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Consumer Reports rates the latest compact vehicles

Consumer Reports rates the latest compact vehicles

Kenneth Hall June 2nd, 2008 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author June 2nd, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 After testing a group of compacts and subcompacts, Consumer Reports has judged the Hyundai Elantra SE the best in segment with an ‘Excellent’ rating in the overall road test score. Three other compact cars, the Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, also achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings in the latest comparo published in the influential magazine’s July issue. The Corolla achieved the best fuel-economy rating, scoring 32mpg overall in the magazine’s real-world tests and is one of the best results for a conventional petrol-powered car with an automatic transmission. Only the smaller Honda Fit (32mpg) and Toyota Yaris (33mpg) subcompacts did as well or better. The Elantra's top rating in the small sedans class shows how far Hyundai has come in the last decade. Its cars used to be unreliable and unrefined, and typically scored near the bottom in previous results. The car was picked for being a well-rounded package, with a quiet and comfortable ride, reasonable price ($17,980 as tested), excellent braking and very secure emergency handling. Of the tested vehicles, only the Elantra, Impreza, and Focus were recommended (testers didn’t have reliability data yet on the redesigned Corolla). Chevrolet’s Cobalt and Aveo scored too low to be recommended.
Consumer Reports rates the latest compact vehicles

Consumer Reports rates the latest compact vehicles

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After testing a group of compacts and subcompacts, Consumer Reports has judged the Hyundai Elantra SE the best in segment with an ‘Excellent’ rating in the overall road test score. Three other compact cars, the Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, also achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings in the latest comparo published in the influential magazine’s July issue.

The Corolla achieved the best fuel-economy rating, scoring 32mpg overall in the magazine’s real-world tests and is one of the best results for a conventional petrol-powered car with an automatic transmission. Only the smaller Honda Fit (32mpg) and Toyota Yaris (33mpg) subcompacts did as well or better.

The Elantra's top rating in the small sedans class shows how far Hyundai has come in the last decade. Its cars used to be unreliable and unrefined, and typically scored near the bottom in previous results. The car was picked for being a well-rounded package, with a quiet and comfortable ride, reasonable price ($17,980 as tested), excellent braking and very secure emergency handling.

Of the tested vehicles, only the Elantra, Impreza, and Focus were recommended (testers didn’t have reliability data yet on the redesigned Corolla). Chevrolet’s Cobalt and Aveo scored too low to be recommended.

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Comments (6 total)

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  1. By paul #1, Posted: 6/2/2008

    PULEEEZE...
    They must be kidding.
    I am trying to understand what makes for CR points?
    Its not fun.
    Its not solid build.
    Its not anything at all what we like in a car.
    To them it must be simply going out for bread and milk...nothing at all to do with hills, corners and anything else that matters when really driving.
    What have they against the Mazd3...its not even close.

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 6/2/2008

    paul.. im with you... any report that doesnt put the 3 in the top spots of the small segment isnt worth crap. even if they give a little nod to my focus. :D

  3. By mark #3, Posted: 6/3/2008

    I bet you two have not even driven the Hyundai Elantra yet feel like your opinions are right.

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 6/3/2008

    mark, you're right.. i havent driven the new elantra.. but the last one was amazingly wretched, and if they're comparing it to the corolla, i can tell you, the 3 is at least better than the corolla. the ride is amazing, feels much more planted, much lighter (the low end torque is amazing).. it's just an all around amazing car, even after 4 years.

    And franctly i've never driven an imprezza that wasnt an STi so i cant even comment. the point is that the mazda definitely belongs on this list... and it isnt.. so already, i'm not paying much attention to it.

  5. By paul #5, Posted: 6/3/2008

    you should really verify your "facts" first -- check the website, mazda3 is on the list, is one of the best, and is recommended. more sporty doesn't mean it's a better one to buy.

  6. By Joeshmo #6, Posted: 6/3/2008

    paul, it might not be fun because the point of the car is not fun, but it DOES have stuff mostly people want....safety, relatively cheap price, lots of room.
    OF course its a simple plan.....a plan to make money..and i think it's working....
    although the mazda is good, maybe its in a different category, i dont know...

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