Consumer Reports - April 2017

100 Pages·2017·10.04 MB·English

245 RATINGS & THE TRUTH ABOUT MazMdiaa tMaX-5 10 TOP
REVIEWS SELF-DRIVING TECH PICKS
2017 Annual
AUTO
ISSUE
SMARTER CHOICES FOR A BETTER WORLD
BEST
&
WORST
New &
Used Cars
GREAT
VALUES
across
brands
2017
Honda
CR-V
SMALL
SUVs
THE
PERFECT
CAR?
APRIL 2017 CR.ORG
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CRM0317C2
Contents APRIL 2017, VOL. 82 NO. 4
2017 Annual
Auto Issue
RATINGS AND MORE 40 New Car Ratings 10 Driving Into the Future
By the numbers, our Will self-driving cars ever
4 Why Our Car
independent evaluations of live up to the promise of
Testing Is Unique
245 brand-new vehicles. safer, simpler transport?
Rigor and independence
RATINGS
make our track testing tops. 17 Where the Rubber
49 Used Car Winners Meets the Road
22 10 Top Picks & Losers Take your tire tread
This year’s outstanding Which secondhand rides are seriously, for safety’s sake.
vehicles, according to most and least reliable? Plus, pick a top performer.
CR’s comprehensive and
RATINGS RATINGS
stringent criteria.
ABOUT THE COVER
52 New Car Profiles 20 Proceed With Caution
30 Best & Wors t Lists The all-new 2017 Honda
Our vivid and detailed Automatic shifters are causing
CR-V reflects the continuing
Which vehicles are hits and descriptions of 260 models. confusion—and crashes. evolution of the small SUV
which are misses? RATINGS segment. Our cover car was
R ATINGS IN EVERY ISSUE shot by Nigel Cox, whose
86 New & Used Car strong signature lighting
showcases the vehicle’s bold
36 Brand Report Card Reliability 5 From the President:
angles. Learn more about the
Find out which manufac- Our reliability survey Steering You Right CR-V on page 65, and go to
turers consistently make reveals which new and used We at CR continue to work CR.org/cr-v to see our “First
Drive.” Watch for full ratings
high-performing cars across autos go the distance—and to make sure automotive
in coming months.
model lines. which lag behind. advances put safety fi rst.
RATINGS RATINGS
6 Building a Better
38 10 Cars Worth INSIGHTS World, Together
Waiting For CR’s recent vehicle victories—
These intriguing new entries 7 The People’s Choice and new challenges for 2017.
are coming soon. SUVs are now America’s best-
selling vehicles. Here’s what 99 Selling It
39 Cars Your Way makes them worthy. Goofs and gaff es.
APRIL 2017 CR.ORG 3
2017 Annual Auto Issue
Burning Rubber insights from
We evaluate factors our car experts
including acceleration,
braking, and handling
on various courses at
our 327-acre test center
in Connecticut.
Cars with an “eco” label
aren’t always more
fuel efficient. See our
fuel-economy ratings to
know for sure.
—Jake Fisher,
director of auto testing
Why Our Car Testing Is Unique
Don’t rely on blind-
spot detection in bad
weather. Snow or rain
CR’s car team drives nonstop and digs deep into data so you can
can hinder its function.
make a fully informed choice on your next auto purchase. —Jennifer Stockburger,
test center director
of operations
TO REALLY PUT an automobile engineers, editors, statisti- that includes a 4,400-foot-long
through its paces, you have cians, technicians, photog- main straight, a 3,500-foot
to cover a lot of ground. Good raphers, videographers, and handling course, an accident-
thing the Consumer Reports support staff , to keep the Auto avoidance course, a 33-degree
Auto Test Center sprawls across Test Center running. rock hill, and a brake-test
327 acres in rural Connecticut, Most automotive publica- straightaway to gauge stopping
where we push the cars and tions evaluate cars and trucks distances on dry and wet pave-
trucks we test to their limits to lent to them by manufacturers. ment. To evaluate ride comfort, For added safety, make
get all of the information and But we purchase every vehicle we use surrounding public sure any pre-2012 car
insights you need to make a we test from a dealership, roads that are studded with the you buy has electronic
smart auto purchase. just like you do. (Last year type of bumps and ruts that stability control
The cars team tests about we spent $2.1 million buying drivers encounter every day. by checking our used-
60 vehicles per year, driv- cars.) That way, we can Because your safety is car ratings.
