Consumer Reports Rates Highlander #1

[MI-Silver-HL]

The February 2012 issue of Consumer Reports has an article on the best and worst values in motor vehicles by class ('value' being calculated from 5 year owner cost, road test score and predicted reliability). The Highlander Limited V6 is #1 midsize SUV (the Hybrid Limited is #3). This doesn't surprise me in the least.

Other rankings for anyone interested:

Minivans - Sienna LE #1, Sienna XLE #2
Small SUV - RAV4 (base, 4-cyl) #1, RAV4 Limited (V6) #3
Compact Pickup - Tacoma TRD V6 #2
Full Size Pickup - Tundra SR5 (V8) #1

[sweeneyp]

dang, Toyota is knocking it out of the park. Hope this keeps up till I need a new car in 6 years haha

[lets456]

I don't put much trust in CR, but thanks for the post.

[becks]

Makes me all the more happy with my decision.

[dtown40]

I have been reading Consumer Reports for years, and their ratings of new and used cars have always been very good. In their used car histories, they have always been dead on to trouble spots to watch out for in older model cars.

[Zembonez]

I'd say YAY but I hate Consumer Reports when it comes to cars. Good that the rating is high just the same.

[AVConsult]

So, ....I am not aware of ANY other independent organization that systematically collects car maintenance and repair data over a 7 year life-cycle and PUBLISHES it.

As for CR's "road test scores", I often disagree with their priorities and nitpickings, but in the end you get thorough feel for the vehicle and whether it's an ill-conceived Saab or a thoughout and screwed together Highlander.

I also get C&D, and get the performance "driver's" take on the vehicle. I wouldn't trust much C&D said about reliability, other than to read their long term test reports carefully for first model year and infant failures.

I've subscribed to CR for 25 years, and although have serious issues with their politics, general socialistic and nanny state world views, and their testing *priorities*, CR testing and data collection methodologies have a great track record, as does their car (and general product) data. Not perfect, but the best that is published, by far. And, the most objective you'll find. Not totally objective, but nothing humans do ever is.

Evereyone else guesses, projects (JD Powers) or is at the mercy of generic, opinion driven surveys that are run by journalists or aftermarket vendors.

Who's maintenance/repair data DO you trust and have access to? And by what objective criteria?

Obviously the holy grail would be the OEM's own repair and service systems databases, but you have to SWAT drop their data center to get that.

[becks]

For a general overview of vehicles you can check out trudelta.com

[dtown40]

This is another site that can provide owner experiances with their cars. http://www.truedelta.com/

[AVConsult]

Anyone a member? I signed up and poked around. Interesting site. Didn't see (I didn't look for long) pages that summarized issues by category (like engine or water pump, or timing belt). Gave a history format like NHTSA or Edmunds--OK if you don't mind reading all the entries and summarizing in your head. Would go beyond CR in revealing specific problems, if they can get statistically significant number of reliable members for any given vehicle (a significant problem with many sites).

Of the few (14 maybe) 2008 HL reports, it was a scattered variety of topics with a few recognizable issues we see on TN. Unlike the Ford Explorer owners (oh, my...)



Worth TN pointing people to? We could easily double or triple their stats....

[AVConsult]

Truedelta did take a cheap marketing potshot at CR--dissing their dots. Funny...

[dtown40]

I used the site for my 2007 Rav 4, and now for the 2012 Highlander. They send me reminders to report any problems with my cars, which I may have forgotten if I didn't have them.

[Camread]

CR must've got a fat check in the mail.......jk

[dfigu]

Originally Posted by lets456

I don't put much trust in CR, but thanks for the post.

You might take issue with their new car reviews... however this report is not opinion, just reporting the facts.

I happen to think the Pilot is a better car than the ranking that it receives (with the Touring better than the H Limited), but that is just my opinion.

[Dergara]

Just bought a 2012 HL Base 4x4 V6 with the Tech, Towing, and Cold package. After being a Strictly Subaru owner since 97 and owning many I compared through CR the car I sold, a 2005 Subaru Outback XT,2011 Subaru Outback, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline, Kia Sorento, and the Toyota Highlander. When it came down to it we got more for the money with the Highlander even space and dimensions are better then the Pilot. Maybe the third row in the Pilot is wider but the Highlander makes up for that in the second row amenities. By the way, who on earth is gonna cram three people in the third row of the Pilot. I love Hondas as well, but the HL base with the Tech package is an awesome combo. Yes all my previous cars had leather and sunroof, but I never used the sunroof and as for leather? It is nice for sliding into a seat but comfort seems the same. Cleaning is easy with cloth and as I learned with a tan leather interior, some stains are permanent. Just saying, leather scratches and the HL leather is nice and soft so be careful. As you can tell in two weeks I have fallen hard for my new HL.