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Consumer Reports: Honda again tops; Ford and GM improve

YONKERS, NY — Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are still made by Honda, according to the Automaker Report Cards published in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue on sale March 4. Honda also led the pack last year, the first time the country’s largest expert, independent, non-profit consumer product testing organization issued such information.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Toyota (75) and Subaru (72). BMW, Mazda, Nissan, and Volkswagen tied at 71, after rounding. Only Honda and Subaru have earned the distinction of having all of the models tested make Consumer Reports’ Recommended list.

Honda is also the only automaker whose entire model lineup is currently recommended. Full details and rankings are available in the article “Who makes the best cars?” in the magazine and for online subscribers at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Honda earned the top score because it builds cars that are well-rounded, have excellent reliability and perform very well. But not all of Honda’s models lead their class. The new CR-V SUV can’t quite match the top-ranked Toyota RAV4. The Accord was edged out by the Nissan Altima, and the Honda Odyssey minivan scored slightly lower than the Toyota Sienna.

The overall score for each automaker is based on the average overall scores of its vehicles in Consumer Reports’ road tests and its average predicted-reliability score from Consumer Reports’ Annual Car Reliability Survey. Manufacturers received a report card only if five or more of its vehicles were tested.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 3:07 PM to Honda | Permalink | Comments 0

Ford Flex price tagged at $29,000

It’s one of the more highly anticipated crossovers of 2008 — and now, Ford’s Flex crossover apparently has a base price assigned to it, according to thecarconnection.com.

Automotive News reports that Ford will charge $28,995, including destination, for the base 2009 Ford Flex when it goes on sale in the summer. The weekly news reader says it got its information from a dealer printout.

According to the info, the Flex will be offered in three trim levels and in front- or all-wheel drive. The most expensive Flex Limited will top the pricing ladder at $37,255.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:27 AM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0

Ford recalls 470,000 Mustangs to update air bag software

DETROIT — Ford Motor (F) said Wednesday it is recalling 470,000 Ford Mustangs from the 2005-2008 model years to recalibrate how forcefully the air bag deploys on the front passenger side of the car, according to the Associated Press.

Internal testing showed the air bag could injure a small, unbelted passenger, said Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood. The recall was posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sherwood said the fix would address "a very rare scenario," and there were no reports of injuries or accidents tied to the recall.

Posted by Peter C. T. Elsworth  at 9:23 AM to Ford | Permalink | Comments 0