ing them a total of about maintain our independence always our fi rst priority, we —Gabe Shenhar,
900,000 miles. We also churn and test cars with the trim evaluate headlights on moon- program manager,
through reams of reliability and options people actually less nights and use carlike tar- vehicle dynamics
and satisfaction survey data buy rather than the special gets to check automatic braking
collected from our subscribers versions that manufacturers systems. We also use infotain-
to supplement the analysis, want to showcase. ment systems thoroughly and
evaluations, and ratings from Here’s something else that share our experience.
the track. It takes a full-time sets us apart: We’re thorough. In addition to testing cars,
staff of almost 30, including The staff at most publications we also operate an extensive
S
R
spends a day to a week getting child-seat program at our Auto WE
to know a car. We drive each ve- Test Center. For our current A pricey tire with a long PO
Go to CR.org/video to hicle we rate for 2,000 break-in ratings, we crash-tested 580 tread life may actually OHN
watch car videos, which miles over several weeks before seats. Plus we’re the only be a better value than a S: J
include Top Picks and we even start formal testing. organization that provides less expensive choice. AIT
WATCH “ltaCohTtRoar oo.klokuu airrgng tthg /eh a stCohutwa tetorr iwsrat .epc”e ska Fpt,oc .ugerto s ac t aor s A5mst0faet ffeta eress urttshrs e auumtss,e iewn nage tt sedttosoato -tmtlesr-.aoo Ocrf-ekut htfrahe tca-rainalrii ttn ye d icatnhobdanoenuspu t1 em56n00ed 0rmes nt.o itEdr etaeiscrl seha. nryadet airnra gtwes e mf otoer srte —atiurReto ytmaensot P ttisevzcech aznnoidlcki oawnski, HOTOS, PORTR
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4 CR.ORG APRIL 2017
F rom the President
President and CEO Marta L. Tellado Steering
Senior Vice President, Brand & Strategy Leonora Wiener
Editor in Chief D iane Salvatore You Right
Executive Editor K evin Doyle
Senior Editor Jessica Branch
Design Director M atthew Lenning FOR MORE THAN a century,
Associate Design Director M ike Smith through countless trends,
Manager, Art Operations S heri Geller
triumphs, and innovations,
Art Directors T ammy Morton Fernandez, Janice Hogan, Ewelina Mrowiec,
Lisa Slater, Tracy Stora, Joseph Ulatowski, Sarah Viñas the central premise of the
Photo Editors E milie Harjes, Karen Shinbaum relationship between
Vice President, Content Gwendolyn Bounds humans and cars has always
Vice President, Publishing & Marketing Operations B rent Diamond remained the same: We are
Vice President, Chief Digital Officer J ason Fox in the driver’s seat. Should
Vice President, Consumer Policy & Mobilization L aura MacCleery self-driving vehicles someday
Vice President, Research, Testing & Insights Liam McCormack replace the model we’ve always
Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer K im Miller
known, it would arguably
Director, Content Development Glenn Derene
be the most significant step off the line and onto our streets,
Senior Director, Product Testing M ark Connelly
forward in the automotive there is so much potential to
Director, Content Impact & Corporate Outreach J en Shecter
field since the advent of the look forward to. After all, here
Director, Special Projects S andy Keenan
Deputy, Special Projects J oel Keehn internal combustion engine. at CR we’re as excited as anyone
Associate Director, Content Development S cott Billings As exciting, daunting, or about visionary products that
Cars Editors: J eff S. Bartlett, Jonathan Linkov, Mike Monticello, unwelcome as that prospect exceed our expectations. But
Michelle Naranjo, Jeff Plungis might be for American we’ll also be keeping our eyes
Auto Test Center: J ake Fisher, Jennifer Stockburger, Directors
