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Consumer Reports Rates Honda and Toyota Tops Overall

Toyota Prius is Most Recent to Get CR Stamp of Approval

Who said that if something is good for you that it cant be fun? Toyota has debunked that myth with the 2004 Prius, and along with changing perceptions the eco-friendly family car has won almost every award it could.

In its May 2004 issue even Consumer Reports, recognized as one of the most unbiased publications in the United States, has rated the most recent version "Very Good" overall in a test of five affordable family vehicles. The Prius achieved 44 mpg overall in the magazines fuel economy tests, the best results ever recorded by Consumer Reports for a 5-passenger vehicle.

And which cars

Consumer Reports has rated the 2004 Toyota Prius number one in a test of five affordable family vehicles. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

were up against the new Prius? Only base four-cylinder versions of the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, Mitsubishi Galant, and Dodge Stratus were on trial, along with the new 6-cylinder Suzuki Verona. From this list CR is only recommending the Toyota Prius.

This test is nothing new for Consumer Reports of course, with the magazine having recently tested and scored fifteen new family cars in the $25,000 or less category. Of these, the Prius

"The 2004 version of the Prius is a considerable step up from the first generation." (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

rates 6th overall, bested by Hondas 4-cylinder Accord that rated first overall.

"The 2004 version of the Prius is a considerable step up from the first generation, with a spacious interior, quicker acceleration, improved gas mileage, and cleaner emissions, all for about the same price," stated David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut. "However, if your needs require a well-rounded family sedan, there are several models, including the 4-cylinder versions of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda6 and Nissan Altima, that have scored better overall in our tests and are similarly

After the Prius, Consumer Reports rated the Chevrolet Malibu second overall. (Photo: General Motors)

priced."

Of the four cars tested in CRs May issue, the next best was Chevrolets Malibu, rating only slightly less than the Prius. According to CR, the other two cars rated much lower than both the Prius and Malibu.

CR reported that the 2004 Galant, recently completely reworked, is a "sound car with good acceleration and a smooth transmission," but it lacks the "ride comfort, refinement, and interior quality" of the class leaders.

Strangely enough, the Verona (basically a re-badged Daewoo Leganza built by the GM-Suzuki joint venture GMDAT division) that also did not score well, also available as the Chevrolet Epica, is reported to be much more refined than the Malibu in most respects, especially regarding interior quality and refinement. Obviously

Honda and Toyota once again are at the top of the Consumer Reports rating. (Photo: American Honda)

CR found other problems with the Verona, the fuel economy of the base 6-cylinder engine most likely knocking it down in points.

The full featured Dodge Stratus didnt fair well either. CR reported that it "handles securely," but according to the magazine "the cabin is noisy, the ride uncomfortable, and the access, a chore."

And just how does Consumer Reports rate the cars in question? The magazine says all entrants must achieve "at least average reliability," information gained by independently surveying its subscribers, have better than average crash test results, seat five adults comfortably, plus offer good performance while achieving "reasonable" fuel economy. While the Stratus scored "too low in our tests to be recommended" CR "lacks reliability data on the Chevrolet Malibu, Mitsubishi Galant, and Suzuki Verona."

Either way, Honda and Toyota are on top of the pack as usual, with Mazda and Nissan following close behind to make up CRs top four carmakers.

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