Honda Best Car Sold In The U.S., Consumer Reports
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
Honda Best Car Sold In The U.S., Consumer Reports
Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are made by Honda. That's the conclusion of a recent analysis conducted by Consumer Reports that looks at the reliability, performance, fuel economy, comfort, interior fit and finish, and ergonomics of 262 vehicles we've recently tested....
...Only two automakers, Honda and Subaru, earned the distinction of having all of the models we tested make our Recommended list. Because we have not yet tested the redesigned Subaru Impreza and WRX, Honda is the only automaker whose entire model lineup is currently recommended.
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_...29111409990001
...Only two automakers, Honda and Subaru, earned the distinction of having all of the models we tested make our Recommended list. Because we have not yet tested the redesigned Subaru Impreza and WRX, Honda is the only automaker whose entire model lineup is currently recommended.
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_...29111409990001
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
There's no doubt that the new Impreza will also wind up on CR's recommended list. It always has before, and the new 2008 version is even better than the old one, except for the loss of the temperature gauge to red (hot) and blue (cold) idiot lights.
Even as a Subaru fan, however, I agree that Hondas, in general, have the best overall build quality (the CR-V's build quality, in particular, impresses me). In recent years, Honda has overtaken Toyota/Lexus in this category. Subaru's overall build quality is very close to, but does not quite equal Honda's....but Subaru does an excellent AWD system with the boxer engine, and I still maintain they are the best inexpensive daily drivers for bad-weather areas.
Even as a Subaru fan, however, I agree that Hondas, in general, have the best overall build quality (the CR-V's build quality, in particular, impresses me). In recent years, Honda has overtaken Toyota/Lexus in this category. Subaru's overall build quality is very close to, but does not quite equal Honda's....but Subaru does an excellent AWD system with the boxer engine, and I still maintain they are the best inexpensive daily drivers for bad-weather areas.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 29, 2008 at 01:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
There's no doubt that the new Impreza will also wind up on CR's recommended list. It always has before, and the new 2008 version is even better than the old one, except for the loss of the temperature gauge to red (hot) and blue (cold) idiot lights.
even as a Subaru fan, however, I agree that Hondas, in general, have the best overall build quality.
even as a Subaru fan, however, I agree that Hondas, in general, have the best overall build quality.
And please tell me you are going to review the Genesis the minute you can get your hands on one, I'll be waiting, but not too patiently...LOL
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
What did you think of 08 Accord v6.....I just looked them up and could not believe $30,000 decked out including nav and 268 hp on top of it. That is as though it is gunning for the ES 350 and may score numerous hits in the process.
And please tell me you are going to review the Genesis the minute you can get your hands on one, I'll be waiting, but not too patiently...LOL
And please tell me you are going to review the Genesis the minute you can get your hands on one, I'll be waiting, but not too patiently...LOL
Hyundai, IMO, in some ways, is as good as Subaru and Honda in build quality and value for the dollar, but the company didn't quite make CR's top-two-brand level mainly because the Accent, while an OK small car, didn't make the Recommended list yet. Yet, it is still a good, well-built small car for the money, and everyone I know who has bought a new Accent in the last several years (and that's a fair number of people) has been satisfied with them.
What do I think of the 2008 Accord V6? I reviewed a new EX-L V6 coupe a few months ago. Here, see for yourself:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...cord+v6+review
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
TRD go test a 350, it's like in old times when there was air in the lines, too mushy by comparison, but best brakes I experienced on a test drive were G35.
Trending Topics
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
ES350Bob, I'm not talking about pedal feel but actual braking distances. I've driven plenty of Hondas that had firm pedal feel, but long braking distances. For me personally, braking distance is a more important factor than pedal feel.
And mmarshall, the problem unfortunately still exists with new Hondas.
Take a look at some of the recent sedan comparisons where the new Accord was included. It had some of the worst, if not the worst braking distances compared to other sedans in the class.
The Civic also has some really long braking distances, among the worst in the class.
Of course this is just one issue. I would disagree with CR on several other issues.
And mmarshall, the problem unfortunately still exists with new Hondas.
Take a look at some of the recent sedan comparisons where the new Accord was included. It had some of the worst, if not the worst braking distances compared to other sedans in the class.
The Civic also has some really long braking distances, among the worst in the class.
Of course this is just one issue. I would disagree with CR on several other issues.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A lot of what is involved in braking distances is not just the brake hardware but the tires. Tires an make an big difference. Softer rubber compunds, in general, produce shorter stopping distances, but, of course wear out faster.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
ES350Bob, I'm not talking about pedal feel but actual braking distances. I've driven plenty of Hondas that had firm pedal feel, but long braking distances. For me personally, braking distance is a more important factor than pedal feel.