Product Testers: M ike Bloch, John Ibbotson, Chris Jones, Anita Lam, Tom drivers, one thing is certain: on the road ahead, riding
Mutchler, Gene Petersen, Ryan Pszczolkowski, Mike Quincy, Gabe Shenhar, Breakthroughs in autonomous alongside you to ensure that,
Shawn Sinclair, Emily A. Thomas, Joe Veselak, Seung Min “Mel” Yu
technology are opening up as new technologies shake
Electronics J erry Beilinson, Content Lead
Editors: T ercius Bufete, Michael Gikas, Christopher Raymond, entirely new sets of questions up the auto market and stoke
Terry Sullivan, James Willcox and concerns when it comes our imaginations, they always
Product Testers: M aria Rerecich, Testing Lead; Elias Arias, Claudio Ciacci,
to keeping consumers safe live up to the standards of
Charles Davidman, Richard Fisco, Dean Gallea, Richard Sulin, Maurice Wynn
Health & Food E llen Kunes, Content Lead on the road. safety and performance that
Editors: O rly Avitzur, M.D.; Trisha Calvo; Julia Calderone; Lauren F. Friedman; This month, as we reveal consumers demand.
Chris Hendel; Jeneen Interlandi; Marvin M. Lipman, M.D.; Catherine Roberts;
Diane Umansky our 10 top vehicle picks and
Product Testers: M axine Siegel, Testing Lead; Amy Keating, Ellen Klosz our best and worst lists of
Health Ratings D oris Peter, Director
new and used cars, we’re
Best Buy Drugs Lisa Gill, Deputy
Editors: T eresa Carr, Ginger Skinner also bringing you up to speed
Consumer Safety and Sustainability Doris Sullivan, Henry Akinleye on the state of self-driving
Home & Appliance E ric Hagerman, Content Lead vehicles. We’re breaking
Editors: D aniel DiClerico, Mary Farrell, Paul Hope, Kimberly Janeway Marta L. Tellado,
Product Testers: J ohn Galeotafiore, James Nanni, Testing Leads; Peter down the complex technology President and CEO
Anzalone, John Banta, Susan Booth, Tara Casaregola, Lawrence Ciufo, to let you know exactly where Follow me on Twitter
Enrique de Paz, Bernard Deitrick, Cindy Fisher, Emilio Gonzalez, Ginny Lui,
Joan Muratore, Joseph Pacella, Christopher Regan, Peter Sawchuk, things stand, from astonishing @MLTellado
Frank Spinelli, David Trezza, Michael Visconti innovations on the software
Money M argot Gilman, Content Lead side to sensors that can
Editors: J effrey Blyskal, Anthony Giorgianni, Nikhil Hutheesing,
Lauren Lyons Cole, Donna Rosato, Tobie Stanger replicate and outperform the
Content Systems & Operations Strategy P eter Meirs, Director nuances of human sight. As
Content Operations D avid Fox, Director; William Breglio; Anthony Terzo autonomous features and self-
Production E ric W. Norlander; Letitia Hughes, Terri Kazin driving cars continue to roll
Imaging F rancisco Collado, Mark Linder
Content Coordination Nancy Crowfoot; Diane Chesler, Aileen McCluskey
Copy Editing Leslie Monthan, Copy Chief; Noreen Browne,
Alison France, Wendy Greenfield
Fact Checking D avid Schipper, Manager; Kathleen Adams, Tracy Anderman,
Kevin Garnett, Sarah Goralski, Sharon Riley
Administration D ecarris Bryant, Elizabeth Scotton
FOLLOW US
Consumer Engagement Testing Charu Ahuja, Director;
Linda Greene, Adam Kaplan
FACEBOOK TWITTER
Statistics M ichael Saccucci, Director;
fb.com/consumerreports @consumerreports
Keith Newsom-Stewart, Martin Romm, Andrew Cohen
Survey Research Steven Witten, Director; Karen Jaffe, fb.com/SomosCR @SomosCR
Simon Slater; Mei Fong, James David Gopoian, Kendra Johnson,
DUNEA ADdebmrian Kisatlreantsiokny, J oMhanr tMinc LCaocwhetenr , Olufemi Olu-Lafe, Adam Troy /YcOoUnTsuUmBEerreports /PcIoNnTsEuRmEeSrTr eports
NIE Consumer Insight Monica Liriano, Associate Director; Frank Yang; Chris
OTO: MELA NPHroeowlmcsuesrste,a mRndaecn Mht eaOlr pkLeeyrntaicnthgio, PnTaset nS rietceiisvahe Man TcSShcohormilaevayos, nAes,s Aocssiaotcei aDteir eDcitroerctor @INcSoTnAsGuRmAeMrreports /cLcoIoNnmKsuEpmDaIneNry- /reports
H
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APRIL 2017 CR.ORG 5
