Japanese brands show 'nicks'
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Japanese brands show 'nicks'
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...rts-usat_x.htm
Japanese brands show 'nicks'
By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY
DETROIT Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey, released Wednesday, challenges the belief that Japanese cars are generally made better than domestic vehicles.
The 2006 Honda S2000 is among the most reliable sporty cars.
Vehicles that Nissan makes at its new plant in Mississippi the Quest minivan, Armada SUV, Titan pickup and Infiniti QX56 SUV are among the 48 least-reliable cars and trucks sold, the survey found. The redesigned Toyota Avalon was rated with average reliability, lower than any of Toyota's other cars. The Acura RL, made by Honda, and the Honda Odyssey were also rated average.
"One time you would consider buying a Japanese car because you'd get excellent reliability, but now you're starting to see some nicks in the armor," says David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center.
The 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Asian nameplates still dominated the most-reliable list. Of the 31 cars that earned a top reliability rating, 29 were Japanese and two were domestic models. No European cars earned a top ranking.
Irv Miller, a spokesman for Toyota, says the automaker is actively addressing complaints from consumers about the Avalon. He predicts the car's rating will increase next year.
Consumer Reports sent surveys last spring to its 6 million website and magazine subscribers. The results cover 1 million 1998 to 2005 model year vehicles, the most responses Consumer Reports has ever received.
The annual reliability study is among the most significant factors affecting consumer preferences.
"In certain segments, it can be argued that Consumer Reports is the most powerful influencer of consumers other than family and friends," says Eric Noble, president of marketing research firm The CarLab.
Other findings include:
Lofty sticker prices don't always mean high quality. The list of least-reliable cars includes some of Europe's most expensive nameplates, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. For the second year in a row, no European automaker made it on the most-reliable car list.
Only 3% of Toyota Prius owners reported problems with their cars. By comparison, 67% of Infiniti QX56 owners had to go back to the dealership because of problems.
While the quality gap between Asian and domestic carmakers is closing for new cars, Champion says as domestic cars age, the gap widens. After five years, domestic cars tend to have twice as many problems as Asian brands, Champion says.
Hyundai has spotty reliability, with the Tucson SUV earning a poor reliability rating, while the Santa Fe SUV and Elantra sedan were rated average.
Japanese brands show 'nicks'
By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY
DETROIT Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey, released Wednesday, challenges the belief that Japanese cars are generally made better than domestic vehicles.
The 2006 Honda S2000 is among the most reliable sporty cars.
Vehicles that Nissan makes at its new plant in Mississippi the Quest minivan, Armada SUV, Titan pickup and Infiniti QX56 SUV are among the 48 least-reliable cars and trucks sold, the survey found. The redesigned Toyota Avalon was rated with average reliability, lower than any of Toyota's other cars. The Acura RL, made by Honda, and the Honda Odyssey were also rated average.
"One time you would consider buying a Japanese car because you'd get excellent reliability, but now you're starting to see some nicks in the armor," says David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center.
The 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Asian nameplates still dominated the most-reliable list. Of the 31 cars that earned a top reliability rating, 29 were Japanese and two were domestic models. No European cars earned a top ranking.
Irv Miller, a spokesman for Toyota, says the automaker is actively addressing complaints from consumers about the Avalon. He predicts the car's rating will increase next year.
Consumer Reports sent surveys last spring to its 6 million website and magazine subscribers. The results cover 1 million 1998 to 2005 model year vehicles, the most responses Consumer Reports has ever received.
The annual reliability study is among the most significant factors affecting consumer preferences.
"In certain segments, it can be argued that Consumer Reports is the most powerful influencer of consumers other than family and friends," says Eric Noble, president of marketing research firm The CarLab.
Other findings include:
Lofty sticker prices don't always mean high quality. The list of least-reliable cars includes some of Europe's most expensive nameplates, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. For the second year in a row, no European automaker made it on the most-reliable car list.
Only 3% of Toyota Prius owners reported problems with their cars. By comparison, 67% of Infiniti QX56 owners had to go back to the dealership because of problems.
While the quality gap between Asian and domestic carmakers is closing for new cars, Champion says as domestic cars age, the gap widens. After five years, domestic cars tend to have twice as many problems as Asian brands, Champion says.
Hyundai has spotty reliability, with the Tucson SUV earning a poor reliability rating, while the Santa Fe SUV and Elantra sedan were rated average.
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And if u guys notice... an Explorer starts around 25 to 30 g's.. after they because about 3-4 years old u can practically buy them at about half price or less... American cars dont hold their value... I was looking at maybe getting a used xB however they are selling them for more of the msrp..does that tell u guys anything... So I just decided to get a new one when the my time comes in febuary... :D
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