Honda CR-V is a Close Second but Highest Recommended by Consumer Reports
Compact SUVs are a growing automotive segment in America, fueled on by the high price of gasoline and ever increasing functionality this type of vehicle offers. But which model is the best choice for your family's needs?
Consumer Reports magazine ranked 19 new models in a recent report featured in its August issue, rating the Subaru Forester at the very top. The Forester also ranked highest in CR's annual April Auto Issue, followed closely by Toyota's RAV4.
But this time around the runner up was Honda's CR-V, moving up from 5th place in previous tests. Why such an improvement? The 2005 CR-V now features a standard five-speed automatic transmission, which reduces fuel consumption while enhancing performance, and added electronic stability control and side-curtain airbags. If Honda can reduce what CR felt was "prominent road noise", it could be a 1st place finisher.
"The Honda CR-V rides comfortably, handles well, and has a spacious, well-conceived interior," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "Prominent road noise is the CR-V's only notable fault."
Third in line was Ford's new Escape Hybrid, rising near the top because of class-leading fuel economy at 26 mpg combine city/hwy. The lowest fuel economy ratings among conventionally-powered compact SUVs, such as the CR-V, achieve approximately 21 mpg overall.
Hyundai's Tucson was named the 4th best in CR's report, followed by the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Liberty diesel.
Ironically, despite the high ratings of the top six compact SUVs mentioned in the release,Consumer Reports was only willing to recommend one to its readers, the2nd place Honda CR-V, due to a lack of reliability data on the other vehicles. Even the top rated Forester doesn't come with a CR recommendation, due to this problem.
Subaru's track record of reliability as a brand is not the best, if J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study results are called into question. It rated in 20th position out of 35 nameplates currently being sold, below average in the study, with rival Honda ranked highest among entry-level brand names in 6th. Ford just narrowly missed better-than-average status in 16th place, but nevertheless placed higher than 17th ranked Nissan. Jeep's 26th place was also below average while Hyundai scored last among the top six compact SUVs rated in CR's report, in 32nd place.
Of course, this is just one study. Consumer Reports recently rated Hyundai's Sonata number one vehicle in the U.S. for reliability, ahead of previous quality leader Lexus. Hyundai has been improving in J. D. Power and Associate's Initial Quality studies in recent years, so it is likely that future dependability studies will see this brand rise through the ranks. '
Note: see photo gallery for large images of each compact SUV mentioned in this news article.
Compact SUVs are a growing automotive segment in America, fueled on by the high price of gasoline and ever increasing functionality this type of vehicle offers. But which model is the best choice for your family's needs?
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| Consumer Reports magazine ranked 19 new models a recent report featured in its August issue, rating the Subaru Forester at the very top. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press) |
But this time around the runner up was Honda's CR-V, moving up from 5th place in previous tests. Why such an improvement? The 2005 CR-V now features a standard five-speed automatic transmission, which reduces fuel consumption while enhancing performance, and added electronic stability control and side-curtain airbags. If Honda can reduce what CR felt was "prominent road noise", it could be a 1st place finisher.
"The Honda CR-V rides comfortably, handles well, and has a spacious, well-conceived interior," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "Prominent road noise is the CR-V's only notable fault."
Third in line was Ford's new Escape Hybrid, rising near the top because of class-leading fuel economy at 26 mpg combine city/hwy. The lowest fuel economy ratings among conventionally-powered compact SUVs, such as the CR-V, achieve approximately 21 mpg overall.
Hyundai's Tucson was named the 4th best in CR's report, followed by the Nissan Xterra and Jeep Liberty diesel.
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| Ironically, despite the high ratings of the top six compact SUVs, Consumer Reports was only willing to recommend one to its readers, the 2nd place Honda CR-V. (Photo: American Honda) |
Subaru's track record of reliability as a brand is not the best, if J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study results are called into question. It rated in 20th position out of 35 nameplates currently being sold, below average in the study, with rival Honda ranked highest among entry-level brand names in 6th. Ford just narrowly missed better-than-average status in 16th place, but nevertheless placed higher than 17th ranked Nissan. Jeep's 26th place was also below average while Hyundai scored last among the top six compact SUVs rated in CR's report, in 32nd place.
Of course, this is just one study. Consumer Reports recently rated Hyundai's Sonata number one vehicle in the U.S. for reliability, ahead of previous quality leader Lexus. Hyundai has been improving in J. D. Power and Associate's Initial Quality studies in recent years, so it is likely that future dependability studies will see this brand rise through the ranks. '
Note: see photo gallery for large images of each compact SUV mentioned in this news article.
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