Consumer Reports 2006

[subzero]

Ok, first off I am aware that many people believe that the credibility of reports such as these are bias or otherwise unreliable, but I still think the trend is quite obvious. Anyone notice Toyota sweeping the reliability category, and of course the 4Runner as number 2 most reliable Mid Class SUV? Although, I am sure that none of you needed to see this to testify to this vehicles reliability.

http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/reliable/8.html

 

[Thai]

Toyota will soon rule the world....

 

[qballjr13]

Like all of us here I am excited to see Toyota do so well....BUT the MOST RELIABLE PICK UP is a Subaru Baja????? Are you kidding? I think that is exactly why people have such an issue with Consumer Reports and their rating of vehicles. They sould stick to toaster and washing machines!

 

[reganooc]

As a test engineer for Consumer Reports - I'll tell you....many of us were quite amazed that the Baja was even in the "Pickup Truck" category. These ratings are not based on our physical tests, but rather on a survey we sent out to magazine and online subscribers. Results were analyzed from over a million returned surveys. Generally that's a good thing.....especially when you see the 20+ Toyota products that appear in that Most Reliable list. Unfortunately you do have an occasional "WTF!!?!?!" that make the list as well, like the Baja. Here's today's question...if the Baja is such a reliable vehicle (notice I'm not calling it a "Truck" in any way), why is Subaru discontinuing it? My guess...nobody's buying it.

As for the way Consumer Reports rates their vehicles, unfortunately I'm not in that group. But I can tell you they are very thorough. (I mainly test things like home improvement products and appliances). As a company, CR tends to be very environmentally conscious. (I love the looks I get when I park my 06 SE V8 among the sea of Prius

 

[toybox]

As a test engineer for Consumer Reports .

Sounds like a cool job. Glad to have you on the forum. I read CR and trust CR as an independent source of info. I usually use its ratings as part of my evaluation of many things I buy.

 

[biglatka]

Sounds like a cool job. Glad to have you on the forum. I read CR and trust CR as an independent source of info. I usually use its ratings as part of my evaluation of many things I buy.

Ditto for me. Overall, I trust Consumer Reports to be objective, competent, and honest. I've utilized the information contained in the magazine in making my purchasing decisions for the many many items I've bought over the years. Rarely have I been sorry or disappointed by my selection.

 

[Uneek]

Like all of us here I am excited to see Toyota do so well....BUT the MOST RELIABLE PICK UP is a Subaru Baja????? Are you kidding?

For the same reason why some rags love the Honda Ridgeline. It's no pickup truck.

 

[jharris2]

Ditto for me. Overall, I trust Consumer Reports to be objective, competent, and honest. I've utilized the information contained in the magazine in making my purchasing decisions for the many many items I've bought over the years. Rarely have I been sorry or disappointed by my selection.

I used to do the same, but in my opinion, the quality of their reporting went downhill over the years, especially since they got into areas outside their expertise (like the taste of cereals and ice cream, which is highly subjective, or high-tech gear, which is obsolete before the magazine arrives). I view that as more of an editorial problem than a problem with the engineers.

Then, charging subscribers extra to use their web site was a short-sighted policy, IMHO. I believe the subscription price should include access to the web site; no other magazine I subscribe to charges like that.

Finally, I lost confidence in their results when they rated the 2003 4Runner V6 as unreliable because of the fuel-rail recall...something that was voluntary, affected just a few vehicles, but was done to many more than needed to prevent a problem. A more detailed discussion of this specific item is here.

After that, I just let the subscription expire and have not missed it.

My opinion and $0.02. Rant over.

 

[biglatka]

I used to do the same, but in my....

John, good points especially on the charge for the web site, which I agree with you on, given their stiff subscription price. I also remember the 2003 4Runner fiasco, in fact I wrote them two emails about it when it came out in their 2004 April Auto issue. They even answered me, but their reply contained a lot of bureaucratic BS. That rating was based mostly on consumer questionnaire/surveys sent in to them. If you check out the 2006 April Annual Auto issue, the 2003 4Runner V6 is no longer rated unreliable.

Nevertheless, who is perfect? The 2003 4Runner stands out because it was so unusual for them to pan a Toyota like that for one problem. On the whole, Toyotas' rank very high, near the top, in all their ratings, as most of us would agree with. They are a non-profit organization and overall do a very good job in their rating and opinions, IMHO. No use throwing the baby out with the bath water (BTW, as they did with the 2003 4Runner in their 2004 issue).

As Forrest Gump would say: "And that's all I'm gonna say about that".

 

[Thai]

I am still sad over what CR did to the Isuzu Trooper. That was a good SUV...the only quality product from Isuzu. Otherwise, CR is a good source of information...it's not the only one, but taken together with other sources (JD Powers, Magazine reviews, Consumer Digest, etc.), a consumer nowadays can make an intelligent purchase easier than in the past.

 

[05SportV8]

I am still sad over what CR did to the Isuzu Trooper. That was a good SUV...the only quality product from Isuzu. Otherwise, CR is a good source of information...it's not the only one, but taken together with other sources (JD Powers, Magazine reviews, Consumer Digest, etc.), a consumer nowadays can make an intelligent purchase easier than in the past.

Thai, I am going to twist this topic a little after your comment of the Trooper. I used to have a Isuzu rodeo.. I bought it in 2003 being a 98 model with 90.000 miles. The price less than $6000 with all the gizmos you could get on a 98, even the suun roof.
The comments and ratings were near the floor (or lower). No wonder the price. But I had it for 3 years . I put many thousand miles on it. The engine had 215 lb of torque and 205 Hp (available very low in the rpm range). Back in 98 no other small SUV would have touch it with the manual trans.
Sold it to my sister, when I bought the 4R. She still runs it, and It runs strong.

Then you wonder... is it luck... is it that reports have been biased... I even heard that the rear axel is a DANA (Don't quote me there)... Price on that vehicle have come down so much that you can get a 98 4x4 for less that $4000. I believe consumer reports have damaged the reputation of a good real 4x4.

 

[reganooc]

Ok, you

 

[sharp4runr]

BTW, does anyone know the part number for the lower grill on an 06?
Chris

Check out Partznet Chris. You can find all the part numbers there

 

[jharris2]

... That

 

[RonMAIDEN]

For the same reason why some rags love the Honda Ridgeline. It's no pickup truck.

It's more of a PU than a Ford Lightning or a Ram SRT10. The Ridgeline just isn't really for off roading but for weekend trail trips it's got as lot of nice features.

 

[qballjr13]

It's more of a PU than a Ford Lightning or a Ram SRT10. The Ridgeline just isn't really for off roading but for weekend trail trips it's got as lot of nice features.

I'm not sure about that...my father-in-law had a 2003 Lightening and used it to get bark mulch and loam all the time. the suspension was so tight that it held it well. And my $.02...Id take a Lightening any day of the week over a Ridgeline and I have a lot of faith in Honda (just please stay out of the "pick-up" truck market).

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yes,the Lighning does haul the same payload and tow capacity as the Ridgline but you aren't going to venture too far off the paved road with the Ford so in all respects the Ridgline is a PU and does exactly what Honda claims which is the same that your average Tacoma/Tundra will do with their trucks.
The Ridgline isn't a hard trail off roader but it does 90% of what it's true 4wd counterparts do. It does have nice features like an in-bed trunk and flood lights.

As a DD the Lightning would be awful due to it's poor MPG (I know what it's rated and most owners don't see it) and imagine the Ford in a rain or snow vs the AWD Ridgline that delivers not too mention the utility.