B uilding a Better World, Together     Join with us to make a safer,
healthier marketplace
protection from future spikes
in gas prices. Automakers are
already beating fuel-economy
standards even as they enjoy
record sales. And though new
EPA leadership may seek to
reverse the standards, CR
will continue to work hard to
protect them.
Fairness for Fraud Victims
AFTER VOLKSWAGEN WAS
exposed for intentionally
installing software to circumvent
emissions control systems,
CR vehemently called for
a settlement that ensured
that Volkswagen owners got
restitution. The final agreement
did give them the choice of
what to do with their faulty cars
while getting significant cash
compensation regardless of
their decision. We also commend
Rolling Back the Year
the Justice Department for
its ongoing investigation
In 2016, Consumer Reports’ policy and mobilization experts
of executives.
fought hard to help ensure that you and your loved ones But in the wake of this
settlement, the EPA accused
would be safe on the road. We campaigned for protection
Fiat Chrysler of installing
from faulty cars, fought for tougher tests, and championed similar software in 2014-2016
Jeep Grand Cherokees and
stricter accountability for companies that were intentionally
Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with
deceiving consumers. Here are highlights of our efforts and 3.0-liter diesel engines sold
in the U.S. Consumer Reports
victories throughout this past year, as well as a review of our
will be watching this troubling
ongoing work on your behalf. case of déjà vu.
More Challenges for 2017
THE PROTECTION OF our
Making Recall Reform Real announce a plan to bolster its creating a powerful incentive personal data is now a critical
AS RECENTLY AS early 2016, New Car Assessment Program, for automakers to make the element of motor vehicle safety,
it was still legal for car-rental or NCAP, which evaluates latest lifesaving technology particularly as cars come to rely
companies to let customers new automobile designs for available on more vehicles on electronics and software-
drive off the lot in vehicles with performance against various more quickly. We commend based systems. CR submitted
open recalls. That changed on safety threats. NHTSA for hearing the comments to NHTSA as it
June 1, when the Raechel and In recent years, a high criticism and taking action, sets guidelines for car-based
Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental percentage of vehicles have and urge the agency to finalize cybersecurity.
Car Act of 2015 took effect. received four or five stars in the changes. What’s more, emerging
As part of the legislation, the NCAP five-star safety ratings. technology now allows cars to
rental cars under a safety As a result, we expressed Fuel-Efficiency Victory drive themselves or operate
recall must be repaired before concern to NHTSA that THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY the semi-autonomously. This
a customer is handed the keys. these ratings were no longer Environmental Protection technology may be promising
Consumer Reports was an meaningful to consumers and Agency (EPA) finalizing the in the long term, but in the
aggressive advocate for the encouraged the agency to make fuel-economy standards for immediate future, without
law, working with members the program more rigorous. passenger cars and trucks proper oversight, it raises
of Congress and allied safety The government’s proposed through model year 2025 serious safety concerns. And
groups to generate support. changes would be the most is a big win for consumers. new federal guidelines on
significant enhancements to With these strong, achievable automated systems are neither
Tougher Safety Scores the program since its creation targets, consumers can expect comprehensive nor mandatory.
