Still Fishy? Consumer Reports responds to Pickup Comparo Controversy

[E. Haskell]

They are silly.

For their next test they should have the 4.7 Tundra vs. the 6.0 Silverado.

[E. Haskell]

Originally Posted by BlueMontreal

CR made a comparison for commuters trucks. That's why fuel economy is so important

I agree, but fuel economy is only one data point when looking at trucks. The 4wd 6.0 Silverado and 5.7 Tundra are both rated by the EPA at 14mpg (combined). They should have used the 6.0 Silverado and gave it less points if the fuel economy was lower. Instead, they chose the wrong engine and handicapped the truck in multiple areas.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by windvale

I know that Consumer Reports is generally viewed as the anit-christ on this web site.

But what I found interesting is that in the CR review of the current Camry they pointed out that there were some ill-fitting interior panels, and interior workmanship not up to expected standard (my best recollection of their words w/o checking). If Toyota really is some sort of lackey for CR...why would they write such a thing about the Camry ?

Is it possible that CR is an honorable bunch, and just made an honest error on the Silverado/Tundra comparison - or is there a conspiracy here ?

Or do I just need to drink the Kool-Aid and shut up ?

You make some excellent points. Just one small problem. None of it is relevant to the topic of this thread. CR makes a comparison that is obviously flawed, they get called on it and their response is weak at best.

[GTODemon]

The point is clear - CR doesn't really understand how and why consumers choose the trucks that they select. They didn't make a mistake, per se. They put together a "comparison" that was based on their flawed belief that you can compare trucks like you compare washers, gas grills or baby diapers. These guys aren't car experts - they probably don't even really enjoy vehicles. They look at things through an analytical lense and rate based on objective criteria that they have established. Seriously, you want info on a car - read Car & Driver or Motor Trend, you want to learn which dishwasher cleans the best quietly, read CR.

[goochman]

Originally Posted by windvale

I know that Consumer Reports is generally viewed as the anit-christ on this web site.

But what I found interesting is that in the CR review of the current Camry they pointed out that there were some ill-fitting interior panels, and interior workmanship not up to expected standard (my best recollection of their words w/o checking). If Toyota really is some sort of lackey for CR...why would they write such a thing about the Camry ?

Is it possible that CR is an honorable bunch, and just made an honest error on the Silverado/Tundra comparison - or is there a conspiracy here ?

Or do I just need to drink the Kool-Aid and shut up ?

Did the Camry get a recommended rating? Those ill fitting panels dont mean a thing.

[Tiger]

They are still on that pretend high horse stating they "buy everything we test". BS. Plenty of their "reviews" are partials that they didn't buy. Then they get a 06 Ridgeline months earlier than dealers to compare with the Toyota 05 Tacoma (aw hell...we never bought the 04 Colorado!) and 05 Nissan Frontier. The only reason they got around to buying a Silverado is because the new Tundra came out! LOL.

Watch the vehicles they ACTUALLY buy. Notice which ones they test. Notice which models they avoid. Then notice how the "Buyers guide" article is misleading and doesn't mention they hadn't been in a Toyota Landcruiser since 2000. Yet the scores still stand. Read the fine print...it is quite telling.

Drive safe!

[DemonKnightDK]

GM should just put a roots blower on the 5.3 and be done with it. (or a twin screw )

[goochman]

Originally Posted by DemonKnightDK

GM should just put a roots blower on the 5.3 and be done with it. (or a twin screw )

Most CR readers wouldnt buy one of those therefore it wouldnt matter

Wonder what happens when the Tundra Hybrid comes out? Guess they will compare it to the regular 5.3 Silverado since most folks would only buy their hybrid from Toyota............

[W.A.F.U.]

Originally Posted by windvale

I know that Consumer Reports is generally viewed as the anit-christ on this web site.

But what I found interesting is that in the CR review of the current Camry they pointed out that there were some ill-fitting interior panels, and interior workmanship not up to expected standard (my best recollection of their words w/o checking). If Toyota really is some sort of lackey for CR...why would they write such a thing about the Camry ?

Is it possible that CR is an honorable bunch, and just made an honest error on the Silverado/Tundra comparison - or is there a conspiracy here ?

Or do I just need to drink the Kool-Aid and shut up ?

CR knows that there are more and more people calling their bluff on their car reports. So now they throw in a negative or two to try to seem fair.

Keep in mind that this is the same toilet paper rag that made a similar comment on Accord interior panels plus noted a interior knock that they couldn't locate. Then proceeded to give the Accord interior a 5/5.

[ByTheLake]

I still think CR has an import bias, but in the picture above, the Tundra really looks so much nicer. Who green-lighted the Silverado's styling?

[jnuz]

It's just more of the same from CR - a completely new truck made in a completely new factory can be "recommended" as reliable just because it shares a name with a past vehicle that they hung the same word on. Meanwhile, the Outlook cannot be recommended because it's "new" even though it's built in a factory that is not new.

CR proclaims that they're independent, but everyone forgets - Consumer Reports is not a person. Consumer Reports does not write the articles, drive the vehicles, etc. It's employees do. And it's employees write the articles. People are biased - wether it's individual consumers who will never buy a GM car because they think it's unreliable or a CR employee or board member. Everyone has their own preconceived notions of how something should be. That's where the slant comes in. It's only natural that like minded people gravitate towards each other in a place of employment. So, you can't discount that it may just be that many/most of their employees share the same attitudes on something like this.

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but the other problem is that their reliability ratings used to be based on reports from their own readers and not random sampling.

[Tiger]

Funny too that they have avoided a 4-cylinder truck comparison (despite their concern in high gas prices) like the plague. Why? The new Colorado 4 banger will walk all over Toyota's 4banger...that's why.

Plus they'd have to mention that the glorious Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier don't even offer a 4 banger. In short the Colorado and Ranger (gasp!) would stand MPG head and shoulders above the others. Can't have that!

What they test is quite telling.

[Tiger]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

I still think CR has an import bias, but in the picture above, the Tundra really looks so much nicer. Who green-lighted the Silverado's styling?

If you'll notice the Tundra is about a foot taller in that picture. Conicidence? I don't know. The Sierra is nicer looking than both IMHO however.

[ZvetteGuy]

Well... I say that the Toy has to come out with the big gun motor just to compare with a base GM truck motor... bring out the GM big dogs and the 'Toy' needs to head back to the ToyBox... Have them
'Toys' come back out and play when the "TRUCK" has finished it's business...

Long live GM...

[kain01]

OK, they mention they also the Z85 suspension package on the Silverado which gave it a nicer ride, I'm sure it does, but how many Silverado's have you seen w/out the Z71 sticker on the back? Here in KY, zero that I've counted.