The 2011 Ford Mustang
Consumer Reports has released the best vehicle choices in 10 separate categories in its annual auto issue. Making the Top 10 list are automobiles from six different manufacturers covering eight brands.
To determine this year’s top picks, Consumer Reports compared the results of 270 recently tested models. The automobiles had to score well in testing, have an average or better than average predicted reliability, and if evaluated, do well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, as well as offer stability control.
Toyota is the only automobile manufacturer with more than one vehicle making the Top 10 list.
The Hyundai Elantra was Consumer Reports’ top pick in the “Small Car” category. The Hyundai Elantra achieved 29 mpg overall and 39 mpg highway in testing with a cost of $18,445. The Hyundai Elantra is made by Korea-based Hyundai Motor Company (SEO:005380).
The Honda Fit took top place in the “Budget Car” category. Consumer Reports called the Honda Fit “a great value” with “excellent fuel economy”, achieving 30 mpg overall while testing an automatic transmission and 33 mpg with a manual transmission. Price range is from $16,020 to $16,730. The Honda Fit is manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE:HMC).
Top “Family Sedan” catagory winner was the Nissan Altima. The 4-cylinder model achieved 26 mpg overall and the V6 24 mpg. The Nissan Altima Hybrid got 32 mpg. Consumer Reports gave the 4-cylinder model an above average reliability rating. Nissan Altima ranges in price from $23,970 to $30,335. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (PINK:NSANY) makes the Nissan Altima.
The Toyota RAV4 was Consumer Reports’ top “Small SUV” for the fourth time in five years. The 4-cylinder model gets 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg highway. The V6 version of the Toyota RAV4 achieved 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway and carries a price tag of $25,405 to $31,435. The Toyota RAV4 is manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM).
Best “Green Car” was the Toyota Prius for the eigth straight year, with 44 mpg overall, the best of any vehicle Consumer Reports has recently tested. The Toyota Prius cost is $26,750. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) also makes the Toyota Prius.
The Kia Sorento was chosen as best “Family SUV”. The Kia Sorento carries up to seven passengers and the V6 engine gets overall gas mileage of 20 mpg. Kia Sorento prices range from $26,590 to $32,390 depending on features selected. Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, the Kia Sorento is manufactured by Kia Motors Corp. (PINK:KIMTF).
Ford Mustang was chosen as best “Sporty Car”. The 8 cylinder GT Coupe gets 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The 6-cylinder version of the Ford Mustang with a manual transmission acheived 24 mpg overall in Consumer Reports’ testing. Prices range between $28,880 to $43,880 for Ford Mustangs depending upon features. The Ford Mustang is made by Dearborn, Michigan based Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F).
Best “Sports Sedan” went to the Infiniti G37 for the fifth straight year. The Infiniti G37 achieved 21 mpg overall, and the less expensive G25 model gets 24 mpg. The price of the Infiniti G37 is $37,225. The Infiniti G37 is manufactured by Japan-based Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (PINK:NSANY).
The Toyota Sienna took top position in the “Family Hauler” category, seating up to eight people. With the 4-cylinder engine, the Toyota Sienna gets 19 mpg city and 24 mpg on the highway. Although the Honda Odyssey scored slightly higher in Consumer Reports’ testing, reliability data was not available, so the Honda Odyssey was not able to be given the #1 position. Toyota Sienna prices range from $35,810 to $38,201. The Toyota Sienna is made by the Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM).
Best “Pickup Truck” went to the Chevrolet Avalanche. Chevy’s crew-cab model has a partition that can be folded down to extend the cargo area into the back of the cab, allowing for longer loads to be carried. Consumer Reports recommended purchasing the optional backup camera as the truck has a large blind zone. The Chevrolet Avalanche carries a $47,435 price tag. The Chevrolet Avalanche is manufactured by Detroit, Michigan based General Motors Company (NYSE:GM).