Honda Accord Hybrid Named Family Sedan Top Pick March 2005

Consumer Reports announced today that it has named the Honda Accord Hybrid its Top Pick for Family Sedans. The Accord became CR's Top Pick when its new hybrid version, helped by quick acceleration and very good 25-mpg overall fuel economy, outscored the Passat V6.

For the past two years, the four-cylinder Honda Accord and six-cylinder Volkswagen Passat shared top honors in the Family Sedan category. The Passat has been a Consumer Reports Top Pick annually for the past seven years. In 1998, the Passat shared Top Pick honors with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

CR's respected list of Top Pick vehicles appears in the Annual April Auto Issue, which hits newsstands Tuesday, March 8. Consumer Reports' Top Picks are all-around high-performers that have outpointed their competitors in CR's rigorous testing program; shown average or better reliability in CR's own subscriber survey; and performed adequately if crash tested or included in a government rollover test. Top Pick vehicles were selected from among the 200 vehicles that Consumer Reports has recently tested. Consumer Reports' new Top Pick list for 2005 also includes the redesigned Honda Odyssey, which edged out the Toyota Sienna for top honors in the Minivan category, and the Subaru Impreza WRX/STi, which tops the Fun-to-Drive category.

"The 10 vehicles on Consumer Reports' Top Picks list are standouts across the board for performance, versatility, reliability, safety, and interior fit and finish," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "CR's Top Pick list is an excellent place for consumers to start when they're in the market for a new car." Consumer Reports' testing procedures are the most comprehensive of any U.S. publication or web site. More than 45 individual tests are performed on every vehicle, including evaluations of performance, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Many tests were developed exclusively by CR's auto engineers.

Here, by category, are the issue's best performers. Changes from last year's Top Pick list are noted:

-- SMALL SEDAN: Ford Focus. The Focus (about $18,000 for the ZX4) rides and handles like a more expensive sedan. It provides a good blend of agility, ride comfort, easy access, and rear seat room. Other excellent choices in this price range are the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla LE, and Honda Civic EX.

-- FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord. The Honda Accord ($21,000 to $30,000) provides an excellent balance of comfort, roominess, and handling. The new gasoline/electric Accord Hybrid, which scored highest among all 32 family sedans tested, is very quick and delivered 25 mpg overall. The Toyota Camry ($21,000 to $30,000) and Volkswagen Passat GLS ($24,000 to $31,000) remain other good choices. (Last year, the four-cylinder Accord and V6 Passat shared top honors in this category.)

-- UPSCALE SEDAN: Acura TL. The TL's 2004 redesign transformed a good but unexciting sedan into a top performer. The TL (about $34,000) provides sporty performance, an impeccable interior, and respectable fuel economy. The BMW 330i (about $40,500) also blends sporty performance with a refined, comfortable driving experience.

-- LUXURY CAR: Lexus LS430. The LS430 (about $70,000) has a silky smooth V8 powertrain, spacious accommodations, easy-to-use controls, and a plush, quiet cabin. Comprehensive safety features, excellent reliability, and low depreciation also make this car a standout.

-- FUN TO DRIVE: Subaru Impreza WRX/STi. The rally-car inspired Impreza WRX and its high-performance STi variant (about $26,000 and $32,000 respectively) prove that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a fun-to-drive sports car. Both cars blend quick acceleration and balanced handling with the practicality of four doors. (Last year's Top Pick was the now- discontinued Ford SVT Focus.)

-- SMALL SUV: Subaru Forester. The Forester is a good vehicle and a good value-about $22,000 for the 2.5X. This all-wheel- drive, car-based SUV handles with agility and rides comfortably. The Toyota RAV4 ($22,000) is a good runner-up.

-- MIDSIZED SUV: Lexus RX330. The RX330 (about $44,000, well- equipped), is an excellent overall package. It blends a smooth, responsive powertrain and secure handling with a very comfortable ride. The similar Toyota Highlander costs about $10,000 less.

-- 3-Row SUVs: Honda Pilot. The eight-passenger Pilot ($33,000) blends the qualities of an SUV and minivan. Its smooth V6 delivers spirited performance and respectable fuel economy. A comfortable ride, secure handling, impeccable fit and finish, and a fold-away, split third-row seat make it an all-around excellent choice.

-- MINIVAN: Honda Odyssey. The redesigned Odyssey (about $26,000 to $38,000) leads the class in agility and comfort, with secure handling helped by electronic stability control. The interior is well-crafted and versatile. The Toyota Sienna ($25,000 to $39,000) is quieter and rides a bit more comfortably, and offers all-wheel-drive. (The Sienna was last year's winner.)

-- GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius. The second-generation gasoline/electric hybrid (about $23,000) is a good alternative to a conventional midsized family sedan. Its 44 mpg is the highest overall fuel economy that CR has recorded in a five-passenger vehicle.

SOURCE: US Newswire

Hybrid Car Links

Hybrid Cars

What are Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Car Pros & Cons

How Hybrid Car Works

Hybrid Car History

Future Hybrid Cars

Advantages Of Hybrid Cars

Disadvantages Of Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Sports Cars

Hybrid Car FAQs

Hybrid Car Facts