edition of Consumer Reports also features reliability ratings for used cars and a whole lot of other information, from auto safety advice to tips for online car shopping.