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Fuel Efficient Cars Are Also Most Reliable Vehicles
Filed under: Opinion, Hybrid
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Consumer Report’s 2008 Annual Car Reliability Survey, based on 1.4 million vehicles over the previous 12 months, reveals that fuel efficient cars, such as hybrids, are among the leaders of reliability.
Nine hybrid models all rated well above average in predicted reliability. They include the Toyota Prius, the luxury Lexus GS450h, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid
Other more efficient models for their vehicle segments also rated above average. The Lexus RX400h and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are among the most reliable in midsized SUVs. Gas sippers such as the Honda Fit, Scion xD, Smart ForTwo, and Toyota Yaris also had few problems.
Japanese cars are still the most reliable overall, leading in 15 out of 16 categories. The Scion xD was rated as the most reliable of all new cars with 80 percent fewer problems than an average model.
Among the domestic automakers, Ford has the most reliable vehicles, with General Motors being a bag of mixed tricks and Chrysler trailing well behind the rest of the industry.
European automakers, particularly Mercedes-Benz, have made gains after recent years of failing quality. The C-Class, E-Class, and the ML350 SUV have improved to average reliability and are now recommended instead of being covered by black velvet.
via The Seattle Times
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