Rep Power: 722

DETROIT, March 4 (Reuters) - Japanese automobiles are the true kings of the road, judging by the latest annual "Best Cars" issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which hits newsstands next week.

All but one of the vehicles in the magazine's list of "top picks" in 10 different categories for 2005 are Japanese. The exception is Ford's small-sized Focus sedan.

Japanese vehicles also score a clean sweep on a list of 21 vehicles that Consumer Reports says it can recommend because they earned "very good" or "excellent" scores in all five major ratings areas it tested.

The recommendations are important since the spring auto issue from Consumer Reports, which accepts no paid advertising or free samples of the products its reviews, has long been seen as a trusted shopping guide by many U.S. car buyers.

Anything that could accelerate the rate of defection away from Detroit's mass market automakers is clearly bad news for the likes of General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. as they continue to lose market share to fast-growing foreign rivals.

The Big Three can take solace, however, from a Consumer Reports survey showing for the second consecutive year that the average domestic car is more reliable than its average European counterpart.

That trend, which gives Detroit at least some bragging rights, was reported by Consumer Reports for the first time in 24 years in its previous auto issue, in 2004.

Reliability results this year were based on responses from Consumer Report subscribers about a record 810,000 privately owned or leased cars and trucks.

Japanese and Korean automakers once again produced the most trouble-free models, with an overall problem rate of 12 per 100 for the 2004 model year, the same rate they have had for the last three years, Consumer Reports said.

It said GM, Ford and the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG inched closer to the Asians with an overall problem rate of 17 per 100, however. That matched the industry average and was down from a combined rate of 18 per 100 last year.

By contrast, the problem rate for European automakers rose slightly to 21 per 100 from 20 last year.

"Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems. Only Audi came out better than average," the magazine said.

"The most reliable brand overall is now Subaru, which averages eight problems per 100," Consumer Reports said. It noted that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., long a reliability leader, now averaged nine problems per 100.

The single most reliable vehicle in the 2004 model year was Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd's low-cost Sonata sedan, with a problem rate of just two per 100.

The showing "further establishes Hyundai's remarkable turnaround from one of the least reliable brands to one of the best," Consumer Reports said of the Korean automaker.

Ford's Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle and Nissan's Quest minivan tied for most unreliable vehicle, it said, with problem rates of 49 per 100. Close behind was the pricey Touareg SUV from Volkswagen AG, which had 48 problems for every 100 vehicles.

 
Rep Power: 742

i wouldn't mind having a Hyundai as daily driver

 
Rep Power: 751

I don't trust Consumer Reports.

Would you want Car and Driver to write a review on a washing machine?

 
Rep Power: 732

I do have Hyundai, like it very much. I would buy a brand new Tucson next, but the gas prices pressing me to get Mercedes-Benz Smart.

 
Rep Power: 751

A Smart car is as much of a Benz as the new LX Platform Chryslers (300, Magnum, Charger).

 
Rep Power: 732

Ohhhh... buddy... you know nothing. trust me , Smart is 100% Mercedes-Benz as S600 os SL 55. You just didn't take a close look at the build quality and technology put in to that car.
I, on the other hand, have done some massive research. and belive me, I would prefer to be in Smart during accident instead of majority of new cars on todays roads. A ing Neon is the worst accident rated new car. that institution of highway whatever you call it, did testings and: most of the time you will NOT survive the accident in the new Neon. (especially side impact, TOTAL failure)

 
Rep Power: 0

the LX cars are actually very much benz...
and the smartfortwo is a badass little car, it may not be for most, but i personally wouldnt complain with the kind of ridiculously amazing fuel economy it gets

and wtf, its consumer reports for god sakes. they claim the ford focus is a good domestic auto... right, an automotive abomination with more recalls then anything else in history. anyone ever sat in one of these, god, its a in focus of god sakes

 
Rep Power: 762

your nuts......you rather be in a smart car and have this rear end you at 60 then being in a neon?

 
Rep Power: 732

That's right! :thumbsup

You just didn't see the picture of every collision tha IHR have done on brand new Noen. People just don't understand, Smart is very different from rest of the car.... the fastest way to explain is it uses racing cage technology of building the body.
You see F1 driver get crashed ad 250km/h but they walk away, and the F1 cars don't have air bags and crample zones. Same apliise to Smart, but additionally it got air bags, stability control, ABS, traction control and other goodies as standart.

 
Rep Power: 732

And when is the last time 18 wheeler rear ended somebody on the street?
On the highway the crash, but they crush big, and kill everything what is around them. doesn't metter what car are you in.

Want to be VERY safe drive an 18 wheeler or ride the blasting roket (TTC)

 
Rep Power: 719

ok, but when it all comes down.....

u drive a Hyundai, so stfu

 
Rep Power: 0

**** consumer reports. I have learned dont take anyones word for anything. Go buy a car and drive it REGARDLESS of the make. If anything these reports are out to shatter companies in general. A general motor exec typed up a nice long response to consumer reports and did a great job. If i can find it I will post it. Bottom line is if we would all be driving hondas if listening top mags and things like this all the time.

 
Rep Power: 666

Same here...

 
Rep Power: 675

the TTC rules

 
Rep Power: 673

Honestly who would trust a company that tests toaster ovens and microwaves for car reviews? go drive the car yourself and judge yourself.