It seems that every year the popular consumer product magazine Consumer Reports becomes ever more and more popular due to the high quality and quantity of products tested. Believe it or not, the magazine has over 4 million subscribers in North America alone and as of last count had a testing budget of around $21 million USD. A good chunk of that cash goes towards their automotive testing division and needless to say, more and more drivers look towards the magazine when deciding to purchase a new auto. Let’s take a look at some of Consumer Reports top autos of 2010 and what they have to offer. 

 

Even though the green movement is out in force throughout the automotive industry, pickup trucks have still remained popular in many circles. Even though it slipped from the list last year, the Chevrolet Silverado is back on top as Consumer Reports top pickup of the year. The magazine called the truck “well rounded” overall and it boasts one of the better interiors you’ll find in a pickup. The powerful pickup comes with a choice of a 4.3L V6, 4.8L V8, 5.3L V8 or a powerful 6.2L V8. Depending on what you chose, the Silverado will run you anywhere between $20,850-$41,775 USD. 

 

In the small SUV category, the magazine named the moderately priced Subaru Forester as its best in class. Coming in between $20,295-$28,495, this affordable SUV made the list because of its car-like feel behind the wheel and in terms of gas mileage and its powerful pickup in the higher end turbo charged models. In the large or family sizes SUV category, the Chevrolet Traverse took the top honors. The magazine highlighted its rather roomy interior, smooth ride and cat like responsive handling as the auto’s top highlights. The Traverse comes in between $29,224-$39,385 USD. 

 

For those out there with kids, you know that your auto is one of the most important components of your life. After all, it is nearly impossible to haul two or even three kids around in a standard sized car or minivan. Have no fear though, as the Mazda5 “microvan” has space and a sporty feel to keep even the most adamant van opponents at bay. This fuel efficient van (28 mpg highway, 22 mpg city) has three rows of seats to fit all of the family members you can haul and the seats can be lowered for hauling. For the budget minded family, the Mazda5 is also rings in at $17,995-$23,005 USD.  

The top sports car on Consumer Reports list isn’t what many of us would consider to be your prototypical sports car in line with a Camaro or Mustang, but the Volkswagen GTI brings a unique, yet affordable set of credentials to the table. It may only have a four-cylinder turbo charged engine that pumps out 200 horses, yet along with a sporty suspension, the GTI brings a lot to the table. It is also quite fuel efficient, as it gets around 31 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city. Combine this with an affordable price tag of $23,465 USD, the GTI may be your next ride. 

 

In the sports sedan category, the Infiniti G37 took top honors. Save for the comfort of ride, the G37 brings with it “an appealing combination of agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined powertrain, and a high-quality luxurious interior." The sports sedan also gets a respectable 27 mpg highway and 19 mpg city. For those interested, the G37 runs $33,250-$40,400USD.  

Finally, we have arrived to the best overall auto of Consumer Reports 2010 list. As many have probably heard, Toyota has been taking a public beating due to safety concerns over roughly 8.5 million of their vehicles, but that did not stop the magazine from naming the Lexus 460L to the top spot with a near perfect score of 99 out of 100. This refined beast comes loaded with a 4.6L V8 that gives it plenty of power, but not exactly the best fuel mileage, as it gets 24 mph on the highway and 16 mph in the city. The 460L probably isn’t for everyone though, as it comes with the hefty price tag of $70,925 USD.    

 

Sources:

Consumereports.com

CNNMoney.com

Aolautos.com