Toyota, Lexus Make Consumer Reports' Picks for 2010
The Toyota Prius was the Top Pick for Green cars for the seventh consecutive year, while the Lexus LS460L was Consumer Reports' pick for Best Overall vehicle.
Sales of the Toyota Highlander and RAV4 had been halted at the time of publication. Consumer Reports has suspended its recommendation for both vehicles, and removed them from contention in the Small and Family SUV category.
Six new car models entered the Top Picks this year: The Mazda5 (Family Hauler), Nissan Altima (Family Sedan), Subaru Forester (Small SUV), Volkswagen GTI (Sporty Car), and Chevrolet's Traverse (Family SUV) and Silverado (Pickup truck).
Also named were the Hyundai Elantra SE (Small Sedan) and Infiniti G37 (Sport Sedan).
For the first time since 1998 no Honda model was selected. Last year's Top Pick for Family Sedan was the Accord.
The new Top Picks, as seen in the magazine's April 2010 Auto Issue, were announced at a Washington Automotive Press Association press conference in Washington, D.C.
Consumer Reports Names Six New Top Pick Cars for 2010 (2.23.10)
Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor, said the diversity of this year's Top Picks reflects the industry's competitiveness. "Today's car buyers have more choices than ever when looking for good all-around cars."
The Top Picks are based on evaluations conducted by Consumers Union at its Auto Test Center; reliability results (based on annual surveys conducted of Consumer Reports' subscribers); and on government and industry safety tests.
For more info:
consumerreports.org