2014 Annual Auto Reliability Survey by Consumer Reports shows Infotainment Systems are a Growing First-Year Reliability Plague

Troublesome Q50, QX60 models drop Infiniti 14 spots; Lexus tops rankings

Yonkers, NY – Multi-function, cross-linked infotainment systems and the associated in-car electronics are a growing reliability plague for many brands, according to Consumer Reports 2014 Annual Reliability Survey.

First-year models from Infiniti, Jeep, Fiat, Ram, Cadillac, Ford, and Honda have all seen significant problem rates from infotainment bugs and glitches. Of the 17 problem areas CR asks about in its survey, the category including in-car electronics generated more complaints from owners of 2014 models than for any other category. [Read more]

Consumer Reports rates All Season and Winter Tires

Michelin and Continental Models come out on Top. Test of 78 models finds several good choices.

Yonkers, NY – When it comes to Consumer Reports latest tests of all-season and winter replacement tires, Michelin and Continental lead the way. However, tests revealed that worthy tires were not difficult to find and many provided good overall performance.

In total, Consumer Reports tested 78 models of All Season and Winter Tires: 20 T-speed-rated (118 mph) all-season tires, 20 H-speed-rated (130 mph) and 22 V-speed-rated (149 mph) performance all-season tires, and 16 winter tire models. [Read more]

Redesigned Honda Civic Scores Too Low To Be Recommended

Ford Focus and Kia Forte score Very Good in tests of small sedans and hatchbacks

Yonkers, NY – The highly anticipated redesigned Honda Civic LX, whose predecessors have often been Consumer Reports’ highest rated small sedans as well as Top Picks in five of the last 10 years, now scores too low to be Recommended by the leading automotive testing organization.

The redesigned Civic LX’s score dropped a whopping 17 points to a mediocre 61 from the previous generation’s very good 78. It scored second-to-last in CR’s ratings of 12 small sedans, followed only by the recently redesigned Volkwagen Jetta. Consumer Reports’ testers found the 2012 Civic to be less agile and with lower interior quality than its predecessor. It also suffers from a choppy ride, long stopping distances, and pronounced road noise. On the positive side, the Civic provides decent rear-seat room, and it achieved 30 mpg overall, which gives it the second-best fuel economy in its class—behind only the Toyota Corolla’s 32 mpg.

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