Japanese brands continue to dominate Consumer Reports' rankings

[krusshall]

So does consumer reports release one of these "studies" a week? Seems like every week there is another consumer reports story about how much better Asian cars are than American.

That's what I don't get. These releases seem to occur every couple of months. I thought it was annual?

[Al465]

Can GM and Ford do anything about those dishonest reports? I think CR should be hauled in court and tell the legal system how they come to those conclusions. Take the Fords, just because they don't like the Microsoft Sync entertainment system, does that make it a bad car? I think CR should have to answer to the legal system, because they are steering auto buyers away to perfectly great cars and have been doing so for decades. I can not see how they can continually get away with this. I hope they go bankrupt and go out of business.

[mchicha]

CR continues to live in the Reagan years.

[vanshmack]

Got to pay attention to CR as they emphasize vehicle RELIABILITY as one their main factors in their rankings. The customers who purchase these vehicles want them to be TROUBLE FREE not LEMONS.

I am surprised how Subaru and Mazda have risen in their rankings in last few years to become number 2 and 3 surpassing Toyota.

CR can emphasize whatever it likes, but the numbers will be completely skewed because of its test methodology, which basically is a self-fulfilling prophecy of tracking people to whom they've already recommended what car to buy, which returns a built-in bias in the results.

Additionally, how does one define reliability in 2013? It's claimed by CR that the Buick Verano and LaCrosse are reliability "drags" on the Buick brand. Does this lack of reliablilty mean that they're leaving their owners stranded on the side of the road? If so, we've not heard about it. Does reliability mean that the owners don't know how to operate the nav systems in thecars? It could, and that would explain the low scores for these tech-intensive cars, especially considering the risk-averse nature of the people who take CR seriously.

If you want to buy a toaster oven, then by all means, read CR. If you're buying a car, then your research should come from multiple sources so you can get a balanced view.

CR is for sheep.

[Chaz_23]

CR undermines itself with their bizarre results. If reliability is a factor, why on earth are Audi and BMW getting recommendations?

[dagr382]

A contemptible publication, wholly lacking in journalistic integrity. In other words, they're cynical liars.

[krusshall]

Reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time.

Not being able to properly operate infotainment controls has nothing to do with reliability.
Not achieving EPA fuel mileage has nothing to do with reliability.
Not liking shift quality has nothing to do with reliability.
Having a funny, squeaky noise has nothing to do with reliability.

[donmateo]

CR pushing jap cars?

[danup]

Is anyone surprised? I hope CR enjoys those big checks from Toyota and Honda to keep them on top. This just doesn't make sense, how can Toyota stay on top with all of the recalls they have had the past 3 years? Sure, they shouldn't drop to the bottom because of it but how can they stay on top?

Yes, the most reasonable explanation for Japanese marques doing well at this is that all of the Japanese marques (but none of the domestic ones) pay off a magazine whose credibility would be permanently shattered if anyone could ever prove this accusation.

Really, guys: If this were true, wouldn't one of the domestics be doing it by now?

Attack the methodology by all means—preferably with evidence and explanations for why domestics do worse, and why that doesn't matter or at least correlates badly with real-world reliability—but attacking their integrity is lazy, unprovable, and logically far-fetched.

[Kennyboy]

The Verano and the LaCrosse did poorly because of "reliability" concerns? How did Kia got a better spot than Buick, when Kia's have a "reliability" concern with their Forte?

Bias at best. I noticed in their videos that the narrator have a favorable position towards Japanese cars, praising every aspect of the car, while test driving domestics, they complain about everything- from the stitching on the seats to the hard plastics on the door fame. Bullcrap at best.

[GG_TECH]

Not being able to properly operate infotainment controls has nothing to do with reliability.
Not achieving EPA fuel mileage has nothing to do with reliability.
Not liking shift quality has nothing to do with reliability.
Having a funny, squeaky noise has nothing to do with reliability.

All those factors define reliability. Reliability means failure, Catastrophic or Parametric. Catastrophic failure is when a component or systems fails completely (does not operate). Parametric failure means that a component or system is Operating but FAILS to meet to specification.

[vanshmack]

Reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time.

Not being able to properly operate infotainment controls has nothing to do with reliability.
Not achieving EPA fuel mileage has nothing to do with reliability.
Not liking shift quality has nothing to do with reliability.
Having a funny, squeaky noise has nothing to do with reliability.

Yet CR continues to stretch the definition...

[bone]

Most of us would never base an automobile purchase on Consumers Report recommendations. The buyers that subscribe to the magazine do and they are the ones who submit data. Could that data be slightly biased?

[steve333]

I'd use CR for toilet paper but I don't want to insult my ass

[krusshall]

All those factors define reliability. Reliability means failure, Catastrophic or Parametric. Catastrophic failure is when a component or systems fails completely (does not operate). Parametric failure means that a component or system is Operating but FAILS to meet to specification.

You chose to go straight to the textbook and that's well beyond me but there is no specification for human perception and those items I listed are all perception issues.