-European automakers didn't fare well in CR's survey. Volkswagen's Touareg SUV turned in one of the worst records in the 2004 survey, with 48 problems per 100, and its Porsche Cayenne was little better at 41 problems per 100.
European SUVs in general have had a lot of problems. The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class were also worse than average. The Mercedes-Benz E-class and the turbo version of the VW New Beetle were worse than average too, with 30 or more problems per 100.
Among the few European bright spots are the V6-powered Audi A4 and the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, with only 11 problems per 100, and the all-wheel-drive BMW 3-series and Volvo XC70 with 13.
-Asian automakers had a generally positive showing in the survey, although there were some exceptions. Subaru showed considerable improvement across its product line. This year, with just eight problems per 100 cars, Subaru had the best reliability record of any manufacturer in 2004. It suffered last year, largely because of the poor showing of its new Baja truck.
Honda, with nine problems per 100, and Toyota, and Acura, both with an average of 10 problems per 100, were close behind Subaru, with Hyundai, Infiniti and Lexus finishing fourth with a problem rate of just 11 per 100.
Nissan's 2004 showing was disappointing because its new or redesigned models have had high problem rates. The redesigned 2004 Quest minivan and the full-size Armada SUV were among the worst this year. But the Titan pickup was better.
Although Hyundai makes the single most reliable vehicle in CR's survey, other Hyundais trailed. Worst was the XG350, with 19 problems per 100.
European SUVs in general have had a lot of problems. The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class were also worse than average. The Mercedes-Benz E-class and the turbo version of the VW New Beetle were worse than average too, with 30 or more problems per 100.
Among the few European bright spots are the V6-powered Audi A4 and the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, with only 11 problems per 100, and the all-wheel-drive BMW 3-series and Volvo XC70 with 13.
-Asian automakers had a generally positive showing in the survey, although there were some exceptions. Subaru showed considerable improvement across its product line. This year, with just eight problems per 100 cars, Subaru had the best reliability record of any manufacturer in 2004. It suffered last year, largely because of the poor showing of its new Baja truck.
Honda, with nine problems per 100, and Toyota, and Acura, both with an average of 10 problems per 100, were close behind Subaru, with Hyundai, Infiniti and Lexus finishing fourth with a problem rate of just 11 per 100.
Nissan's 2004 showing was disappointing because its new or redesigned models have had high problem rates. The redesigned 2004 Quest minivan and the full-size Armada SUV were among the worst this year. But the Titan pickup was better.
Although Hyundai makes the single most reliable vehicle in CR's survey, other Hyundais trailed. Worst was the XG350, with 19 problems per 100.