And mmarshall, the problem unfortunately still exists with new Hondas.
Take a look at some of the recent sedan comparisons where the new Accord was included. It had some of the worst, if not the worst braking distances compared to other sedans in the class.
The Civic also has some really long braking distances, among the worst in the class.
Of course this is just one issue. I would disagree with CR on several other issues.
And mmarshall, the problem unfortunately still exists with new Hondas.
Take a look at some of the recent sedan comparisons where the new Accord was included. It had some of the worst, if not the worst braking distances compared to other sedans in the class.
The Civic also has some really long braking distances, among the worst in the class.
Of course this is just one issue. I would disagree with CR on several other issues.
on the steering wheel hitting G35 brakes as you would an ES350 and the Accord is in between them in my experiences. I don't know about claimed or published specs for stopping distance but both my ES had me concerned enough to bring it up to dealer. Recently it seems there is an issue with ES where cylinder is losing vacuum on them, may be, have been due to that.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
For example, I've driven Civics with everything from Bridgestone tires to Michelin, Goodyear, and Falken tires. While there are definitely differences with different tire makes, fundamentally the braking system remains a weak point. Even when I tried my friend's 2006 Civic with W-rated Falken performance tires, the braking distances were unusually long.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
From: A better place
I worded it as though pedal feel, but actually I mean stopping, in the G35 after driving an ES350 for a while you'll chip your teeth on the steering wheel hitting G35 brakes as you would an ES350 and the Accord is in between them in my experiences.
I don't know about claimed or published specs for stopping distance but both my ES had me concerned enough to bring it up to dealer. Recently it seems there is an issue with ES where cylinder is losing vacuum on them, may be, have been due to that.
on the steering wheel hitting G35 brakes as you would an ES350 and the Accord is in between them in my experiences. I don't know about claimed or published specs for stopping distance but both my ES had me concerned enough to bring it up to dealer. Recently it seems there is an issue with ES where cylinder is losing vacuum on them, may be, have been due to that.
I have not driven a G35, but have been a passenger in my friend's G35 Coupe and I will agree the G35 does have great brakes.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 2
From: Florida
It might be a specific ES350 issue. Personally, I have found most Toyota and Lexus models, including older vehicles to have overall good braking systems with good braking distances even on average tires.
I have not driven a G35, but have been a passenger in my friend's G35 Coupe and I will agree the G35 does have great brakes.
I have not driven a G35, but have been a passenger in my friend's G35 Coupe and I will agree the G35 does have great brakes.
I'd take the non-by wire immediate accel of G35 acceleration and it's brakes bar none other. BTW: It was an 07 G35 sedan I test drove.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Apples to apples, using the same tires as a base comparison point, Honda's braking systems are still mediocre IMHO, even on the newest models.
For example, I've driven Civics with everything from Bridgestone tires to Michelin, Goodyear, and Falken tires. While there are definitely differences with different tire makes, fundamentally the braking system remains a weak point. Even when I tried my friend's 2006 Civic with W-rated Falken performance tires, the braking distances were unusually long.
For example, I've driven Civics with everything from Bridgestone tires to Michelin, Goodyear, and Falken tires. While there are definitely differences with different tire makes, fundamentally the braking system remains a weak point. Even when I tried my friend's 2006 Civic with W-rated Falken performance tires, the braking distances were unusually long.
The newer Hondas I've driven didn't seem to have any brake problems under the conditions I drove them (medium-hard braking), but in all fairness, perhaps you just braked the cars more to their limits than I did....so I'm not going to necessarily say that either you or I are wrong. Under the conditions you drove them, perhaps they were weaker than what I found them. Because I often have new cars that are unbroken-in, I don't brake full-force except in an emergancy.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 29, 2008 at 02:28 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,575
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
It might be a specific ES350 issue. Personally, I have found most Toyota and Lexus models, including older vehicles to have overall good braking systems with good braking distances even on average tires.
I have not driven a G35, but have been a passenger in my friend's G35 Coupe and I will agree the G35 does have great brakes.
I have not driven a G35, but have been a passenger in my friend's G35 Coupe and I will agree the G35 does have great brakes.
No Japanese-designed brakes, however effective, though, seem to have the firm, crisp pedal feel that BMW and Porsche brakes provide. BMW brakes, like BMW steering, have a superb telepathic feel. Porsche brakes do also...but I have less experience with them.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 29, 2008 at 02:33 PM.