Consumer Reports Names Honda Accord Top Pick Among 4-Cylinder Family Sedans in 2003
YONKERS, N.Y.--March 10, 2003--Consumer ReportsVolkswagen Passat remains top six-cylinder family sedan for fifth
straight year;
Chevrolet Avalanche edges out Toyota Tundra in pickup category
Consumer Reports named the redesigned 2003 Honda Accord its Top Pick for four-cylinder Family Sedans after it narrowly edged out competitors, including the Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, and the Mazda6 in performance testing. The Volkswagen Passat continued as Consumer Reports' Top Pick in the six-cylinder Family Sedans category for the fifth straight year.
Several other new models were also named Top Picks by Consumer Reports. They are the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix in a new Affordable Versatility category; the Honda Civic Hybrid in the Driving Green category; the Honda Pilot for Midsized SUV and the Chevrolet Avalanche for top Pickup Truck.
"More than half of the vehicles named as Top Picks in 2003 are either new or newly redesigned models," said David Champion, director of Consumer Reports Auto Test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut. "We continue to see improvements in both the versatility and performance of vehicles coming to market."
The 50th Anniversary April Auto Issue is on sale March 11 through June 11. The Auto Issue is generally available where magazines are sold and may also be ordered online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
New to the Top Picks list this year is the Affordable Versatility category--added to reflect the growing interest in "crossover"-type wagons with flexible interiors and, often, the availability of all-wheel-drive.
The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat have been among Consumer Reports' highest-rated family sedans for years, with the Passat taking top honors in the 4- and six-cylinder categories for the past four years. After its redesign in 2002, the Camry nearly tied the Passat as the top-rated family sedan.
Now, the redesigned Accord has taken CR's top honors in the 4-cylinder Family Sedans category and ranks just behind the Passat in the six-cylinder Family Sedans category.
In the Pickup Truck category, the versatile and smooth-riding Chevrolet Avalanche took top honors after outpointing last year's Top Pick, the powerful Toyota Tundra.
The 2003 model cars, trucks, and SUVs selected by Consumer Reports as Top Picks are best in their respective categories, based on CR's own extensive testing of emergency handling, acceleration, braking, fuel economy, comfort, convenience and more. Consumer Reports' testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any American publication. To earn the distinction of Top Pick, vehicles must also have at least average reliability based on CR's Annual Subscriber Survey and, if crash-tested, perform at least adequately.
The Top Picks list is available free online at www.ConsumerReports.org. Here, by category, are the issue's best performers:
| - | BEST CAR TESTED: BMW 530i. The 530i (about $46,000) achieved the highest overall score for the second year in a row. It combines excellent handling and exceptional comfort with advanced safety features, responsive performance, and exquisite fit and finish. |
| - | FUN TO DRIVE: Subaru Impreza WRX. The WRX (about $24,500) proves that you don't have to pay a lot for a car that's sporty and fun to drive. It offers brisk acceleration, agile handling, and a relatively comfortable ride with everyday practicality. |
| - | FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord/Volkswagen Passat. The Accord ($21,000 - $23,000) outpointed the Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, and Mazda6 as CR's Top Pick among four-cylinder family sedans. The Accord provides an excellent balance of comfort, agility, roominess, performance, and affordability. Among V6 models, the Passat ($30,000) delivers an impressive combination of comfort, sportiness, luxury, and safety. |
| - | SMALL SEDAN: Honda Civic EX. The Civic handles crisply, delivers very good fuel economy, and has a responsive, refined powertrain, all for around $18,000, well-equipped. |
| - | DRIVING GREEN: Honda Civic Hybrid. A new gasoline/electric hybrid, the Civic Hybrid ($21,000) is a roomy, five-passenger sedan with a comfortable ride. (The Civic Hybrid replaces the 2002 Top Pick, the Toyota Prius.) |
| - | AFFORDABLE VERSATILITY: Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix. Virtual twins, these tall wagons (about $20,000) are versatile alternatives to a small SUV. Both are based on the Toyota Corolla and offer a roomy, flexible interior, competent ride and handling, optional all-wheel drive, and good fuel economy for their class. |
| - | SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 (about $23,500) is small on the outside, but has a flexible, efficiently designed interior. The RAV4 also provides nimble handling, excellent brakes, good fuel economy, and an effective all-wheel drive system. |
| - | MIDSIZED SUV: Honda Pilot. The refined, comfortable Pilot ($31,000) features eight-passenger seating; a flexible, impeccably finished interior; and a smooth, powerful V6 that's economical for its class. (The Honda Pilot replaces the 2002 Top Pick, the Toyota Highlander.) |
| - | PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Avalanche. With its folding "midgate" between the cargo bed and cabin, this full-sized crew-cab pickup ($33,000 - $37,000) provides extra versatility. It rides well and offers a smooth, powerful V8 in addition to seating for five. (The Avalanche replaces the 2002 Top Pick, the Toyota Tundra.) |
| - | MINIVAN: Honda Odyssey. ($27,000, well equipped) The Odyssey
remains the standard among minivans. It has a roomy cabin,
strong powertrain, responsive handling, and a composed ride.
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