CR WAS PLEASED to see the in 1979 and would make the a significant reduction in Turn to page 10 to read more
National Highway Traffic ratings easier for consumers fuel expenses, more choice about how CR is pushing for
Safety Administration (NHTSA) to understand, all while in fuel-efficient vehicles, and better answers.
6 CR.ORG APRIL 2017 ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN RITTER
I nsights
SALES OF SMALL, MIDSIZED, AND
LARGE SUVs SURGE SKYWARD*
MARKET SHARE ■CAR ■SUV
75%
60
Notable news and smart solutions
45
30
15
0
’96 ’00 ’04 ’08 ’12 ’16
The People’s
Choice
SUVs have gone from being
trucky, niche vehicles to the
nation’s favorite car. Here’s
why they’re outselling sedans.
by Mike Monticello
ILLUSTRATION BY PETER CROWTHER *Sources: Ward’s Automotive Yearbook, Automotiv e News Data Center. 7
I nsights
SUVs ARE THE NEW KING of the road. In from electronic stability control,
2016 they outsold sedans for the very a technology proven to prevent Features That
fi rst time, knocking that category off rollovers. ESC has been required on
its long-held throne and becoming the all vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds Small SUVs combine carlike road manners
best-selling segment in America. or less—which includes all passenger
Much of the credit for this ascension vehicles—since the 2012 model year,
goes to small SUVs. Car buyers greatly increasing their safety. Today’s
Generous Cargo Room
purchased more than 2 million of them SUVs are also designed to do less
An SUV’s tall roofline and expansive
last year, including the Ford Escape, damage to cars in a collision. cargo opening provide more
Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Myth: SUVs perform poorly. luggage space than even most
Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Reality: Today it’s common for a large sedans. Split-folding rear
seats increase flexibility.
What’s the appeal? Unlike old- small SUV to meet or even exceed the
school full-sized SUVs, which were performance of a comparably priced
built on truck platforms and usually midsized sedan. A couple of examples:
had a rough ride to match, today’s The Kia Sportage slices through our
small SUVs are built on car platforms, accident maneuver test at 52.5 mph vs.
giving them carlike road manners. the Optima’s 51.5 mph, and the Subaru
They also off er more cargo room and Forester shot to 60 mph 1.5 seconds
versatility than sedans yet are easier quicker than the Legacy yet required
to park and maneuver thanks to their 1 foot less to stop from 60 mph.
compact footprint. Other selling Myth: Cars are more comfortable
points are available all-wheel drive than SUVs.
and an elevated ride height that off ers Reality: Because small SUVs are
a commanding view of the road you basically tall-roof versions of compact
won’t fi nd in a sedan. cars, most have the ride comfort of
Here, we bust a few of the more cars and drive much like them. Our
persistent myths and off er an SUV top-rated small SUV, the Subaru
reality check. Forester, has a spacious interior, a
Myth: SUVs are gas hogs. supple ride, and secure handling. The
Reality: Small SUVs approach the fuel upscale and inviting cabin of the
economy of midsized cars. The current new Honda CR-V, which we’re testing,
Toyota RAV4 manages a respectable puts many cars to shame. Apart from
24 mpg overall. The Subaru Forester being taller, it will make you swear
Available All-Wheel Drive
does even better at 26 mpg, and the you’re in a car. It helps keep a car sure-footed in
RAV4 Hybrid gets an impressive 31 mpg. snow and on slick roads. Rare
Myth: SUVs aren’t as safe as sedans. on compact and midsized sedans,
all-wheel drive is available on
Reality: CR has raised concerns We have ratings, full road-test every small SUV.
reports, a buying guide, and videos
about SUV handling and safety since
at CR.org/suvs.
the 1980s, but today’s models benefi t LEARN
Jeep Wagoneer Jeep Cherokee
The Evolution
The first family-sized The first unibody (rather
of the SUV 4WD SUV, a trailblazer than body-on-frame) SUV.
we reported on in our Progress, but it still rode
Today’s SUV has June 1963 issue. like a truck.
roots dating back to
WW II. It did plenty 1941 1963 1980 1984
of shape-shifting
Willys MB AMC Eagle
before becoming the
Bred for battle and Half wagon/half truck,
largest-selling
used by the Army, with full-time 4WD,
automotive segment
this 4WD light-utility this crossover w as
in the country. vehicle started it all. way ahead of its time.
