Need a reason to knock on the door of one of your local automobile dealers? Perhaps this list from the upcoming issue of Consumer Reports will give you some ideas to share about what they should be mentioning to consumers.
The picks from the 2013 crop of vehicles will be in CR’s December issue, which should be available on newsstands now (as of 11/1/12).
“Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors, such as comfort and design,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher.
Both performance and design features figured in CR’s evaluations, which cover vehicles in a dozen class categories.
CR says US automakers have extended their advantage, gaining a 60% or better share of the picks going back to 2010.
Without any further ado, here are Consumer Reports’ best buys:
* 3 “Subcompact Cars”: Chevrolet Sonic, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta
* 3 “Compact Cars”: Ford Focus, Kia Soul, Mazda3
* 7 “Family Cars”: Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima, Volkswagen Passat
* 4 “Luxury Cars”: Audi A7, Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Genesis Sedan
* 4 “Sporty Cars”: Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe
* 1 “Small Pickup”: Toyota Tacoma
* 2 “Full-size Pickups”: Ford F-150 and Ram 1500
* 4 “Minivans”: Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan/Volkswagen Routan, Honda Odyssey
* 4 “Compact SUVs”: Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-5
* 5 “Midsize SUVs”: Buick Enclave/Chev
rolet Traverse/GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot
* 3 “Full-size/Luxury SUVs”: Dodge Durango, Infiniti JX35, Jeep Grand Cherokee
* 3 “Hybrids”: Ford Fusion Hybrid/Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid
RBR-TVBR observation: If we were selling cars, we’d want consumers to know about these picks. And if were selling advertising to people who sell cars, we’d be reminding them that they should be telling consumers about these picks with a splashy attention-getting campaign on your airspace!
