Japanese Cars Top Consumer Rankings
Whats the buzz? If you want to know the latest events, trends, and happenings, you go to a news site and find what youre looking for. In the entertainment industry, The Oscars have just finished; in the automotive industry, Japanese cars are making the headlines as top model picks, as selected by the independent market research group Consumer Reports. What is it about these vehicles that make them rank high in tests and surveys? Lets take a look at the report to find out.
A vehicle model that has been deemed to have the honor of being a Top Pick should meet the following criteria: it must rank at the top (or near it) of its category in overall performance/road test score; it must perform adequately in safety (rollover/crash) tests conducted by a government agency or an insurance company; and it must earn an average or better predicted-reliability rating. This rating is computed based on reports sent by Consumer Reports subscribers on 1.2 million vehicles as part of the Annual Auto Survey. The top two Japanese manufacturersToyota and Hondaeach have three models that made it to the list of Top Picks for 2013.
Toyota
Toyota beams proudly upon its Prius, Highlander, and Scion FR-S. The Prius takes the top spot in the green car category, the Highlander in the midsized SUV class, and the FR-S in the sporty cars segment. The Scion FR-S is an almost identical twin of the Subaru BRZ, which of course ties with the Scion in this category. The FR-S is the product of a team-up between Toyota (which builds Scion models) and Subaru. The FR-S is one of the sportiest Japanese cars that wont burn a hole in your pocket because of its reasonable price and remarkable gas mileage.
Honda
Hondas turn under the limelight is spurred on by the CR-V, Odyssey, and Accords success. These three models have basically covered three of the largest segments of the automotive market: small SUV, minivan, and midsized sedan. Notable here is the newly-redesigned Accord: with its interior, handling, engine, and affordability, the Accord unsurprisingly has become the best in its class. The CR-V may have won by default, as Consumer Reports admits that they havent tested the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester yetstill, its SUV features make it a winner. Besides, the RAV4 and Forester are both Japanese cars, so the prize is all within the family. And speaking of family, no van can carry them more safely and comfortably than an Odyssey.
The other Jap-based auto manufacturer to have a car on the list is Subaru. In addition to the BRZ (the twin of the Scion FR-S) mentioned earlier, Subarus Impreza made it as a Top Pick in the compact car category. The Impreza was redesigned in 2012 and impressed both consumers and automotive experts so much the model has even been compared to some of the more luxurious sedans. It has all-wheel drive, awesome fuel economy, spacious interiors, and no-fuss controls. The Impreza is also available as a hatchback, but whichever model you choose, its sure to impress.
Consumers have reported and experts have selected. These are the models that have topped safety, reliability, and performance rankings. Whats so special about them is that theyre all Japanese cars. So the next time you buy a car, you know what to look for.
A vehicle model that has been deemed to have the honor of being a Top Pick should meet the following criteria: it must rank at the top (or near it) of its category in overall performance/road test score; it must perform adequately in safety (rollover/crash) tests conducted by a government agency or an insurance company; and it must earn an average or better predicted-reliability rating. This rating is computed based on reports sent by Consumer Reports subscribers on 1.2 million vehicles as part of the Annual Auto Survey. The top two Japanese manufacturersToyota and Hondaeach have three models that made it to the list of Top Picks for 2013.
Toyota
Toyota beams proudly upon its Prius, Highlander, and Scion FR-S. The Prius takes the top spot in the green car category, the Highlander in the midsized SUV class, and the FR-S in the sporty cars segment. The Scion FR-S is an almost identical twin of the Subaru BRZ, which of course ties with the Scion in this category. The FR-S is the product of a team-up between Toyota (which builds Scion models) and Subaru. The FR-S is one of the sportiest Japanese cars that wont burn a hole in your pocket because of its reasonable price and remarkable gas mileage.
Honda
Hondas turn under the limelight is spurred on by the CR-V, Odyssey, and Accords success. These three models have basically covered three of the largest segments of the automotive market: small SUV, minivan, and midsized sedan. Notable here is the newly-redesigned Accord: with its interior, handling, engine, and affordability, the Accord unsurprisingly has become the best in its class. The CR-V may have won by default, as Consumer Reports admits that they havent tested the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester yetstill, its SUV features make it a winner. Besides, the RAV4 and Forester are both Japanese cars, so the prize is all within the family. And speaking of family, no van can carry them more safely and comfortably than an Odyssey.
The other Jap-based auto manufacturer to have a car on the list is Subaru. In addition to the BRZ (the twin of the Scion FR-S) mentioned earlier, Subarus Impreza made it as a Top Pick in the compact car category. The Impreza was redesigned in 2012 and impressed both consumers and automotive experts so much the model has even been compared to some of the more luxurious sedans. It has all-wheel drive, awesome fuel economy, spacious interiors, and no-fuss controls. The Impreza is also available as a hatchback, but whichever model you choose, its sure to impress.
Consumers have reported and experts have selected. These are the models that have topped safety, reliability, and performance rankings. Whats so special about them is that theyre all Japanese cars. So the next time you buy a car, you know what to look for.