8 CR.ORG APRIL 2017 ILLUSTRATION BY T.M. DETWILER
Make a Favorite

with added utility. Here are attributes that have made them the most popular type of SUV.
Parking-Friendly Size Elevated Driving Position
Although small SUVs are often Small SUVs may be compact
a good 6 inches to 10 inches taller but they ride high and give a
than sedans, they’re the length commanding view of the road.
of a compact car, making them Tall windows off er excellent
relatively easy to squeeze into front and side views, although
tight parking spots. thick roof pillars typically
compromise rearview glances.
Increased Ground Clearance Easy Cabin Access
A taller ride height than the average You have to duck to enter sedans
car makes SUVs better at coping and climb up to get into old-school
with dirt roads and modest off -road SUVs. But the seat height and tall
trails, and provides room to manage roofline of small SUVs make them
daily challenges from curbs, potholes, easy to slide in and out of, which is
snow, and road debris. one reason they’re a hit with seniors.
Toyota RAV4 SUVs Lead Sales
This game changer They overtake sedans
ushered in the era of the for the first time ever
small car-based SUV. in the U.S., led by the
Honda CR-V.
1991 1996 1999 2016

Ford Explorer Lexus RX Toyota
Popularized the midsized The dawn of the luxury RAV4 Hybrid
SUV. “The ride is about as car-based SUV. The RX The most fuel-eff icient
quiet as in most sedans,” set a new standard for non-plug-in SUV CR has
we reported in 1990. comfort and quiet. tested, at 31 mpg overall.
APRIL 2017 CR.ORG 9
I nsights
D riving Into the Future
The promise of self-driving cars is that they will see better than
humans, never get lost, and almost never crash. Solving
the technical, legal, and ethical challenges to get us there is
more complicated—and fascinating—than most people
realize, and the stakes for consumer safety are quite high.
by Jeff Plungis
IN WHAT WAS ONCE an industrial-age military ground vehicle), Chimp (a And in places like Mountain View, Calif.,
foundry along the Allegheny River in robot with thumbs that can grasp Pittsburgh, and Phoenix, this is already
Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University tools), and Boss (a 2007 Chevy Tahoe happening in the form of on-the-road
has created a long-standing hub for the modified to drive itself). testing. Pittsburgh was also the place
development of autonomous vehicle Some of the center’s major clients— Uber chose to launch its prototype test
technology—the National Robotics including NASA, Caterpillar, Ford fleet of self-driving taxis last year.
Engineering Center. Motor Co., John Deere, and multiple Philip Koopman is a computer and
The university’s pioneering work arms of the Defense Department— electrical engineering professor at
with the government’s Defense are underwriters of advanced Carnegie Mellon who often spots Uber’s
Advanced Research Projects Agency autonomous vehicle technology. self-driving taxis while riding a bus
dates back to 1984 and has led to the Although much of this technology downtown. These days, his job at NREC
creation of many of the vehicles that was originally intended for the is to stress-test the software that guides
occupy the facility today. battlefield, it has become increasingly the center’s self-driving car prototypes.
The building’s high bay has a crane clear in recent years that self-driving He and his team of computer wizards
capable of lifting 10 tons, and the huge cars and trucks—animated by computer throw dilemmas at the vehicles in the
open space is littered with prototypes code—will be sharing the roads with form of confounding nuggets of code.
with names like Crusher (an unmanned ordinary drivers in the near future. One day they might try to ensure a
10 CR.ORG APRIL 2017