http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/28/c...s-of-the-year/

• Fun To Drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
• Small Sedan: Honda Civic
• Family Sedan: Honda Accord
• Minivan: Toyota Sienna
• Luxury Sedan: Infiniti M45
• Midsized SUV: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Green Car: Toyota Prius
• Upscale sedan: Infiniti G35
• Budget Car: Honda Fit

 

Wow, all asian cars... I agree with the Fun to Drive, and the Budget car though

 

Why don't they just call it the we love honda and toyota list.

 

I agree! ANTI-American!!!

 

IMO it's kind of hard to disagree with that list because I can't think of any US manufacturer that currently fields a vehicle within each category and price range that matches these benchmarks without somehow coming up short or costing a bit more.

Now if looks played a role, the results would be different.

 

They're blind so they have no other choice!

 

well they said some nice stuff about the fusion and milan didn't they?
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070228/auto_...&.pf=insurance

 

"Family Sedan: Honda Accord"

In a recent issue they put the Fusion on the front cover and rated it above Accord and Camry.

Either they have really short memories, or they are so Asian-biased that they are being caught up in their own lies.

I trust NOTHING this rag says about anything, frankly. If you don't believe me, try a little experiment: Pick some product category you know a GREAT deal about, then go and read their reviews and which specific product they recommend. I did that with D-SLR cameras, about which I know a great deal. The results were a joke.

 

They probably also factored long term reliability along with crash-test results into their rankings. If Fusions hold up well after 4~5 years and an updated version is improved even more, then that list BETTER have the Fusion for "Best Family Sedan".

 

Cars for people under 5'10" and 180 lbs. and over 65.
Us overweight Americans can not comfortably fit in these vehicles.
Most of them have a waiting list to purchase.
I could not even close the door on the Miata.
The Honda vehicles entry is like sitting on the ground.
The Toyota vehicles lack seriously in the style department.
Only one car is worth a title, the Infiniti G35.
This was my second choice after the Mustang.
My $.02

 

I had a RAV4 as a rental car the other day and found it to be one of the most annoying vehicles I've ever driven. How anyone could pick it over an Escape is beyond me.

 

Well, I would easily pick the RAV4 over the Escape in that particular contest...so that makes one "anyone" right there.

 

wasn't it car and driver?

 

+1, I trust the car mags about as much as the gov't anymore...

 

I'll never pick out even a washing machine based on Consumer Reports again.

 

• Fun To Drive: Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Small SUV: Ford Escape
• Small Sedan: Chevrolet Cobalt
• Family Sedan: Ford Fusion
• Minivan: Toyota Sienna
• Luxury Sedan: Cadillac CTS
• Midsized SUV: Ford Explorer
• Green Car: Toyota Prius
• Upscale sedan: Lincoln MKZ
• Budget Car: Honda Fit

That list looks much better to me

 

Escape, Cobalt, Explorer, MKZ???

 

This is my list:

• Fun To Drive: Mazda RX-8
• Small SUV: Toyota RAV4
• Small Sedan: Mazda Mazda3
• Family Sedan: Toyota Camry
• Minivan: Honda Odyssey
• Luxury Sedan: BMW 3-Series
• Midsized SUV: Toyota 4Runner
• Green Car: Toyota Prius
• Upscale sedan: Chrysler 300C
• Budget Car: Honda Fit

 

I completely agree with this. I do not find Consumer Reports a useful tool at all. They evaluate cars using an "appliance" sort of mentality. For car people, their evaluations are not worth a single cent. Cars for many people are about their personal statement, someones individual style and taste. Consumer Reports can do nothing more than report on their PERCEIVED findings regarding failures etc. I just generally do not agree with their approach.

 

That's the thing, the majority of people buying "family vehicles" view cars with an "appliance" mentality despite most personal statements to the contrary. "Will appliance-mobile get me from point A to point B with no muss or fuss?" and "Will it do it day in/day out reliably, only needing regular maintenance?"
The attempts at "style" and "sport" infusion into the design and handling dynamics try to make the owner feel like they are making a personal statement - "I'm really not a boring person!" - by owning a xxxxxx sedan even though most of them will never push the car to the limits or drive in an enthusiastic manner. If it was really about fun or a sporting driving experience, the Camry, Accord, etc. would be fighting for last place.