I don't read CR for their opinions on cars. They just are not car people. I trust the reliability ratings they compile, but I wouldn't trust their opinions about cars. They care about stupid things, like if the car is "green" in some way, or other equally unimportant criteria. The information they provide is useful and can be enlightening, but their priorities are skewed, and their ratings show it. I'll let Road and Track or Car and Driver offer opinions, and stick to using CR to see how reliable the cars are.

 

I am in general agreement with you. I love CR and read it every month. When it comes to cars I think their reliability ratings are the most accurate you can get because so many subscribers contribute. However, I've always been suspect about their road test performance rating.

I will never forget many years ago (maybe in the 1970's) they would give the glove compartment space the same weighting as engine performance and handling. I would think anyone, such as me, interested in a Pontiac GTO or Olds 442 couldn't give 2 cents about how roomy the glove compartment was.

 

While it's all good reading, who care? I drive what I want and no magazine is gonna change my mind.

 

 

Yeah, I agree.

But what I was trying to point out that IN SPITE of being NINE-YEARS OLD, it sill placed well.

 

Yeah I agree 100%

 

CR is obviously consumer-oriented, not car enthusiast-oriented. Give your own weighting to the importance of the factual measurements of their tests, and decide whether their more subjective comments about a given car align with, or are even relevant to your own subjective considerations.

IMO, CR is a valuable resource in the areas of auto reliability, safety, and measurements. Related to this, CR is also good at filtering and pointing out marketing hype. Look at how CR evaluates trunk size, for example. They evaluate that in real-world terms, like how many large and small upright suitcases will fit. That's much better than manufacturer claims of X cubic feet, some of which might be unusable.

 

I find it telling that the customer satisfaction score is the best of the lot. The product is clearly not competitive in terms of feature content or interior design with the latest German offerings. (Don't flame... it's also 5 to 9 years older!) Yet the consumers are still happier with it over the long run. It just shows how important reliability is to the buyer experience.